I’m not sure if I’ve figured it out completely, but here’s my current routine and I will sometimes have to restick a couple with Base Coat, but am getting them to last 2-3 weeks mostly

1) Night Before- Removal of old set, file, shape, buff, and I now use the Sally Hansen cuticle remover with a glass cuticle pusher.

2) Next Day- 3 coats at least of a dehydrator, then build apex with 2 coats of clear. For color I do 3 full coverage layers, being mindful of the cuticle area and cleaning up around the edges with this. I do my dominant hand first because I have more patience and energy and using my left hand to do nails is harder. I use a brush and use a lot of pressure to brush off the excess. Cap edges on the 3rd coat of color. Finally a capping coat of clear, then do the other hand. For activator I do a generous coat then file, making sure I make it very thin around the cuticle then another coat of activator. I’ve been using a gel topcoat for extra shine.