Gel nails - Late night thunderstorm

Now that the summer has made room for fall, we get less to none thunderstorms. That's one thing I love about the summer, the late night thunderstorms. I never feared thunderstorms and find the thunder and light play soothing. One day, thinking about new nail designs, my thoughts wandered off back to summer. I tried to transfer my thoughts to this nail design. The camera did not really pick the beautiful light play, but I hope you like it anyways.

After prep and prime, apply a thin layer of IBD builder gel clear. Without curing it, apply black glitter near the cuticle and let it fade down. Apply a dark purple glitter from the free edge up into the black. Go back and forth with the two colors to create a nice blend. Let it cure for 2 minutes.

Apply another layer of clear gel and put small pieces of yellow mylar flakes on the nail in a lightning bolt pattern. Let it cure for 2 minutes to secure the mylar in place.

Apply the last layer of clear gel and build the structure and overall shape with strings. Let it cure for 3 minutes.

Remove the tacky layer. Because the mylar may have left the nail with some bumps, you will file it smooth with a nail file. With the nail being somewhat rough, the black ink will show up much better and stay in place. Outline the yellow lightning bolt and let that dry completely.

Using a gel sealer, apply a thin layer on the entire nail and let it cure for 3 minutes. This doesn't have a tacky layer so you will be able to instantly rock these nails.

Alice in Wonderland

After prep and prime I applied a thin layer of IBD builder gel clear as a base layer and went around the cuticles with a rosewood stick. Letting it cure for 2 minutes.

On the free edge I applied a thin layer of the same gel and applied a gorgeous blue glitter. Also letting it cure for 2 minutes.

When all the nails are covered in glitter, it is time to build the nails. I am using the string technique.

Remove the tacky layer with a lint free wipe and none acetone nail polish remover. Reshape the sidewalls and free edge to get rid of any scratchy edges.

In order for the 3D flowers to stick better to the nails, I remove the shine with a soft buffer.

I picked up a tiny ball of white acrylic and placed it onto the nail. With my size 2 acrylic brush I start to form the flower petal. Repeating the same process over and over till you have as many flower petals as needed. The larger the ball of acrylic, the larger the petal.

In the center of the flower petal I placed a Swarovski crystal. And when all the flowers are made, I sealed the nails with NSI Glaze 'n go and let that cure for 3 minutes.

Nails for beginners - Prep

Preparation is key.
You can have a perfect application, but without the prep, your set of nails is doomed to fail.

A good preparation is necessary to minimize lifting and infection.

Always start clean.
That means your implements, your work area and your and your clients' hands should be disinfected.
You can disinfect your tools several ways:
*using alcohol
*bathing in antiseptic
*bullet sterilizer
...
For your work area, you should always use a clean towels and clean tissue/paper towel.
Depending on the surface of your work area, you can also disinfect the table by simply spraying alcohol or antiseptic on it and wiping it away with a paper towel.

You can sanitize your own hands by washing them thoroughly and using an antiseptic spray.
Your clients' nails should not touch water or oils at least 2 hours prior to application.
The nail will suck up some of that moisture and might cause lifting.
Note that this is my personal opinion.

What I like to do is spray her hands with IBD prep.
This is an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent and also dehydrates the nails.

So when everything is nice and clean you can start with prepping the nails.


This prep video also applies for a new set.
Both acrylic and gel.

Easter Nail Art

So now Easter is on it's way, and to me Easter is:

Pastel colors, eggs, bunnies,...

I did this set on my mum, and I really like how the yellow and the purple shells came out.

Prior to filming I already removed the old design with a 100/180 grit file.

In the video I dehydrate her nails with IBD prep, this also removes any excess dust.

Then I prime her nails with NSI superbond nail primer.

I brush on a thin coat of IBD builder gel clear as a base, and let that cure for 2 minutes.

ThenI brush a thin layer of clear gel on the free edge (DO NOT CURE)

Then I start patting on a neon yellow glitter.

This glitter is from Viva la nails.

With a clean brush I start forming a smile line, and let that cure for 2 minutes

On the ring finger I brush on a thin layer of clear gel and start placing purple crushed shells

to resemble egg shells

I let that cure only for a minute.

The next step is the same on all nails (one at a time)

Brush on a thin layer of gel and start building your thickness and strength.

Let each nail cure for at least 3 minutes.

With none acetone nail polish remover and a lint free wipe I take away the tacky layer.

Then file the sidewalls and free edge.

With white-ish acrylic powder I formed the bunny.

First the head, then the ears, and when that's dry I put some eyes on and a pink nose.

I put on Orly Glosser as a topcoat, let that dry and then massage some cuticle oil into the cuticles and surrounding skin.

Pictures and done.

I hope you enjoy this simple Easter nail art.

Secret rose garden

Prior to the video I already sanitized hands and tools, removed the old design, pushed back cuticles and took away the shine from the natural nail.

In the video I start by using IBD prep on a wipe and rubbing that on the nails, this takes away any dust particles, oils and dehydrates.

With NSI prep DX I dehydrate the nail again.

Then I put on the first coat of NSI superbond nail primer, on natural nails only.

With a No.8 oval brush I start forming the free edge, and do that to the whole hand.

Then right before applying acrylic to the nailbed I apply a second coat of primer on the natural nail only.

Then I start building the nail with NSI attraction totally clear powder.

When all 10 fingers are done, I shape and file the nails (not shown in video)

When that's done, I let my friend wash her hands to remove any excess chemicals and dust.

Then again with some IBD prep on a wipe I make sure the dust is all gone.

And then I start stamping roses on the nail.

The image plate is from Born Pretty Store 

They work very well and I have used those stamps multiple times in the past couple of weeks on 

Seahorse nails, Mystical wings and Dolphin nail art.

For topcoat I used NSI's Glaze 'n go

That has to be cured for at least 2-3 minutes.

I conditioned the cuticles with Nurture Oil

Took some pictures and done.