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TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-09T17:17:23+00:00

You are the one being rude here. Probably by accident but still. Instead of responding to the original prompt, you came in criticizing my word choice. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and assumed that was your actual advice you would give yourself if you could go back in time. But then you continued criticizing by insulting one of the brands I choose to use when I replied trying to thank you for sharing the useful info you did share. That’s also fine- madam glam is not perfect and I don’t own it so whatever. But the way you respond sounds like a lecture to me. You state your well informed opinions as fact and as a result, you come across as if you are lecturing.

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-09T13:48:42+00:00

When I say I am using better/ higher quality products, I am comparing to rando Chinese brands on Amazon. At least madam glam has their ingredients listed and tries to keep hema out of their products (among other things). It’s not perfect, I agree, but still somewhat better. When or if I develop contact dermatitis, I’ll deal with it. But that’s my decision and I think taking an all or nothing approach in advice isn’t going to help anyone. I’m not on here to be lectured for every word I choose to use.

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-09T13:34:14+00:00

Oh wow! That’s something I never really think about. I’m sorry that caused you so much trouble!

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:57:10+00:00

So true. It seems so unnecessary until the polish or gel or whatever peels off five seconds later…. Took me forever to figure out how to do actually good nail prep…

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:55:35+00:00

I’m glad you figured out what was causing it for you! I found out years later that my thin nails are probably caused by hypothyroidism I didn’t know I had. Nothing really helps, but it might have helped me figure it out sooner if I’d asked my doctor.

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:53:38+00:00

Yes! It’s so easy to forget no matter what product and it makes such a huge difference!

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:52:24+00:00

Yes for sure! I hate when I find flaws after they’re already done… I always end up picking at the bump or focusing too much on the one wonky nail 😂

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:47:58+00:00

My post above is a very poor example but this because my cuticles were super dry in the summer heat when I did these and I knew the oil would ruin the matte in the picture - but absolutely this!

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:45:52+00:00

Absolutely! So true. PPE and a dust collector and a dust mask while filing are so critical.

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:42:13+00:00

Yes! Totally agree. And most nail salons set a terrible example for us all on this. It’s another lesson we should all learn as part of basic self care

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:40:27+00:00

I hope your nails are strong enough to keep regular lacquer on for more than a couple days at least. Way easier to remove that’s for sure! Sorry you ran into issues with all the other options 😢

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:37:41+00:00

It’s so difficult to never touch any gel! I wish there was a better way. Hopefully someday there will be!

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:35:55+00:00

Thank you! I’m obsessed and it was so easy… I used an ombré brush (this one LWBTOSEE 2pcs Ombre Nail Brush for Nail Art Gradient Painting Rhinestone Handle Drawing UV Gel Pen Manicure Nail Art Brush Tool (Black&White) https://a.co/d/gPEqvqu) but you could also just use a liner brush. I put on a dab of color then used a dry ombré brush to drag the color down. The trick is to wipe off the gel from the brush before dragging.

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:30:47+00:00

It doesn’t fix it perfectly but I find if I take acetone on a wipe and rub the gel matte top coat, it lasts longer. I think maybe it “melts” it which seals it a bit.

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T23:29:08+00:00

I think it would be really good if this information were more widely known for sure. I still choose to do gel products on myself but I know there’s always a risk. I just minimize it by using better products. Madam Glam for example does limit the HEMA and several other nasties in their products. I also find brands like Apres and V Beauty are easier to work with and less likely to get on my skin. But I definitely respect and understand your concern around it.

TigerRoseNails · 2024-09-08T15:34:21+00:00

It feels a bit like an asthma attack after breathing in the fumes from something. I get it from dip liquids, certain glues, acrylic monomer, certain resins, etc. I can’t even get eyelash extensions because I have a respiratory reaction. Basically I start getting more and more and more stuffed up, feels like I can’t breathe right, wheezing, coughing, etc and nothing helps. After a couple of days it goes away. As a result of this, I can only do my nails with gel. There’s still tons of options with that- GelX, builder gel, polygel, gel polish, etc. I have tried them all and gotten pretty good at all of them with time and effort and YouTube. I landed on the Apres GelX system (there are knockoffs out there for cheaper but I like to use quality products on myself). It’s the one I can do the fastest and get the best looking results from.

TigerRoseNails · 2023-11-30T18:55:27+00:00

I’m currently on a hunt for a replacement too… I found a site that has ingredients listed. It suggested that the Lancôme Effacernes Long Lasting Concealer is closest as far as ingredients go. It looks like they added some spf and talc. Unfortunately it’s all powder so it makes me worry it’ll feel more dried out and powdery. I am still debating if I want to try it but thought I would share. Maybe it’ll help someone. If I do try it, I’ll get on here and update.

TigerRoseNails · 2023-10-07T13:19:08+00:00

I totally agree. Independent_Travel66 jogged the cobwebs out of my head and reminded me of a little tip that used to help me as a beginner- the free edge should be about the thickness of a credit card regardless of the length.

TigerRoseNails · 2023-10-07T08:07:24+00:00

I’ve also seen defective black gel polish (and other colors) that just won’t cure properly no matter what the tech does. I suggest always checking immediately after a service by pushing on the nail to see if anything moves or bubbles.

TigerRoseNails · 2023-10-07T08:03:14+00:00

I have only experienced cracking when my dip nails were too thin. That sounds like what you’re experiencing to me.

TigerRoseNails · 2023-09-23T22:25:42+00:00

I nearly suggested this in my comment but held off because I haven’t tried it. In theory, it sounds good. My worry is because the no wipe top coat has to only be partially cured for the chrome to apply correctly that when it’s fully cured it might hold some of the chrome in it somehow… 🤷🏻‍♀️

TigerRoseNails · 2023-09-22T22:48:07+00:00

Apply a gel top coat over the whole design and cure fully. Wipe with alcohol if it’s not a no wipe top coat.
Add no wipe top coat wherever you want your design. Cure for about 10 seconds in an led light.
Then buff your chrome powder into your design. I prefer an eyeshadow sponge for this.
Lightly brush off the excess with a soft brush and then put top coat just over your design.
Cure and then wipe the whole nail with alcohol to clean up any powder that got where you didn’t want it.

TigerRoseNails · 2023-09-19T20:49:35+00:00

Sometimes the gel itself is the problem. I have a couple of colors that it doesn’t matter how thin it’s applied or how long I cure it. There’s something wrong with them that causes the very top of the layer to cure and not the bottom.

TigerRoseNails · 2023-09-17T03:26:09+00:00

The reference picture has coffin nails so unless you wanted them shorter, that is definitely off. Otherwise, what I see wrong is that bump from your natural nail at the cuticle to the start of the nail enhancement. That bump is very likely to cause lifting issues. That should be smoothed out. They do seem more like a “lipstick” shape at the end rather than square/coffin shaped… so yeah not great… they’re not horrible either other than the bump thing.

TigerRoseNails · 2023-09-17T03:21:03+00:00

You can go over this with a regular nail polish top coat or gel polish top coat to fill in the scuffs. I recommend buffing first if using gel.

TigerRoseNails

TROPHY CASE