Calgel nails

[Leanne91]

I have just completed my calgel training course this week, I have got a third refresher day in January which I'm glad about as there was a lot of information to take in and I am new to nails altogether. I am just wondering how long did it take you to get good at a set of overlays? I've done my own and my mums since completing my course and I swear my 3 year old daughter could have done a better job than me lol. I know it's going to take a while and lots of practise I just want a realistic time frame of when I should start to be good enough to have clients! Thanks

 

[Kirsty969]

I hate to say this but everyone is very different, some click with certain products straight away and other take longer. I love working with gel but still struggle with acrylics. Some people also have a natural flare for everything. I've been doing gel nails for about two years now and feel very confident with them and have for about 18 months but I still get times when I'm not entirely happy with a set (I'm a bit of a perfectionist oops). Keep practicing as much as you can and you'll know when you feel confident enough to take on clients. I'd also try advertising for models , that way you can test out on different people for wear and durability. Hope this helps a little

 

[rubyconfusing]

Leanne, were you on my course Monday and Tuesday? I've done 2 sets this week since completing and it's SO much harder than when we were there!

 

[nailpod]

It does thanks time.
To be honest I would probably hate the new Calgel training, as I used to help out in our area any salons who have done the training but still battle they send me along. And the new method I don't like.
Years ago we did it completely differently and it was a lot easier to do French for example. I prefer no 43 as opposed to the 46 they make you train with.
In saying that it is all practice,
Calgel does tend to shift if you not quick enough or over work the gel.
So my advise is to do 2 nails then set in lamp while working on the other hand and do 2 nails then do the thumbs last together .
So it takes longer initially until your confidence and speed builds up , but once you have it it really is quite easy and hardly any hard work to Calgel unlike acrylic buffing etc.

 

[rubyconfusing]

That's really helpful nailpod! This might sound like an odd question but does the gel get more difficult to use if it is cold? I feel like mine is thicker than when i was on the course however it was in my car during the day (and its pretty cold here at the minute) they've not been in sunlight and some were unopened pots! I really wish Calgel had a private facebook group or something for people who are new to it so we could all ask questions and compare how we are getting on! I don't really like to bother people on here!

 

[nailpod]

I hope it helps
Ok how about : Just try stir the colours using a toothpick prior to the application. Don't be too vigorous to avoid getting air bubbles in the jar.

If the colour seems too thick just add a small dot of your clear Calgel into your colours which you think are too thick.
Usually the stir does the trick.

I have some gels over 15 years old and they have gone thicker but adding a dot of clear and they fine again. Also your darker pigmented colours like white is not dark but it is heavily pigmented, can spread thicker so just use little less. You can always go back and tidy the smile line up with a second coat of white if you need to.

The cold could effect it depending on how cold you have kept the pot.

 

[rubyconfusing]

Thanks nailpod, just done my own nails and all seemed fine! Honestly I thought doing your own would be harder! Got quite a few clients this week so at least lots of practice

 

[nailpod]

Yay good luck [emoji6] x

 

[Leanne91]

Leanne, were you on my course Monday and Tuesday? I've done 2 sets this week since completing and it's SO much harder than when we were there!

Yes I was on the course Monday and Tuesday! I've done 2 sets too and done an awful job haha !!

 

[Leanne91]

I'm going to get myself a practise hand and practise as much as I can! Sorry for the late reply I only just realised there were comments on here. As you can tell I'm new to the site as well as nails haha