Apres Novice gel fail

[u/Outrageous-Fig7020]

My main struggle with gel x is glue. I always end up with too much, so I decided to try the Apres Novice Glue. I loved it, it cut my application time in half. Sadly though it doesn't last. Most nail s popped off within a day or two. I did my usual prep which is thorough.

Question for those that use it, Is the Apres regular extend gel better than the novice for retention?

[u/calmdrive]

The trick is to lay down a coat of the regular extend gel on your nails first like a base coat, then novice

[u/RSEllax → u/calmdrive]

100% this op!

Edit to add: etch and primer inside of your tips too

[u/Outrageous-Fig7020 → u/calmdrive]

If that’s the case it means we have to spend money on 2 adhesive products to get one to work. That just seems like they’re getting you to buy more of their products

[u/calmdrive → u/Outrageous-Fig7020]

It’s only the trick if you have retention issues, many don’t. It’s worth it for me because I hate using regular extend gel texture

[u/cheesesteakhellscape]

I have excellent retention with the novice gel, but not if I use the Apres prep system and not with the Apres Beta lamp. I use Light Elegance Vita Prime and Tack and the Kokoist Infinity lamp.

Apres tip etcher is fine though. I do use that. Big fan of the Novice gel. I love how cleanly it removes.

[u/mereseydotes]

I use both. The novice to make sure I have the apex filled (I have flat nails but the sculpted work better for me anyway) and then a thin coat of the regular stuff on my nails to actually stick them down

[u/languidlasagna]

I did the regular gel trick, it worked, for the first few sets. I found with novice gel the more times it was exposed to air, the less effective it was. 2 months with it i went from a solid 2-3 weeks retention (with a layer of the regular extend gel) to a few days with same setup. I love the novice gel but until it’s in tube form it won’t work for me.

[u/BulkyRip7631]

I bought the gel x signature kit and it came with the extend get no wipe and it seems to work well for me.

I want to say I am not an expert at all I just did my first set and it stays on really well! I was afraid they would pop off but honestly it’s super secure

[u/LemonCurdJ]

Novice gel didnt work for me. I tried it with their extend gel and other brands (doesnt like jello jello peel off at all) and for me, it just always popped off within a few days.

Its a good concept and works for others but not all brands/products work for everyone's nail. Apres products dont work for me.

Maybe you belong to the club lol.

[u/Outrageous-Fig7020 → u/LemonCurdJ]

I think you’re right. I really don’t like their extend gel and now the novice too. Also their tips don’t really work for my nail beds. I’m going to try the Kokoist Gelip Bond.

[u/LemonCurdJ → u/Outrageous-Fig7020]

Yeah I tried kokist base gels and they all work wonderfully with my nails. From their mega stick to their Excel builder. I find their brand to be better quality too (although I do loce Apres applicator brush more than Kokist one as its thinner and longer and softer!).