SOAK OFF GEL - Color Application

by Elaine Watson

COLOR GEL INSTRUCTIONS (POLISH LOOK)

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS with FULL COLOR PICTURES
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It is important to understand that how you prepare your clients nails will determine how long the client will wear them. IF you have a client coming in ever 7-10 days for a manicure, you do not want to risk your repeat business by preparing the nail TOO well. What I mean is, I can prepare the nail like it is an artificial application and get this color to stay on for four weeks, however, now your repeat customer isn’t coming in as often for his/her manicure. You will lose profit from the loss of repeat business. Our goal, for those customers, is to beat the wear time of polish. However, if you have a customer with wear issues, you can turn UP the adhesion by buffing the nail plate and/or using primer. It is important that you understand how your preparation can effect your business.

1. Before application, it is very important that you stir your Soak Off Gels with a Birch Wood Stick. Some of the colors with heavy pigments may settle.

2. Prepare all of the nails by pushing back and removing all of the cuticles. This step is very important. The most common cause of lifting is cuticle left on the nail.

3. Using a 240 grit file or White Buffer Block, gently remove the natural shine from all of the nails. This removes surface oils and contaminants on the nail plate.

4. Clean the nails and remove dust using Finishing Wipe on a lint free Wipe.

5. If you are adding length, apply tips now. Because this is a Soft Gel it is important that you do not cut your length too long. The correct balance is 2/3 nail plate to 1/3 free-edge.

6. If you did any tip blending or filing, be sure to clean the nails (again) using Finishing Wipe on a lint free Wipe.

7. OPTIONAL: for extended wear, use a small amount of primer on the nail plates.

8. Apply a thin coat of the Clear Base Gel to the five nails on one hand and place them in the 36 Watt UV Light to cure for 30 seconds. While your first hand is curing, apply your clear coat to the second hand and cure it for 30 seconds. REMEMBER: if you apply thin coats you will maintain control over your gel product. If you apply thicker and unnecessary coats, you risk your gel self leveling onto the skin. This will result in more work later.

9. Apply your Soak Off Color Gel of choice. Lightly brush from cuticle to free edge just like polishing a nail. Apply a thin even coat. If you apply too thick, you will risk an improper cure (especially with darker colors that are heavily pigmented). This coat may have a small “creep back” effect directly at the free edge. If this happens, lightly brush all five edges before placing the hand in the light. This is usually only a problem with darker colors and only occurs on this coat.

10. Cure in a 36 Watt UV Light for 3 minutes.

11. Apply your second coat of Soak Off Color Gel. Again, use a thin even coat just like polishing a nail.

12. Cure in a 36 Watt UV Light for 3 minutes.

13. Using the Finishing Wipe and a lint free Wipe, remove the induction layer (sticky layer) one nail at a time. Do not use the same wipe on more than one nail. If you do this you will cause your other nails to lose their shine. This is caused when you remove the induction layer and spread it on the remaining nails. Also, do not panic if you see some pigment on your wipe. There is still some pigment in this induction layer.

14. Apply a coat of Top Coat over all the nails to seal and protect them. Let them air dry.