Bio-gel nails

[pippop1]

Does anyone here have Bio-gel nails applied?

I've had them 18 times and am about to stop because, apart from once, they have never stayed intact for two weeks. In other words at least one has lifted and then began to come off (which is annoying) before two weeks are up.

It's true that I work in a hands-on job in the art field (but only three days per week) but I always wear rubber gloves when washing up or if using white spirit.

I have spoken to the lady that does my bio-gels and she thinks I am unlucky and that other people's last a lot longer.

I'm going to give up having them done when my final set of 10 is finished with (I paid in advance).

By the way, I have to keep my nails fairly short (i.e. they don't stick up over the ends of my fingers if I turn my hands with the palms towards my face) if that makes a difference and I have thin bendy nails.

What is your experience with bio-gels. I think I must be a mug to keep going with them so long but I do love to have groomed looking nails.

[ShhhhSantaiscoming]

I have gel applied at nails inc and find them fine. Sometimes, they do lift after a few weeks but depends on what I have been doing.

Im a sahm so usually kid orientated stuff iykiwm..

I rarely have them soaked off though as I find I can lift them fairly easy after 2/3 weeks.

BUT I love the look I get from them so im happy.. Mine are short as well.

I would expect 2/3 weeks to be a good time for them to stay put..?

[hatcam]

Do nails Inc have a good selection of colours? I had some done at a local salon recently and they're great, lasted for 2 weeks despite all the Christmas cooking, but I didn't really like the colours - lots of fuddy duddy colours, the only really nice one was a rouge noir type dark red.

[pippop1]

Well mine always last less than two weeks. But maybe I'm unrealistic. Sometimes they last two or three days and then I go back and she redoes one of them for free. It's not how they are promoted on the website.

But you are right, it's lovely to have nice nails and they give me pleasure (when they intact).

[ShhhhSantaiscoming]

pippop... 2 or 3 days..?! for gel's..? thats not right. I would say 2 weeks, yeah BUT 2 days..? . If you dont have tips (you don't as you said above but just thinking outloud!) then there is no reason for breaks etc.

Where do you go..? not nails inc..?

hatcam, the colours are not fab imo and i am thinking of complaining to nails inc direct as they promote gel nails, non chip blah de dah and available in a large range of colours..imo they would have gels to match ALL nail polishes they sell..?

I have been having nails inc do mine now for around 2 years and the range hasn't increased.

I usually have the deep burgondy/red (victoria) or atm I have black. I do also opt for rose for got for french.

I do have something but never hot on the range.

BTW, they do also do jermyn street. Like a brown colour and on is gorgeous. Looks different in different light. Very elegant and glam. Lovely colour.

[ShhhhSantaiscoming]

btw, hatcam, just thought.. If you have a colour in mind ask if they can create it...

Sometimes there is a colour I fancy and they will try and make that colour by mixing colours.. where possible iykwim.

Doesn't always turn out how you expect but they give it a go... nothing gained nothing lost

[hatcam]

Also, how can I take them off without paying for it - can I do it myself? Thank you!

[hatcam]

Thanks v. much, think will go to local nails Inc, I am loving my new glam nails but just want another colour! You sound like you know so one more question - the girl who did my ails said not to get oil on them as it lifts the nail but my cuticles are really dry without my daily slathering of oil, any suggestions? Pippop1 could this be the problem for you - getting oil or cream on to the nail?

[ShhhhSantaiscoming]

Hatcam,its not nails inc then that you use..?

TBH, I know they are pricy BUT so worth it... I buy their loyalty card which works out 4 for price of 3 and inc free soak off's which should be around £20.
I also buy the loyalty when on offer (debenhams for example do mega days when you get 10% or 20% off.. depending on where your nails inc nail bar is you can take advantage of this.

For me, it then works out the same as a high street salon and I find the quality so much more professional. I have had acrylic nails for over 15 yrs and tbh never been happy and the girl who did them was reluctant for me to have gel nails . Turned out once I left her and went to nails inc I never looked back..

Now... I have never been told not to use oils etc. Once my nails are applied they apply moisturiser and a cuticle oil as my cuticles are shocking (my fault) and I never have any issues...

Nails inc also sell a moisturiser and oil pen. So, in answer to your question it shouldn't affect the nail..

How to remove, well mine peel very easily after 2/3 weeks. If you want to remove yours its best to use the right remover.
From boots/super drug you can buy an artifical nail remover and nails inc sell their own. About £5 a bottle which will last 4 ish..more I guess times.

Slightly buff the top layer of the gel to break the seal and apply the liquid onto the cotton wool and soak it, it should only be a piece big enough to cover your nail.And place it on top of your nail only (won't dry the finger then)

Now wrap the top of your finger in tin foil (like a hat for your finger!) and twist the tip to hold it in place.

Leave them in place for around 10 mins. Remove and then slightly peel the gel off (an orange/cuticle stick is best). The gel will come away without any problem and wont damage your own nail.

HTH x

OH and............. NEVER tip the nail remover (acetone) down the sink.. Oterwise you will need to do some grovelling to your OH and need a plumber

[pippop1]

Not oil or cream problem. I'm too lazy to do that to my hands. Hot showers maybe. I wash my hair most days and then blowdry it. I tried wearing winter gloves to blowdry my hair (no laughing) in case it was the heat but it didn't make any difference. Maybe I just have oily nails. I have fairly oily hair like a teenager.......(but I'm 48).

[ShhhhSantaiscoming]

Hmm, I can see heat may be a slight problem but not when just blow drying..

I blowdry my hair each day and use straightners etc..

Pipop, I know its an expense but maybe treat yourself to a gel set at nails inc and compare it..?

Then you will know if its you or the gel iykwim...

It could be that the nails are not primed well beforehand (that was the case with me and acrylics) and are not bonding well or even that they are not being cured for long enough..?

[hatcam]

I'm off to nails Inc! Thank you v much for all info.

[ShhhhSantaiscoming]

let me know how you get on hatcam

Apparently gel colours are the best, more trendy . Must admit, I think short groomed nails in colour look fab !

[pippop1]

Thanks for your advice.

[JaxTellersOldLady]

I have had gel nails on and off over the years and they usually last 2/3 weeks.
I have had black, which isnt really a true black, more a dark graphite colour, the browny one, dark blue, purple all lovely though and this last week have a nice red for Christmas.

Depending on how careful you are they can last for 4 weeks, however mine dont. General household tasks, dogs and kids take their toll.

I dont use Nails Inc,

[JaxTellersOldLady]

oh dont know what happened there!

I dont use Nails Inc, just my local salon and the person is really good, primes my nails well and if one lifts for whatever reason she will fix it FOC.

[ShhhhSantaiscoming]

jax, I agree I think you need to find a good nail technician and after years I have found one at nails inc. I also love their products.

Just thought it a suggestion for pipop and hatcam to try a "branded" nail bar and to assess things from there..

Sometimes people find it hard complaining to a local nail bar...

Nails inc also means I can shop before or after having my nails done !

[whostolemyname]

I had these for my wedding and they lasted almost 3 weeks without peeling. I wonder if its a problem with how it is being applied?

[JaxTellersOldLady]

hmm I might try nails inc to see the difference. I do love their colours.

[ShhhhSantaiscoming]

thing I find with nails inc as well is that if you buy a polish to match as the nails grows you can paint over the regrowth with polish..so you get even longer