07.07.2017

Many people are faced with the problem that the gel polish peels off or comes off as a film within a few days after application, and chips and cracks appear on it. Why doesn't gel polish stick to my nails?

Based on the experience of manicurists, we have identified several reasons and errors due to which gel polish does not stick to the nails.

Typical mistakes when applying gel polish

Of course, the first and main reason for peeling and chipping is errors in coating application. It is quite possible that at one of the stages you missed or did not take into account some nuances.

1. The cuticle and pterygium are not completely removed. Before applying the base, you need to carefully push back the cuticle with an orange stick or pusher and completely remove the pterygium. Otherwise, the gel polish will begin to peel off where the nail grows.

2. The nail is not polished enough. Be sure to use- this will improve the adhesion of the nail surface to the base.

3. The nail is not degreased. Always wipe down your nail plates with a degreaser. If you have “wet” and brittle nails, we recommend using a primer or ultrabond.

4. Coating layer is too thick. Base, gel polish and top coat should always be applied in a thin layer.

5. Coatings are poorly dried. After each layer, you need to dry your nails until they are completely dry. The time depends on the power of the lamp. After several years of use, the lamp's power decreases and it takes longer to dry.

6. Layers are not sealed. Such an error is guaranteed to lead to peeling of the gel polish. It is necessary to seal each layer: , and . This will significantly extend the durability of the manicure.

Other reasons for gel polish peeling

In addition to the listed application errors, there are other reasons why gel polish does not adhere well to nails.

Sometimes it peels off due to low-quality products (for example, fakes) or because they have expired. Always choose proven bases, tops and gel polishes. And remember that not only coatings have a service life, but also UV/LED lamps - they need to be replaced on time.

Another reason is much less common than the previous ones. But still, some nails cannot tolerate gel polish coating due to the individual characteristics of the body. Often the manicure does not last due to hormonal changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or thyroid dysfunction. In this case, this is a reason to visit a doctor.

The durability of gel polishes is designed for 2-4 weeks and depends on the individual characteristics of the owner of the nails: the state of the body, profession and lifestyle. How often do your hands come into contact with water? With constant contact with moisture, gel polish is unlikely to last longer than 2 weeks, and this is normal. Provided high-quality coating with professional products and careful handling, the durability of the manicure can be extended up to 4 weeks. The nails gradually grow, a free zone appears at the cuticle, but the coating itself looks like new.

In most cases, gel polish is susceptible to chipping due to improper application technology. Purchasing proven, reliable products and following all stages of nail coating usually solve the problem once and for all.

We hope you found our article useful. Good luck!

Best regards, your online store imkosmetik.

Strengthened nails with hard gel. We covered the top with colored gel and made a design. Everything is neat and beautiful. But a week passes and the gel begins to chip off the free edge of the nail.

Why does this happen and how to avoid it?

First reason- these are the structural features of the nail. Its sculpture, and its thickness. If the nail is naturally sculpted, then as it grows the corners begin to curl a little. And if the material that was applied on top of the nail is not elastic, then it will move away from the nail plate. In this case, you need to make short nails and a soft square nail shape. You can walk with long nails if you change the shape of the free edge of the nail to an oval shape. A hard square will always hold the material, only on a short length of the natural nail.

Sometimes chips also occur on short nails that are thick and stiff; in this case, you can thin the nail from the inside using a cutter and then, having become a little thinner, it will not curl up.

The second reason, poor preparation of the natural nail before applying the material. The nail plate should be dry and matte before applying the gel. Preparation is done using a natural nail file or buff.

Third reason, not dried nail plate. To dry and degrease, you must use a cleaner or primer. The primer can be acidic or non-acidic.

Fourth reason, not quality material. Or very hard material. The material must have a quality certificate confirming its safe use. The property is better if it is elastic and flexible.

Fifth reason, a lamp in which the material is polymerized. Lamps need to be changed every year. Be sure to observe the exposure time of the nail with the gel in the lamp. Undried gel will also cause chipping or detachment.

Sixth reason, improper care of artificially coated nails. It is necessary to apply nail oil to the cuticle every day. Do household work with gloves. Avoid hitting your nails directly. Have beautiful nails everyone!

Your nail polish has chipped, but you don’t have time to completely renew your manicure? Such troubles always happen at the most inopportune moment. To ensure that they happen as rarely as possible, we recommend giving preference to a high-quality professional salon manicure, the benefits of which you can find out on the page, as well as using tips on how to extend the life of a manicure, which we published in previous articles. But, in any case, sometimes your manicure can go bad at the most inopportune moment - one small chip of the varnish, and your nails no longer look the same. What can you do if you have little time?

We suggest not covering your nails with another polish - do not waste extra time erasing the old one and applying a new coating. Instead, you can make a kind of graphic jacket, which looks no less stylish and can be a real salvation for you at the last moment.

What will you need for this?

Nail polish in a contrasting color (preferably dark);

Finish coating (fixer);

Scotch tape (preferably thin, it will be more convenient);

Scissors;

Soft nail file.

Step 1: File and polish the damaged nail

Using a soft nail file, file and polish the nail around the chipped polish. The surface should be smooth - this way you can remove all chipped remnants of the old varnish and prepare the surface for applying the new one.

Step 2: Cut strips of tape

Using scissors, cut 10 small strips of tape, slightly wider than your nail plate.

Step 3: Apply tape to your nails

Attach the tape so that it covers the areas that you will not cover with new varnish. That is, the chipped areas that you prepared for applying new varnish should remain open. The most universal way is to stick strips of tape slightly diagonally - you will get a very stylish manicure, a kind of graphic French manicure. And so that when you remove the tape from your nails, the old polish does not break off in a new place, before gluing it, touch it with your fingers on the sticky side (so it will not stick so much).

Step 4: Paint the tips of your nails

Paint the tips of your nails that are not covered with tape with a contrasting polish, remove the tape before the nail polish is dry. This is the only way you will get a clear, unsmudged line. If you wait until the lath dries, it may come off along with the tape as a solid coating.

Step 5: Apply Topcoat (Sealer)

After removing the tape, let your nails dry for a couple of minutes, then apply a clear sealer and your new manicure is ready!

First, let's immediately figure out what we're going to talk about: gel polish, shellac, both of them, or are they even the same thing?

Shellac and gel polish: are they different?

Shellac: what is it?

So, shellac. Let's call it shellac No. 1. You will be surprised, but this is an organic resin. And it is distinguished by females of rare insects - scale insects; there are such living creatures on our planet.

Now shellac number 2. An artificial polymer for coating and strengthening nails with the brand name Shellac, patented by CND back in the 70s of the last century. Shellac manufacturers themselves insist that their product is completely unique, but they do not indicate anywhere that natural shellac, that is, resin, is used in its production.

Gel polish: what's the difference?

In fact, shellac is the brand name of the first gel polish, which is slightly different in composition from others, just as all gel polishes from different manufacturers may differ from each other in details.

Like Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola, for example: the drinks are similar, but each manufacturing company has its own special secret. And gel polish as such is a polymer varnish used in manicure and pedicure, a liquid film coating that hardens under the influence of UV radiation.

Well, since we have understood the types of gel polishes, it’s time to find out why gel polish on nails cracks.

Causes of cracks in gel polish and shellac

In general, the good thing about gel polishes is that they should stay on your nails for at least two weeks. This is very convenient and allows you to maintain a beautiful manicure much longer than with regular nail polish. However, many girls complain that their gel polish cracks on the second day. Why is this happening?

Violation of application technology

The main reason for the rapid cracking of gel polish lies in the violation of application technology. Most often this happens when girls do a manicure with gel polish or shellac at home and do not go through each stage carefully enough:

1. Poorly clean the surface of the nail plate before applying shellac. An unremoved speck of dust, hair or eyelash will make the surface uneven, and this can lead to peeling or cracking.
2. They don't polish their nails well. For better adhesion of the varnish, the surface of the nail plate should be slightly rough.
3. They degrease the nail surface poorly. To degrease, use alcohol or acetone-free nail polish remover.

1. Do not use “drying” - a primer that removes moisture from the surface of the nail. This must be done before applying the base coat. Otherwise, the effect of “wet nails” will remain, which will subsequently lead to peeling and cracking of the shellac.
2. Any of the layers - the base layer, the gel polish itself or the top coat - is applied too thickly, and this interferes with normal polymerization.
3. Each layer is poorly dried under a lamp: an ultraviolet tanning bed for nails is a necessary element of shellac application technology. If at least one of the layers is not sufficiently dried, the result can lead to cracking of the entire coating.
4. The layers of gel polish “seal” poorly: each layer should be not only on the very surface of the nail plate, but also on the tips of the nails. Covering them thoroughly means “sealing.”

Careless handling of the coating and characteristics of the body

There are a number of other reasons for cracking of gel polish in addition to violations in technology:

1. The nails themselves are thin and fragile. This may be congenital, but it can also occur as a result of frequent removal of gel polish by filing it off or excessive use of shellac remover.
2. Coating using low-quality materials.
3. Taking antibiotics. Oddly enough, it can also affect your nails. If you apply gel polish during a course of antibiotics, it may not last long.
4. Immediately after manicure and/or frequent immersion of hands in water. For example, swimming in a pool or washing dishes without gloves often causes shellac or gel polish coating to crack.

How to extend the durability of the coating on your nails?

What to do to prevent cracks from appearing in gel polish? It's simple! It is necessary to exclude the reasons for the insufficient durability of the coating discussed above:

1. It is necessary to carefully follow the gel manicure technology. Do not allow any violations - the varnish will not crack after 3 days.

1. It is important to take good care of your gel polish nails. Do not try to pick something out of something with them, protect them from blows and clicks. Avoid excess exposure to detergents - use gloves.
2. Remove shellac in the correct way: under no circumstances try to tear it off the surface of the nail, do not pick it out with metal tools, or file it with a file. It is enough to lightly file down its surface, then apply a cotton wool moistened with remover liquid and wrap it in foil. After 10-15 minutes, all you have to do is clean off the soaked varnish with a wooden stick.

If you carefully perform the listed procedures, your nail plate will thank you with a healthy appearance and long lasting gel manicure.

Video: how to properly apply gel polish and shellac to avoid cracks

Almost 2 years ago I tried Shellac coating for the first time, and since the beginning of last year I have been using it regularly, rarely taking breaks for “rest”.

Below are answers to the most common questions about the use of gel polishes, called Shellac for short. The post will be useful to people who are just as inexperienced in manicure as I am, but not to famous food lovers :)

Who needs Shellac and why?

First of all, Shellac is a salvation for those who want to have a neat manicure that can last for quite a long time (up to two weeks, usually stable). For those who don’t get tired of walking around with the same color of nail polish. And for those who have naturally weak nails.

The last point, by the way, is the main reason why I constantly cover my nails with gel polish. Without it, I either have to go for a manicure every 4 days for a regular coating, or, without coating, my nails break at the root, peel and behave absolutely horribly.

Does Shellac damage your nails?

Definitely yes. With regular use of gel polishes, nails become thinner and may break and peel. This is probably due to the nasty composition of the products. Or maybe it’s because the nails “don’t breathe” under shellac.
In addition, shellac is removed from the nails quite aggressively, which also does not add any positivity to them.

How to remove Shellac correctly

Any master will tell you that you need to remove shellac correctly in a salon :) Using a special product and according to Feng Shui. Any active Shellac user will argue with him and teach you all the wisdom, of which, by the way, there are few.

To remove shellac yourself, you need to very gently and carefully walk over the varnish coating with a file or grainy buff, removing the top layer of varnish. After that, apply a cotton swab soaked in regular HDSL with acetone to the nail, and wrap each nail in foil. Wait 5-15 minutes and carefully scrape off the shellac from the nail with a wooden manicure stick. More details (and pictures) about this method -.

What affects the durability of Shellac?

I always feel very upset if I didn’t get to the next manicure for a day or two (or even a week!), and the coating has already become unusable - chips, detachments, etc. have appeared. Through experience (and, as always, on my own skin, or rather, on my nails), I found out that there are several factors that affect the durability of the coating:

The condition of your own nails - the worse it is, the less the gel polish lasts. However, even with the worst condition of my nails, Shellac lasted at least a week.

The level of skill of the manicurist - the master can degrease the nail plate poorly, apply too thick a layer of gel, poorly apply the top coat, fail to withstand the proper drying time under the lamp - and all this will affect the length of time Shellac remains on the nails.

- The “age” of the shellac itself - no matter what the masters say, but the gel polish from the new bottle, not thickened and elastic, fits perfectly on the nails, the coating turns out to be very thin and without bald spots. When “old” Shellac is usually very thick, it falls on the nails like a cake, feels unpleasant, can streak and leave unsightly stains.

What coatings are the best?

Over the entire period of using Shellac, I have tried coatings from all the most famous manufacturers - CND Shellac, Gelish, Jessica, and in my personal hit parade it is CND that leads. First of all, because of the durability and consistently smooth coating. Although, for the sake of objectivity, I didn’t notice much difference between them. Is it possible that “Jessica” gel polishes are, in my opinion, less durable.

What should you do if the coating is still fine, but the cuticles are overgrown and your nails don’t look neat?

Even if you have the opportunity, time and money to get a gel manicure every week, it is not recommended. It is advised to take a break of 2-2.5 weeks. Naturally, the cuticle grows quite a lot during this time, and the overall appearance leaves much to be desired. What to do?

1) You can go for an “intermediate” hygienic manicure in about a week - they will process your cuticles and apply a fresh layer of Shellac topcoat.

2) Use cuticle remover once every 3-4 days. It is better to apply it after a shower, wait the required time, push the cuticles with a stick and wash your hands well with soap.

3) Be sure to use peelings and hand scrubs, preferably at least once every 3 days. There is a double benefit here - the cuticle will grow less, and the skin of the hands will be softer and more elastic.

What to do if the Shellac chips and there are still... days left until your manicure?

Chips and peeling of the coating along the edges of the nail personally make me terribly angry. Of course, if Shellac begins to chip, then the easiest option is to remove the coating and paint your nails with regular polish. But, as you understand, this joy is not available to everyone)) For example, I didn’t know how to paint my nails with varnish on my own, and I don’t plan to learn yet - my nerves are more valuable to me :)

There are several life hacks that can disguise Shellac chips:
1) Paint a chipped nail with a contrasting varnish and pretend that you have a Feng Shui manicure - jokes aside, this method has helped me out more than once!
2) Or use a thick glitter varnish with sparkles or pieces of foil, which will disguise the chip.
3) Or use crackle varnish over Shellac, which will also mask the imperfections.
4) Well, another option is to use stickers for express manicure. El Corazon has some good ones.

Sometimes it makes sense to carry out manipulations on several nails, even those without chips, so that the manicure looks harmonious.

By the way, if you also constantly cover your nails with gel polishes, you shouldn’t rejoice at chipping as an opportunity to heal your nails a little, give them a couple of days off from gels and treat them with oil. The fact is that in the few days that you oil your nails, the oil will have time to penetrate into the nail plate, and before applying the next portion of gel polish it will not be so easy to degrease it. Which will lead either to instability of the coating or to an increased dose of mega-harmful degreaser on the nails. But removing the gel and covering your nails with medicinal varnish for a few days is quite an option!

Will I get tired of the same Shellac color after 1-2 weeks?

I usually wear one coating for about two weeks. And no, I don't get bored. I might like to match the color of my nails to the color of my clothes, but, to be honest, I have neither the time nor the desire to bother. Well, if I want variety, see the points above :) Thanks to the condition of my nails, I often have to get creative))

Am I tired of the Shellac CND palette?

Honestly, I'm tired of it :) That's why I increasingly choose neutral or pastel shades. Or I look closely at the shades in new collections, if they were purchased by specialists in the beauty salons where I go. Or sometimes I choose gels from other brands.

How to diversify a manicure with Shellac coating?

Yes, in different ways :) Just like a manicure with any other coating - decorate one or more nails with sparkles, sequins, foil or anything else. It is recommended to apply the decor UNDER the finishing layer of Shellac.

Of course, you can get a “Feng Shui” manicure (damn, show me the person who called it that!) or a classic French manicure. The scope for creativity is practically unlimited.

Do I give my nails a “rest” from Shellac?

Once every 2-3 months, my conscience begins to torment me, and then I give my nails a week or two of rest, promising myself to rub oil into my nails daily and often and coat them with medicinal enamels. In practice, such a “rest” sometimes ends sadly for nails. Well, I don’t have time for shamanic dances with tambourines, hourly oil and daily enamels. And I break my bare nails at the root and can even chew them depending on the mood. So the vacation for marigolds usually ends very quickly))

How much does Shellac coating cost?

I won’t tell you for the whole of Odessa (C), but over time, covering nails with Shellac has definitely become more accessible. For example, I go for a manicure to 3 beauty salons in a very close city near Moscow, all of these salons belong to the “business class” category, the cost of an edged manicure coated with Shellac (namely CND Shellac) costs 1100 rubles in one, 1300 in another , and 1400 - in the third. The cost of removing gel polish ranges from zero rubles, with the next coating, to 350 rubles. These salons differ only in name and location. The composition and quality of their services are approximately the same.

And, of course, if you still have other questions about using gel polishes, ask them in the comments!

Beauty-shmuti in