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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About these gel nails!?

34 replies

abeanbaked · 05/03/2022 09:52

I am prepared to be told that IABU because I've only had gel nails twice in my life so my expectations of what they can withstand may be too much. I've only had them for 3 days, no extensions just gel. I've already been back once to get a repair as one chipped and the rest of the nail lifted and peeled. This morning I woke up and half of another one was missing! Again the side of it peeled and it came off. The last gels I had were really hard to get off, these just seem to pop off! I have eczema on my legs so was probably scratching in the night, other than that I wear gloves to do dishes and the only other time I'm in contact with water etc is showering or bathing DS. Is this a shit job or am I doing something wrong?

OP posts:
Jedsnewstar · 05/03/2022 09:57

Shit gel nails do exist. Were they a good product like shellac or someone at home who buys cheap eBay products?
Often if they slip off it’s the light which was rubbish or nails not being properly prepared.

My internet cheaply ones do last at least a week though. I just need to repair and top up.

I would get your money back.

bruffin · 05/03/2022 09:58

These are mine that were done 2 weeks ago. I also have eczema and scratches a lot, also lots of swimming in first week

BobblyBlueJumper · 05/03/2022 10:00

That's a really shit job.

I've had mine for the same amount of time and they are pristine.

Mine last until the next application, though they look shit by then as my nails have grown so much!

RaginaPhalange · 05/03/2022 10:00

I got gel nails done for my wedding, I had extensions too and one came completely off the night of my wedding. The rest were of within 4 days of getting them done. Never again waste of 2hrs and money.

altiara · 05/03/2022 10:01

Mine last 3 or 4 weeks with no chips. (Just look bad as my nails have grown).

bruffin · 05/03/2022 10:01

Sorry forgot picture

I had these done in local spa, she spent a long time preparing nails and they don't use drills for filing. Think it's biogel

About these gel nails!?
Name99 · 05/03/2022 10:01

No they shouldn't be lifting like that.
It sounds like a rubbish job.
Poor prep of the nail is more likely than it being a poor product.
Contact them and tell them your not happy

Rainydaize · 05/03/2022 10:03

Mine last without chipping for 4 weeks. Occasionally there is a bit of lift but this is when they catch in my hair. I get my nails done every 4 weeks, very rarely any sooner than that and they are long. When I started getting my nails done they would chip sooner or lift sooner, the condition of my nails has definitely improved since having my nails done regularly. The products used are good though and it takes about an hour just for the application of the gel. How long did yours take?

Name99 · 05/03/2022 10:04

These have been on 3 weeks ( I really need to do them again)
No chipping or lifting just regrowth

About these gel nails!?
ParisNext · 05/03/2022 10:06

Bad prep and not sealing the edges. Poor training, cheap product and poor service. Should last until the grow out. Gel nails are wonderful if done properly.

Original poster
abeanbaked · 05/03/2022 10:21

It was shellac that I had the first time and didn't have any problems, they were hard to get off. This time I can't remember what product was used but not any mentioned above. It took an hour all in I think. I've just popped them all off like cheap acrylics, they came off in one no problem! The one she repaired is stuck fast however. She said 'I'll make this nail bed rough to make sure it doesn't come off' shouldn't she have done that with them all!!

OP posts:
MermaidEyes · 05/03/2022 10:25

All the nails should be roughed up first really. Mine last a good 3-4 weeks without particularly chipping or peeling off.

tiktokontheclock · 05/03/2022 10:34

I've had this before. Had a home manicure (from a mobile nail artist), she did the job, an hour later I get in the bath and two nails peeled off. She was curing them - I kid you not - for 10 secs at a time. I trusted she knew what she was doing but she clearly didn't

ISmellBurnings · 05/03/2022 10:43

No they shouldn’t come off. I have real trouble removing mine because they get put on so well!

ChrissyPlummer · 05/03/2022 10:43

I honestly think all gels are just crap on some nails. I’ve tried: Gelish, Geleration, Shellac, Biosculpture, ACG,The Gel Bottle, RMC and probably a few more. A new brand will last really well on my nails for the first couple of times, then they’ll just lift and peel.

The only way I get long lasting nails is with acrylics.

Original poster
abeanbaked · 05/03/2022 10:52

Yeah, there wasn't a whole lot of prep 😬

OP posts:
Meggie2008 · 05/03/2022 11:01

These ones are only 9 days old at the moment, but no chipping, just some growth. Will be another fortnight before I get them done again.

About these gel nails!?
SoupGiveMeSoup · 05/03/2022 11:14

Gel polish is different to gel nails. I do my own gel nails. With gel polish I think they don't touch the nail bed just clean it and remove cuticles. With soft or hard gel either the stuff in a pot or bottle then the nail bed does need to be gently filed for the nails to attach.

But no, nails should last a lot longer and shouldn't pop off. Mine only lift of break if I catch my nails and it would damage my natural nail if I didn't have product on it.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 05/03/2022 11:37

@ChrissyPlummer

I honestly think all gels are just crap on some nails. I’ve tried: Gelish, Geleration, Shellac, Biosculpture, ACG,The Gel Bottle, RMC and probably a few more. A new brand will last really well on my nails for the first couple of times, then they’ll just lift and peel.

The only way I get long lasting nails is with acrylics.

Those are all different products though. Some are gel polish. Some are actual gel nails as in build up like acrylic is.

Perhaps you’ve had gel polish when you mean to have gel nails?

Name99 · 05/03/2022 11:37

I don't file/buff my nails before gel polish and mine don't peel off.
Cuticle removal and scrub with acetone before application.
I do cure for longer than the bottle states though.
Lots of thin coats rather than thick coats helps too.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 05/03/2022 11:43

@ChrissyPlummer

I honestly think all gels are just crap on some nails. I’ve tried: Gelish, Geleration, Shellac, Biosculpture, ACG,The Gel Bottle, RMC and probably a few more. A new brand will last really well on my nails for the first couple of times, then they’ll just lift and peel.

The only way I get long lasting nails is with acrylics.

I agree. I've had my nails done loads of times over the years and, no matter what product is used or how my nail is prepped, they lift quickly. For me the best one I've tried is Biosculpture
MermaidEyes · 05/03/2022 12:26

My nail technician uses Biosculpture, mine definitely last longer than other gels

bruffin · 05/03/2022 12:28

I agree. I've had my nails done loads of times over the years and, no matter what product is used or how my nail is prepped, they lift quickly. For me the best one I've tried is Biosculpture
my picture above are Biosculpture not Biogel and what looks like chips are reflections. Its Trigenta which has a shimmer

curlymom · 05/03/2022 12:49

I never do mine but seeing all these lovely ladies pics I might just get mine done 😁

Chesneyhawkes1 · 05/03/2022 12:52

I have mine done every 3 weeks and they always last. Never chip, peel etc