I have a similar thing happen when I do gel x. Something that helps me is using the e-file to file down the nail tip around the cuticle to make it thinner and look more natural during grow outs. Here’s a link to a helpful tutorial: https://youtube.com/shorts/kDyYqYGAg6g?feature=share

You’re applying it too close to the nail bed. Apply it a bit further away from the nail bed.

Also try the gel x overlay method or use an electric file to drill around the cuticle to make it more seamless.

I think for lack of experience, you did really well! Make sure you prep your nails really well around your cuticles and don't apply the gel to close, you will end up with rough edges and have a difficult time filing! Good job!

You're welcome, keep practicing! I've been doing my own for about 20 years, just switched to gels a year ago and I still make mistakes 😅

I would suggest implementing the practice of applying clips for c-curve right after the lamp - imo your almonds are unbalanced because the widest part is where the nail bed ends.

Gorgeous nails and ring! Use cuticle oil daily to help with retention, and don’t use your nails to open things (nails are jewels, not tools!)

Do you mind sharing how much you paid? I'm trying to get a sense of how much to expect. That color on you is perfect!

Beautiful ❤️

Stunning

Nice!

So cute love the tats too!

All polishes are modelones except for the glow in the dark top coat by Cre8tion. The nails are UNA GELLA medium almond Gel X nails that I've filed down for personal preference. The glue used to adhere them is Gelike EC 6-in-1 Nail Glue. If there are any further questions on specifics I'm happy to share/help.

Thank you for being such a wonderful community. I adore you all. 💖

I just try to do French tips and it takes me like 5 hours lol and that’s with gel polish. You did an absolutely outstanding job!

That's dedication! They look great.

Wow! You're an amazing girl!

Looking great....

You can try tilting your finger so gravity would be pulling the gel downwards and away from your cuticles, and it’s always better to have a small gap between your skin and the gel than it on your skin! Gel reactions are serious so try to just not bring the brush that close.

I can see your cuticles are flooded and need some work, but I can say that even with extremely careful application mine lift anyway. If even a tiny bit of the gel seeps out, like if the gel wicks into your nail fold, the void left under the nail WILL cause lifting - which happens constantly because the application is such a tedious mess. I gave up on full coverage tips, because what time you save in shaping is spent double trying to get the cuticles to not look like shit.

Try not to apply the tip farther away from the cuticle so there’s a gap. Make sure you drill the tip near the cuticle so it’s thin. U can buff it out afterwards so it’s more seamless. I like to apply a base coat over it so it’s extremely seamless

it happens to me, but once they grow out after a few days I drill them and it prevents lifting.

Nailcou on YouTube has a bunch of videos on gel x nails! I know they will be very helpful :)

My two best product recommendations are the Blue Cross cuticle remover and an orange stick (do one finger at a time because this stuff is POWERFUL) for cuticle prep, and the Jello Jello peel off base/One Kill activator set for easier removal. My nails still last until I get tired of them, and you don't have to wait forever for them to soak before you scrape off the goo, lol.

I took the plunge 3 months ago and I’m never going to the salon again lol . I would recommend 3 things:

proper nail prep ( make sure you dehydrate your nails, any oils on your nails will cause them to come off). I clean prep my cuticles with sally hanson cuticle remover, it makes it so much easier. Also I wipe them down with alcohol before dehydrating to make sure all oils are removed.

Sizing- this is so important! Make sure your sizing is accurate. Depending on the shape of your cuticles, you may have to file and shape the tips for the best fit. If you are in between sizes it’s best size up and shape/ file the sizes down to the right fit. Sizing or applying extend gel/ nail glue to your skin will cause them to lift/ pop off in 2 days ( I learned this the hard way 😭) lol

Application- this is the trickiest part , and takes patience. I had to watch a lot of YouTube videos to figure this out and went outside of the Apres steps by skipping the curing of the gel to the natural nail. I tried some new suggestions for application with my most recent set and I’m hoping it works, my goal is for 3 weeks retention. So far I’m doing good with my most recent set, with no lifting but it’s only been about 5 days .

Keep practicing, it’s definitely doable and will save you so much money if you are going to the salon!

Honestly Aprés has great videos about application, and if your gel nails are lasting that long I assume your cuticle prep is good. The hardest part is gauging how much extend gel to use and getting the tip on so it’s not crooked! But that just comes with practice.

Sounds like you’re all set! Watch a few videos, figuring out the amount of gel is the learning curve.

You might want to watch some of the Apres videos on youtube to have a better idea on how to use the kit

i really don’t know anything because i’m just a beginner but i think to reuse them u need just a regular strong nail glue that doesn’t need to be cured to apply the press on because they’ll be easier to remove and still stay on

Peel off base coat

I have those butterfly nails where were you looking at them on

I don’t do gel X but started making press ons and have been using BTArtbox soft gel tips from Amazon. I’ve seen others use beetles tips or kiara sky tips too. I don’t soak but file the inside to remove old glue.

https://preview.redd.it/1acx1l37as9f1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=23e73a211978561eddb3c0a8046b7a7f8eb792d2

Yessss! No more paying $$ at the salon and still leaving disappointed. Sure, it takes me forever lol but whatever I pop on a show and work away.

thissss, hours and hours of tutorials and info posts was something i wish i did BEFORE i did my first few trials. could've saved me the initial disappointment, wrinkled finishes and possible dermatitis😭😭

LOVE !! These are so pretty!!

Right? 😅 my hands are so bougie right now and I look like a potato.

I’m getting a blow out tomorrow just so I can somewhat match the energy.

Yes totally worth it but I will admit I end up spending like 100 a month on nail products a month so far lol. But that is less than an equal quality job at the salon, and, the salon will not do as good and patient a job as me as others have said! I can’t sit there for 3 hours watching someone not be a perfectionist (which I am) for 150+. And I bet to watch tv / listen to podcast in my underwear while I’m doing it!

Yes!! Been doing mine for 5 years now

https://preview.redd.it/3jnottazht9f1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=933ad283ab5c56e49829c9e97a99ff31d2291e89

Same, doing my nails is so much an extension of me giving myself joy. It's wonderful <3

These are gorgeous 😍

The "perfect" collection from Madam Glam is hella thin and shrinks even over builder gel. I have the black and white and several of the regular colors and there seems to be a difference in the formula. The paints on the other hand are quite nice

Some gel polishes actually don’t play well with tips, it’s very much trial and error. I love how these turned out!!!!

I know nothing about anything but wanted to say that these look stunning!

Adding product list down here since reddit and formatting don't mix:

• jello jello peel off base on the nail plate
• apres extend gel on the underside of the tip(I want to switch to the sensitive version while I learn to avoid flooding entirely, is there any difference as far as adhesion?)
• apres gel x tips in short almond, etched on the underside
• madam glam polish in perfect black (this did not work super well on top of the apres tips. I ended up wiping down the tips with alcohol and flash curing each nail immediately to prevent the color from shrinking. I also just don't love this formula but I need to use the polish lol)
• Kokoist dragon's eye magnetic in D4 (also alcohol wiped the MG before application, and flash cured afterwards to preserve the effect)
• apres no wipe top coat