Which do you use-Foundation/Base Gel or the Top & Bottom Coat? I'm getting confused here. Where does the ph bond come in? TY!
1554283
Ph bond is like an etching product that prepares the nail bed. Then apply, as thin as you can and covering the entire nail, the foundation. It needs to cured in the LED light. Apply polish. And last the top coat. The top coat will be sticky if you don't clean it well after curing. In my limited experience I have found the thinner the coats, the longer wearing the manicure will be. In polishes that are very dark I have used 3 very thin coats. Good luck.
1554284
The ph bond is optional...I don't use it but replace it with a strong isopropyl alcohol, (9%) to dry out the nail thoroughly to insure a good bond. I've read that it's worth the investment if you have really oily nail beds, (my skin is rather dry so, I skipped it). You then apply the base gel, gelish polish, and top it off in that order with the lamp set btwn each one. YT has some great vids abt how to apply a "Gel Nail Sandwich" where you use your own nail color in place of the gelish polish. I've tried it and it doesn't last as long but, it's still cool to be able to use what you have on hand. The ph bond is optional...I don't use it but replace it with a strong isopropyl alcohol, (9%) to dry out the nail thoroughly to insure a good bond. I've read that it's worth the investment if you have really oily nail beds, (my skin is rather dry so, I skipped it). You then apply the base gel, gelish polish, and top it off in that order with the lamp set btwn each one. YT has some great vids abt how to apply a "Gel Nail Sandwich" where you use your own nail color in place of the gelish polish. I've tried it and it doesn't last as long but, it's still cool to be able to use what... » Read More The ph bond is optional...I don't use it but replace it with a strong isopropyl alcohol, (9%) to dry out the nail thoroughly to insure a good bond. I've read that it's worth the investment if you have really oily nail beds, (my skin is rather dry so, I skipped it). You then apply the base gel, gelish polish, and top it off in that order with the lamp set btwn each one. YT has some great vids abt how to apply a "Gel Nail Sandwich" where you use your own nail color in place of the gelish polish. I've tried it and it doesn't last as long but, it's still cool to be able to use what you have on hand. « Show Less
161658
PH bond is optional. For me it helps the gel products adhere to my nail and not peel. If you decide to use a PH Bond, it goes on first a drys almost instantly. The first coat is Gelish Foundation gel - that is what it's called on the bottle, but it's a base coat. Use your light after foundation gel is applied. 2nd apply your gel polish and use light after each coat. 3rd apply you Top It Off coat (same as a top coat but called Top It Off on bottle) , use your light after top coat. Some people like to do 2 top coats, but it's optional.
1554285
Use ph prep first (or alcohol), then base coat, two coats of color then top with 1-2 coats of the top coat. Use an LED light at 30 secs or a powerful UV lamp for 2-5 mins each coat.
1339978
I use it for top coat cause it dries so quickly, which is a plus. But I guess you can use it as a base coat. I use a Sally Hansen one. Why not.
1938119
I was confused by this too, but it just means that these Gel base and top coats need to be soaked off. Use a cotton ball with pure acetone then wrap with a square of tin foil and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. That is how I was taught. I do know that they do make kits like "BMC UV Gel Nail Art Polish Acrylic Aluminum Nail Wrap Soaking Pad Remover Kit" but it is less expensive to just use acetone and tin foil. Do a search for the kit here on Amazon.
1670755
Gelish recommends you use the basecoat, remove the basecoat's tacky layer with an alcohol wipe, then apply the structure gel. Works for me.
430679
Hi I have just started using these paints and I let them dry for 30 min between layers I have never used medium with my top coat.Then I leave for 3 days to dry because I was having problems with the paint coming off when I handled the head to root the hair. I wasn't sure if it was because my coat's weren't thin enough or that It wasn't drying all the way so the 3 days helped a lot. I haven't had that problem again if you have more questions I will help if I can.
908702
Mineral Veil is for a finishing touch...in my opinion. I use a medium foundation first, then lightly apply bronzer. The Mineral Veil adds a very nice finish on top of everything. I love these products. Have been using them for years. Good luck.
1546497
It is a great product . It will be a lower gloss finish that you will get w/ polyurethane. Polyurethane is cheaper than the GF gel topcoat. Depends on what look (high gloss vs. lower gloss) you ultimately want.
2266176
You need to make sure you are following all the steps. Are you roughing up the nail before the polish and are you making sure your nails are clean and sanitized before you add adding your base coat? Are you using a clear structure base coat before you use the color polish? All of these steps are important if you want the color coat to stay. You should be adding a final top coat with the correct clear top coat as well.
1194385
A second coat should help problem. I put on one coat in two batches. On the second batch I did not stir enough and ended up with a tacky surface in a few places. Talked to company and they said to do a second coat. Put on second coat and had a good chemical reaction. No tacky areas now. I have had the product on my bar top for three years and it looks as good as the day I put it on....i.e. GREAT!! Just be sure to stir the 2 components together completely when making a batch.
1741013
Yeah Leah is correct; just one of each. But...as much as I like the ph bond I am not a fan of this brand of top and base coat. The applicator is bulky and the product got so thick after just a few times, it was frustrating to use. I recommend the CND brand for top and base coat. Not that you were wondering that...but thought you would find that info useful as well! ;)
1009
I can't answer you specific question but what I can tell you is this. I have used a product called Acid Mantle cream. Acid Mantle cream works wonders for balancing you skin's PH levels. I have used it since I was a small child. The cost of Acid Mantle has went through the roof in the 80's I was paying $16 dollars for the 16 oz tub. That same tub cost over $100 today. I was looking for a generic that would do the same as Acid Mantle when I cam across Risabel-ph. I don't know how the ingredients align with Acid Mantle but the cream did not work the same for me. I apply Acid Mantle directly out of the shower after lightly damping myself dry with a towel. I give it a few minutes to absorb before I completely towel off. It leaves my skin silky smooth. Risabel does not. After I apply it my skin does not feel silky smooth and after a few hours I am re-applying because my skin feels dry.
540243
I use this over Gel & Acrylic. Make sure your nail polish is dry - I always wait 1 day to put the Axxium on top so that the polish color doesn't bleed into the Axxium...and it has done that to me before and then I have pink/red tint. Just a suggestion. It is a TOP sealer <and not a fill as stated in a previous comment> so be sure you have a light so it can dry. It will feel slightly tacky at first, that's normal. DON'T use alcohol as it will make your finished look MATTE! Idid it and if you like the matte look, ok - but I like shiny! Also, I use mostly OPI polishes <natural and gel> so can't say if there are compatibility issues. Hope this helps! I use this over Gel & Acrylic. Make sure your nail polish is dry - I always wait 1 day to put the Axxium on top so that the polish color doesn't bleed into the Axxium...and it has done that to me before and then I have pink/red tint. Just a suggestion. It is a TOP sealer <and not a fill as stated in a previous comment> so be sure you have a light so it can dry. It will feel slightly tacky at first, that's normal. DON'T use alcohol as it will make your finished look MATTE! Idid it and if you like the matte look, ok - but I like shiny! Also, I use mostly OPI polishes <natural and... » Read More I use this over Gel & Acrylic. Make sure your nail polish is dry - I always wait 1 day to put the Axxium on top so that the polish color doesn't bleed into the Axxium...and it has done that to me before and then I have pink/red tint. Just a suggestion. It is a TOP sealer <and not a fill as stated in a previous comment> so be sure you have a light so it can dry. It will feel slightly tacky at first, that's normal. DON'T use alcohol as it will make your finished look MATTE! Idid it and if you like the matte look, ok - but I like shiny! Also, I use mostly OPI polishes <natural and gel> so can't say if there are compatibility issues. Hope this helps! « Show Less
1815062
File the top coat to break the seal then soak off. Some ppl don't file its up to you :):):):)
1671861
I have never used the gelish nail strenghner but I just asked my salon sales clerk at Sallys and she replied No you don't the strengthener is between tips. So you put foundation 1-3 layers and then gelish top it off with half alcohol rub and half acetone and rub it off til it shines ( remember to cure in lamp after each application
1179092
It depends on your skin quality and how much coverage you want. It's really light. I pair it with a solid loose powder on days I want really light coverage and that works fine. I've also paired it with mineral powder as well for a bit more coverage. Personally, I would think foundation on top might be a bit much.
1975285
Yes to the bc question. No to the other. I use this as a base, put my polish on then use this again and add a quick dry top coat. Works perfectly :)
574443
I use this as a layer after I have applied color and finish off with Top coat gel