I have to separate part 2 into three shorts because the video is 3 minutes long😅 part 2 & 3 up now!

[@kcat44]

Prep is the most important step imo. You can have flawless application but without proper prep, all your work will go to waste. (Sincerely from someone whose sets would peel off all the time when I first started)

[@Lila_4481]

Thank you so much for doing this series! I have been doing gel nails for a year now by following your tips, I have been struggling with cuticle prep and now I can follow this and get better with it❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@charlieb1764]

The glass cuticle pushers are a game changer for me. It gently buffs away dead skin. No e file or liquid cuticle remover needed. Still have to buff over the top of the nail though.

[@sarinirangedera7476]

you are so talented ❤ thankyou for sharing

[@bvallerina]

Love, love, love

[@Pharitafan-0806]

My whole never get my nails done watching nail vids all the time😂

[@meIatonin]

Can u make a tutorial on cutting cuticles? I feel like I struggle with this this most because I always accidentally cut live skin

[@AVA11dance]

CAN YIU PLS GIVE ME TIPS ON HOW TO STOP PICKING MY NAILS❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@Serenitygirrl]

Can you please show us using your non-dominant hand? That’s where I’m having trouble with the electric file.

[@Tugboatcaptain-y2r]

What do you recommend for the buffing? I used to just use like a 180 grit across the surface, but yours looks softer, and I'm wondering if that's why mine aren't sticking.

[@amandaann3272]

I can do just as much damage with cuticle clippers as a drill 😂

[@sejinedits]

hello. i notice that whenever i cut off my cuticles, im more prone to itchy cuticles after gel application, any tips?

[@jenniferfuller2254]

I'm wondering if maybe the gel is irritating the cuticle area. The itchiness makes me lean in that direction. Maybe some of the gel comes into contact with the skin and because you've already removed your cuticles, it might be something like a skin sensitivity issue. I was wondering if you've ever tried putting something on to protect the cuticle area while doing your gel application. Maybe some kind of tape or liquid latex, if you don't have allergies to it.

[@erinbathie-moore8478]

While I've got to find them, I do have a cuticle remover and pusher, but I don't have nippers... Should I get some?

[@emmachennofficial]

How do you ensure the lamp you have fully cures the gel you have? I have been doing testing and it seems almost no gel nail polish is dried via the lamps available on Amazon.

[@katiehunt2978]

Silly question, are you aware that gel polish colour layers will not feel dry after curing? It's only after gel topcoat that the nails will feel set and dry (and that's as long as your top coat is non wipe). Gel top coat needs to be cleansed to remove the sticky inhibition layer otherwise. I've had many nail lamps from amazon and never had an issue

[@emmachennofficial]

@katiehunt2978 I'm referencing hitting 75%+ polymerization which is the safety cutoff to ensure you've hit peak monomization of the polymers limiting exposure to HEMA, HPMA, TOA, etc. I was doing some heat experiments with the majority of my gels at home to see how much heat was released during polymerization to see if my lamp was fully curing my gels. Turns out most of my gels are not fully curing regardless of my lamps or wattage. I've tried 3 separate lamps and none seem to be fully completing the polymerization reaction to 75%+ because I'm still having huge heat spikes.

[@emmachennofficial]

@katiehunt2978 I'm aware because the sticky layer is the unpolymerized "slip" layer of the gel. The top coat is formulated to "cover" or "trap" in that layer. It should however be wiped off before top coat to reduce disk of allergy because the non fully polymerized layer can leak allergens out each time you shower, wash your hands, etc because they are water soluble.

[@katiehunt2978]

@emmachennofficial oh I don't know about any of that, I can only go off the training I've had as a nail tech/beauty therapist, and I've never known any brand to advise to wipe the colour layers before top coat. I only personally do that it reduce the slip before I do any nail art

[@emmachennofficial]

@katiehunt2978 yeah, I recently went down the rabbit hole of why chemically gel is more likely to cause allergy than acrylic or dip, and it has to do with the types of chemicals used. Many leech out when not cured fully to 75%+. Although gel will seem hard after curing, it hardens at only 45-50% cured, which still allows the polymers/chemicals to leech out anytime they are exposed to water which can cause severe allergies over time. So although I've been doing DIY gel for years and love to do it, I am switching to dip for a while until I can find a lamp that is powerful enough to fully cure builder.

[@Gabriella-r5d]

I have very thin nail beds and I find that when I have my nails done or if I do them myself they go really thin and when they come off I have this big dent where they product use to be and my fingers are then really sensitive. What can I do against this ?

[@sseunyeong4058]

Is it possible to use a cuticle remover (wet) and then an efile ? Or would you not recommend that ?

[@jenniferfuller2254]

I'm not a professional but for me, I would say no. I tried it a couple of years ago and I actually damaged my nail bed. I think it's because when nails get wet, they soften, so I think I ended up filing off more than I would have without having any moisture or anything that would cause wet nails. Just my opinion, but I definitely learned my lesson on that. 😂 I think too an e-file probably wouldn't work as efficiently if the nail has been wet or softened. It's basically like sanding wood, and we can't use sandpaper on wet wood because it's too mushy, so I just go with that sort of logic with e-files and nails. Again, just my opinion but maybe it'll be helpful.

[@sseunyeong4058]

@jenniferfuller2254 thank you very much for your input !! Makes a lot of sense actually now that you mention it 🤭 I'll be careful not to destroy my nails now hahah thanks !

[@angelica-ux8wh]

does anyone else have trouble filing their natural nails into an almond shape without it curving downward like a claw? my natural nails always look wonky from the sides i end up using gel-x if i want any length

[@SaraHappi-of7tq]

First 🎉

[@hollygarfield123]

The free edge of my nail always separates from any product I put on it, I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong bug what should I do?

[@dominiquepfeiffer9432]

File the edge of the underside away from the tip edge just a cm. Remedy for nails that separate from the free edge.❤

[@kelceynicole]

@@dominiquepfeiffer9432do you file the free edge before or after top coat?

[@dominiquepfeiffer9432]

@ I do after but I don’t think it matters as long as you remove about 1 cm of the nail underneath away from the free edge.