Nail Overlay Problems

[NaughtyLittleElf]

I like to use overlays to grown my natural nail, rather than have tips, I like them relatively short so tips aren't really necessary. My nail tech used a hard gel and dips the brush into acrylic powder, in her words "to make it stronger", I don't seem to be able able to go more than a week without them chipping, even with gel polish on top. I've noticed my nails often feel rough on the free edge, is this the problem?

Should I change nail tech and/or switch to acrylic overlays? I've tried bio sculpture and shellac before and need something stronger.

The choice of nail establishments in my area is nail bars (a few are standard most are non standard) that primarily do full sets with tips, and beauty salons that also do nails who primarily do bio sculpture, CND, Shellac etc.

My nails were done exactly a week ago and I've got two big chips and one small one, they look a mess. I wear gloves to clean and wash up and have a desk job.

Any advice?

[chelle862]

Change nail tech.

Why is she putting powder on hard gel? That just seems a bit weird to me.

Acrylic isn't for everyone and some brands will work better for you than others. For example CND will not stay on my mum, but entity will.

Make sure your hands aren't getting to sweaty in gloves, I find that can cause lifting and product breakdown. Do you use cuticle oil regularly?

[chelle862]

And I would never let anyone leave with rough patches! I would only let someone leave with what I would be happy to wear myself and rough bits mean bits to pick at!

[NaughtyLittleElf]

I have a dishwasher so I don't wear gloves that often. She previously used what I think was acrygel which is a mix of gel and acrylic in a tube, that seemed to be stronger but they didn't have it the last two appointments.

New nail tech needed I think, shame because she's really nice and the salon isn't doing very well done lockdown so Is have liked to support them. I'm already swapping for my facial waxing because I got burned last time (different member of staff). I can't see them being open much longer.

[Ivgotasecretcanyoukeepit]

Chipping? That doesn’t sound right to me. I get overlays on my nails and my tech uses acrylic powder that you use with monomer and they last until I get them infilled.

[NaughtyLittleElf]

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll try acrylic overlays next time, it'll give me more choice of where to go as well.

[Lndnmummy]

Try SNS nails (or dipping powder). I’m like you and don’t want tips as need my nails short but need an overlay. SNS works very well for this. I also just do acrylic overlays without the tips and that works well too.

[Apolloanddaphne]

I get Brisa gel overlays and they are great. They never chip.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Generally gel is for brittle nails and acrylic is for weak nails.

You MUST use a nail oil, every time you wet the hands the nail rapidly absorbs water, much faster than skin, and the nail changes shape slightly. This repeated exposure pulls the nail off the coating which isn’t absorbing water & isn’t changing shape.

If you saturate the nail with nail oil the water can’t get in.

[NaughtyLittleElf]

I use cuticle oil and hand cream twice a day, at least, it's part of my morning and bedtime routine and I keep some on my desk so probably 3/4 times a day during the week.

[Nat6999]

I have this problem, the only acrylic that stays on for me is the old school acrylic, I have to go to a nail bar that uses the really strong stuff that lots of people say is dodgy.