I have been using both traditional gel uv topcoats as well as soak-off gel polish topcoats for a while now. On my regular gel clients, I've been noticing the 5-finger cure in the tunnel lamps doesn't always produce shiny, glossy nails with the traditional UV top coats. I've experimented with several - the ones where you wipe the inhibition layer. I am not a fan of the tackless sealers, so this is not about them.
I thought maybe my bulbs might be wearing out, but I also noticed that whenever I had a gel polish client, her nails came out amazingly shiny and stayed that way till her next appointment, 2 or 3 weeks later. Not so with my traditional gel enhancement clients. I wipe off both with 99 percent alcohol, if that matters. I can always tell the ones that are really shiny, and the ones that are going to be dull. I feel like my application is the same on all fingers, but perhaps it isn't. If I cured 4 fingers, then the thumb separately, it would be better. But I don't have the extra time to do that. It is bugging me that I can cure all five fingers to a beautiful, high gloss shine, with say Shellac, or Gelish top coats. But not Brisa Gloss, for example, or Akzentz Top Gloss. I have tried to 'break' the gel polish systems by either applying too much, or too little topcoat and each time they come out with a mirror finish and stay that way. Sometimes my traditional top coat will come out great, and other times, one side of the thumb might be dull. I also notice it tends to pull away from the enhancement more than the gel polish topcoats do. I virtually have NO shrinking with them, ever. I am really contemplating just using the gel polish top coats now on everybody, regardless of whether they are traditional or soak off gel polish clients. I have been wearing it myself over enhancements with no real issues either. I also like the 'feel' of it better, hard to explain, like the surface feels smoother. What do you all think? Has anybody else noticed this as well or is it just me? Laura M. Scratch My Back Nail Studio www.scratchmyback.ca <http://www.scratchmyback.ca/> -- 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.
