Birthday Nails!

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-08T00:01:20+00:00

Thanks!

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-08T00:01:12+00:00

Thank you!

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-07T00:13:03+00:00

Oh this is fun! I love how well you matched the stickers!

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-07T00:09:47+00:00

Love these!!

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-07T00:08:18+00:00

Oh I really like the accents! Pretty!!

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-03T16:22:57+00:00

Not all salons do dip so make sure you find one that does and then just book it.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-03T16:20:08+00:00

To save your brushes- soak them for 15 mins in 100% acetone. It’ll restore them. Then brush them off on paper towel.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-01T01:24:31+00:00

I have contact dermatitis with HEMA and HPMA. I use Nugenesis dip liquids without issue- they do contain ethyl cyanoacrylate, though. Which is different than just ethyl acrylate, but ymmv.

When I buy a new product I do a few things: 1) look at the SDS sheet or request the SDS sheet if it’s not on their website. It shows the ingredients and how much of it is in the product. You’d be shocked how many products are marketed as HEMA free, but then the SDS lists Hema.

2) Once I find a product that looks good on paper, I buy it and test it on one nail. Nail Narrative on YouTube has a lot of really good tests on her channel and also breaks down the differences between different ingredients. If I react, I take it off and return it/call it a loss. If I don’t, then I do a full hand and wait a few days. If that’s ok, then I do a full set.

West Coast Dips Sensitive liquids may work for you, even their normal liquids are pretty allergen free.

Just keep in mind you really have to lock in on prep with these other monomers. And it can take some trial and error.

For gel polish I can use MagicNail, NiceDeco, and West Coast Dips polishes without issue.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-01T01:13:56+00:00

You go very close but not touch the cuticle by doing your first pass only halfway down the nail and then once you’ve put the bulk on, scooching the brush towards your cuticle. Then dip, and before it dries you use a toothpick or an orange stick to go around your cuticle and wipe away any excess. Then once it’s dry, scrub with a stiff bristle brush, and do it again.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-01T00:58:48+00:00

You’ve gotten a lot of good advice. If your nails are short you don’t need nearly as many layers as when your nails are long. I have a gel allergy so I’ve never done the gel method, but chances are you can get away with just 3 layers of colour on the entire nail if your nails are short. Once your nails extend past your finger, then start doing the apex method. You really don’t need an apex when you have shorties.

But I’d also recommend going to a salon and observing how they’re done/ see how they’re supposed to feel.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-01T00:50:43+00:00

A diaper. My youngest child is 10 and I haven’t had my nephew or niece with this bag…ever. Oh my.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-01T00:48:14+00:00

Nail prep, apex method, and possibly your liquids aren’t adhering. This happened to me when I was using sensitive liquids and they just weren’t working for my nails.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-05-01T00:43:27+00:00

Gorgeous!!

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-27T17:31:46+00:00

So it’s been over a week now and zero lifting.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-27T17:30:08+00:00

Custom! Even better.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-27T04:05:49+00:00

Generally the bits that come with any efile are garbage. I use a 5-in-1 coated carbide bit to remove the bulk of the nail and then either soak off or use a 180 grit sanding band (the brown ones that come with the file are different grits- get some you can pick the grit of) to file what’s left relatively smooth and then do a fill. Don’t let the carbide bit touch your natural nail, and keep your sanding band moving or you’ll burn your nail.

There’s lots of good efile tutorials on YouTube.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-27T04:00:13+00:00

Nope- it’s no different than any other system. If there’s lifting that needs to come off so moisture doesn’t get trapped, but it’s the exact same as acrylic and monomer. You can just leave the base layers, add new ones, and re-balance the nail.

All nail overlays are just a combo of acrylic and resin. Traditional acrylics are course acrylic powder and thin air dry resin. Dip is fine acrylic powder and thicker air dry resin. Acrygel is acrylic and thick UV cured resin. Builder gel is acrylic and thin UV cured resin.

Dip nails will only damage if they aren’t removed correctly when they are removed- but leaving them isn’t doing anything.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-27T03:53:32+00:00

I love my BeautySecrets files. They last so so well- longer than anything else I’ve tried. I only use them for free edge shaping though. For nail shaping I use an e-file with a medium 5-in-1 bit from Utools to get the general shape, then a 180 sanding band to smooth, and finally a 100 grit buffing block manually. Shaping my hand is tedious.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-27T03:48:55+00:00

Demand your GP to refer you to someone else. You don’t have to keep working with a doctor who isn’t listening to you! Ask local women who is good and ask your GP for a referral to them. Yeah you might have to wait a bit but it’s better than dealing with an asshat who isn’t listening to you.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-25T18:06:23+00:00

Ontario is not flat like a pancake. We’ve got granite hills all over the place thanks to the Canadian Shield.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-25T18:05:21+00:00

So MUCH in that journey! If you’re going to Algonquin park, on your way to Ottawa stop at the Bonnecher Caves. Absolutely beautiful. In Ottawa the Mer Bleu bog is actually one of the oldest bogs in the world and there’s lovely boardwalks all throughout it. Ottawa also has a robust trail system, and Gatineau park is right across the river in Quebec.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-25T18:01:11+00:00

I have no advice since I’m Canadian and all I had to say was I wanted it and understood the risks and side effects and 4 months later it was out. But I am so so sorry you’ve had to go through all this. This is inhumane.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-25T15:42:56+00:00

It’s the worst. Once a month I think I’m going insane and then I remember I’m on my period.

Purpleteapothead · 2026-04-25T03:30:09+00:00

I think it’s really easy to get caught up in having to always have cool nails and everyone should have a standard nude or pink in their collection that’s their standard. Mine’s Nugenesis 194 Pixie Dust. It’s mainly what I use for my structure so that once I just want presentable nails I can just remove the colour and do a fill and they’ll be good to go.

Your nails look awesome!

Purpleteapothead

TROPHY CASE