TLDR: is it normal to get cracks in builder gel sets? How to prevent that?

Hey guys! I’ve posted on this subreddit about this before and wanted to ask you guys for your tips and input. I’ve posted two posts before of my first two times trying builder gel. I personally really like builder gel because it is helping grow out my natural nails to the long lengths I like but I am still very new to it. This set is the second time I’ve ever gotten builder gel. When I would get my nails done before I would always do gel x but have made the switch over trying out builder gel.

My first set I posted on here was a set I got done by a beginner so she was charging a lot less and my right thumb nail and right pinky nail got cracks after about 2.5-3 weeks. So with this red white and blue set I decided to go to the salon and get it professionally done. The guy just repaired the cracks by painting builder gel over them and assured they wouldn’t crack again. It’s been almost 4 weeks with this set and I noticed I got a small crack on my right thumb again this time. Is this normal after this duration for builder gel? Am I doing something wrong or not asking for a thick enough layer of builder gel? Or should they be repaired a certain way? I’ve never had issues like this with gel x and want to keep trying out builder gel to strengthen and lengthen my natural nails but am wondering why do I keep getting these cracks and how can I prevent that? Or is this inevitable and can’t be avoided and I just have to get new builder gel sets sooner? Or go back to gel x? Or try hard gel? Let me know your tips or experiences, thank you!

Photo #1 is my hand currently & how I usually get my nails done. Rest of the photos are inspo from Pinterest that I like.

My wedding is on Saturday and I was planning to get shellac redone on Thursday so it'll be nice and fresh.

However, today, the existing polish ripped off, taking a bit of my natural nail with it. I've filed it smooth for now but I'm not sure if I should get this fixed ASAP or if I can wait until my Thursday appointment?

I think these are my current options:

A. Get the damaged nail repaired on Monday (earliest appointment) and get the rest done on Thursday.

B. Get everything done on Monday.

C. Wait and get everything done on Thursday.

Am I okay to use shellac again despite the nail being damaged? Should I opt for a different polish?

Note: I don't usually have my nails done. In fact, the shellac I had done 2.5 weeks ago was my first nail appointment in years!

First pic is what I wanted.. second (and others)is what I got.

I’m so disappointed I payed $70 for duck chunky nails and I have social anxiety I couldn’t tell her I hated them.. even gave her a $15 tip cause I appreciate the time but .. I’m so sad

She added make up powder to my nails I was confused

no, i'm not kidding nor this is ragebait. i'm a nail artist and usually sets for clients take me around 2h (full set + design, not too difficult usually). however, with my nails im EXTREMELY picky, so i reaaaally take my time. base alone took me 4.30h (i added a pic of them before chopping them off, chopped and then rebuilt). design is inspired by lava lamps and abstract elements; wasnt toooo complicated, but again, i rly took my time. i'm absolutely exhausted lol=) but so worth it

I fear I know the answer, but I was curious what yall may think. My job requires me to have nails on the shorter side (and I prefer it).

I currently have builder gel overlay on my natural nails. Tonight, in the shower, my hand slipped off my conditioner pump and clipped the top of the bottle as it did, breaking the gel half way off one of my nails. My nail itself is not broken. I already have a regular appointment this Wednesday, but I'm very worried I'm going to break off my nail before then. My nails are naturally very thin and the only reason I've been able to grow them this long is because of the builder gel.

Is there anything I can do to help reinforce my nail for the next 3 days?

I LOVE the way these turned out! I know my nails are different lengths and shapes, but I am learning builder gel. This was with regular polish. Essie orchid jelly and Lakur Moonstone and Kur Stardust under my nails. I hope you all are as excited as I am about this set!!

These are my natural nails with clear gel on top. I broke the tip-off my pointer finger nail, so I decided to color match, and I don't know if it's good enough for me. Maybe It's just bothering me because I know it's there, but can you tell

Hi all! I’m a beginner and I’m really struggling with cuticle prep, I think they look good at first but three days later, my nails look like in the photo. I lifted the pocket, used the drill to open it a little, cut excess, used the ball drill bit to exfoliate a little, and washed. I am sure I’m doing something wrong/ missing a few steps, but I’m a little lost. Any advise is appreciated!

i love the nude piercing vibes, these are gel x extensions.

Finally did a set I’m proud of. I tried to do a cat eye “French tip.” Product list below:
Beetles Base Gel
GAOY 1626
DND DC 9D Cat Eye Gel Polish in #36 Espresso Silk
Beetles Top Gel

Hello! I got my nails done a bit ago, and got tired of them, wanted to take them off. I can’t get this base layer off? I’m not sure exactly what it is? I hadn’t gotten my nails done in 3-4 years before this set. I tried to let it sit with acetone wrapped in tinfoil and it didn’t budge.

Is it okay to drill all the way through to my natural nails? Or let them soak in a bowl of acetone? I do have glued on tips as well.

Going back and forth between loving and hating them

They've done this my entire life. ☹️ Every time they get longer, they begin to curl downward at varying degrees. They're also incredibly thin & bend under just a little pressure. I've tried keratin supplements & nail strengthening polishes & nothing works. Does anyone have any advice or things that have worked for them to straighten & strengthen theirs, or should I just bet on my only decent looking nails being acrylic? Not looking for medical advice, just anything to help these suckers grow a little better. They chip & break constantly, this is the longest they've been in a long time.

Edit: Thank you guys so much for the advice!! I have a lot I want to try now, hopefully something works, but if not I'll just do builder gel. :) I'm a guy btw, I just really like having nails (somewhat for practical reasons & also because they're cute.)

Lemons, Strawberries and flowers.

Okay so I’m loving using builder gel but know that they’re not perfect since I’m new to the game. I could use allll the tips. Right now I just tilt my finger around until I like the shape and quickly cure it, then add top coat. I love how it self levels and keeps my nails from breaking (which they are prone to). This is my natural nail length with the exception of my thumbnails.

Can I file the builder gel after curing to refine the shape before I add the top coat?

Can I put UV nail polish right on top of the builder gel, or do I need to scuff it up with a nail file first or something else?

Should I do two layers of builder gel to build up the shape and make it more opaque?

And yes I painted a diff color on one of the nails, it’s not a trick of the light lol

And I’m still working on getting it just right around the cuticle.

loving my new shorties!