quality time

My sister and i have been getting our nails done for 2 years now. It is the only time we really get to spend together as we both work, attend school and have families to take care of. We both went in on this together and have been doing them ourselves since January this year. in total we have invested around $250 total. We just got a new drill, brush cleaner, new uv gel and light. I am so glad that we have this time to spend together!! waitin for my daughter to give me enough grow out on hers to do them too. cant wait for her to be able to join this fun with us!!!

Gel VS. Acrylic

Gel

Gel nails can be soft, glossy and more natural like. They are softer than an acrylic nail. They have faster curing times, can be cured by uv light, a gel activator(paint on or spray on) and can be dipped in plain water to set them. They can be applied with or without primer. There are multiple textures, soft to hard.

 

Acrylic

Acrylic nails are durable and longer lasting due to the harder texture. They last longer than gel nails because of their hard texture. They need a clean surface, coated with a primer to cause the monomer liquid and acrylic powder to adhere. unlike gel, acrylic can cause an allergic reaction if skin contact occurs.

Choice

Either way you go, gel or acrylic, there are multiple styles and colors to choose from. You can choose solid colors, colored tips with clear, pink, or glitter type beds; and designs as well. You can have this professionally done, or buy a Do-IT-Yourself(DIY) kit at the store now. You can find colored and acrylic powder at many different online sites.

Color Mixing

Color Mixing is simple. You can have solid colors, glitter colors, and myself i like glitter beds. 

for glitter beds: take clear acrylic and mix with a clear based glitter.

for solid color: take color acrylic and mix with clear acrylic to make enough product to do nails. can add white to lighten color or a dark color such as black to darken color, but be careful with darkening as if you add to much, it will become black.

for glitter: i personally use a base color with the clear and then add the glitter color too it. when i do my sisters, she sometimes likes to use just the glitter color without the base color.

tips for using products

To begin, you will need to do a brief file on nails to give the product a surface to adhere to. 

Apply nail form stickers to fingertips. 

Dip brush into liquid, dab on paper towel and then dip in clear or pink powder(do not linger in powder to long as product wont work right, and will clump in bottom or side of dish)  apply to nail bed. form quickly before acrylic/gel liquid dries. repeat for each nail.

next repeat steps with white powder for nail tips.

allow to dry. remove shape stickers.

File to desired length and smoothness. for shine, buffer nail, apply clear top coat, or use  uv top coat with a uv light to harden.

beginners product purchasing

I found all of our beginning products at the tmart website. Not knowing if this was something I would stick with or be any good at, I didn’t want to invest too much until i knew for sure… their website offers many products at a good price and always has free shipping!!  I found options for products for  Gel or Acrylic nails. Although shipping is always free, some of the product that comes from out of the country does take a few weeks to come in, so plan accordingly just in case!http://www.tmart.com/Nail-Care/