Nails In The Spotlight
Choosing The Right Nail Product
Whether you are a home user or a professional nail tech, the world of nail products can be a minefield. With all the different products it's hard to know which one to use going on name alone. In this article, you will learn the main qualities of each product and their purpose, so you can make the choice that is right for your needs. There are 4 main options sold by Bluesky for nail enhancements, and they are Builder Gel, Gum Gel, Hard Gel and Gel Polish.
All of the products are cured by a UV/LED light and each product has one of two main purposes; To make the nails longer or to make the nails stronger. If it can be used to make them longer, it can also be used to make them stronger. But just because a product makes nails stronger, doesn't mean you can use it to make them longer! The exception being hard Gel, which can be used to create extensions but only if they are short. See... CONFUSING right? Let's break it down.
Builder Gel, Gum Gel and Hard Gel are all strong enough to build an extension by either using tips or sculpting forms. But Hard Gel is the weakest of them all and should only be used for short extensions. Gel Polish was actually designed to just add colour to the nails, but lucky for us it adds a significant amount of strength as well. Just not enough to build the nails out longer. Before we get into all the products and their jobs, let's look at some of the different techniques you can use when adding length to your nails.
When building extensions, there are a few different ways you can add length to a nail. It's important to understand that not every product is suited to each technique of building extensions.
Sculpting (Builder Gel, Gum Gel, Hard Gel)
Sculpting is done by placing a paper form underneath the free edge of the natural nail and securing it in place with its sticky edges. The product is laid on top of the natural nail and over the paper form to create length. The paper form is removed after the product has been cured. This is considered an advanced technique.
Tips ( Builder Gel, Gum Gel, Hard Gel)
Tips are plastic forms that are glued to the surface of the nail, just at the very free edge. Product is laid over the entire natural nail and plastic tip. This technique is easier than scuplting for many people. The plastic tip remains on the nail.
Dual Forms ( Gum Gel ONLY)
Dual forms are used only with Gum Gel. A layer of product is applied on the concave (inside) of the form, before placing the entire form over the surface of the nail. Once cured, the form is released from the hardened gum gel leaving behind a perfectly shaped extension. This is a great tool for beginners but it takes a bit of practice to get the right quantities of product, and the correct pressure when applying it to the nail without flooding the cuticle.
The Products
Before using any of these products, you must prepare your natural nails. Failure to do so will lead to a breakdown of products and your nails not lasting very long. Wash your hands, file your nails, scrape away the cuticle, give them a buff and a wipe with some acetone. This will dehydrate them and remove any oils or dust from the nail to get the best results.
Price: £8.75
Colours Available: (4) Soft Clear Pink, White, Clear, Pink
Definition: A gel designed to sculpt strong extensions over sculpting forms or tips. Comes in a pot.
Consistency: Like thick honey. Will drip from the brush.
Tools required to use: Base Coat, Builder Gel, Gel Brush, sculpting forms/ Tips, UV or LED lamp,100/180 grit file, isopropyl alcohol.
Removal: SOAK OFF
* Can also be spread across the length of the natural nail to add strength.
Price: £24.99
Definition: A Gel designed to add length to natural nails by using Dual Forms. Comes in a pot, or in a tube.
Colours Available:(4) Clear, Soft Clear Pink, White, Pink.
Consistency: Like chewing gum. Doesn't drip from the brush. (Becomes looser when warm, and firmer when cold.)
Tools required to use: Base Coat, Gel Brush with Spatula, Dual forms, UV or LED lamp,100/180 grit file, isopropyl alcohol.
Removal: SOAK OFF
* Can also be spread across the length of the natural nail to add strength.
Price: £6.99
Colours Available: (4) Clear, Soft Clear Pink, White, Pink.
Definition: A gel designed to add strength to the natural nail. Comes in a bottle similar to Gel Polish.
Consistency: Like runny honey. Will drip from the brush easily.
Tools required to use: Base Coat, Hard Gel, UV lamp,100/180 grit file, isopropyl alcohol.
Removal: SOAK OFF
* Can also be used for short extensions, though not what it was designed for.
For more information on how to apply Hard Gel, click here.
Price: £6.99
Colours Available: Too many to count
Definition: A gel designed to add colour to the natural nail. Comes in a bottle.
Consistency: Like runny honey. Will drip from the brush easily.
Tools required to use: Base Coat, Gel Polish, Topcoat, UV lamp, isopropyl alcohol.
Removal: SOAK OFF
For more information on how to apply and remove Gel Polish, Check out these tutorials!
How to apply gel polish -------------How to remove gel polish
If you still can't decide which product, or you just want to share your results with like-minded people, you will find what you need on our Facebook Support Group. It is full of Bluesky lovers; sharing their work and their stories. Home users and professional nail technicians alike! Join Today!
