Q. Does getting your nails done ruin your nails? I know mine have been super flimsy after acrylic.
A. If there is appropriate preparation & removal of nail products, there should be little to no damage to your natural nails! Usually, nails feel thin after getting them done for two reasons:
Improper preparation of the natural nails. To get more people in & out of the door, some techs will have their drills running way too fast & applied with too much pressure. This results in removing more layers of your nails than is healthy, around 5-6. Nails will feel weak, thin, and sensitive. Sanding is not “to rough up the surface & create something the gel can grip to.” Sanding is only necessary to remove the shine/oil off of the nail plate; this is about 1-2 layers of the nail.
Improper removal. Because acrylics are often longer than our natural nails, it is easy to bump them, pull on them, or even crack them. Acrylic is made to stick to your natural nails & be filled every 2-4 weeks. When they are ripped off, your nails are going to suffer. Removal should be done by a professional who cares about the health & safety of your nails. This would include the sanding down of old product with an electric file, leaving a protective layer between the natural nail and drill. The remaining product should be soaked in acetone for 15-20 minutes. This can be followed by buffing the nails with a fine grit buffer & adding cuticle oil to replenish the nails & skin.
Q. I want to grow my nails out & be consistent with getting them done. What do you recommend?
A. I would 100% recommend nursing your nails back to health with Luminary Nail Systems! Luminary is a multi-flex gel with the strength of acrylic but the flexibility and smoothness of gel.
Q. Do you offer acrylic nail services?
A. No, I do not. A lot of people get acrylics to add length and strength to their nails quickly. However, I help clients grow out their natural nails with Luminary–a strengthening gel.
Q. What is the difference between soft gel and hard gel?
A. Soft gel stays on longer than normal nail polish but does not protect against bending and breaking. Hard gel strengthens the natural nail by protecting against bending and breaking. It can be soaked off or filled.
Q. How much does nail art cost?
A. Generally speaking, nail art costs about $1.00/minute per nail. Check out my “Pricing” highlight on Instagram for examples of art I have done and how much it would cost!
Q. How do you get your nails to last so long?
A. Quality manicures that last for weeks are all about the prep work and products you use. If I am starting off on natural nails, 1) I use a sand band over the entire nail to get rid of the oily/shiny layer of the nail. 2) Then I will do my cuticle work as normal. Keep in mind everything I do is dry–moisture on the nail plate that is trapped under gel can create mold and accumulate bacteria. After sanding and cuticle work, 3) I file and shape the nails. 4) I wipe the nails with 100% alcohol using a lint-free wipe to get rid of any remaining oil/moisture on the nail that would keep the gel from sticking. And finally, 5) the last step of my prep routine is to apply a protein bond to the natural nail. I use Young Nails protein bond. This acts as a double-sided sticky tape for the natural nail and gel product.
Q. What nail shape is the most durable?
A. Round or almond-shaped nails last the longest because there are no harsh corners for the nails to catch on. However, even if you have round or almond nails, if your lifestyle does not match the length of nails you want, you may need to shorten the length or make some changes in your daily activities. Nails can last a long time, but they are not indestructible!
Q. How do I book an appointment?
A. If you are already a regular client, you may use the link in my Instagram bio. If you are not a regular client but wish to become one, you may join my waitlist using the link in my Instagram bio as well.
Q. Do you work over acrylic? Or do I need to get it off beforehand?
A. I do not work over acrylic. And yes, please get it removed beforehand!
Q. What brushes do you use for your tiny art? They are linked under my bio under “My Favorite Products.” I love the Winstonia brushes off Amazon!
Q. I feel like I always get hangnails & my cuticles are so dry. What can I do to help this?
A. Hangnails come from cuticles that are dry. The best way to avoid hangnails is to push your cuticles back after a warm shower and then apply cuticle oil. Any cuticle oil will do. Jojoba oil and Vitamin E oil are great for your cuticles as well.
Q. If a color is “opaque,” what does that mean?
A. The term opaque originated from the Latin, meaning ‘dark’ meaning ‘not transparent’. An opaque substance does not let any light pass through at all. A paint that is opaque will give a solid color. Blacks and whites are always opaque and any colour mixed with them will become more opaque (online curtisward glossary definition).