Advice for a good gel?

[HollysRose]

I haven't worked with nails for over a year (due to health reasons), now that I'm getting back into it I feel like I have forgotten everything and I'm starting from scratch. So just looking for some advice.

My fathers friend works as a cleaner in a school and she wants me to make her nails stronger.
I've been using INK London Gel Polish and Gel Essentials hard gel recently to practice with. With INK being a soak off I'm not sure if it will be good enough for a cleaner's nails.
She doesn't want extensions, so I'm thinking a hard gel overlay might help with strength. I'm not sure if she wants colour yet.

Has anyone worked with the Gel Essentials hard gel? If not, do you have any suggestions on a good gel to use as an overlay over her natural nails? She is my first client since I left the business so I'm super nervous.

 

[HollysRose]

Can anyone advise me on the best kind of gel for this clients nails? Sorry to seem pushy but today is the last day I can order any products before I see her.

 

[AcidPerm]

Tricky one.

Unless you use acrylic, I don't think any gel could be guaranteed suitable if she's using harsh chemicals and not wearing suitable gloves. I used to use Gelish hard gel but I think the Pro products are all very similar.

Have you seen her nails? Are they soft, peeling or flakey? Do you know if she tries to take care of them and regularly uses cuticle oils, etc.?

There's no miracle solution so I think it's one of those situations where you have to manage her expectations very carefully by providing a written aftercare sheet. Stress firmly that not using gloves when working with strong chemicals will likely cause the product to break down and peel.

What you cannot ever do is guarantee how long a product will last (on any client) so that's why the aftercare information is very important. The client has to accept responsibility for maintaining their nails and this is what will determine how well the enhancements work for them.

 

[noreenoconnor]

a hard gel overlay will be the best option for this client Hard Gel is the most chemical resistant , that's why it doesn't soak off with acetone.

But as said above , aftercare is everything. No nail coating can take repeated abuse, and harsh chemical exposure , make sure you make it very very clear her nails will only last as long as she follows aftercare and all repairs are chargeable.

Have you any training in hard gel? What have you used previously? I would stick to that for now as every system works differently and at least you will have some recollection of what to do.

As for the future i would look into some update training to boost confidence , i swear my CND Brisa Gel, but research yourself and find a brand and educator you are happy with

 

[HollysRose]

Thank you girls.

I haven't seen her nails yet but she says they're soft and weak and she just wants them stronger, I don't know how she looks after them yet but I'm going to give her a pinkie bottle of cuticle oil so she can't say she hasn't got any.
I trained in Gel Extensions about two years ago but haven't done any services for a long time, we used soak off gel during the course but only covered application over tips. My course wasn't great tbh and I would like to do more training but can't afford it at the moment. I'm not actually advertising my nail services yet, my father told her that I was practising on my mum and sister in law, and I'm happy to do her nails for practice. I won't actually start advertising for extensions until I have done more training.

 

[Welsh Heart]

I haven't worked with nails for over a year (due to health reasons), now that I'm getting back into it I feel like I have forgotten everything and I'm starting from scratch. So just looking for some advice.

My fathers friend works as a cleaner in a school and she wants me to make her nails stronger.
I've been using INK London Gel Polish and Gel Essentials hard gel recently to practice with. With INK being a soak off I'm not sure if it will be good enough for a cleaner's nails.
She doesn't want extensions, so I'm thinking a hard gel overlay might help with strength. I'm not sure if she wants colour yet.

Has anyone worked with the Gel Essentials hard gel? If not, do you have any suggestions on a good gel to use as an overlay over her natural nails? She is my first client since I left the business so I'm super nervous.

A hard gel would be the answer. I use hard gels on my clients even the ones who are really heavy handed do not have a problem with lifting.