Three Tips for Finding a Great Nail Tech

The chances of going into a walk-in nail salon, discount salon, or mall nail salon and finding a great nail tech are slim to none.  So how do you find a great nail tech?  The answer to this question is probably one you’re not going to like:  You’re going to have to hunt for one!

1. Let your fingers do the walking.  Go through the phone book and look for full service salons that offer nail services.  Be sure to ask questions and make sure they offer the type of nail services you want.  A great nail tech will most likely not be able to take a walk-in or appointment on short notice.  When you find one who is booked a week or more in advance, make an appointment!  Great nail techs have a loyal clientele and will be worth the wait.

2. Ask the lady in line next to you. If you see someone who has great nails, ask her where she gets them done! Most great nail techs rely on word-of-mouth advertising to gain new clients.  If you like the way someone’s nails look, chances are you will like how yours look when you go to their nail tech!  Most ladies will be happy to give you their nail tech’s number!

3. Don’t base your selection on price.  It’s true, you usually get what you pay for.  Great nail techs invest in great products and continuing education.  They treat nails as a career, not just a hobby.  Because of this, they charge more for their time.  But when you get nails from a great nail tech, your nails will usually require less maintenance and last longer.  Which one is the better bargain:  A discount salon that charges $15 for a fill, but you have to get one every 7 to 10 days; or a great nail tech that charges $30 for a French rebase, but you can go in every 2 to 3 weeks?  You do the math!

A good nail tech might be hard to find, but trust me, a good nail tech is worth the wait!  The walk-in, discount salon on the corner is not your only option for nails.  Once you’ve found a great nail tech you will see that it is possible to have great nails that don’t lift, yellow, or require a fill once a week.  You’ll be able to have nails you are proud to show off – even when it’s time for a rebase!

xoxo,

The Nail Advisor

What are gel nails?

Gel nails are a type of nail enhancement.  They are odorless, light weight, flexible, and are shiny without polish.  They come in many colors, which can give your nails the look of polish without chipping or peeling.

Pic of UV Gel Products: (L-R) Pink Gel, White Gel, Builder Gel

How are gel nails applied?

First, the nail technician will prepare your nails by doing cuticle work, removing the shine from your natural nail with a fine grit file, and cleansing them with nail prep. If you want extra length, sculpting forms or tips will be added.  Then the gel will be applied.  Gel is a honey-like substance that comes in little tubes or pots and must be placed in a UV light to cure.  The nail technician will apply the gel in layers, curing each layer in a light before moving on to the next layer.  Once the nails are fully cured, the nail technician will file and shape the nails.

Pic of hand in UV Gel Light

How are gel nails removed?

Gel nails are nonporous, which means they cannot be soaked off with chemicals.  Gel nails must be removed with a nail file.  The easiest way to remove them would be to have your nail technician remove them for you.  This will assure that you do not file too deep into the natural nail.  If you do try to remove them at home, be sure to file carefully.  It is better to leave a little bit of product on the natural nail and allow it to grow off, rather than file too much and damage your natural nail.  Also resist prying the gel off of your natural nail!  Most damage to the natural nail is caused by improper removal.

How are gel nails maintained?

Because the natural nail grows quickly, gel nails need to be rebased every 2 to 3 weeks.  Waiting longer than the recommended time can cause them to lift and crack more easily.  Gel nails require a rebase or rebalance.  At this appointment, the nail technician will perform cuticle work, thin out the exisiting gel with a file, blend it with the natural nail growth, move the stress area and smile line back toward the center of the nail, and reapply the gel.  It is basically like getting a new set of nails at almost every appointment!

What is the difference between gel nails and acrylic nails?

Acrylic nails are made with a liquid and powder. Gel nails are made with a product that is a honey-like consistency and has to be cured with a UV light. Acrylic nails can be soaked off with acetone. Gel nails need to be filed off. Gel nails are naturally shiny. Acrylic nails need to be buffed, polished, or sealed with a UV top coat. Gel nails tend to be more flexible and feel a bit lighter on the natural nail.

Pros to gel nails:

• Odorless
• Flexible
• Shiny
• Crystal Clear
• Nonyellowing
• Feel lighter on the natural nail

Cons to gel nails:

• Removal – gel nails cannot be removed by soaking them in acetone; they must be filed off.  This can make home removal difficult.
• Can be hard to find a nail technician who offers gel nails.  Can also be hard to find one who is good at gels.

Buyer Beware:  Lots of discount nail salons say they offer gel nails.  MOST of these places will put acrylic on your nails and then finish them with a UV gel top coat.  TRUE UV gel nails are NOT applied with a liquid and powder.  If they apply a liquid and powder, they are applying either a resin/glue system or acrylic product.  Do not be fooled!  They will tell you they are not lying to you, but they are.  Period. 

xoxo,

The Nail Advisor

What are acrylic nails?

Acrylic nails first became popular back in the 1980′s. Originally, acrylic nails were made from dental acrylic. They were thick, yellowed easily, and were extremely bad for your nails. Today’s acrylics are designed for nail services. They are thinner, more flexible, and designed for everyday wear.

Acrylic Products (l-r): Acrylic Powder, Acrylic Liquid (Monomer), Dappen Dish for Liquid

How are acrylic nails applied?

First, the nail technician will prepare your nails by doing cuticle work, removing the shine from your natural nail with a fine grit file, and cleansing them with nail prep. If you want extra length, sculpting forms or tips will be added. Then the acrylic will be applied by first dipping the brush into a liquid (called monomer) and then into powder. The mixture will then be applied to your nails and allowed to air dry or “cure”. Once they are cured, the technician will file and shape them. Then they are either buffed to a high shine, protected with a UV gel topcoat, or polished.

How are acrylics removed?

Acrylics are most safely removed by soaking them in acetone. Resist the urge to pry them off! Most damage from acrylic nails comes from improper removal.

If your nails have a UV gel top coat, this must be filed off prior to soaking. Then, pour the acetone in a glass bowl – put just enough in to cover your nails. Place your nails into the acetone. Wait a few minutes to allow the acetone to begin working. Then as the acrylic begins to dissolve, you can either use an orangewood stick, cuticle pusher, or nail file to push off the gooey acrylic. Keep placing your nails back into the acetone until the last of the acrylic is removed.

How are acrylic nails maintained?

Most people will require a maintenance appointment every 2 to 3 weeks because nails grow quickly. Waiting more than 2-3 weeks to get a fill will cause them to lift and crack. At about 2 – 3 weeks, your nails will require a “fill”. At this appointment, the nail technician will perform cuticle work, thin out the exisiting acrylic a bit with a file, blend it with the natural nail growth, and fill in the growth with new acrylic. At about 4 – 6 weeks, your nails will require a “backfill”. At this appointment, the nail technician will perform the usual fill, but if you are wearing a french tip or colored tip, he or she will also move the smile line back towards the center of the nail, covering the free edge growth.

What is the difference between acrylic nails and gel nails?

Acrylic nails are made with a liquid and powder. Gel nails are made with a product that is a honey-like consistency and has to be cured with a UV light. Acrylic nails can be soaked off with acetone. Gel nails need to be filed off. Gel nails are naturally shiny. Acrylic nails need to be buffed, polished, or sealed with a UV top coat. Gel nails tend to be more flexible and feel a bit lighter on the natural nail.

Pros of acrylic nails:

• Durable
• Strong
• Non-yellowing
• Come in lots of colors and glitters; endless nail art options
• Can be soaked off for easy removal

Cons of acrylic nails:

• Porous – because acrylics can be soaked off, they are also susceptible to product break down when exposed to chemicals.

Acrylic nails have been given a bad rap in recent years.  A lot of discount nail salons use outdated acrylics that were not created specifically for nails.  The technicians badly damage the nail bed with harsh files and poor sanitation practices.  Do not blame acrylic nails for damage that was caused by a careless nail technician.  Today’s acrylic nails are much healthier for the nail bed, cause less damage, and are more durable than the acrylics of the 80′s.  Find a great nail tech who cares about your nails and give today’s acrylics a try!

xoxo,

The Nail Advisor