Dear pro nail artist. Does this sound like you?…
You pick up your phone, and there it is… The dreadful client message, ‘My nails are lifting.’
You instantly panic and start questioning your application. What did I do wrong??
That used to be me.
Over the years of servicing clients, and once I found my go to method for long wear application, which by the way, I now share fully inside my Master Gel Nails Course..) I stopped quietly asking “What did I do wrong” and instead shifted to ask my client “What were you doing when this happened?” And while you may find that a bit controversial, as if I’m blaming the client, you would be surprised at the speed of which the confessions rolled in.
Today, I’m going to share with you the ONLY time gel lifting is YOUR fault, and the possible culprits that caused the application to break down, so that you can stop assuming blame for every “my nails are lifting” message.
Let’s make this clear once and for all.
Once you nailed your method, and your products…
Anything after 5 days of the nail service, is not your fault. There. I said it.
Turns out a professional manicure service is a 50/50 equation, for which you have always been assuming 100% of the responsibility for.
These are usually the scenarios when lifting is usually your fault:
-Nails that lift significantly within 5 days are your fault.
That is it.
I’ll say it again…
If in 5 days, your client is having major service breakdowns, you did something wrong.
Anything longer than 5 days, I would suggest you kindly ask your client, what were they doing when the lifting happened.
Why? Let’s break it down.
Nails that break down significantly within 5 days means there was some operator error.
The products we are using, and the techniques we are training in today are at the most expert level we’ve ever had.
🍃Possible Operator Error #1
It could be that you undercured the nails. Either because you’re working with an old curing unit, or a cheap and low-power one.
🍃Possible Operator Error #2
It could also mean that you skipped or forgot a crucial step. Something like not using a bonder or a base coat if you were supposed to. This usually happens more-so to beginners who are still not comfortable with their products, and step-by-step. But it could also happen to an experienced tech who is trying out different products and misunderstood or didn’t note, for example, that a certain builder actually didn’t have adhesion component and needed a basecoat underneath it.
🍃Possible Operator Error #3
You smooth buffed the nails. Nails can be etched with a buffer, but it needs to be a buffer with noticeable grit, and you have to take it slowly around the nail plate.
🍃Possible Operator Error #4
You left the nail plate too wet or oily prior to your first coat of gel. This can happen if you use 70% alcohol on the nail plate, if the client washes their hands before the gel application, or if you use oil or a moisturizer before the gel application. If you do any of these things you must thoroughly dehydrate the nail plate before gel application.
🍃Possible Operator Error #5
You’re mix-matching too many new products. When you do this you’re basically gambling or hoping and praying your experimental combination makes it. I will always stress honing in on two brands max, including certifying in them, to be able to use them to their max potential and stop experimenting on clients.
These are the top 5 possible scenarios that would make nails break down within 5 days. For any service breakdown longer than this I would highly recommend that you speak to your client.
Most importantly, be proactive about explaining to a client that treating their nails anything less than jewels, will lead to service breakdowns of many kinds… Lifting at the cuticle, free-edge, bubble lifting in the center, etc.!
Alright, stick around for the next video and make sure to subscribe to this channel.
EDUCATION MENTIONED TODAY:
🔺Master Gel Nails Course https://paolaponcenails.com/mgn/
🔺Free Masterclass to help you as a structure gel specialist: https://paolaponcenails.com/masterclass/
PAOLA PONCE X NAIL THOUGHTS PRESS-ONS https://paolaponcenails.com/daydreamer
Paola Ponce is a licensed nail tech of 10+ years and a certified Japanese gel educator.
Learn more about her journey as a specialized gel nail artist and her gel nail application course inside her free masterclass here.
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