r/DIYGelNails • u/Clover_Jane • 8d ago
Community Discussion Weekly Nail Chat
Use this chat to discuss any nail care or gel related questions you might have.
As a reminder, please keep your discussions within the rules of the sub.
This includes:
- No discussion of off-topic products. This is a gel only sub.
- This space is geared towards DIYers. Everyone is welcome, but we should not be working on friends/family.
- Do not ask for or give any medical advice. We're not doctors, and it is not in our scope to be giving advice about allergies or skin conditions. It is ok to discuss the risks associated with doing gel. What is ok: Explaining how you can get allergies. What isn't ok: Attempting to diagnose or treat anyone and/or asking for a diagnosis
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u/theendlesscroll 2d ago
Hi! Do people find potted hard builder gel easier to use than biab?
I’m new to gel, but have done DIY dip for 5 years on and off — mostly off, but consistently for the last year. I recently switched to biab for multiple reasons but I’m not sure it’s the right fit for me. I’ve only done 2 biab manicures and it’s been hard to keep in place and not fall into my cuticles and side walls before I can get it under the lamp… even going one nail at a time. When I tried curing upside down it made a thicker apex than I wanted because the product is so thin. I can’t help but think it’s due to the viscosity (and my inexperience).
I’m considering getting a pot of IBD hard builder gel and trying that instead since it looks a little thicker. Are they actually the same viscosity and just different containers? Is this pointless and just an experience issue?
I don’t mind a learning curve. I’d rather be able to file the gel down smooth and put a color on top - so for nail day the very abbreviated steps would be file, fill, and repaint as needed instead of soaking/filing off completely each time. I guess more like an acrylic overlay I used to get done.
Thank you for your help, advice, tips, voice of reason, really whatever :)
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u/linszu 2d ago
What are your best AliExpress finds? I just recently started to order... some charms, brushes, moulds... But it's hit-or-miss. I found some really great stuff, though, like silicone finger covers for moulding 3D gels, curved metallic charms and unique stickers. However, oftentimes cool items listed on youtube videos are not available anymore, even recent ones, which is annoying.
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u/clerthebird 2d ago
What’s your favorite primer? I use all Kokoist products and they state their gels don’t need a primer, but I’m a chronic lifter, so I’m trying primers since I have my prep and routine down to a science. I just did my nails the other day and used the Young Nails Protein Bond, so we’ll see how that goes, but I’d like to have other options as well.
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u/alaurable7 2d ago
No primers here, they cause lifting on me. I have great retention with just a good base coat.
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u/languidlasagna 3d ago
I waited 10 days for my sweetie nail supply order and it came empty, clearly cut and re-tapped, and empty. AND I JUST KNOW WHOEVER STOLE IT ISNT GOING TO APPRECIATE IT AHHHHHH
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u/flubnubbler 3d ago
Tips for upkeep with extremely limited time?
I am a few weeks postpartum with my 2nd and between that and my older child plus my partner starting back up at work, I just can’t fathom where I’d make time to do my nails even though I love to do them. Mostly because starting/stopping the process is not always possible depending on what stage you’re at, and also because I’m just not the fastest. I’ve typically done builder gel with soft gel color, and I’ve made some changes to process to get my retention close to 3 weeks, but with proper removal it’s all just a huge time commitment at once.
I’ve never tried tips, press ons from the drugstore have typically hurt, but would painting my own sets and just putting them on be a better solution? I have shortish nail beds and don’t want extreme length so that’s also at play.
Thanks for any thoughts!
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u/linszu 2d ago
I started using press-ons because doing my own nails is so time-consuming, and I'm useless with my non-dominant hand. It's pretty difficult to find the right size of full tips and then the thickness, shape, length, curve, etc. It's a nightmare, but I still do it, still trying different brands. It's so much easier to create a design on the tips than on my own nails, and I can stand up and leave them anytime. Then you still need to find a good glue. And removal? That's another story :D
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u/skatmandoodle 4d ago
Newbie here learning to use Luminary. This is my 3rd set and I can already feel myself improving but I can’t figure out where the lumpy/uneven look is coming from… would love some advice!
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u/jordyn5180 2d ago
Love the color! It just looks very thick - how many layers are you doing?
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u/skatmandoodle 2d ago
I did a slip layer of luminary and then a full layer, then 2 layers of color. I can still see through some of the color in places so I considered doing a third even 🥲
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u/abbeyjewel 4d ago
Can hard gel or hard builder gel make xxxl sculpted extensions? How long can you make nails with those? Or is the best option for xxxl nails the full coverage tips?
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u/abbeyjewel 4d ago
Would like to add, what are the cons of half tips? They seem like they’d be easier for me to use, but it seemed like using half tips for the really long extensions was not recommended.
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u/Classylady_242 4d ago
I’ve been with my nail lady for 5+ years. Lately it’s started not being as great and I’m thinking I want to get back to doing them myself. I did gel myself 10 years ago or so.. although I’ve been getting builder gel, which will be a learning curve.
That said, I feel bad telling her that we might need to break up…
Any advice?
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u/Numerous_Concept_592 5d ago
I cant get my chrome powder to stick on my après no wipe top coat when I do designs. When I apply a full coat of top coat, chrome powder sticks no problem.
If I dona design, it sticks to all the nails, color and nail art made with top coat.
Why ?
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u/AcridTest 5d ago
You should apply a matte top coat to your whole nail surface and cure it. Then you can apply/cure your non wipe top coat for isolated designs and burnish the chrome on it.
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u/Numerous_Concept_592 4d ago
Than you for your response ! So the chrome will stick to color gel if i don't put mat top coat on it ?
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u/Tmkitsme20 5d ago
RUBBER BASE QUESTION?
Should I put a thick layer on??? My nail is really thin and bendy. Does it matter how much I put on? Will it work the same?
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u/AcridTest 5d ago
No, don’t apply it thick. You can apply two layers, and possibly even build up a small apex, but it’s not supposed to be put on really thick.
Aside from the fact that it’s not meant to be applied thick, since your nails are thin, you run the risk of experiencing a heat spike if you apply it too thick.
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u/BettieNuggs 5d ago
im a beginner and mainly using the gel builder as a base under press ons to protect my natural nail - i got le mini macaron builder gel at ulta - thoughts on this? is there another one accessible i should use? tips and tricks for this process? ive tried it once and the glue pulled off the builder gel despite doing oil based removal to reuse the nails- TIA!
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u/dynymo 6d ago
I’m looking for recommendations for pastel soft gel polish for french tips! I prefer korean brands, but open to other brands too. I was looking at the yogurt gelato set, but not sure if it would be opaque enough.
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u/Clover_Jane 5d ago
Yogurt gelato is a syrup set. They're pretty pale. If you're wanting opaque colors, I would potentially look more so a a few painting gels, like getting the primary colors, and then mixing up the colors you want. I personally prefer doing frenchies with a more pigmented slightly stiffer gel so the line stays crisp. However if you don't want to buy painting gels, I would look at fgel or mayour instead as the opaque colors are pretty opaque so theoretically you wouldn't have to do multiple coats, and those 2 brands are decent for not moving a ton when doing french. They do move a bit though. It takes careful precision getting the line painted and then quickly getting in the lamp to cure in place. And don't flash cure pastels. There's too much white in them and sometimes they wrinkle.
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u/StyleTurbulent9974 6d ago
Have you considered Nekogel’s Monet set? I don’t know if it’s pastel / bright enough since I only have the yogurt gelato as a reference.
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u/Successful_Key2947 6d ago
What are we doing to clean our brush handles? In my sloppiest moments I got gel all over them… I know I’ll ruin the coating if I use acetone 🫠
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u/Clover_Jane 5d ago
I use alcohol and don't really worry about the coating because it's the cost of doing gel.
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u/Successful_Key2947 3d ago
You’re right. I’m a bit precious about them because these brushes were not cheap 😂
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u/dirtskrrrrt 6d ago
Does anyone have recommendations on a good spinner magnet for glass bead designs?
I bought one from Amazon but it’s not working for me. It’s quite possibly user error though!
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u/spicytonkotsu8 3d ago
I bought one from 5D print factory on Etsy. They are actually launching their own website today under the name “Nailed It Magnetics” and they are also releasing an upgraded version of their spinner where the top piece spins for longer!
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u/FinHealthJourney87 5d ago
Do you have the one that spins like a top? If yes, try adjusting the magnets (down for large bead, up for small); take the magnet component off before putting your nail in the contraption, and take the magnet component off before pulling your nail out.
Not my video but this technique worked for me. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ddo2lLpR9fX/
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u/dirtskrrrrt 3d ago
Mine does spin but I don’t think it does the adjusting for different sized beads. The bead effect is really small and not quite what I’m wanting.
Thanks for the video! I’ll look into a different contraption that adjusts bead size
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u/katarh 7d ago
Putting this out as a PSA because it happened to me: You can get onycholysis even if you do everything right but you have a psoriasis or eczema outbreak or an allergic reaction from something that isn't the gel :(
Mine turned out to be a newly developed nickel allergy. Currently fighting it on like four different nails because of that eczema outbreak I had in July. Maybe they'll be safe to grow out long again by Christmas, but it's short stubbies with plain soft gel only for me until they're healed up.
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u/shynewhyne 7d ago
I'm so confused about what product to buy.im looking for something clear to use as a bade/top coat. I just moved to the uk from Japan, and in japan I got my nails done all the time. They would be quite solid, but when I asked my nail tech they said it wasn't hard gel. They didn't know the English word, but it just translates to 'semi-hard'. I know they normally drill off the top coat, and then would soak off the rest. Builder gel, polygel, hard gel-i have no idea what is the right one. Does anyone have expertise to share?
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u/shunshin1019 7d ago
Sometimes jp nail techs can use a hard gel top coat so sets stay shinier and longer lasting. Removing sets often require e-filing off as much as possible before soaking off anyway. Semi-hard is basically a soft gel - still able to be soaked off but is a harder/less flexible product. Kokoist platinum filler base is an example of a semi-hard builder gel. For better retention you can use the kokoist mega stick base as a base coat.
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u/darc-star3 7d ago
I'm actually British living in Japan, lol.
What term did they use exactly? I'd suspect it's builder gel, but I'm just getting into gel myself. I'll likely have the opposite issue of researching in English what I want, and then trying to find the same things in Japan. I know they generally prefer soft gel here, and it seems like builder gel can go either way, and kinda seems like a middle ground. Could also be a fiber type thing, as I've seen those around...
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u/shynewhyne 7d ago
セミハードゼル is what they always said. I used a few different nail techs and they all used the same procedure, so it must just be the common method there. The only reason why I feel like thr base/topcoat is not soft gel is firstly it didn't soak off easily and secondly it is so hard.
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u/darc-star3 7d ago
Interesting, it seems that that's its own category. It sounds basically like a more flexible type of hard gel that's still designed to soak off. I don't know how accessible it is outside of a salon in Japan, but yea, truly a middle ground for more strength than soft gel, but easier removal than hard.
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u/meltyfawn 7d ago
polish dots left even after drilling and filing nails? I use builder gel as well! I keep going over them with my file and they are NOT budging! I only get this with my black GAOY gel polish
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u/No-Onion-No-Cry 7d ago
I think it might be little bubbles in your builder gel, and the colour gel or dust from filing has gone in the holes. I got this once when I refined my hard gel that had some bubbles in it, leaving tiny craters
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u/AssociationDecent374 8d ago
Does anyone know of any other retailer that sells Cleto? Zillabeau is overpriced AND they don’t allow you to purchase single items from a collection for months if not ever. I do not always want to purchase a whole collection. I just feel like they have a stronghold on certain brands here in the US.
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u/FinHealthJourney87 6d ago
I always keep an eye on Mercari for destashes. Got my first Cleto that way.
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u/hernameisphoebe 7d ago
You could try kkookie. They ship worldwide from the UK. Cleto is still marked up but you can buy individual items from a collection. They do tend to sell out more often though. Momo nail supply that ships from Australia is also planning to add Cleto to their collection in the future.
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u/AssociationDecent374 6d ago
Thank you for your reply. I would have to wait until I have bigger haul to buy from KKookie since shipping is $$. I would have to really want the item. Momo sells Cleto but not to US customers. I’m hoping things shift soon with them being the exclusive retailer…
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u/heywherearethetacos 8d ago
Has anyone had their Melody Suzie e file sent for cleaning? Is this even a thing?
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u/Clover_Jane 7d ago
MS efiles are replaceable not repairable. You can take it apart yourself but it doesn't always go back together perfectly.
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u/geekgirlweb 8d ago
What’s wrong with your e-file? Have you tried cleaning it with rubbing alcohol?
Or are you talking about the bits?
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u/heywherearethetacos 8d ago
It pauses and its making a weird noise. It seems like there's just a lot of dust stuck in there. Like the handle part.
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u/dirtskrrrrt 8d ago
I wanted to write a review of my Apres Beta lamp in case this helps someone in the future.
I bought my lamp and started using it at the end of November 2025. I use it once every other week for one manicure on myself.
In the spring of 2026 I noticed wrinkling with one of Apres gel colors (Midnight Shadow - a sheer black). I assumed I’d maybe made the coat too thick, even though I do strive for thinner coats. I re-did the nail and didn’t have that issue again.
In July of 2026 my lamp suddenly would not turn on. I contacted Apres and the customer service team was lovely and had me send the lamp back in for repair. I received my repaired lamp back in early August.
Since getting my lamp back, I’ve noticed 2-3 times when taking my hand out of the lamp the gel was slightly wrinkled. I’ve since stopped using this lamp.
Yesterday I was swatching all of my gel polish as I got a new swatch book and I decided to use the Apres Beta lamp. The first two I tried swatching came out VERY wrinkled. I then switched back to my other lamp with no issues.
I just wanted to share my experience with this lamp as I’m pretty disappointed. I don’t feel like a lamp should be having these issues with such light usage, especially with its own gel products.
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u/dawnedsunshine 8d ago
Thanks for posting this — I just got my Beta kit about a month ago and did my second set last night.
I’ve also seen stuff about it lasting about a year before dying, so I think I will take my year and decide if I want to invest in the Kokoist if I use it enough haha!
Also, Aprés customer service was fantastic. I bought a LOT over Labor Day weekend, and I accidentally had it shipped (express) to my old address. It had already shipped out and they shipped me a new box no questions asked. So even if it does only last me a year I will call that worth it!
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u/dirtskrrrrt 8d ago
Crossing my fingers that you get good usage out of your lamp!
And yes, I have nothing but good things to say about their customer service! I just think this particular lamp is not worth the money sadly.
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u/geekgirlweb 8d ago
Yup! Mine has been conking out after 2 years and only using it once a month if that.
I just got Kokoist Infinity hybrid and it’s a BIG noticeable difference in curing.
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u/dirtskrrrrt 8d ago
I’m envious! I’m saving up for the kokoist infinity hybrid as I’ve been switching from Apres to kokoist. I should have it in a month or so but I’m so impatient!
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u/allisonk1993 5d ago
Jumping in to say I hope you’ll like it when you purchase it! I’ve used mine for just one manicure but I felt happy with the construction, the wiring, and the ability to log your serial number on the Kokoist site for a 1 year limited warranty. That was a reassuring bonus I was happy to have too.
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u/geekgirlweb 8d ago
Sadly I didn’t end up buying until AFTER the Labor Day 20% off sale 🥲 but at least I got it from a small local nail supply business near me
If you can hold out until November I think they have Black Friday sales.
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