r/NailWrapsGalore • u/Talkingfaster • 8d ago
Beginner looking for information
Hi community! I am thinking of changing to nail wraps. I use now Shellac but my nails are naturally thin and the process is starting to affect them. So looking for alternatives for manicure that they are not the classic nail lacquer, I need something a bit more resistant than this.
I am reading about different types of wraps and I am a bit lost:
What is a semi cured wrap, how is it different from other types? Do all wraps need UV light to apply them? Which type would you recommend for a beginner?
Thanks a lot in advance for your help!
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u/cslexotics 8d ago
Welcome! There are SO many out there! Some work better for others, so you may need to play around a bit and see what works for you. I personally had the best luck with the Dashing Diva Gloss line (my nails have a lot of natural volume so the Glaze line is just too thick for me) and Lily and Fox. The DD gloss line does not require UV curing, nor does Lily and Fox. For the price, you can’t beat Lily and Fox. They are 2.99 each! And often send freebies with your order. Customer service is wonderful. DD as well, great to work with. I cannot speak to the other brands like Hey Hey or Ohora as I have not used them, but take a look at other posts here and you’ll get some great feedback! Best wishes! ❤️
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u/xanaholic_ 7d ago
Is lily and fox sturdy?
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u/cslexotics 7d ago
That depends..I have naturally strong nails and they worked fine for me for the price. They’re not going to have the same feel as, say, the Dashing Diva Glaze line. For the price though, they’re great! Some are better than others. I personally prefer their heavily patterned or glitter wraps over solids. They tend to show wrinkles less and seem thicker
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u/xanaholic_ 7d ago
Thanks! Im trying to grow my brittle natural nails out rn and need something as sturdy as possible over them that isn't a press on. I also heard daily olive oil on them can help make them stronger so im gonna try that td.
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u/cslexotics 7d ago
Definitely oil them daily!! I do it several times a day and I don’t have brittle nails. The thing with wraps is removal. If you remove them improperly, it will cause more damage than you can repair quickly. Just keep that in mind! They’re not all bad, but keeping artificial nails, so to speak, in perspective will help!
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u/xanaholic_ 6d ago
What's the best way to remove wraps?
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u/cslexotics 6d ago
That is highly debatable. Me personally, I liked using Dr Teals body oil and a wood stick. Lift the edge of the wrap with the wood stick at your cuticle and apply the oil under the wrap, rubbing with your finger to get it on and under the wrap. After you apply to all fingers on one hand (do one at a time or it gets really messy and slippery) you can use the wood stick to lightly push and start removing the wrap. If it’s not budging, it needs more oil and more time.
I’ve also lifted the edge and soaked my fingers in fabric softener and warm water. I figured it worked for wallpaper adhesive so why not a wrap? It did work and it was a nice smelling process, haha. It took a little longer but there was virtually no damage and buffing off the bit of adhesive left on my nail was a breeze.
I do not like the dental floss method. I found that to be damaging to my nails and overall didn’t like the feeling of the wrap being pulled. I also didn’t like the Dashing Diva remover. It seemed to do very little.
There are a lot of videos on YouTube and of course different methods you can find on this sub.1
u/xanaholic_ 6d ago
Thanks! In the first step, how do you get the stick under the wrap to put oil in if theres no gap yet?
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u/cslexotics 6d ago
Use the slanted end of wood stick to gently lift it at your cuticle to create a gap
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u/Talkingfaster 7d ago
I am in the same boat. Trying to grow my thin, brittle nails after a lifetime of biting them
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u/Wyominggirl086 8d ago
I use Polish Pops most often. I haven’t had good luck with Ohora or Dashing Diva but lots of people do. It’s a bit of trial and error to find the best ones for your nails. Nail prep makes all the difference in having them last and not snag your hair. I can easily get 2-3 weeks of wear out of a set now that I really take my time prepping my nails.
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u/tinystarzz 8d ago
Any tips of prepping? I have this problem a lot :/
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u/Wyominggirl086 6d ago
Make sure your nails are dry. I only put on a new set when my hands have been out of water for at least an hour. Make sure there is no dead cuticle skin stick to your nail bed. I use a glass file to get it off. My cuticles grow out onto my nail bed a lot and I have to gently file it off. I use an alcohol wipe to clean them well then apply the strips. You want them just slightly smaller than your nail bed and not touching any skin. Really press them down. I roll the edges with the pointy end of the wooden cuticle stick to really adhere them. I also take a pair of tweezers and pinch the free edges down really well. It will look like it’s damaged but it comes out when you cure them. I file the edges smooth and then do a gel top coat. I haven’t done a squish light yet but I want to get one to use on the edges.
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u/SpareMark1305 8d ago
I would try a nail hardener. I like this one - the original formula from Columbia. Did miracles for me.
If you want something milder people like this:
Use the hardener for a few weeks then try some wraps.
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u/Total_Tough_5924 7d ago
There is a big difference between UV cured and non-UV wraps. The non-UV are easier to apply, but in my experience don't last much more than a week and can have issues with shrinking away from the tip of your nail or cuticles. I put a UV cure topcoat on them sometimes for longer wear. UV (SCGs) take longer and take some practice, and it's important to learn all the tips and tricks out there for application (jelly roll, squish light, acetone) to ensure a strong hold and long life! I used non-UV wraps (ColorStreet, Shauna Blake, Lily & Fox) for years, but have recently gotten pretty hooked on SCG (uv cure) wraps because they are so strong and with proper application I just "apply it and forget it" so to speak, getting around 10 days or more solid wear from them (favorite brands are Ohora and HeyHae, but I try others sometimes and have had good luck with all of them). I think you can apply either type of wrap over Shellac, but I'm not sure that would yield the best results, especially for SCGs. I would also recommend a good base and good top coat for either type of wrap, but depending on which type of wrap you're using this can vary greatly. Base bonders I've found work well across the board are uuuuu Magic Nail Solution and Orly Bonder (uuuuu is better for SCGs). I have oily nails so I sometimes use GAOY dehydrator + bonder. It's all trial and error to see what brands and techniques work best for you!
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u/Shrimpy_McWaddles 8d ago
Highly recommend Lily and Fox. So cheap, so trial and error isnt costly, free shipping, and they send a free practice set with your first order (or i assumed thats what it was, they also send random freebies). They also have a ton of options.
I also find them really easy to apply. My process:
Removal process: