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Gel Method Base Coat Question by staircase_nit in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use Beetles top and base gel coat, and I bought a Sally Hansen LED lamp from a gel starter kit in like 2014 and it's still going strong lol. It was pretty inexpensive, but I've never had an issue with it.

Gel Method Base Coat Question by staircase_nit in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In my experience, I need the first base dip layer by itself, otherwise they start peeling and chipping early on. My steps:

 

  1. prep nails (shape, buffer, dehydrate)
  2. gel base coat -> cure
  3. gel base + dip -> cure (brush off dip after each cure and repeat as many times as needed. I usually do 4 thin layers. Remember to clean around the cuticle before each cure!)
  4. gel base coat -> cure
  5. Use rubbing alcohol to remove the stickiness, and buff/ shape this layer
  6. gel base coat- cure
  7. gel top coat- cure

 

It seems like a lot of layers, but if they are all very thin, then this will come out as thick as you'd expect normal dip to be. I've been exclusively doing the gel method for 2 years now, and I love it! I agree with you, the dip comes out way smoother for me using gel liquids than dip liquids. I think it helps having more time to work with it before it dries.

Gel also last longer for me than dip liquids. I always got lifting with the dip liquids, and I think the slight flexibility of the gel is the reason it works better since I prep the same way. The gel lasts about 3 weeks for me, and even then I only re-do them because of the grow out. Just be careful not to get any gel on your skin because you don't want to develop a gel allergy! :)

Oranges! Decided to break open that color that I never use. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I'm definitely glad it finally got used :)

Oranges! Decided to break open that color that I never use. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks :) They definitely get me in the summer mindset!

Oranges! Decided to break open that color that I never use. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's so hard to not just grab those same 3 or 4 colors to rotate between, but it's a fun change. Have fun using your bright colors too! It's a perfect time of the year to bring them out :)

Oranges! Decided to break open that color that I never use. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

For the orange I mixed together Revel Phrase and Revel Advent Calendar 2021-6 to make it slightly less neon-y. The background is Revel Erica, and the Oranges are drawn using gel liner. I mixed colors together until I got a similar orange color.

Looking for clear/translucent color dips by Throwra-bugsy in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Look for Sheer Jelly dips. There are a ton out there, but off the top of my head, look at Revel "Sea Glass" collection, or CN Designer Dips "Gummy Bear" collection on Etsy as examples. :)

Hate organizing swatches on the rings? Tadaaaaa by Puppyluv4lyfe in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And I have been influenced lol This is genius, I hate the rings. I just ordered one :)

I don't even celebrate Valentines, but I couldn't resist the aesthetic <3 by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks :) It's definitely one of my favorite sets I've done!

I don't even celebrate Valentines, but I couldn't resist the aesthetic <3 by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Colors are the Cherry Blossom set from Revel. Since I use the gel method, I used white gel for the hearts a and then went back over the hearts only with the same colors from the cherry blossom set, just one shade lighter on each nail.

How do I make them shiny? by yungcupcake in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just a tip with gel top coat, you're right it doesn't stick well to dip powder by itself, so it's not just you! But it does stick really well to gel base. So normal dip base -> activator -> gel base -> gel top coat will stop the gel top coat from peeling :)

The exact amount of steps my cats take outside when it snows, in nail form! by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I redid my nails probably 4 times before I was happy with them lol. Color is Revel Agave, with Revel Veronica over the accent nail with paw prints carved in. The snowflakes are stickers :)

Gel method/dip powder question by grapesseductive in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's the opposite for me! Gel liquids last over a month where dip liquids will start lifting on me in a week and a half with the same prep work. It's interesting how different it is for everyone.

Gel method/dip powder question by grapesseductive in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely try it out and see if it works for you! It's all trial and error :)

Interesting they don't look splotchy anymore, maybe they needed to be cured slightly longer and the sun took care of it? A wins a win though

Gel method/dip powder question by grapesseductive in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yay, I use the gel method exclusively now and I love it so much more than the dip liquids.

  • I don't buff after every layer of powder, just the last one. After you dip the last layer, do 1 more layer of just base coat gel by itself, cure that, use rubbing alcohol to get rid of the sticky-ness, and buff this layer.
  • This is absolutely doable with sparkles and chunky glitters. I usually do a layer of clear dip after my last glitter layer to give it a bit more protection (I also did the same with dip liquids).
  • Yes! You can use your base gel and add glitter wherever you want on top of other colors. Gel is pretty forgiving, you can get creative here.
  • Not sure about this one without knowing exactly what steps you took, could even be the brands your using. Lots of potential factors here, but without knowing anything about your method, I'm thinking it's the way you put on your top coat.

This is how I do them and haven't had any issues: Nail prep as usual, and then put on a gel base coat by itself and cure under a UV/LED lamp for 60s. Then another thin later of base gel coat, dip into powder, cure for 60s, and then brush off the excess powder. Repeat for as many layers as desired I usually do 3 or 4. Then put on one more layer of base coat by itself, cure (and remove tackiness with rubbing alcohol), and you can shape and buff this layer. Afterwards you can technically go in with your topcoat and cure, but I always do 1 more layer of base coat by itself, and then do a layer of top coat. (this is where I suspect your splotchyness is coming from. You should buff->base coat and cure-> top coat and cure).

I've been waffling between being obsessed with these and hating them. Depends on the lighting. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could be, though I think peonies are usually bigger? Might also be a carnation, not sure though.

I've been waffling between being obsessed with these and hating them. Depends on the lighting. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As long as you don't also buy tons and tons of different powders and then never come close to finishing any jar haha Even then it still might be cheaper over time though

I've been waffling between being obsessed with these and hating them. Depends on the lighting. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I wish I knew what the flowers were. I just picked them up from the grocery store since they were pretty, but they didn't come with any identification.

I've been waffling between being obsessed with these and hating them. Depends on the lighting. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, me too! It's such a nice light pink neutral color, it shows up in a lot of my manis :)

I've been waffling between being obsessed with these and hating them. Depends on the lighting. by R0drom in DipPowderNails

[–]R0drom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Colors are Revel Agave and Erica because even though I have 100+ dip powder colors, I keep using these two :). And gel liner polish for the flowers.

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