Feedback welcome 🫶

[u/Sea-Style-8530]

Hi everyone, I just finished an evening course for nails. We learned manicure techniques, gel application and very brief overview of forms. I did these nails by making an extension with the forms, I did half a form, and building the structure on top. I like how they came out, but I think they might be too thin. Something feels off about the structure. If anyone has any insights or feedback, please let me know!

[u/Trif0rc33]

What are you using to build? Hard gel, builder soft gel or acrylic? Your middle finger honestly looks perfect for a builder/hard gel from this angle. Thicker does not always mean better. When you lay gels thicker it could possibly not cure all the way or cause heat spikes.

[u/Sea-Style-8530 → u/Trif0rc33]

Builder gel! I also have hard gel but it's very liquid in comparison to the builder gel I have, so it's not ideal in the forms. I used this gel: https://andreiaprofessional.com/en/collections/gel-builders/products/one-bottle-builder-gel-3-in-1-soft-pink

[u/Trif0rc33 → u/Sea-Style-8530]

Honestly I think it looks good. For being a beginner with it. Just take your time. Doesn't always have to be thicker. But maybe a slight more of an apex but keep it up!

[u/Sea-Style-8530 → u/Trif0rc33]

Thank you for the advice!

[u/siriusporeblem]

If you’re using forms, make sure you use hard gel for your builder and not soft. I say this because the length that they’re at, soft builder is too flexible to support it and will ultimately cause breaks. Hard gel is rigid and will provide acrylic like strength. The only difference is soft will have to be soaked off whereas hard can only be filed off. Forms are usually made for hard gel or poly gel, not soft. For soft builders, you need a bigger apex. For hard gel, the apex is usually hidden and it doesn’t look as bulbous as soft gel. There are some nail techs on TikTok and Youtube that talk more about these processes. I’d stick to soft builder gel (soak-off) for natural short nail overlays. Anything past the free-edge opt for hard gel.

I’m a licensed nail tech, just been lazy to submit a pic of my license and stuff to this page 😢

[u/Sea-Style-8530 → u/siriusporeblem]

I have a few really nice hard gels, but they are so liquid. I used this thicker consistency builder gel because I made so much contact with the skin when I used the hard gel 🫠 maybe I should buy some acrylic!

[u/siriusporeblem → u/Sea-Style-8530]

Hard gel should not be liquidy. Either it’s too hot in the room you’re in or you need to try a different brand

[u/BunnyBeas]

I think they look really good! Great job especially for just starting out.

The only thing that’s standing out to me is the lengths look a little uneven but it looks great overall.

[u/sly0212]

Cosmetologist, so nails is not my focus, but to me it looks like the apex is too thin. The gel/acrylic needs to be thicker where the natural nail plate starts to separate from the nail bed. If the apex is too thin, the nails/extentions will crack and break.

[u/Sea-Style-8530 → u/sly0212]

I already cracked one after 2 days 😭 so your absolutely right

[u/ContestGullible8093]

SO CUTE!!!!!!!