Gel Nails - How To Do a Structured Gel Manicure

[@sleepingsleepsleep]

I only do my nails at home on myself, but these are the details I've been missing that make the difference between homemade and pro nails!!

[@EricasNails]

Exactly! Anyone can do nails like a pro, it just takes the right education 🥰

[@susanstapleton9503]

You are such a great teacher, giving details and telling why! Please keep up the great work!

[@EricasNails]

Thank you so much! 🫶💕

[@sylviefoyetghm2456]

Love how you dont cut the proximal fold and just clean up ❤

[@shaylaandlloydbrown2742]

This was such an anointed and timely message. Thank you for your obedience and peaceful demeanor while bringing truth! God bless you Woman of God🙏🏽

[@jodiz5901]

This is the best tutorial I've seen for a DIY structure gel manicure. And I am definitely going to be trying the oil and the ball bit on my hands! My friends all comment on how nice my skin is, but my hands are starting to show wrinkles and they look older than the skin on the rest of my body. I've noticed that seems to be true for most women. They can have beautiful, glowing faces, but their hands look 10 years older!

[@EricasNails]

@@jodiz5901 that's the truth really across the board for most people, you're not alone in that! So glad you found the tutorial helpful for your next manicure, too! 🩷 let us know how you like the Polisher bit + cuticle oil!

[@corinabriones5430]

I really did enjoy your video.there is a lot more than just polishing your nails

[@elanavanderwalt6113]

Do you keep the sticky layer of the gel or do you wipe it before colour gelpolish ??❤

[@mandys40]

Your video is awesome… I so needed this kind of teaching when I started doing nails 35 years ago. I trashed my shoulders and back after 30 years and had to stop😢

[@EricasNails]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that! We're glad to be able to help out 💕🫶

[@MsLadybugg76]

The Hand Exfoliation is a great way to up sell to your clients. How often would you recommend one to do a hand exfoliation?

[@EricasNails]

Every service!

[@anngibb6562]

Beautiful, love your videos ❤

[@EricasNails]

Aw you are the best! thank you for being here!🤩💎

[@evenissass]

Great work

[@Petrarock1]

Love and appreciate this video, Erica!!!😃

[@EricasNails]

Thank you!

[@copperlight]

Wow you are amazing

[@artyshefartsy]

This video is amazing! It's so well filmed and thought out. Any questions about hard gel were answered in this video! I have the basics down, and I feel like I'm doing an okay job at building the nail, but sometimes I get a little lifting at the free edge. The nail is curling a little more and the gel around it is separating away from my free edge. Any tips or videos to prevent that? Thank you!!

[@EricasNails]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you're finding the videos helpful 🫶 To prevent lifting, file the nails at a 45 degree angle, tilted towards you. Avoid filing at 90 degrees -- We'll be covering this tip in upcoming videos this spring!

[@roxette2]

This is standard BIAB over here in the UK.....I noticed there wasn't any filing shaping as the video went on.

[@ashleyisachild]

After you spray the alcohol, what kind of brush are you using? and why brush into the opened cuticle and not brush away and off the tip of the fingers? 🌸

[@Branables]

Great video. Erica's so informative. Requesting more please

[@EricasNails]

Thank you!

[@NikitaPatel-x4b]

I am looking to start doing my nails at home & have some questions regarding curing. Do you do 1 coat primer and 1 coat base on one hand and cure the entire hand and repeat with other hand? For the second coat of base, do you do 1 finger at a time and cure each finger as you go and how long for? For the 2 coats of color, do you do one coat of color on one hand and cure? How long do you cure the 1st coat and 2nd coat of color? How long do you cure the top coat for?

[@EricasNails]

1. You can either cure one nail at a time or the whole hand, and you can alternate hands during the process. Wait at least 20 seconds for the primer to air dry before apply the first base coat, too 2. Either do the whole hand or one nail at a time -- Cure for 1 minute 3. You do want to cure each layer of color 4. Cure each layer of color for 30 seconds 5. Cure the top coat for around a minute

[@JaninePassero]

After applying the structure gel to all the nails and curing the hand, do you buff or file anything before polishing?

[@EricasNails]

if your application is smooth, it is no necessary to buff and disturb all the cuticle work to keep skin smooth. 🤩

[@JaninePassero]

I’m referring to the nail though- not the skin? I always thought you needed to remove the shine.

[@darkeyedfran]

Could you please do a video of how to tuck the polish? I just want more tips/ tricks/ what not to dos with tucking in that polish!

[@EricasNails]

use a detail brush!

[@GerganaFrancis]

⁠@@EricasNails Hello, when you use the detail brush for applying closer to the cuticle, do you bake the first layer of the nail polish first or you work while the nail polish is still wet? Or you bake first layer, then applying closer to the cuticle, then bake and then second layer? Many thanks 😊

[@EricasNails]

@@GerganaFrancis You can do it either of those ways you mentioned!

[@mizsab365]

can you do more videos about light and dark colour application please?

[@EricasNails]

we can definitely make note of this, thank you so much for the suggestion 🥰

[@bibixnailz]

Hi there! Quick question once you cure the structure gel you go straight to color? No need for buffing or wiping with alcohol? I’m a beginner nail tech in school and this is something I have no idea on

[@EricasNails]

You shouldn't buff the structured gel before color application - Before applying any product, including structured gel, you'll need to prep the nail. That will help any product adhere to the nail plate 😊

[@bibixnailz]

@@EricasNails thank you so much for the response 🫶🏼

[@zarasnails_]

How many coats ? And do you have to flip the hand ?

[@EricasNails]

two coats of color and the flipping hand technique is so that the gravity could help us level the product and create that apex.

[@Nails_bysharon._]

Thankyou so much Erica!! Loved this detailed video❤❤

[@EricasNails]

Thank you for the support! 🥰

[@sarahhcuse]

I'm surprised more skin wasn't clipped with nippers. Would that be considered more high end? Also how do you go about debulking after a couple fills?

[@EricasNails]

Hi there! You shouldn't be removing live skin or tissue around the nail plate, so we only want to remove those dead skin cells. This video will be more beneficial for gel fills 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKvUh2BsjbJmidU&t

[@sarahhcuse]

@@EricasNails thank you!!

[@justinebrown7032]

Thank you for this!!! Can you do a flash cure on each finger and then do a full cure of the whole hand?

[@EricasNails]

@@justinebrown7032 yes you can!

[@justinebrown7032]

@@EricasNails thank you!! :)

[@cynthiajones9621]

Is the diamond hand file a fine or coarse grit?

[@EricasNails]

Fine is great for natural nails, coarse for enhancements 👌

[@JennyThan-pe8bd]

Hello dear Structure nails we need do gel base coat first before we polish color? Thank for your video

[@EricasNails]

Yes! @ 8:03 you'll see Luminary Clarity base being applied 👍

[@mistieh3016]

Do you ever use poly gel?

[@AmandaAvenue]

Can you do a fill with a structured gel? If so could you please share a video. Thanks!

[@EricasNails]

You definitely can! Just remove the color and former apex before you build the new set.

[@Bethyb13]

Thank you for this! So helpful 🩷

[@EricasNails]

You're so welcome!

[@JaninePassero]

After applying the structure gel & before polishing, do you not need to buff the nail?

[@EricasNails]

no buffing needing, the product is self leveling and ready for color!

[@JaninePassero]

Great to know! I’ve been teaching myself so I can offer it to my clients and your videos are extremely helpful!

[@EricasNails]

@@JaninePassero so glad to hear that!!

[@brendafranklin6113]

I have extremely thin nails, and I haven't found a manicurist that does e-filing in this way that doesn't over file or make my nails look flat ( no apex builibg). What should I be asking/looking for? I live in Baltimore MD. Thank you!!!

[@thesmokingunssd]

Where is that arm rest available?? Great demo.

[@EricasNails]

It's available here! ericasata.com/collections/accessories/products/pampered-perch

[@IndiaLeBron]

Where is the arm rest from? Could I have the link please?

[@EricasNails]

Yup! Here it is: ericasata.com/products/pampered-perch

[@samanthamaline3762]

How long should a fresh structured gel manicure take on a client? I'm new and take way too long. Love your buts by the way.😊

[@EricasNails]

Thank you so much 🥹 I'd try to aim for around an hour!

[@bellamerspa5742]

@@EricasNails Thank you for responding! I missed it but I appreciate it!

[@yazminperez6298]

I struggle with not creating an even coat?? Sometimes my finished product of gel will hand tiny lumps.. mainly at free edge. How can I prevent or fix it?

[@EricasNails]

That will depend on the product and application! There are several factors at play such as the product viscosity, whether its self leveling, the angle the nail plate, how much was applied, how it was applied. Lumps at the free edge indicates that too much product was pulled down. Try to keep the majority of the product at the apex of the nail.

[@emilyc8983]

Do you smooth out the surface before applying your product? I do and it makes such a difference for me.

[@lifewithlaniDUH]

how do u get product so close to the cuticle without touching the skin!?😮

[@EricasNails]

practice and a small brush!!

[@ChasingChecklists]

Is there a video for filling this when it returns?

[@EricasNails]

Do you mean debulking for a rebalance?

[@pattistiff6803]

What to charge for hard gel added gel paint

[@EricasNails]

@@pattistiff6803 this will vary on your location, skill and demographic. Typically we see this type of manicure set start at $60+

[@danettebrown8770]

There’s no shaping with the file?

[@EricasNails]

Nope! Isn't that amazing!?

[@kimsbookkorner7210]

What is the “uh oh” bit called? New to using an e file.

[@idcwih]

Man I’ve been doing this for four years I said the same thing lol

[@krystlewilliams1778]

How much should I charge for a service like this excluding the exfoliation? I’m a beginner

[@EricasNails]

It all depends on your customers' demographics, location, and how much they're willing to pay -- I'd start off comparing your prices to other salons in your area.

[@alliyahjones1552]

How do you do this without burning the hell out your client in the lamp

[@brenda2220]

I’m confused still, so how many layers go on each nail? It alternates between thick and thin in between fingers

[@EricasNails]

In this video I demonstrate: 1 coat Luminary Commit Primer 2 coats Luminary Clarity Base 2 coats color 1 coat top coat

[@maribetancourt6954]

Can someone tell me where these mythical techs are???

[@lynnesworld]

Is structured gel same as biab ?

[@emilyc8983]

Yes

[@EricasNails]

It varies depending on the brand. Some products may achieve the same aesthetic look but the actual structure and composition can be different and vary in how long it will hold up.

[@lynnesworld]

Just took a course on biab nails and then i saw this and i got a little confused thank you for the explanation.

[@monaalfaro8907]

What is the name of the drill bit you are using ?Where can I buy it?

[@kim_yong_un]

This is a bussiness, not a charity.. Some people take that too literally and go for quantity over quality. So here i am, learning to do my own nails🤷🏻‍♀️💅🏼

[@cindyhuynh1282]

i get it. bussiness nots charity

[@emilyc8983]

I have to disagree about not smoothing out the old product on the nail. It makes it so much easier and neater when you smooth it out, but everyone has different preferences.

[@tila_timila]

I agree, I smooth it out also.

[@emilyc8983]

@Timila Edwards I feel like it self-levels better when I smooth it out and if I don't smooth it out, I get an uneven application.

[@tila_timila]

Exactly!

[@EricasNails]

The nail and/or leftover product should be roughed up rather than smoothed or buffed. Applying new product to a smooth surface will cause lifting.

[@emilyc8983]

@Erica's Dry Manicure + Pedicure I probably should have been more specific. I just meant an uneven surface with bumps or hi/low spots, not a buffed with a buffer surface.