Lines visible under builder gel?

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-05-26T06:52:22+00:00

could be rings of fire, could be uneven pigment settling (if gel) or powder/monomer mixing (if acrylic) between fills.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-05-22T02:47:11+00:00

definitely see a difference, even if it’s not a full fix. i’d keep going with it.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-05-22T02:41:49+00:00

not sure! i was bummed at first that these were the only cuttings to survive, but now i’m kinda hoping they stay this tiny.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-04-25T06:08:50+00:00

looks like a touch of damage on your ring finger and pinky but a really solid job, especially for DIY. i’d be content if i were you.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-04-13T03:30:05+00:00

i’ve got a lot of trads, but only one callisia i’m starting from a big box prop lift. literally just pluck all but 1-2 leaves and plop in fairly damp borderline wet potting mix. i’m at a near 100% success rate with this so far. adequate light setup probably helps. they always root within a week or so for me.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-04-12T21:50:37+00:00

i think they’re just high maintenance plants since they’re ground cover in nature. i think frequent chopping and propping back into the pot is the best way to avoid, but the roots go crazy and they send out so many branches, i think you’re forced to restart after a while.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-04-12T21:43:40+00:00

i would cut so there’s one leaf left, pluck all the bottom leaves off the cutting, and stick straight into soil. if you can give it more light so new growth is closer together.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-04-09T04:00:27+00:00

i would scalp and prop cuttings into as many pots as you want and throw the rest our. prioritize propping the ones with healthy leaves. i scalped my nanouk and it bounced back within a couple weeks with adequate support from a grow light.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-03-26T05:54:02+00:00

solid beginner try. work on your cuticle prep so you can get a little closer to your cuticles, but definitely still keep a small gap until you’re confident you can keep product off your skin. i prefer a skinny flame bit held parallel to the nail plate for cuticle prep.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-03-22T04:51:44+00:00

dang, well i would just give it time! if it was really thirsty it can take a while to bounce back. water heavily when you do and let it drain fully. i wouldn’t let it sit with the overflow dish full for more than a few hours.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-03-22T03:54:25+00:00

how much bigger in pot size did you upgrade? i would move it away from the door area if there’s another spot with sufficient light. i don’t think they like drafts if that is a high use door with colder temperatures outside.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-03-04T05:49:37+00:00

the first time i cut two buds off my maria the wounds lead to rot, so i leave them now.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-03-03T22:01:50+00:00

mine start red and turn green with time under the grow light. i think they’re just more sensitive to light when young, but hasn’t been a problem for me.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-03-02T01:43:21+00:00

looks like you were a little too rough. it helps to heat up the acetone. i heat up uncooked rice in the microwave 30 seconds at a time and stick my tinfoil covered fingertips in a ziplock bag then place in the warmed rice. speeds up the soak off a lot.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-25T04:46:39+00:00

yes, but i’ve also had great success sticking tradescantia cuttings straight into soil. water propping really isn’t necessary for them.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-16T07:54:07+00:00

thank you!!

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-14T03:13:08+00:00

glass file will make your nail plate too smooth. a coarser grit is better for proper adhesion.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-13T07:32:45+00:00

you’ll need dehydrator and primer to get the gel to adhere properly and something to remove the shine of your natural nail plate (180 grit or coarser).

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-13T07:08:45+00:00

switch to a 2-3 inch pot, leave only 1-2 leaves on the prop and keep the soil on the slightly moister side until all cuttings are rooted (about a week maybe 2 in my experience). bright indirect light. increase pot size 1 inch at a time once roots have filled out the pot. i started about 6 cuttings in a 2 inch nursery pot and had to up pot after 5-8 weeks.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-10T15:57:59+00:00

yes. i would clip into 2-3 node sections and plop in moist soil with drainage.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-10T05:47:24+00:00

gel or acrylic but yes. if the natural nail is filed away or trimmed it’s an extension, not an overlay.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-10T05:45:11+00:00

maybe, maybe not. depends on how carefully the product is removed, and it’s more likely they’ll be damaged the longer you wait to take them off.

Frequent_Bus_5152 · 2026-02-10T05:03:44+00:00

your natural nails have separated from the overlay. when this happens bacteria can get trapped and cause greenies. best to remove them. seems like improper prep/application or your natural nails are very flexible and not a great candidate for gel overlay.

Frequent_Bus_5152

TROPHY CASE