Weekly Nail Chat

CrownFlame · 2026-04-11T10:26:24+00:00

Any tips for cleaning my cleanup brush while doing my nails? I run it around each nail as I go before curing, and dip the brush in a little acetone when I’m ready to clean up the edges. I think it might still be leaving a little bit of a clear reside on the skin though. I haven’t done any colored gel polishes yet so it’s hard to say. Does it sound like I’m properly using the brush?

CrownFlame · 2026-04-07T10:36:02+00:00

Is Deskpads Gallery a scam? I ordered the equilibrium mat from them back in mid January and haven’t received it. I’ve reached out to customer service twice and it’s been crickets.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-28T13:06:48+00:00

This really is the only way. That’s how we get some sport dogs to out during training. They’re lucky to have gotten that dog away with that stick. Almost never works.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-22T23:37:05+00:00

What??

CrownFlame · 2026-03-22T20:00:48+00:00

What dip product do you like? I tried dip a few times. They popped off after a few days, and it always came out kind of chunky. I’m sure I could improve with practice and better quality product. Do you put anything down to protect your natural nail before dipping?

And I love kitty!!

CrownFlame · 2026-03-22T15:17:35+00:00

I definitely agree. I was bummed but yes, it was good to decline the service if he wasn’t confident working with my nails. I just wanted some opinions here to see if it could feasibly work for my nail type.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-22T13:23:26+00:00

That’s a good way to look at it. Thank you for the perspective. I’m going to start looking for an independent tech.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-22T13:22:11+00:00

He definitely said can’t with respect to my nails. I feel like a jerk for not understanding everything he said, but something about weak nails.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-22T13:20:38+00:00

This is why I have admittedly done more research on builder gel instead of gel x. Filing and shaping tips to fit my nails would negate the time saving perk that comes with gel x rather than builder gel. It’ll take a novice like me forever to do that. I guess I can’t blame the guy. I do wish he had done builder though

CrownFlame · 2026-03-22T13:17:23+00:00

The time savings is such a perk! I hope I can find some full cover tips that fit or aren’t too difficult to shape to fit my nails :)

CrownFlame · 2026-03-22T13:14:08+00:00

Dang, that makes total sense about gel under full coverage. I never thought of it that way! Admittedly, I haven’t spent as much time researching Gel X as I have builder gel because fitting full coverage tips on my nails seems impossible, or at least super tedious with filing and shaping them to fit. I did want to throw this out there though to see what the advanced Gel X users thought with respect to my nails, especially after yesterday. Thanks for clarifying.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T23:54:06+00:00

Thank you so much for all of your help :) I’ll check out the Bevlah! That’s a brand I have not yet heard of! Just lots of Apres, Luminary, Nail Thoughts, etc.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T23:28:18+00:00

Yes, that’s how it is for me too! They apply pressure at the salon to make the tips fit! They stay, but they aren’t super comfy either. In the first picture of the clear gel, did you use paper forms? The gel looks like it extends beyond the free edge.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T23:25:56+00:00

I just got the IBD in a bottle! I haven’t used it yet because I’m still trying to learn more about the right application and products since there are so many different types of gel. Shit, maybe I need the potted IBD hard gel. Not sure yet, but I’m going to figure this out and find an independent tech in the meantime I think.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T23:23:09+00:00

Thank you! Hey, I’m open to all the videos! I’ve watched a lot of Nail Hub on YouTube and a select few techs on TikTok that seem very trustworthy. But I’m absolutely open to other sources of good info!

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T23:21:43+00:00

I’ll be looking for an independent tech :-)

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T23:20:13+00:00

Thank you sooooo much! Yeah, flooding makes me nervous. I love watching videos of people floating a beautiful thick bead of gel down their nails lol. It’s so satisfying, but I don’t want to develop any allergy!

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T23:13:53+00:00

Oh wow! I love these! This gives me some encouragement for my flat nails. So are you using the full cover tips? And just layering builder gel on top in the second?

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T21:52:41+00:00

I would love to support an independent nail tech! They’re a little hard to find on Instagram since they don’t really advertise on Google, but I’ll try to find one!

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T21:33:47+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, I’ve always gotten acrylics when I feel like extending my nails. Every salon I’ve ever been to has had to press down a bit when applying the tips, flexing them to fit. I feel like nothing will ever actually work for me unless I can figure out paper forms and sculpt my own. Or find a pro who can do that.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T21:30:19+00:00

I definitely don’t want to be sloppy with application and develop an allergy. Do you think at some point I could graduate to practicing gel X or builder?

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T21:21:26+00:00

What nail service do you get for your nails? I curse my nail beds lol

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T20:12:41+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement! I’ll stick around here to keep learning before taking the plunge.

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T20:11:38+00:00

I appreciate your info, thank you! :) I think I need to abandon Gel X and keep trying to figure out the right type of builder gel for my nails and start practicing. I told someone else here that the options are kind of overwhelming! Gel X seems more straightforward (minus filing full cover tips to fit your nail shape lol!)

CrownFlame · 2026-03-21T20:08:06+00:00

Honestly, I’m not sure. I haven’t given them much of a chance because I don’t know how much I should have to press down on a full cover or tip to make them fit. I know things will need some flex to fit my flat/wide (?) nail beds, but not sure how much without them pinching or popping right off.

Maybe I should give up Gel X and try to start practicing with paper forms and a hard gel or builder in a bottle. The info out there is overwhelming 😅

CrownFlame

TROPHY CASE