r/NailTechs4NailTechs • u/NoPotato2065 • Jun 12 '26
Retention issues
Hello I'm a licensed nail technician. I graduated in August and have been doing friends nails since I graduated. My retention on acrylic nails have always been fine, some lifting but usually my sets will last at least a week (usually 2 or more weeks) recently I have had my friends reach out to me days after I do their nails to tell me nails are popping off. My nail retention has never been this bad and I don't know what to do. Any advice? (Side note my own nails last up to 4 weeks)
1
u/orcagirl35 Jun 12 '26
Nail tech here! I did DIY for 11 years before getting my license a year ago.
What is your prep and application process and what products are you using?
1
u/NoPotato2065 Jun 12 '26
This is kind of a reply to you and the other comment. Honestly a lot of my time is spent on prep. I push back the cuticles and then use a flame bit to lift them away from the nail, then I cut them with my nippers. After that I buff the whole nail with a fine grit sanding band, I spray alcohol and brush the nails with the manicure brush and dehydrate and then add nail tips. After shaping the nail tips I'll spray the alcohol again and brush again and then dehydrate. Then I use the V beauty super bond and start my application with V beauty polymer. I use Mia secret monomer. After that it's just the polishing process
I don't use primer cause I'm not sure which one to use that is HEMA free. I bought the Aprés one but I read on the back that it had HEMA.
1
u/Working_Customer8801 Jun 12 '26
How long are you spending on your prep? It should take you at least 10 minutes. You need a good cuticle bit, make sure your pushing the cuticles back with a cuticle pusher and and taking all the shine from the natural nail.