Melody I am a "chronic !!" LMAO !! I had on a set of AC loved them !!I got a reaction going on to the monomer so now I switched back to gels but being a "chronic" I picked and peeled off the nails with a substancial bit of my nails plates very very sad :( I look like I put them in a shredder !! sucks but they will grow out. and I will throw a new set on again I find that the gels do not wear well on peeps that are hard on their hands ala me so I put some ac over the clear coat to strenghten them but as far as damage OMG if you pick your going to ruin your natural nails I agree with your psliosifie :) You need to know it all to make $$$ and be on the top of your game !! Practice practice practice . Do you find when you put your builder gel on heavy it tends to heat spike ??? i wonder if theres over exsposer to the UV light??? silly but I do wonder I had my nails in and out more time then you can imagine I think it may dry the nail beds out similar to sun burn ?? results in peeling dry nail beds ?? just wondering here Anybody ?? Comments ??? If I develped a monomer sensitivity is that it for me ever again from wearing them ?? I now wear finger cots for client application from the finger burn . Ladies let me know what u think .. Jennifer
--- On Wed, 2/11/09, Michelle Cordes <[email protected]> wrote: From: Michelle Cordes <[email protected]> Subject: NailTech:: Re: Why gels? And Essie pedi opinions... To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 8:29 AM Howdy Marsha, Melody, and Shannon...etc... etc... :) Yes, I learned how to do gels in school... right alongside the acrylic and wraps. That was 13 years ago, and since I understand that products change and get better, and new ones come out, I have continued to try to find a gel I can master that doesn't frustrate the cr#p out of me!!! So here is some more info. I can easily do tips or natural overlay of clear gel. That is a piece of cake. I can do pink gel and white gel paint, still pretty easy. I find that either the client does great (no lifting or breaking) or they are an ABSOLUTE MESS- no in between. This has made it hard for me to figure out if I have done something wrong or they just can't wear gels- but if it's just some can't wear them- then DAMN lots of people can't! My next issue is tips. I don't use tips for my acrylic for a reason. I prefer to sculpt because it is faster for me, there is no glue breakdown, and I feel I get a more flattering shape to the nail. I can't sculpt gel. Just can't. I have tried with every product, gone to classes, watched endless videos and I just can't seem to get it. Haven't had my a-ha moment yet... :) And then my third issue is time. I do a full set of pink and white sculpted acrylic in just under an hour, backfill in just under an hour, and my fills take about 45 minutes. From what I have seen, a one color gel fill is also between 45 minutes to an hour, but a full set is at least an hour and a half. I charge $30 for a fill, $38 for a backfill, and $70 for a full set with acrylics... I would have to charge MORE than that because gels are more time... So yes, Marsha, I guess I am asking... why should this old dog learn some new tricks? I have always subscribed to the idea that people should find what they are best at and then find the clients who are looking for what they do, otherwise you can get the "jack of all trades, master of none" thing goin' on. But I also don't want to be that nailtech who sits around going "my way is the best, so I'm not learnin anything new"! Any input from anyone? :) Michelle Cordes From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: NailTech:: Re: Why gels? And Essie pedi opinions... To: "NailTech Group" <[email protected]> Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 4:32 AM The largest reason why gels are preferred by clients is that they are hypoallergenic and no fumes. Typically zero lifting.... They are not porous like AC so polish doesn't stain them and acetone will not break down the gel like it will AC. I will note that the majority of the public believes that gel is "better for your nails than AC." What they mean is they think there is less damage to the nail plate.... But I am always quick to inform them that it is the TECHNICIAN that causes damage to nail plates!!! Haha! Except, of course, in the case of "chronics"---- those that chew, rip, tear, and/or pick their nails off! You newbies will begin to find that most spas and a lot of salons do not want techs to use AC because of the "perfumed aroma" that is released! Giggles... I just tell them it smells like money to me! However they will not let you use AC in their businesses because of that. So... I would recommend that ANY professional nail artist, specialist, technician-- whatever you dubb yourself-- learn ALL products! AND know the differences, pros & cons of each... It will only make you more marketable! Melody Montgomery Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from U.S. Cellular From: shannon Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:05:15 -0800 (PST) To: <[email protected]> Subject: NailTech:: Re: Why gels? And Essie pedi opinions... I ditto what Marsha said, they file like butter. Just easier to work with for me. Shannon Arnold Flip Flop Beauty Shop Coopers Plains, NY [email protected] --- On Wed, 2/11/09, Marsha Rubino <[email protected]> wrote: From: Marsha Rubino <[email protected]> Subject: NailTech:: Re: Why gels? And Essie pedi opinions... To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 3:28 AM One reason I like using gels is that they are so easy to file and doing a backfill is a snap. Doing a backfill in acrylic is way too much work. But I am confused by your question, Michelle.....you say you have been using gel since school.......is it you feel you haven't mastered them yet and are you asking....is it worth the effort? Plus, although they are becoming more widely available, for many years, it was hard for clients to find someone who did gels....at least in my area. I wanted to fill that need. Marsha McDonald Rubino GIMME NAILS 37 Fifth St. E. Suite 102 Kalispell, Montana 59901 [email protected] From: Michelle Cordes <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 12:39:54 AM Subject: NailTech:: Re: Why gels? And Essie pedi opinions... oh. and I suppose I should add this... I've used gel since nail school. I have used Vibrato, OPI Microbond, IBD (including gel polish), and currently use Brisa. I have used over tips, natural nails, tried to sculpt, builder white, paint on white... I am not new at this... really.... LOL! OK, now let me have it ladies! Michelle Cordes --- On Tue, 2/10/09, Michelle Cordes <[email protected]> wrote: From: Michelle Cordes <[email protected]> Subject: NailTech:: Why gels? And Essie pedi opinions... To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 11:35 PM Hey ladies. Ok, 2 questions... 1.) Has anyone tried the Essie pedicure line? My co-worker just bought an intro kit and I am interested to hear any input y'all have... 2.) Can you girls who do gels AND acrylics (or have in the past done both) explain to me why go with gel instead of acrylic? Other than odor, I get that part. But for example, we do lots of acrylic in the salon I work in, so there would be no reason to do gels to keep smell away. Seriously, I just watched the tutorial videos at gelessentialz.com and it looks like lots of work to me compared to sculpting acrylic!!! LOL... somebody... anybody... help me understand!!! :) I hear y'all talk about gels, and it fascinates me, but I just can't figure out why I would want to master them personally! Sell me, girls!!! Michelle Cordes Washington (State), where it is snowing. again. so all my clients can cancel. again. sissies. :) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NailTech" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/NailTech?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
