r/GelX_Nails

Hey everyone i have an issue of gelx and builder gel popping off within 2 days. I do litrally every step that I've been told/seen on videos. Even googled things but they still pop off. Also what glue/uv glue do you guys recommend!

The steps I do:

Push back cuticle

Diamond bit to remove cuticles

File 240 sanding band

Remove cuticle

Brush dust off/Cleanser to remove dust

Use ph bond and primer

Rubber base

Builder gel or gelx

What am I doing wrong

All products by nailster

I’ve tried so many “clear” cat eye gels but they all seem to leave an unattractive, dirty shadow color when used over another color. The magnet part is pretty, but the residual color aside of the magnet shine is so not pretty!

Perhaps I’m doing it all wrong. I’ve watched endless tutorials of people layering cat eyes and they always look amazing. Is there a technique to this process that I’ve failed to see?

I was convinced it was the cheaper Amazon cat eyes, but my Kokoist watery clear cat eye does the exact same thing.

Please help! 😩

i’ve been doing my gel x at home for about a year now and i have so many extra tips that don’t fit my nails and they’re just collecting dust. any tips (haha) on how to repurpose them/put them to use?

I have a few questions. When doing 3D chrome designs, all the videos I’ve watched so far say I should flash cure, then apply the chrome. Does sculpting gel actually fully cure once I put it in the big lamp after applying chrome? I was wondering this when I did my first chrome design, but I plan on doing chrome for my next set and wanted answers.

Hi! I’ve been doing Gel-X on myself for about 2 years now. I’ve done a lot of research and even spoken to a few nail techs about my lifting issues, but I’m still struggling.

My sets usually last around 10–12 days before I start getting lifting at the cuticle, and eventually some nails will pop off. It’s pretty discouraging because I spend a lot of time on them, and I’d really like to get to at least 3 weeks with no lifting.

The nail techs I spoke to suggested adding a thin layer of Gelish Soft Gel Tip Adhesive on my natural nail before going in with Aprés Extend Gel, and also curing longer in case my lamp wasn’t strong enough. So I’ve been doing 120 sec cures instead of 60.

Here’s my current routine:

• Cuticle softener → push back + remove cuticle
• Wash hands
• Buff natural nail (remove all shine)
• Dust off + alcohol wipe
• Dehydrator
• Young Nails Protein Bond
• Thin layer of Gelish Soft Gel Tip Adhesive → cure 90 sec (leave tacky)

Tips:

• Size + fully etch tips
• Small bead of Aprés Extend Gel in tip
• Place near cuticle and slowly roll down
• Flash cure while holding
• Full cure 120 sec

After:

• File to shape
• Light cuticle cleanup with e-file
• Buff surface
• Dust off + alcohol wipe
• Base coat → cure
• Color → cure
• Top coat → cure

Everything feels super solid at first, but the lifting always starts at the cuticle area after about 1–2 weeks (not the sides or free edge).

At this point I’m trying to figure out what I’m missing. Is it more likely a prep issue? Could it be my lamp not curing deeply enough? (Do I need to invest in an expensive one? I only use an Amazon one)

I would truly appreciate ANY insight -- feels like I'm so close but missing something small :)