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SEARCHJessica Hoel of LuvNailz salon in Bellevue, Wash., has an interesting technique for her color gels.
Jessica Hoel of LuvNailz salon in Bellevue, Wash., has an interesting technique for her color gels. She puts a very thin layer of clear hard gel down as a base before she applies the color gel, be it soak-off or soak-off gel-polish.
Hoel applying the Akzéntz clear hard gel.
But Hoel is quick to point out that this cannot be done with every gel. Her preferred brand, Akzéntz, has according to her, “hard gels that work perfectly with the Akzéntz Options Colored Gels to give a balance that creates an incredibly strong nail – stronger than hard or soft gels by themselves,” she says.
“I do not put an arch in the nail,” explains Hoel, “Anyone who does hard gels knows that a very thin hard gel nail with no arch will crack. But because of Akzentz’s unique flexibility in its color gels, they balance out perfectly with the hard gel and create a strong nail that is still very thin.”
The technique is bringing her great success in the salon. It adds extra durability and her clients report that manicures go three to four weeks without chipping or breaking nails. It also allows Hoel to use an e-file to take the color off. The hard gel prevents the e-file from generating heat, which is common when e-filing a soak-off color by itself, and it protects the natural nail.
Applying the pink soak-off gel.
She says she can get the color off in less than 10 minutes start to finish, which is competitive when considering the time it takes to get nails wrapped in cotton and tin foil when soaking off nails and then physically removing the product after the soak.
“I e-file off the color right down to the hard gel (so the e-file never touches the natural nail) and then fill it quickly before applying the new color,” she says. “Some of my clients might prefer soaking to begin with because they may not have had experience with proper e-file use, but eventually they end up preferring the e-file.”
Hoel calls this unique service her “30 Day Manicure” and teaches it at trade shows throughout the year.
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