So you've just bought your first gel polish but you don't know where to start? Don't worry, babe, we've got you covered!
HOW DO I APPLY GEL POLISH
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- Gently push back the cuticles and remove any non-living tissue using cuticle nippers or scissors. Ensure all of the cuticle area including the side walls are included, a clean nail plate free of non-living tissue is needed for maximum adhesion.
- Remove ALL visible free edges. Remove the free edge using a 180/200 file. File off any corners and leave around 2mm free edge. Leaving anymore will result in the incorrect fitting of the tip.
- Using a 180/200 file, gently remove the surface shine from the nail plate (do not over file). Ensure to pay attention to the entire nail, specifically the cuticle area and the side walls as these are important contact areas.
- Ensure all dust is removed prior to the next step - swipe over the nail with a nail cleanse/prep solution to remove all debris.
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It is advisable to size all of the tips before moving to the next step, this will ensure you are fully prepared for the fitting process and that you will not contaminate the first base layer of gel.
- To size the tips:
Select a tip from the box. Sizes run from 0-11, 11 being the smallest and 0 being the largest. - Measure the size from sidewall to sidewall. The tip should not be shorter than the width of the nail or wider than the natural nail. The X-Tend tip should sit and run with the natural nail side wall grooves and extend out with the natural nails.
- If you are unable to find a tip that fits perfectly, select the nearest tip that is slightly larger and carefully remove from the side walls of the tip, until it fits perfectly. Ensure you file with the natural angle of the sidewall of the X-Tend tip to keep its shape.
To prep the tips:
- The tip is pre etched and does not need any further work. For extra strength. Lightly etch the sidewall and cuticle contact area on the inside of the tip.
- The free edge is shaped for you, however if you require the length shortening, do not do this until the tip is fitted and secured at the end of the service. If the cuticle area of your clients natural nail differs from the X-Tend tip, this can be refined with a 180 file before fitting.
- To size the tips:
-
You will need your normal curing lamp and the Flash Cure Gel X-Tend Lamp to complete this step. Please ensure your lamp is charged.
- Apply a thin layer of the Gel X-Tend Tip Bonder to the nail plate. Cure for 60 seconds.
- Ensure layer is thin.
- Ensure entire nail plate/contact area is covered.
- Avoid skin around the nail, if the product touches the skin, this will cause lifting Cure for 60 seconds.
- Remove from lamp and keep away from any dust.
- Repeat this for both hands.
-
You will need a slip/contact layer to help you fit the tip easily. This process will now need to be done 1 finger at a time, until the first hand is completed.
- Ensure your X-Tend lamp is on the desk next to you and set up for individual finger curing.
- Apply a thin coat of the Gel X-Tend Tip Bonder to the natural nail mirroring the base coat. DO NOT CURE.
- This will help the gel on the tip make a “connection” and make the fitting process easier.
- Take your tip and offload a small amount of X-Tend gel into the cuticle well of the tip. Use the brush to distribute along the cuticle area. The amount will depend on the size of the nail being fitted.
- Starting at the cuticle at a 45-degree angle apply gentle even pressure until the hollow of the tip is filled with gel and there are no gaps or air bubbles present.
- No gel should seep from the sides/cuticle/underside of the tip
- Move under then X-Tend lamp to fix for 10-15 secs to secure in place
- Transfer to lamp for further 10 seconds then continue onto next finger
- Once one hand is complete, cure fully for 60 seconds
- Repeat on 2nd hand
HOW DO I REMOVE GEL POLISH
-
- Gently push back the cuticles and remove any non-living tissue using cuticle nippers or scissors. Ensure all of the cuticle area including the side walls are included, a clean nail plate free of non-living tissue is needed for maximum adhesion.
- Remove ALL visible free edges. Remove the free edge using a 180/200 file. File off any corners and leave around 2mm free edge. Leaving anymore will result in the incorrect fitting of the tip.
- Using a 180/200 file, gently remove the surface shine from the nail plate (do not over file). Ensure to pay attention to the entire nail, specifically the cuticle area and the side walls as these are important contact areas.
- Ensure all dust is removed prior to the next step - swipe over the nail with a nail cleanse/prep solution to remove all debris.
-
It is advisable to size all of the tips before moving to the next step, this will ensure you are fully prepared for the fitting process and that you will not contaminate the first base layer of gel.
- To size the tips:
Select a tip from the box. Sizes run from 0-11, 11 being the smallest and 0 being the largest. - Measure the size from sidewall to sidewall. The tip should not be shorter than the width of the nail or wider than the natural nail. The X-Tend tip should sit and run with the natural nail side wall grooves and extend out with the natural nails.
- If you are unable to find a tip that fits perfectly, select the nearest tip that is slightly larger and carefully remove from the side walls of the tip, until it fits perfectly. Ensure you file with the natural angle of the sidewall of the X-Tend tip to keep its shape.
To prep the tips:
- The tip is pre etched and does not need any further work. For extra strength. Lightly etch the sidewall and cuticle contact area on the inside of the tip.
- The free edge is shaped for you, however if you require the length shortening, do not do this until the tip is fitted and secured at the end of the service. If the cuticle area of your clients natural nail differs from the X-Tend tip, this can be refined with a 180 file before fitting.
- To size the tips:
-
You will need your normal curing lamp and the Flash Cure Gel X-Tend Lamp to complete this step. Please ensure your lamp is charged.
- Apply a thin layer of the Gel X-Tend Tip Bonder to the nail plate. Cure for 60 seconds.
- Ensure layer is thin.
- Ensure entire nail plate/contact area is covered.
- Avoid skin around the nail, if the product touches the skin, this will cause lifting Cure for 60 seconds.
- Remove from lamp and keep away from any dust.
- Repeat this for both hands.
-
You will need a slip/contact layer to help you fit the tip easily. This process will now need to be done 1 finger at a time, until the first hand is completed.
- Ensure your X-Tend lamp is on the desk next to you and set up for individual finger curing.
- Apply a thin coat of the Gel X-Tend Tip Bonder to the natural nail mirroring the base coat. DO NOT CURE.
- This will help the gel on the tip make a “connection” and make the fitting process easier.
- Take your tip and offload a small amount of X-Tend gel into the cuticle well of the tip. Use the brush to distribute along the cuticle area. The amount will depend on the size of the nail being fitted.
- Starting at the cuticle at a 45-degree angle apply gentle even pressure until the hollow of the tip is filled with gel and there are no gaps or air bubbles present.
- No gel should seep from the sides/cuticle/underside of the tip
- Move under then X-Tend lamp to fix for 10-15 secs to secure in place
- Transfer to lamp for further 10 seconds then continue onto next finger
- Once one hand is complete, cure fully for 60 seconds
- Repeat on 2nd hand
THE HIGHLIGHTS
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