New materials for nail service today appear with such frequency that it is sometimes difficult even for a true professional to keep track of all the new products. A beginner can get confused at all.
Single-phase gel for nail extension has already managed to gain considerable popularity and acquire an enviable staff of fans both among graduates and among those who are taking the first steps in comprehending the intricacies of this beautiful art. Our article will help those who decide to learn how to use a single-phase gel for nail extension, what kind of material it is and what are the features of working with it.
Why is the gel called single-phase
To find the answer to this question, consider the main stepstechnology. The extension is performed in three stages:
- Applying a base coat that is responsible for adhesion to the surface of a natural nail.
- Shape modeling.
- Coating with a fixing layer that prevents rapid wear of the material and is responsible for gloss (or for a velvety surface if the design implies a matte texture).
Three-phase system involves the use of three different products, each of which performs its function. But when it comes to single-phase coating, only one material is needed. What it is? Single-phase gel for nail extension, of course. He is able to solve all three problems.
Material advantages
Single-phase gel is often the choice of beginners. This is the right decision, because you have to spend only one jar to start getting your hands on extensions.
Another advantage is the consistency of the material. Compared to three-phase products, it is quite liquid, but not runny. The gel is easy to apply and distribute.
Many girls who have tried this type of material claim that it is very obedient, excellently crimpable and easy to file. This means that this gel is also suitable for complex arched shapes, such as pipes.
For many who decided to find out what it is - a single-phase gel for nail extension, a huge selection of colors has become a discovery. Manufacturers offer not only classic white, pink and transparent gels, but also a whole palette of camouflages, as well as luxurious opal options, gels with shimmer and sparkles,luminescent materials. In the palettes of many brands, you can easily find a gel of any color.
Getting into how to use single-phase gel for nail extension is not difficult. If you have experience with three-phase materials, you will surely enjoy the process. But even if this is your first attempt, you can count on a good result.
However, one should not be deceived and expect a miracle. Working with any materials for gel manicure has many nuances. If you have the desire and opportunity to take a training course - by all means do it. Well, if this is not possible (or you generally consider nail extension as a hobby), get ready for hard work. Follow our advice, perform each operation carefully, train and learn - then everything will definitely work out.
Weaknesses
In the reviews, many describe the semi-liquid consistency as one of the advantages. But there are those who are frankly uncomfortable working with her. Get ready for the fact that this structure of the material will take some getting used to.
The disadvantages of many include wear resistance, which is lower than that of materials for a three-phase system. You will have to make corrections more often, the risk of chipping is a little higher - you need to know about this in advance.
Required tools and aids
Apply a single-phase gel with a flat brush with a rounded end made of synthetic bristles. Natural for these purposes is not suitable. When choosing a brush, attach it to the nail of the little finger and press lightly: it should not go to the siderollers.
To dry gels, it is best to use hybrid lamps with a power of at least 36 watts.
You can't do without molds, lint-free wipes and clinser. The most important tool after the brush, perhaps, can be considered a file with an abrasiveness of 100 \\ 180 grit. Some craftsmen use a machine with a suitable cutter for filing, but this requires considerable skill.
Preparation of the nail plate
If the material is in contact with pterygium, cuticle or skin, detachments cannot be avoided. Therefore, the preparatory stage is extremely important. There are no special recommendations when working with a single-phase gel: do a manicure in the same way as you do before working with any other material.
Carefully clean the nail from pterygium, move, cut and polish the cuticle with a spherical cutter, treat the areas adjacent to the side ridges. File the ends with a file with an abrasiveness of 180 grit. Polish the surface of the nail plates with a buff, carefully remove the dust, wipe the nails with a lint-free cloth soaked in a special clinser.
Experts do not recommend the use of pharmaceutical products with alcohol. This component is quite aggressive: it can dry out the skin or react with materials, which makes it difficult to work and spoil the result.
Primer: why do you need it, which one to choose, how to use it
Some masters consider this step optional. But if there are no barriers (for example, allergies), it is better to use a primer. It acts like double-sided tape, holding it securelymaterial with nail surface.
Solves the primer and other problems: eliminates excess moisture, prevents the development of infections, degreases, dries the surface a little.
There are so-called acidic and acid-free products. In fact, both have acids, but in the second their content is lower. This option is suitable for treating nails before applying varnish.
And before applying the single-phase extension gel, the nails must be coated with an acid primer. It is important that the material does not come into contact with the skin. The agent dries in the air, it does not need a lamp. You can proceed to the next stages of coating in a minute. But if more than half an hour has passed after applying the primer, the procedure must be repeated. Therefore, it makes no sense to cover all 10 nails before starting work.
Browse Popular Products
Which single phase nail extension gel is better? There is no single answer to this question, each master has his own favorites. But you can select a few funds, reviews of which are the most numerous.
- RuNail can be called one of the most popular. Available in several shades, excellent sawing and pressing, well suited for beginners. Course teachers often choose this material: nail extension with RuNail single-phase gel is considered step by step during training. It is suitable for professionals with a large flow, and for those who build nails only for themselves. Low cost is one of the advantages of the product. jar with a volume of15 grams on average will cost 250-300 rubles.
- Formula Profi is a brand loved by many masters. For a jar of A-Profi single-phase gel, you will have to pay about 450 rubles. After polymerization, the gel turns into a very strong monolith. Easy to file, does not form a large amount of flying dust.
- UV Lina is a product that many masters who are keen on shopping on Chinese sites have managed to get acquainted with. The cost of one jar weighing 15 g is only about 100 rubles. Reviews about this product are extremely controversial. Some claim that Lina single-phase gel for nail extension does an excellent job. But there are those who warn potential buyers against a terrible smell, poor packaging, and allergic reactions.
- Gel Cosmoprofi is available in several shades. He fell in love with manicure masters due to the comfortable consistency of medium viscosity, average price (350 rubles / 15 g), good wear.
- Single-phase gels Irisk are praised by many for their lack of smell, a large palette of shades. But in the reviews, some note a watery texture, due to which the material has a tendency to flow. Not everyone is satisfied that the time declared by the manufacturer is not enough for polymerization.
3 phases with single phase gel
A common mistake many beginners make is the belief that one-phase varnish can be built up very quickly by laying out the material in one layer. This is not true. The technology of nail extension with a single-phase gel involves the same steps asas when working with three-phase materials. If you lay out the material in a thick layer with one stroke, there will be no good result. Let's look at an example of how to work with a single-phase gel.
Building on forms
Let's make a reservation right away that this material is not suitable for today's fashionable upper forms. Only classic lower forms can be used.
Don't be in a hurry. If you have little experience yet, work with each finger separately, drying each layer. Nails should be thoroughly cleaned, degreased and primed before using Single Phase Extension Gel.
- Fit the shape to the nail, make incisions if necessary, so that the base fits as tightly as possible.
- Gently glue the edges, making sure that all symmetrical elements match perfectly. You can use a stationery stapler so that the form does not stick out during operation.
- Apply the first base layer of the single-phase gel with rubbing movements, starting from the butt and moving towards the cuticle. Avoid skin contact! If the gel bakes on the cuticle, peeling is inevitable.
- Cure the material in the lamp for as long as the manufacturer recommends. Evaluate the result by lightly tapping the surface with the pusher.
- Put a drop of gel on the form, where the free edge will form. Distribute the material with confident strokes, guided by the markup. Form an apex depending on the desired length. Send to the lamp to dry.
- Carefully evaluatesurface, if necessary, add a little gel to the dips. Cut off unnecessary bulges with a file. If you don't plan on designing, just cover the nail with another thin layer of gel, turn your hand palm down and let the material even out. Send the work back to the lamp.
- You can start sawdust. Follow the direction of the side edges, check the symmetry of the nail. A single phase gel does not need a top coat, but you can use a satin or velor finish for decorative purposes, for example.
- It remains only to remove the dust and remove stickiness with a special tool.
Polymerization time
Always carefully follow the manufacturer's recommendations if you have purchased a new one-phase gel for nail extension. How to use the material, how long to dry the layers and other recommendations - all this is usually indicated on the packaging. On average, drying the gel in a hybrid lamp takes 1-3 minutes for each layer.
Why does the gel bake in the lamp?
In reviews of single-phase gels for nail extension, one can often find indignation about burning during drying. This is due to the fact that the material passes from one state of aggregation to another, crystal lattices are formed. Chemical processes are accompanied by the release of heat.
It is enough just to reduce the lamp power (if this function is provided by the equipment manufacturer). When working with non-dimmable lamps, you can simply take your hand out ona few seconds, allowing the heated material to cool slightly. As soon as the gel "grabs", the burning sensation will pass.
It should be understood that this is not a lack of material, but a technological feature.
Remove at home
This point is no less important when working with single-phase gels for nail extension. We figured out how to use the material, and now let's talk about what to do with extended nails that have grown a lot, are tired or have begun to interfere.
First thing to remember: gel soaking is not suitable. Even if you wait half an hour, there will be no result. Gel, including single-phase, can only be cut with a file with medium abrasiveness or a special cutter.
Common questions and answers
Most often, beginners wonder if it is possible to use products of a three-phase system as a single-phase gel. Unfortunately this is not possible. But a single-phase is suitable instead of a modeling or finishing coating.
It is highly undesirable to perform a folding jacket with this material. In any case, you will need at least two gels of different colors, so what is the point of using a single phase? It is much easier to use a three-phase system.
Doubts are often caused by the possibility of using a single-phase gel to strengthen nails without extensions. For these purposes, the material is perfect. It can be used as a base for gel polish or to repair broken nails.
