☆★ Fairytale GEL nails ★☆

Gel

Some one had asked me to do a gel tutorial on the fairytale nails.

So here it goes.

In the video 

I start off by applying a base layer of gel

Let that cure for about 2 minutes.

then I go in with clear builder gel and apply a thin layer to the free edge.

Clear of your brush(i used 3 brushes here) and pick up your first colored glitter and apply that on the nail, using a patting motion.

Dip, pat, dip, pat, dip pat (or else you are going to gel a huge mess)

then clear off your brush and go in with the second color, in my case purple.

dip, pat, dip, pat, dip, pat.

Form your smile line, and then cure for 2 minutes.

The next step is fairly simple, apply a thin layer to the free edge over the glitter and add your circles, cure for a minute or so (to lock the circles in place)

Then do a thin layer of clear builder gel on the entire nail, and start building your nail.

I use the string technique.

Once you are happy with the thickness and shape, cure for at least 2 minutes (I usually let it cure for at least 3 minutes, especially the thumbnail)

Then take a wipe and soak it with nail polish remover to remove the tacky layer.

File the free edge and sidewalls, and apply your favorite topcoat and you are done.

You can file and shape the nail like you would with acrylic, but with the technique I use, I rarely have to do that because the gel is smooth already.

Products used:

*IBD builder gel pink

*IBD builder gel clear

*uv gel brush

*holo glitter in purple and silver

*nail polish remover

*cotton wipe

*paper towel

I hope this was useful and thank you for reading

gel

gel

☆★ Glitter for nail art ★☆

"Diamonds are a girls best friend"

I don't think so!

Glitter is my best friend!

It sparkles, it's shiny, it comes in many many colors and it is pretty.

For years and years I am wearing glitter on my nails.

Only on rare occasions I have a white free edge.

Glitter comes in many shapes and sizes.

It can be square, round, rhombus, hexagon, big or small.

Glitter can be used for crafts, makeup, nails and so on.

Only a cosmetic grade glitter may be used for your makeup.

Glitter that is not meant for makeup can cause serious damage to the eyes, so do not ever use craft glitter or nail glitter as makeup unless it is stated that it can be used for makeup.

opaque glitter

I like to use my glitter for nail art.

I mix it in with clear powder and it is ready to go.

You can also use glitter in gel, nail polish and paint. 

Some one asked me how my glitter on my nails always looks so vibrant.

Some glitters come in a jar and it looks amazing, but when you use it on your nails, it is not as bright anymore, or even not as covering (opacity)
Light colors tend to be even lighter or more transparent than dark colors do.
Dark colors are more likely to keep its vibrancy and color.

opaque glitter

Glitter is packed with millions and millions and when all together they make a very vibrant color because there are so many on top of each other.

When you are using glitter on your nails, you spread them out.

opaque but turns out lighter

So when I look for a glitter in a store(or at home), I can tell by the glitter in the jar if it is going to be an opaque color, a semi-transparent color 

or a transparent color.

If you look at the lid and you clearly see speckles and they are a solid color, then it is going to be opaque and more likely to keep the vibrancy.

If it kinda looks semi transparent, the color will be lighter on your nail.

If it is almost see through, then the glitter is not going to show and it will only be as an effect that you can mix in with other glitters.

semi transparent

In the jar it might look like it will be a covering color, but a transparent speckle still has that hint of color, and when they are in the jar with millions of others, the color will intensify and it looks as if it has color.

transparent

When doing gel nails, I like to use glitter in it's pure form (straight from the jar, no mixing)

That will give me the most intense and covering effect.

If you mix gel with glitter it will loose a bit of its color and it will be not as covering because the glitter is not packed so close together anymore.

hexagons mixed with opaque glitter

If you make your own glitter gel, mix gel with glitter and stir it up.

 If it self levels in a couple of seconds and your coverage is nice, then you have a nice mix.

If the gel is hard to work with and it is bumpy and it won't self level good enough, then you need to add more gel.

If you don't have enough coverage, add more glitter. 

etc etc...

Same goes with acrylic.

(I always pre mix glitter with clear powder)

As far as my acrylic glitter mixes go, I kind of eyeball it.

I put some glitter in a jar, put some clear powder with it, stir it up and pick up a ball with my brush and monomer.

If the ball is not very covering (only a speckle here and there) then add more glitter.
If the ball is too wet and it runs all over the place but your coverage is nice, then you have too much glitter.
If the ball has a nice coverage and it is firm, not too wet and not too dry, you have a nice mix.

Do keep in mind you have to have enough acrylic powder to keep the nail strong.
If you have too much glitter in your acrylic, you won't have a strong nail and it is more likely to break or crack.
Personally I never had that problem.

Have fun experimenting with glitter!

☆★Acrylic fairytale nails★☆

For the nails I used the reverse technique.

First I prepped my nails, filled in the new growth with acrylic powder and carved out the smile line and free edge.

In the video, first I take the holographic silver glitter (mixed with clear acrylic powder)

and place it on the free edge.

Then I took a circular shiny nail art piece and placed it on the silver while it was still wet so that it is secured into place when it dries.

For the next step I take a holographic purple glitter (mixed with clear acrylic powder)

and pushed it against the smile line and fading it out towards the tip.

I also put circular nail art pieces and placed it randomly on the wet purple glitter.

Then I used clear acrylic to encapsulate the design and build up the thickness of the nail.

When you are done, let the nails fully dry, and then file and buff to the desired shape.

Remove any dust, and at this point you can wash your hands with soap and a nailbrush to get rid of any dust and other chemicals that are still on your skin.

I did not show this step because this is a nail on a stick.

Take your favorite topcoat and make your nails shine.

If you used a gel sealer, cure for at least 2 minutes.

Use some cuticle oil to take care of your cuticles and you are done.

Products used in the video:

NSI attraction - Purely Pink Masque

NSI attraction - Totally Clear
Holographic purple and silver glitter
NSI Glaze 'n Go
9watt U.V. lamp
Circular shiny nail art pieces

No. 8 acrylic brush

When do your nails need an infill?

Having beautiful nails is one thing,

but coming in on time for an infill is something else.

One of the most asked question is:

When do I come back for an infill?

Infill = rebalance = removing old acrylic or gel and redo the nail, because the nail has grown out.

So when do you come back for an infill (or do your own nails at home)

2 weeks?

3 weeks?

or maybe 5 weeks?

Some people charge more if you come in later than 2 weeks.

I do not agree with this method.

And do note that this is my personal opinion!

Ofcourse there are a few people that NEED an infill at 2 weeks, because their nails grow really fast or if they suffer from "chronic lifting".

I personally say this:

You come in when you think it is necessary.

If it is 2, 3, 4 or even 5 weeks.

All they have to do is look.

Look for new growth, look for lifting and feel if they are getting too long.

Almost 4 weeks

The nail grows an average of approximately 3mm a month.

The growth is being influenced by certain activities and by internal (disease) and 

external (weather,... ) circumstances.

Nails grow faster 

*during the day

*on young age (especially between 30 & 50 years of age)

*in the summer, influenced by U.V. rays

*with men

*pregnant woman

*genetic

Anyways, you have to see for yourself when it is needed to get an infill

I'd say it is necessary when:

*If your new growth area is about the same as in this picture

*If the stress area has moved too far, causing the nail to become weak and unbalanced 

Stress area

*If you are a nailbiter and you have lifting

*If you have serious lifting due to a little accident

*If your nails are starting to "hurt" or feel unpleasant 
(when the nails have grown too long in length, they can hurt because the stress area has moved too far away from it's original place)

*Or when you are tired of your design and you want a new one

So no one can really put a date on when some one needs an infill.

But mostly an infill is needed between 2 and 5 weeks.

And even more likely 3 to 4 weeks

This is what the outgrow looks like on my friend between 5-6 weeks.

If you have any questions, or you want me to make a specific post, feel free to ask :)
Cindy

When do you need an infill?

Having beautiful nails is one thing,

but coming in on time for an infill is something else.

One of the most asked question is:

When do I come back for an infill?

Infill = rebalance = removing old acrylic or gel and redo the nail, because the nail has grown out.

So when do you come back for an infill (or do your own nails at home)

2 weeks?

3 weeks?

or maybe 5 weeks?

Some people charge more if you come in later than 2 weeks.

I do not agree with this method.

And do note that this is my personal opinion!

Ofcourse there are a few people that NEED an infill at 2 weeks, because their nails grow really fast or if they suffer from "chronic lifting".

I personally say this:

You come in when you think it is necessary.

If it is 2, 3, 4 or even 5 weeks.

All they have to do is look.

Look for new growth, look for lifting and feel if they are getting too long.

The nail grows an average of approximately 3mm a month.

The growth is being influenced by certain activities and by internal (disease) and 

external (weather,... ) circumstances.

Nails grow faster 

*during the day

*on young age (especially between 30 & 50 years of age)

*in the summer, influenced by U.V. rays

*with men

*pregnant woman

*genetic

Anyways, you have to see for yourself when it is needed to get an infill

I'd say it is necessary when:

*your new growth area is about the same as in this picture

*if the stress area has moved too far, causing the nail to become weak

Contest Update

I have no video entries so far.

And the contest ends next monday!

January 16th

For those that would like to enter, hurry hurry

If I don't have enough entries I will cancel the video contest and I will use those prizes for future events.

Watch the video for more details.

Gel vs. Acrylic nails

A little bit of history...

Acrylic nails have arisen from acrylates used in dentistry.

Trough the 50's, a dental technician from America experimented with these products and discovered multiple uses for acrylic beside dental prosthetics.

Acrylic nails were born.

Gel nails  also have arisen from products for dentistry, but these have arisen much later, around the 80's.

The purpose of artificial nails:

*strengthen the nails

*lengthen the nails

*fix nails from cracks and rips

*beautify nails

The different types of artificial nails:

Artificial nails can be divided in 4 types.

The most known and most used are gel and acrylic. Less known and less asked for are 

silk (wrap) and fiberglass.

Gel

This is a "ready to go" product that can be applied immediately to the natural nail.

Gel only hardens(cures) or crystalizes under the influence of UV light, which makes it workable for a very long time.

*Base gel is a thin gel that ensures good adhesion with other gels. Can also be used as a high shine finish gel for color gels.

*Color gels are used instead of nail polish, for a longer lasting result without chipping or fading.

*Builder gel is a thicker gel and is used for creating strength and that nice arch. This gel comes in different tints (clear, pink, ...)

Gel needs to be stored at room temperature (preferably 20°c or 68°F)

If it is too hot the gel will become runny and if it is too cold the gel will become too thick.

When builder gel is turning from a gel-like substance into its hard form under the UV light, the gel produces heat and some people find that a bit painful. Tell them that if they feel heat, that it is normal. Some brands create more or less heat than the other.

Note: Do not sit outside or near a window, the UV light from the sun will start to harden your gel, even if it's not sunny outside.

Acrylic

This exists of two components (liquid and powder) that have to come in contact with each other. 

Exposure to air of these conjoined products will start the crystallization and you have to work fast.

Powder comes in different colors.

Silk (wrap)

This is fabric of natural source that is woven close together.

The silk is applied to the nail with nail glue. On top of the silk comes 3 layers of glue which needs to be hardened layer after layer. Afterwards the nail is shaped with a file. And for a final result the nail may or may not be polished with nail polish.

Fiberglass

This can be compared with silk. But this is an artificial products that is woven not so close together. It is applied the same as silk.

Gel vs. Acrylic

Either way, you may or may not extend the nails with a tip or a form.

Gel

*flexible
*odorless
*great for nail biters and short nails
*workable till it is cured


Acrylic
*strong
*cheaper than gel
*strong smell
*dries fast, so you have to be quick
*great for long(-er) nails

Gel vs. Acrylic nails

A little bit of history...

Acrylic nails have arisen from acrylates used in dentistry.

Trough the 50's, a dental technician from America experimented with these products and discovered multiple uses for acrylic beside dental prosthetics.

Acrylic nails were born.

Gel nails  also have arisen from products for dentistry, but these have arisen much later, around the 80's.

The purpose of artificial nails:

*strengthen the nails

*lengthen the nails

*fix nails from cracks and rips

*beautify nails

The different types of artificial nails:

Artificial nails can be divided in 4 types.

The most known and most used are gel and acrylic. Less known and less asked for are 

silk (wrap) and fiberglass.

Gel

This is a "ready to go" product that can be applied immediately to the natural nail.

Gel only hardens(cures) or crystalizes under the influence of UV light, which makes it workable for a very long time.

*Base gel is a thin gel that ensures good adhesion with other gels. Can also be used as a high shine finish gel for color gels.

*Color gels are used instead of nail polish, for a longer lasting result without chipping or fading.

*Builder gel is a thicker gel and is used for creating strength and that nice arch. This gel comes in different tints (clear, pink, ...)

Gel needs to be stored at room temperature (preferably 20°c or 68°F)

If it is too hot the gel will become runny and if it is too cold the gel will become too thick.

When builder gel is turning from a gel-like substance into its hard form under the UV light, the gel produces heat and some people find that a bit painful. Tell them that if they feel heat, that it is normal. Some brands create more or less heat than the other.

Note: Do not sit outside or near a window, the UV light from the sun will start to harden your gel, even if it's not sunny outside.

Acrylic

This exists of two components (liquid and powder) that have to come in contact with each other. 

Exposure to air of these conjoined products will start the crystallization and you have to work fast.

Silk (wrap)

This is fabric of natural source that is woven close together.

The silk is applied to the nail with nail glue. On top of the silk comes 3 layers of glue which needs to be hardened layer after layer. Afterwards the nail is shaped with a file. And for a final result the nail may or may not be polished with nail polish.

Fiberglass

This can be compared with silk. But this is an artificial products that is woven not so close together. It is applied the same as silk.

Gel vs. Acrylic

Either way, you may or may not extend the nails with a tip or a form.

Gel

*