Technique

What would make you switch acrylic products?

December 1, 1999

It would take a miracle product to get me to switch. I spent seven years trying, sampling, and searching here and there before I found the one that worked for me. I have done nails for almost 10 years and the past few years have been the best. I believe it has a lot to do with the product I use.

Laura Bellavigna

Nailz & Tanz (Richmond Hill, Ga.)

In the 18 years I have been doing nails, I have changed products several times. I try to use the best product I know about at the time, but when I see a product advertised that has something different or is faster and lasts longer, I will give it a try. For me, cost is not the most important factor. If I’m convinced a product is better – and easier to apply – I would switch. I’ve seen hundreds of new products, but I can’t try all of them. I only try them if they appear to offer something my present product does not.

Jere Neal

Hair Villa (Fayetteville, N.C.)

It has been my experience that different products react differently from one client to the next. I keep several acrylic products on hand and use them accordingly. I start all of my new clients with my favorite acrylic and it usually works for everyone. However, if I see any signs of lifting, I change to another acrylic system until I find the one that works for that client.

Barbara Nott

Stylin’s Family Salon (Venice, Fla.)

I used the same product for about five years, so I knew shortly after I purchased a new bottle of monomer that something was wrong. Clients started calling the next day after their fill appointments, complaining or lifting. I called the manufacturer and walked through the 10-step process with them, and we agreed that I was doing everything right. I asked about a replacement and they said it wouldn’t be possible because there was nothing wrong with the product. It made me so angry that I refused to use that product line and threw out the rest of the monomer.

Brooke Gilliam

Nails by Brooke (Allen, Texas)

I would only switch my acrylic product if I could find one better in quality. Improved flexibility, color retention, quicker set-up time, better product adhesion, and self-leveling properties are what I find important. Less odor would be a benefit as long as it retained normal acrylic properties with no weird surfaces to file off. Cost is not a factor, as a truly great acrylic is priceless.

Carolyn Martinez

A Perfect 10 Nail Salon (Portland, Maine)

I would not change acrylic systems because when you find one that works for you and does not lift, chip, or yellow, then why change? I would try new products on myself, but that’s about it. Maybe I’d switch if I found a new one that worked well on me.

Andrea Randolph

Nails DeAndrea (Port Jervis, N.Y.)

More FAQ

What’s the trick to getting dark glitters to cure when doing rock star gel nails?

What’s the trick to getting dark glitters to cure when doing rock star gel nails? I do my nail prep, then a layer of Akzentz Base N Gloss. I cure and put another layer of Base N Gloss, then sprinkle on the glitter and tap off some of the excess. I cure after that, and I brush off the excess again when it’s done, but a lot of glitter will come off with it. And this is with a brand new gel lamp. So I put on more gel, more glitter, etc., but I’d like to get it right the first time to save time.... read more

What could be causing the gel to shrink?

So on my last client of the day, I finish her fill, buff her nails, apply gel top coat to one of the hands and it turns out fine. But on the next hand, I do everything like I usually do, but when I put the hand in the light to cure the gel top coat, disaster happens. One finger looks like it has a hole in it (in the top coat) and the others look like the gel has literally shrunk, and they’re bumpy too. I file it all off and start again, but the same thing happens. I try one more time, and it’s still the same. I do it all one more time and even use a different lamp, but get the same results. My bulbs in both lamps are about four months old, so they shouldn’t need replacing yet. What could be causing this shrinking?... read more

What's the trick to getting dark glitters to cure when doing gel nails?

What’s the trick to getting dark glitters to cure when doing rock star gel nails? I do my nail prep, then a layer of Akzentz Base N Gloss. I cure and then put another layer of Base N Gloss, then sprinkle on the glitter and tap off some of the excess. I cure after that, and I brush off the excess again when it’s done, but a lot of glitter will come off with it. And this is with a brand new gel lamp. So I put on more gel, more glitter, etc., but I’d like to get it right the first time to save time. And this only happens with dark colors. What can I do?... read more

What causes shrinking on gel nails?

Is there any such a thing as a "universal" UV light?

Is there such a thing as a “universal” UV light unit or do I have to buy a different light unit for each gel system? ... read more

Is there such a thing as a “universal” UV light unit?

Is there such a thing as a “universal” UV light unit or do I have to buy a different light unit for each gel system?... read more

What’s the best way to put on a tip?

What’s the best way to put on a tip?... read more

What’s the best way to do a pink-and-white backfill?

What’s the best way to do a pink-and-white backfill? I’ve been doing them for years now and I still can’t get my time down. I go back and forth between the traditional way and the reverse method and neither one cuts any time off. I don’t know if I’m over-filing during prep. It usually takes me an hour and a half. I cringe when I have to do one these days. Any advice on cutting time or a new way of doing it?... read more

What's the best way to put on a tip?

What’s the best way to put on a tip?... read more

What's the best way to do a pink-and-white backfill?

What’s the best way to do a pink-and-white backfill? I’ve been doing them for years now and I still can’t get my time down. I go back and forth between the traditional way and the reverse method and neither one cuts any time off. I don’t know if I’m over-filing during prep. But I do have a couple clients who make it a point to tell me how hard it is for them to sit through my long backfills — it usually takes me an hour and a half. I cringe when I have to do one these days. Any advice on cutting time or a new way of doing it?... read more

How do I prevent polish from bubbling?

On some of my natural nail clients my polish tends to bubble. I clean the nail plate with acetone very well before I polish. Then I use base coat, two coats of polish, and top coat. I usually have them hold their fingers in front of a fan between coats, and I spray a rapid dryer on after I finish. Any ideas? ... read more

How do I get acrylic or gel to stick to pre-designed nail tips?

I have decided to try pre-designed nail tips with art, but I am having trouble getting the acrylic or gel to stick to them. After a few days the product lifts off the tips. I tried to gently file the surface of the tip first, but then it takes the design off.... read more

Prev Next