Super deep ridges now left feeling deflated

[Beas nails]

Just had a new customer tonight who has the deepest ridges I have ever seen, found this pic on google which is very similar to hers

as a gelish girl I used my structure gel and ended up having to use 4 coats of colours :s she was pleased but I felt gutted. A lot of my customers have ridges which I can easily hide but this was another level!! She picked a light grey and the result looks slightly chunky and not as smooth as normal. Sooo unhappy with them, potentially worse set Iv ever done her nails would not play the game!! Like I said she went away happy but I am worried she'll show people and they will think it always looks like that! Thankfully I do her daughters nails which always come out beautifully so she knows I am a competent nail tec! I'm cringing at puttin this pic up but feel the need to share.

any help or advice would be wonderful or if this has happened to anyone else please make me feel better lol also would any of u lovely geeks know why her nails r like this and if there is anything she can do to help?! Xxx

 

[umvemve]

This is caused by ageing. I find older ladies often have thicker nails. I would have buffed to remove ridges with a very soft buffer or chamois and buffing paste to smooth them a bit more prior to application perhaps?

 

[Jennyattheloft]

Might be worth trying CND Brisa Lite smoothing gel, it really is fab at smoothing out any ridges or imperfections on the nails. Sorry, that's probably not what you wanted to hear being a Gelish user but it really does the job

 

[Nats5125]

Hi, I'm new to nails but I think you have done a great job. It's not my favourite colour but I can't see ridges or lumps in he picture.
I would say you are a perfectionist and are being hard on yourself. Your client is happy which is the main thing and you have worked wonders with hard nails.
I hope if I'm ever faced with a situation like yours that I can do as good a job x

 

[Beas nails]

Hi, I'm new to nails but I think you have done a great job. It's not my favourite colour but I can't see ridges or lumps in he picture.
I would say you are a perfectionist and are being hard on yourself. Your client is happy which is the main thing and you have worked wonders with hard nails.
I hope if I'm ever faced with a situation like yours that I can do as good a job x

I actually love u thank u so much that is very sweet n has made me feel bit better!
I have been thinking about using brista as Iv heard so many good things. It's sad cos really wanted to stick to my gelish but am thinking it might b worth a go for my more tricky ladies! Only thing is how could I get hold of it as I'm only gelish trained?! Xxxx

 

[Beas nails]

This is caused by ageing. I find older ladies often have thicker nails. I would have buffed to remove ridges with a very soft buffer or chamois and buffing paste to smooth them a bit more prior to application perhaps?

Wouldn't buff out the ridges as was trained never to do that and the lady said it had been done before and caused her a lot of pain so wouldn't go that route. And what is buffing paste Iv never heard of that?! Thank you for replying xx

 

[umvemve]

Buffing is fine if done with a leather buffer and paste as or a standard manicure. It is great for increasing circulation, stimulating nail growth etc. it is not good for thin nails and needs to be done in downward motion rather than across the nail. You would never use a block buffer for nails as you old for toes - too harsh but a Nailtiques pink buffer or chamois are fine. It old need to be part of your training I guess. Buffing paste comes in a little pot and is slightly grainy in texture it is used with a 'banana' shaped white leather buffer. It exfoliates and polishes the nail and is not done violently but is done regularly. Combine this with oiling and I think it is a winning combo.

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

I bet she can see the difference , for someone that has had a nail defect or issue for a long time it will be like you worked a small miracle to her !
I hope you didn't act to disappointed with your work in front of her ? you will give her a reason to worry.

you could do some work angling your brush / the gel so it is less of a transition at the eponychium area , but that will come with practice , and Geeg's help http://www.salongeek.com/nail-application/9200-product-control-part-4-zone-3-making-disappear.html this tutorial isnt really for soak off gel but you can definitely apply the method to it .
i would allso look into brisa lite smoothing gel , I havent been lucky enough to try it yet but I have seen some fantastic photos of work being done with it.

the colors not the best of chooses but it was her choose , maybe suggest a splash or red nail art to liven it up a touch when a client goes for a color you dont think flatters them , or even say that would look grate but this color (pull out a different color) would look amazing on you ! if your stuck for what would look good have a sneaky look at what color there bag is or coat , or any gem stones in there jewelry,

one other thing , rember to book her next appointment for slightly longer as it might take a touch of extra time to remove with the structure gel and extra color layers .

 

[Beas nails]

I bet she can see the difference , for someone that has had a nail defect or issue for a long time it will be like you worked a small miracle to her !
I hope you didn't act to disappointed with your work in front of her ? you will give her a reason to worry.

you could do some work angling your brush / the gel so it is less of a transition at the eponychium area , but that will come with practice , and Geeg's help http://www.salongeek.com/nail-application/9200-product-control-part-4-zone-3-making-disappear.html this tutorial isnt really for soak off gel but you can definitely apply the method to it .
i would allso look into brisa lite smoothing gel , I havent been lucky enough to try it yet but I have seen some fantastic photos of work being done with it.

the colors not the best of chooses but it was her choose , maybe suggest a splash or red nail art to liven it up a touch when a client goes for a color you dont think flatters them , or even say that would look grate but this color (pull out a different color) would look amazing on you ! if your stuck for what would look good have a sneaky look at what color there bag is or coat , or any gem stones in there jewelry,

one other thing , rember to book her next appointment for slightly longer as it might take a touch of extra time to remove with the structure gel and extra color layers .

I acted cool confidant and was all happy! Tried suggesting nail art (as that's how I hide my mums!!) but she wasn't interested. What is bothering me is as the layers added up it looked like a big leap which again Iv never had b4! It really is the worst set iv done since first qualifying lol Thanx for the tip about the added time hadn't thought of that! Can I use brista lite with gelish though? Will it set in my led light etc? Xxx

 

[w1nnie]

Hi, I'm new to nails but I think you have done a great job. It's not my favourite colour but I can't see ridges or lumps in he picture.
I would say you are a perfectionist and are being hard on yourself. Your client is happy which is the main thing and you have worked wonders with hard nails.
I hope if I'm ever faced with a situation like yours that I can do as good a job x

I agree with Nat.. faced with a client like this, using the only products you have and know, I think you did good girl !! Interesting what was said about buffing. And if the client is happy, well that's great .. chin up

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

I acted cool confidant and was all happy! Tried suggesting nail art (as that's how I hide my mums!!) but she wasn't interested. What is bothering me is as the layers added up it looked like a big leap which again Iv never had b4! It really is the worst set iv done since first qualifying lol Thanx for the tip about the added time hadn't thought of that! Can I use brista lite with gelish though? Will it set in my led light etc? Xxx

GOOD TO HEAR! we really can be our worse critics ! and we can trash talk our selfs infrount of a happy client way to easily!
trust me I'm famous for doing it to my self!

fair enough if she didnt want nail art , her choise

I should imagine you would be able to do the Brisa Lite treatment and then gelish on top , but as I said I havent got my mitts on Brisa Lite yet! there is a HUGE thread here somewhere all about it , i would be surprised if some one there hasn't already answered that question , heres a link : http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/210946-all-your-technical-questions-about-brisa-lite-removable-gel-answered-here.html

for buffing I would use a CND koala file and solar oil , much much nicer than buffing paste (do they still make that stuff?) and the Solar oil will penetrate the nail plate and or surrounding skin , helping to condition them , it is also fab retail product and a perfect plasticizer (sp) meaning it will even condition enhancement products , gel polish , even nail polish would probably benefit!

 

[gems-gem's]

Interesting- structure gelish is fab for ridges isn't it and those would have been major- brisa smoothing is just the shellac version is it not? Maybe it self levels more or something but stick with your gelish system looks fab for the colour and nails to start with. I love chamois buffer and paste sometimes the old school rocks!

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

Interesting- structure gelish is fab for ridges isn't it and those would have been major- brisa smoothing is just the shellac version is it not? Maybe it self levels more or something but stick with your gelish system looks fab for the colour and nails to start with. I love chamois buffer and paste sometimes the old school rocks!

well no not exactly , with Brisa lite there is no need to buff the natral nail before aplication , so it would be alot kinder to issue nails , or any nails really

 

[Dol]

I read on a thread here somewhere to use Gelish TIO to help reduce the ridges, then add colour coats etc