What is builder gel? It could be your whole personality right now. I mean, that’s the prime function of beauty, though. Most importantly, it can change your nails big time. I just felt everyone should get to know more about it. So, here I am with the details!
Firstly, it is a magic product, no doubt. Most licensed nail teachers and professional salon experts say this viscose polish strengthens your nails. The nails can grow without breaking. In technical terms, we call this- building your apex. Some refer to builder gel extensions as adding structure or creating structured overlays.
What is an apex?
You now know what builder gel is. But what is an apex? In the terminology of nail care, the apex is the highest point of nail extensions. It is added to your nail to give it strength and balance it simultaneously.
To understand an apex better, you can think of it as the arch or dream curve of the nail. It is the thickest segment of your nail and the most challenging part of your nail palette. Once you get the apex right, you can pull off any of the nail designs 2024.
How Do You Apply Builder Gel?
Don't confuse it with the application of nail polish. Firstly, we apply nail polish in vertical strokes. However, builder gel is much more viscose. Hence, we use horizontal strokes while applying it.
As a result, the policy expands across the whole nail. There are three types of builder gel. These are hard, medium, and soft gels. If you’re using the hard gel, then use a separate brush for the same.
Let's clarify another confusion here. Some builder gels need you to apply a base coat first and then apply the gel on the top. However, builder gels manufactured by brands like Halo need nothing.
Once applied correctly, the hard gel helps you keep your manicure safe for a long span. However, some experts say using a rubber-based base coat is always better. It helps you to achieve the correct adhesion and take good care of your nails.
Why does builder gel lift?
There are many reasons why the builder gel coating can lift from the nail top. Firstly, you must know that it is not as flexible as the natural nail. Therefore, the gel coat may lift at any time. The same may happen when you don’t apply a base coat to make the natural nail more adhesive.
Generally, we call the lifting of gel- “pocket lifting.” The center of the enhanced nail lifts away from your natural nail. Well, we understand that the builder gel coat may ward off any time.
But we apply it to give our nails strength, shape, and safety. So, we must know why the nail coating comes off. Otherwise, our builder gel treatments would be in vain. Here are some of the main reasons I’ve noticed over the years:
Inaccurate nail preparation
You can’t achieve proper adhesion if you don’t remove your ail cuticle debris; moreover, not buffing the surface properly leads to the same outcome. Therefore, I suggest using a hydrator properly and avoiding such outcomes especially if you’re into French manicure acrylic nail ideas.
Imperfect application
I’ve always suggested visiting experienced nail experts. They know the proper application techniques. Frail treatments like builder gel applications may go wrong if you don’t know the accurate application technique.
However, the exact flaws that amateurs make are not properly curing the portions between the layers. The process takes time and patience.
Poor products
Are you using cheap or non-compatible gel primer? Even poor topcoats can also cause poor adhesion. Hence, the builder gel coat can be lifted easily.
Quality of natural nails
Often, your nails are naturally damaged. Some of the people have fragile natural nail layers. In that case, the nail additions can easily ward off. So, you must apply a good hard gel and a base coat of the right consistency. The same is also important for ombre nail designs 2024.
Poor Curing Quality
Did you use weak UV to cure the gel? It may be one reason your builder gel came off before time. When you don’t apply the UV for long, it makes the polymerization process weaker. As a result, it leads to easy lifting.
Benefits of Using Builder Gel
There are many benefits to using builder gels. By now, you know what builder gel is and its uses. Now, it is time to find out what are the most expected benefits of the builder gel application:
a. strengthening natural nails if your nails are skinny and weak
b. The nails can grow long, giving your fingers a premium finish
c. The thickness of your nails also improves when you apply a builder gel finish
d. Lastly, the builder gel nails become more durable. It can resist weathering, especially during severe winters.
Builder gels make your nails chip-resistant and much longer lasting. However, you have to make the application right. Remember the tricks I mentioned, and you can enjoy builder gel nails for a long time.
Application Process
The application process is easy. It suits even beginners well. I suggest just following the steps below and having a safe and durable coat of builder gel. Start with preparing your nails for application. Do that by cleaning your nails and removing any existing polish or debris. After that, you have to do your nail buffing clinically.
Start with buffing the surface gently. After that, ensure you’ve achieved the right rough texture to help the gel sediment on your nails.
Thirdly, you have to apply builder gel. This is the most critical stop that we were all looking for. First, use only a thin layer of gel on each nail.
Remember, the gel is much thicker than regular nail paint or nail polish. So, don’t use the builder gel in very high concentrations. At the same time, know about the proper application strokes.
When you apply builder gel, the strokes go horizontally. However, the nail polish strokes are vertical. Lastly, use a sculpting form to extend it evenly across the edges, too.
Done the primary step? Now, think about increasing the life of your builder gel nails. You must cure your nails with a UV/LED lamp. It will harden the builder gel layer. To finish off, cover the tips of your nails with a short nail polish layer.
Always remember you must use a clean brush to remove the remains of the polishes applied beforehand. There might be small traces of polish inside the cuticles. Or on the sidewalls. So, use the brush well. Clean up and then layer the builder gel.
Maintenance and Removal
Maintaining a builder gel is not challenging. Shrug off the terrors experts may be giving you. You can now easily keep your builder gel nails with some simple tricks:
1. don’t use any harsh chemicals on the nails.
2. Most importantly, don’t soak your nails in water for a prolonged time. It is enough to ward off adhesion. At least avoid doing that for the first 3 days after application.
3. Don’t forget cuticle oil. You must regularly apply cuticle oil to keep the nails hydrated for a long time. In the meantime, the same also keeps your nails healthy. At the same time, cuticle oil can help avoid hangnails or dry and choppy nails. Most importantly, it helps you to avoid cracked cuticles, too.
The removal of the builder gel coat is equally easy. Just soak the nails in an acetone remover. However, you can also remove the layer manually with a nail file and a cuticle pusher. This is, in fact, a gentler method. Hence it helps you to keep the health of your natural nails intact.
