After applying the primer, buff your nails as if they were wet. Everything about nail primer: what it is, why and how it is used. LED lamp for gel polish

A primer is a nail product, usually of liquid texture, that cleans, degreases and dries the nail plate, without creating a separate coating (unlike, for example, a nail base). The primer is usually used in salons, while the base is the first and mandatory coating when creating a manicure - at home.

WHAT IS NAIL PRIMER FOR?

"Primer" is translated from English as "primer". Based on this, it immediately becomes clear what it is needed for: to prepare the basis for further application of decorative coatings (for example, gel nail polish) and to protect the nail plate from exposure to chemical components “from above.”

The primer is used when applying gel polish to enhance adhesion, that is, the adhesion of the nail plate to the artificial coating. In simple language, many masters call it “double-sided tape”, which securely holds the gel polish in particularly vulnerable places: along the edges and at the end of the nail.

how to choose a nail primer?

The most important thing you should pay attention to when choosing a primer is the acid content in the composition, depending on which it can be called acidic or acid-free (read more about this). Acid primer consists of 80% methacrylic acid and, if used incorrectly, can cause skin burns and damage the structure of the nail plate. Therefore, it is intended for professional use in extensions. An acid-free primer is suitable for applying gel polish, which only temporarily changes the pH balance of the nail plate. When purchasing, look for the “non-acid” label on the bottle.

Many beginners are misled by the presence of such products as bonder, nail prep and others, which, according to their description, perform all the same functions as a primer. Indeed, many manufacturers produce the same composition under different names, which causes confusion and difficulty in choosing. For the first time, it will be enough to remember that if there is an inscription “acid-free” on the bonder or primer, this is the same “double-sided tape” for increasing the durability of the gel polish.

how to use nail primer? instructions

The correct procedure when applying gel polish using a primer:

Shape your nails;

Treat the cuticle;

Degrease the nail plate with a dehydrator or to remove dust and excess moisture from the nail plate;

Apply primer to the entire plate or just to the edges;

Apply base, color and top coat.

How to distinguish a nail primer from a base?

It is not critical for an amateur to confuse a nail primer with a base. The first is used mainly in salons, while the base is a must-have product when creating a manicure both by a professional master and by an ordinary “user” at home.

In addition, the primer can be distinguished by its texture: it is usually liquid, almost like water, while the base has a viscous texture, like a regular varnish.

Applying a base is a necessary step when performing any type of manicure; there is no substitute for it. Primer is used primarily for nail extensions to separate the surface from the dense gel texture.

If you usually do your own manicure at home, the essential product is rather a base. The best of them are in our selection.

Modern manicure uses many new tools that are created to achieve a single goal - to improve the quality of nail service. The primer became such a tool. A person who does not deeply delve into the intricacies of creating a manicure may have a logical question: what is a nail primer?

What is a nail primer and why is it needed?

Primer is a liquid product that is used to prepare the nail plate for further application of artificial coatings. For example, these include gel polish. Primer, as the word is literally translated, helps to degrease the surface of the nail, protect against the penetration of harmful substances and strengthen the adhesion of the decorative coating to the surface of the nail. The primer allows you to maintain your manicure for a long time.

When choosing this product, you need to pay attention to the presence or absence of acids in the composition. Based on this feature, they distinguish between acidic and acid-free primers.

The first type of primer is intended for artificial nail extensions; it must be handled carefully, as it can damage the structure of the nail and cause severe burns. This tool is best used only by professionals.

An acid-free primer is usually used before applying gel polish. It can be easily handled by a beginner at home. The label should say "non-acid".

An acid-free primer is suitable for home use.

The best manufacturers are:

Lady Victory - acid-free, suitable for beginners;
The primer does not contain acids, which makes it safe for use at home
Le Vole Ultra Bond - great for subsequent application of gel polish.
One of the quality primers Le Vole Ultra Bond
EZ Flow - dries quickly, does not contain fragrances or dyes.
EZ Flow primer does not contain dyes
IBD is the best brand, according to experts, it contains acids.
Professional product
Kodi professional is safe because it has a gentle composition.
Kodi professional is one of the popular primers

How to use it correctly

Is it possible to replace

There is no absolute analogue of a primer. There are similar products in the industry (bonders), but they perform only part of the functions and are not able to completely replace the primer. At home, in the absence of a professional primer, it is recommended to use a base. Before applying gel polish it will be enough. But with nail extensions, such a replacement cannot be made. Quality basecoats:

Video: applying primer and gel polish

Using a primer simplifies the life of the manicurist and the client. This is an indispensable tool for nail extensions and when applying decorative materials. But you should not work with the product yourself if you do not have the appropriate experience. It's better to contact a professional.

Tired of repainting your nails every other day? Tired of chipping and peeling varnish? This article will tell you about gel polish, the technology for applying it at home and how it will help deal with your problem.

Gel polish is only a few years old, but it has already firmly established itself in all beauty salons, and gel polish coating is the most popular service of manicurists; you are unlikely to find a salon that does not have it. In Russia today, several dozen companies offer their lines of this product, such as the well-known CND and NSI, as well as “know-name” made in China.

What is gel polish?

The development of gel polishes was carried out back in the 90s, but at that time nail extensions with gel or acrylic were at the peak of their popularity. In order not to create competition in the nail service market, the development of gel polish was postponed for a while. However, manicurists have long tried to combine regular polish with gel, but most often the attempts were unsuccessful.

In 2010 the famous company CND presented its innovative new product, which was something between nail polish and Shellac gel.

The advantages of gel polish consist of the advantages of regular nail polishes and modeling gel:

convenient to apply
wide variety of colors
long lasting shine
The manicure can be worn for up to 3 weeks and the color does not change
does not have an unpleasant chemical smell
hypoallergenic materials are used

And one of the biggest advantages of gel polish is its easy removal; it does not require filing, like extended acrylic or gel nails. Thanks to this, the nail plate is not injured or damaged.

Today, almost every company in the nail service market has its own line of gel polishes.

How is gel polish made? Gel polish application technique

If you apply gel polish in the correct sequence and do not make mistakes, you will get a flawless manicure for a whole 3 weeks, there will be no chips or cracks and the coating will shine as soon as it is applied.

However, there are cases when gel polish peels off or cracks within the first week. To avoid this, you need to know how to apply it correctly.

So, to properly apply gel polish, you need to maintain the following sequence:

Preparing the nail for coating: file the edge, remove the cuticle, remove the gloss with a buff, remove dust with a brush.
Degrease the nail plates.
Apply acid-free primer.
Apply a base coat and dry in a lamp.
Cover your nails with gel polish and dry in a lamp, repeat 2-3 times.
Cover your nails with top coat and dry in a lamp.
Remove the sticky layer.
Apply oil to cuticles.

At first glance, everything is very simple, but each step has its own characteristics that you need to know and follow the recommendations. Manicurists, of course, know all the intricacies, because they take special courses and receive certificates allowing this type of coating. However, you can familiarize yourself with all the nuances and, with practice, you will be able to apply gel polish yourself.

Manicure with gel polish at home

I won’t say that applying gel polish at home is very easy. But there’s nothing particularly complicated about it either. You just need to follow the recommendations for applying gel polish and avoid mistakes, which we will tell you about below.

The very word gel polish hints that it is still a varnish, or rather a variety of it, a mixture of gel and varnish, and this product is applied exactly like a varnish. Any woman knows how to do this, so there should be no difficulty in applying it.

The only disadvantage of covering nails with gel polish at home is the lack of the necessary material and tools, which you cannot do without, and which are not so little expensive. Below, we will provide a list of everything you need for a home manicure with gel polish, but first, let's understand the application technology.

Step-by-step gel polish at home

Preparing the nail for coating

TIP: If you are doing a manicure for yourself, do everything listed below first completely on one hand, and then on the other.

File your nails so that their free edge is absolutely smooth, remove dust with a brush
If your nails are peeling, trim them with a nail file.

Do a regular manicure. If you used oil or cream, you need to thoroughly clean the nail plate and dry it for at least 10 minutes.
Be sure to remove the cuticle from the nail, this will prevent the gel polish from peeling off.
Use a coarse buff (240 or 180 grit) to polish the nail, removing the glossy coating, otherwise the gel polish will not adhere properly to the nail plate. Do not overdo it, do not press the buff too hard on the nail, so as not to injure it, you only need to make it matte

Buff

To completely clean your nails of grease and dust, soak a lint-free cloth in a degreasing agent, also called bond, and wipe the nail plates with it.

IMPORTANT: After preparing your nails for applying gel polish, do not touch them with your fingers! Do not allow dust or moisture to get on them!

Applying primer and base coat

If you have thin and brittle nails, or they often chip, you should definitely use a primer before your base coat. The primer will help the gel polish adhere better to the nail, which will prevent the coating from peeling off or chipping. Apply primer to the entire nail plate and don't forget about the end.

The base gel, or more simply the base, performs the following functions

binds the nail and gel polish so that the coating holds firmly
protects the nail plate from colored pigments that are in gel polish and can damage the nail

IMPORTANT: The base coat is applied in a THIN LAYER!

Take a little base on the brush and, as if rubbing, apply it onto the nail in the direction from its edge to the cuticle
Then use the brush as you would normally apply polish, from the cuticle to the edge.
It is important not to touch the cuticle or skin so that the coating is sealed and does not peel off.
Seal the end of the nail, this will prevent the gel polish from chipping.
Dry the base layer in a special lamp, depending on the brand of the base and the type of lamp, this can take from 10 seconds to 2 minutes
Your nail will be sticky, this layer does not need to be removed, it provides better adhesion to the next one. It can only be carefully distributed over the entire nail plate using a dry brush, then the next layer - colored gel polish - will not spread to the sides

Coating the nail with colored gel polish

To get a translucent effect, apply one layer of gel polish; for a more saturated color, you need to do two or three layers. Each layer is dried in a lamp for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

All layers of gel polish must be applied, just like the base, in a very thin layer, otherwise waves and bubbles will appear on your nails after drying. Even if you see uneven application of colored varnish, especially when using dark colors, it is better to do several thin coats than one thicker one.

Do not forget to paint the nail from the end, then the varnish will last longer and not peel off.

Applying top coat to nails

The top seals the manicure with gel polish and gives it an incredible shine that lasts the entire time the manicure is worn.

You need to apply the top in a slightly thicker layer than the previous ones. Again, don't forget the end of the nail. Dry the layer in a lamp, using the same amount of time as colored gel polish. Don't waste time and dry your top coat well, otherwise it will lose all its shine.

On the surface of the finishing coating, like on the others, a dispersion remains, i.e. that same sticky layer that needs to be removed only after covering with top. This is done using a special liquid, which is called “To remove the sticky layer.” This liquid also slightly moisturizes the skin.

After this entire procedure, do not forget to lubricate the cuticle and skin around the nail with moisturizing oil.

That's all, you see, there is nothing complicated about it. The whole procedure takes an hour and a half, which depends on the varnish manufacturer, the number of layers applied and the type of lamp.

This coating, if done correctly, lasts on average about 2 weeks. But it is still advisable to do homework with gloves so that the coating lasts longer on your nails.

Gel polish kit at home

Not everyone can afford to go to a beauty salon for a manicure twice a month, but all women want to have beautiful and well-groomed nails. Making gel polish yourself is a way out of this situation. However, to apply gel polish at home, you need to collect at least a minimum set of necessary materials and tools, which includes:

Lamp. There is a UV lamp, LED lamp and hybrid. Read about their features below
Colored gel polish. There are a lot of different types and companies. There are gel polishes matte, glossy, with shimmer, with a “cat’s eye” effect, chameleons, thermal varnishes - the choice is huge
Base Gel - base coat
Top Gel - finishing coat
Primer, but you can do without it. However, if the gel polish does not adhere well, the reason may be its absence
Buff, for polishing the nail before applying primer or base. Choose abrasiveness 180-240 grit (240 is better)
Lint-free wipes are better to use because they will not leave lint that could ruin your manicure.
Degreaser. It is needed to remove remaining grease and dust from the nail in preparation for applying gel polish. It can be replaced with regular nail polish remover with acetone or medical alcohol.
The product “To remove the sticky layer”, it can also be successfully replaced with medical alcohol
Gel polish or biogel remover, it can be replaced with regular nail polish remover, just make sure it contains acetone, otherwise the gel polish will not come off
Cotton pads
Foil is needed to remove gel polish (read about this below) or special clips
Orange sticks

You can’t do without some things on this list, such as a lamp, base, top coat, colored polish, and some you can either skip or use cheaper analogues, for example, nail polish remover can replace both degreaser and gel polish remover.

Such a set, of course, will not cost you cheap, but it will pay for itself quite quickly if you save on trips to the beauty salon. In addition, there are many different companies that produce products necessary for gel polish coating, and their prices vary quite a lot. We only advise you not to skimp on the base and top, this is the basis of the manicure and its durability and quality depend on them, the rest can be selected from cheaper analogues.

Lamps for polymerization of gel polish

Before you buy such a lamp, you need to familiarize yourself with their types, characteristics, pros and cons in order to choose the most suitable option for yourself.

UV lamp (or UV lamp) with fluorescent bulbs

Fluorescent lamps save energy and are therefore called energy-saving. These lamps operate from 5 to 10 thousand hours. However, the service life of the lamp is very dependent on how many times a day it is turned on, under what conditions it is used and whether there are power surges in the network.

The main advantage of a UV lamp is its low price. Also, these lamps emit light in a wide range of waves, therefore they cover all types of gels and gel polishes, and can dry them, because each gel dries only when exposed to light with its “own” wavelength.

But such lamps have quite a few disadvantages, these include the following:

the temperature reaches 50°C, this temperature can burn your nails, and the lamp itself heats up
Over time, the luminous flux of the lamp weakens and gel polishes may not dry well; it will take longer to dry them
If there are voltage surges and a deviation of more than 10%, the lamp will most likely not work
the same thing happens if the ambient temperature is less than 10°C
The luminous flux can damage your eyesight, so you should not look at the lamp when it is on.
are not environmentally friendly (contain mercury) and require special disposal
The more often you turn the device on and off, the faster its service life will expire.

Gel polish dries in such a lamp for 2-3 minutes.

LED lamp for gel polish

LED lamps are superior to their competitors in several ways:

This lamp does not heat up and does not burn nails during operation.
its service life reaches 100 thousand hours
it dries gel polishes in 10-30 seconds
consumes much less electricity
environmentally friendly and do not require special disposal
no need to change light bulbs often
do not require repair maintenance
do not affect vision, because they do not emit light pulsations
if one or more LEDs burn out, they do not need to be replaced immediately, because this does not significantly affect the operation of the lamp as a whole

But the LED lamp still has disadvantages:

high price
does not dry out some gels, because... the lamp has a narrow range of light waves, and not all gel polishes from all manufacturers fall into it

To compare the wavelength and efficiency of a UV lamp and an LED lamp, see the graph below. It shows that one gel polish, red straight, does not fall within the wavelength range of the LED lamp, so it does not polymerize in it, but it will dry in the UV lamp. But the other gel polish, green straight, will dry in both lamps, and this will happen faster in the LED lamp.

Polymerization schedule in UV and LED lamps

Hybrid CCFL+LED lamps

These lamps combine all the advantages of UV and LED lamps, because... consist of LEDs and a cold cathode lamp operating simultaneously. These devices are the best option for drying nails coated with gel polish.

Hybrid lamps have the following advantages:

polymerize gel polishes of any companies and manufacturers
gels harden in 10-30 seconds if the gel polish falls under the wavelength of the LED lamp and 2-3 minutes if it does not
almost does not heat up when drying
the time the lamp will last does not depend on how many times you turn it on and off
saves energy and has a long service life, up to 100 thousand hours
you can apply gel polishes in a slightly thicker layer, they do not curl or ripple
environmentally friendly, do not require special disposal

The only drawback of a hybrid lamp is the high price, but there are quite inexpensive good models.

When choosing a lamp, make sure that there are light bulbs all over its surface, not only on top, but also on the sides
Choose a lamp with a power of at least 36 W, because... in less powerful gel polishes may not dry, ripple or bubble
There are lamps with automatic switching on, it works when a woman inserts her hand inside, and the timer turns off the lamp after a specified time. This is very convenient, you don’t need to turn it on again and keep track of the time

Biogel with gel polish - application technology

Let's first find out what biogel is and what it is used for.

Biogel is one of the materials used for nail extensions; it easily hardens in a special lamp for drying gel polishes and biogels. This material is used to strengthen your own nail plate.

Biogel is widely used because... Quite a few women have weakened nails, peeling and breaking, this is mainly caused by housework and constant contact with cleaning products. And this material is precisely designed to protect women’s nails from harmful influences and, in addition to strengthening them from the outside, gives them the opportunity to heal themselves, become stronger and more durable.

Advantages of biogel:

elastic material, easy to apply with a brush
does not have an unpleasant odor
easily removed with gel polish and biogel remover or any nail polish remover with acetone
Well levels the nail plate layer
used alone or in combination with gel polish
nails under biogel look natural, because... it lays down in a thin layer
You can make different designs on top of the biogel
stays on nails for up to 3 weeks

Biogel is applied very simply, like regular varnish, and like gel polish, it needs to be dried in a special lamp.

The procedure for applying biogel with gel polish is as follows:

Prepare your nails, shape them, do a manicure, remove cuticles.
Remove the gloss from the nail plate with a buff and remove dust with a brush
Degrease the nail surface and let dry. Use lint-free wipes
Apply acid-free primer
Cover the nail with a base coat and dry it in a lamp.
Apply the biogel with a brush; it will distribute itself evenly over the nail plate. Dry in a lamp for 2-4 minutes
The next layer can be made of gel polish or you can decorate the nail in some way: sliders, stamping, painting, etc. The gel polish is dried in a lamp.
Apply the final layer - top, and dry in a lamp
Remove the sticky layer from your nails and apply moisturizing oil or cream

There is a shorter technology for applying biogel. It skips the points with base and top, but there is no guarantee that the manicure will last long.

Properly applied biogel will last on the nails for an average of 2 weeks, and the surface of the nail when used will be perfectly smooth.

Primer for gel polish

Although the primer is an optional step in applying gel polish, it is highly advisable to use it, because... it has many necessary and useful functions:

degreases
provides much better adhesion between the nail and the base layer
removes moisture
prevents the proliferation of harmful microorganisms that can harm the nail plate
helps fight white streaks on nails

There are several types of primers, but acid-free primers are used for gel polish. Its action is similar to double-sided tape - it adheres to the natural nail and the gel base coat.

Apply the primer carefully to the nail, preferably not to get it on the skin, because... If you have a sensitive skin, this may cause irritation and redness.

How to remove gel polish at home?

To remove gel polish, you don’t have to go to a beauty salon; you can do it at home.

First, use a nail file or buff to slightly polish the gel coating on top to remove shine.
Soak a cotton pad in gel polish remover; it can be replaced with regular nail polish remover, but it must contain acetone.
Place soaked cotton pads on your nails and wrap them in foil. You can use regular food foil

You can also use special clips instead of foil; they are designed for reusable use.

You may feel warmth under the foil or a slight burning sensation - this is normal.
Wait for 15-20 minutes and remove the foil and the soaked disc.
The gel polish has softened and is now easy to remove with an orange stick, which does not injure the nail, unlike other tools.

Remove any remaining gel by wiping with a new cotton pad soaked in the product.
Buff your nails a little with a buff

Technology of applying glitter to gel polish

When applying gel polish, you can and should use glitter, because they add individuality to the manicure. In almost any manicure, the addition of sparkles will harmoniously fit into the overall design, which is why manicurists often use them. However, you need to follow the recommendations for applying glitter to gel polish, otherwise you can get an uneven coating, with lumps and sharp edges that will cling to everything.

There are two ways to apply glitter to gel polish:

Mix some glitter gel in a separate bowl or on a piece of foil. Apply the gel to the nail after the base or colored gel polish, spreading the glitter evenly over it. You decide the amount of glitter you want to add to the gel yourself. This gel can cover both the entire nail and a specific part of it. Dry this layer in a lamp. Top with another layer of clear gel, dry and apply top coat.
After base or colored gel polish, apply a layer of gel a little thicker than usual, but do not dry it immediately in the lamp. Use a dry brush to pick up glitter and distribute it pointwise over the nail. If you want to make a thin line of glitter, use an orange stick. After that, dry this layer in a lamp and cover with another layer of transparent gel, and dry again. Finish the job by applying topcoat, dry and remove the sticky layer.

Cat eye gel polish application technology

The cat's eye gives gel polish an unusual and beautiful shimmer, so it is often used for gel polish coating and is one of the favorites of many women.

Gel polish Cat's eye

Applying Cat Eye gel polish is somewhat different from regular gel polish. You should also cover your nail with it after the base coat. The nail preparation technology does not change either. Cat eye is simply applied instead of colored gel polish.

After coating, but before drying, you need to bring a special magnet to the nail, at a distance of 3-5 mm, and hold it without moving for some time (usually 10 seconds) until a highlight appears. This magnet creates such a magical glow - these are metal particles of varnish that rise to the surface of the nail and fit into the design.

If you look at nails covered with Cat's Eye, you can see a voluminous highlight that shimmers in the light. If you turn your hand, the glare disappears. This is the effect of chrysoberyl stone, better known as Cat's Eye.

To create a manicure using Cat's Eye gel polish, you can use various magnetic plates, which create interesting patterns. Try placing the plates not only vertically, but also horizontally and diagonally.

TIP: Use a magnet immediately after applying gel polish, do each nail separately.

French gel polish - application technology

French is good for its versatility:

it is perfect for working in the office and going to the club
you don’t need to match clothes to match the color or match your manicure
it can be done with both short and long nails
suitable for any fingers: short and long, plump and thin

This design can be worn for several months, just updating it on time. And French gel polish is just a godsend. In addition to all the listed advantages, its aesthetic appearance is also added even 3 weeks after application, because It is not at all noticeable that the nail has grown and its upper part is not covered with varnish.

The technique for performing French gel polish is very simple:

Prepare the nail as mentioned earlier
Apply primer
Cover the nail with a base coat and dry it
Apply a translucent varnish of your chosen base color and dry it in a lamp. You can skip this point
Remove the sticky layer
Paint over the free edge with white gel polish for a classic French jacket using stencils or a brush. You can use other colors or varnishes with effects, such as Cat's Eye. In this case, do not forget to use a magnet
Dry this layer and if necessary repeat it again
Remove the sticky layer and quickly remove the stencils if you have used them.
Cover your nails with top coat and remove the sticky layer after drying.

French gel polish is ready!

Gel polish is very convenient due to its durability, and is useful for nails, because... under the gel they break less. At the same time, gel polishes do not injure the nail plate, because They can be easily removed using special means and not filed down, as is the case with nail extensions.

And by doing gel polish at home, you can also save on trips to the specialist. Follow our recommendations above, plus a little experience and dexterity, and you will have a perfect and unique manicure that will last a long time on your nails without any peeling or chipping. And this cannot but please, especially when there is no time to repaint your nails every other day, as is the case with ordinary varnishes.

VIDEO: Gel polish: application technology, SECRETS of gel polish coating

Primer - what is it?

Beginners often ask the question: “What is a nail primer?” Essentially, it is methacrylic acid, and its main effect is to degrease the nail plate for better adhesion to the material. The effect of the primer is that, by lifting the scales of the nail plate and degreasing them, it creates excellent adhesion, which prevents the material from peeling off when wearing extended nails. There are two types of nail primer - acidic and acid-free.

Acid primer

This type of primer is most often used in acrylic extensions and is the first phase. If you do not use a primer after applying the dehydrator, then the adhesion of the acrylic to the nail plate will be weak, and the material may peel off within a few days after extension or correction, which will lead to the formation of voids. The acid primer contains up to 95% methacrylic acid, which is why it got its name. Acid prime on the nail plate

It dries in 3-5 minutes, giving it a whitish color. If you inadvertently get an acidic primer on your skin, it will definitely cause irritation and a chemical burn.

Acid-free primer

A nail extension primer that contains only 5% methacrylic acid is called acid-free. When applied, it does not evaporate like an acidic one, but leaves a wet film. This nail primer is ideal for gel technology, especially for working with polyurethane gels. It has been noted that an acid-free primer is ideal for problem nails where the material often peels off.

Primer: application technique

Both acidic and acid-free primers have a specific odor reminiscent of

vinegar, so after applying them you should not bring your hands to your face so as not to inhale the fumes. Any primer should be applied to the nail plate in small quantities, after squeezing the brush on the edge of the bottle. Carefully, without getting it on the skin, you should point the brush to the nail, without leaving untreated areas. You can determine whether the primer has dried visually: you should not wait 5 minutes if the nail plate turns white in the case of an acid primer, or if there are no wet areas on the nail when working with an acid-free one. While the nail primer is drying, under no circumstances should you touch your face with your fingers, much less your eyes -

this can cause it to come into contact with the skin and mucous membranes, causing severe irritation.

Features of work

If, while working with a nail file, the master accidentally injures the periungual ridge or cuticle, and there is no hemostatic agent at hand, then touching the brush with primer to the wound will quickly stop the bleeding, but will be accompanied by a strong burning sensation. Excessive application of primer will always cause pain and burns on the nail plate - novice masters should not forget about this. The discomfort that clients may experience will make them reluctant to undergo regular adjustments. Before applying the finish, you should use a primer near the cuticle - this will protect against micro-detachments and allow you to walk around with neat extended nails until the next correction.

Pusher, buff, bond, primer, dehydrator... The modern beauty industry is developing rapidly and throwing new terms at us, the purpose of which is not always clear. You seem to understand that you clearly need this pusher, but you don’t fully understand why. Or the same primer, which many call bond. What is it for? And how to use this primer? For which nails is it needed? Give a clear and concise answer!

Look to the root

Primer - from English. a primer - primer. It's clearer now. Further more.

In construction, a primer is a special liquid product that they like to apply without fail before any finishing work: painting walls and ceilings, gluing wallpaper, laying tiles. Because it strengthens the base and improves adhesion to the future coating.

In the world of manicure, the primer is used for gel and acrylic extensions, when applying regular decorative and gel polish, and thanks to the same functions it:

improves the adhesion of artificial material to natural nails;
degreases the nail plate;
dehydrogenates its surface;
disinfects, protecting the nail from unwanted microorganisms.

Entertaining chemistry

All artificial materials, be it acrylic, gel, regular or gel polish, are afraid of water or, scientifically speaking, hydrophobic. And the surface of the nail is moisture-loving, or hydrophilic. Like the Montagues and the Capulets, they are completely different, but they so want to be together. And the primer helps with this.

Primer molecules have two ends. One is hydrophobic, the other is hydrophilic. Like double-sided tape, the molecule attracts the artificial material with one end and the surface of the nail with the other.

For this reason, it is not possible to replace the primer with anything. Yes, you can wipe your nails with alcohol, citric acid and other miracle remedies from the Internet. This will dry and degrease the surface, but will not provide the required “stickiness,” especially if you have problem nails.

As you might expect, using a nail primer is not difficult.

Instructions for using nail primer:

Holy of holies. Careful treatment of the nail plate! Ignoring this stage negates all subsequent manipulations. Carefully treat the nails with a buff or nail file. Pay special attention to the side ridges and the area near the cuticle. Use a stiff brush to remove dust.
Place a little primer on the brush and wipe off the excess on the edge of the bottle. The thinner the layer, the better! Place the brush on your nail and let the product spread. Avoid getting primer on your skin.
Dry the layer well in air for the required time. In rare cases, a UV or LED lamp will be required. The manufacturer indicates such details in the instructions for each specific product.
That's it, you can proceed to the next step of extension or manicure.

And now about the nuances. There are three types of primers: pre-primer, acid-free and acidic. Each has its own characteristics.

Pre-primer

Prep primer or preparation primer, i.e. preparatory. He also has a middle name - Bond. Bond - connection, bind. It is the prep primer that is called bond. This is a mild preparatory product, without dyes or flavors, i.e. hypoallergenic. It degreases well and removes moisture from the top layer of the nail plate without affecting the deeper layers. It is very gentle on nails, does not disturb the water balance and does not dry them out.

When to use?

When applying gel or acrylic extensions, before applying an acidic or acid-free primer. Unfortunately, the bond alone will not be enough in this case; it is too weak to provide the necessary grip.

But it will be a great help when using regular and gel polish in cases where the coating does not adhere well, quickly chips, and the reason for this is definitely not the execution technique. Will increase the lifespan of your manicure. Designed for young ladies with oily, brittle, peeling nails, as well as increased sweating, which can cause peeling of the artificial material.

Most Popular

For every taste and color at an affordable price. All the best from nail industry experts:

Entity One Nu Bond;
OPI Bond Aid pH Balancing Agent;
Kodi Professional Ultrabond;
Irisk Professional Prep Primer.

Specialists from In"Garden have created two products: the Nail Prep System pre-primer and the Bonder bonder, thereby completely confusing everyone. According to their technology, you first need to apply the prep and then the bonder. In this case, Bonder acts as an acid-free primer.

Acid-free primer

Performs the same functions, only the intensity of the impact is stronger. Affects the scaly structure of the upper layers of the nail. Manufacturers try and create formulas for very thin and brittle nails, without thinning or drying them out.

When to use?

When doing nail extensions with gel. Works like double-sided tape, creating a strong bond between the nail plate and the gel material. The composition does not contain aggressive components, so if it comes into contact with the cuticle and skin, it does not cause irritation.

Suitable for application under regular and gel polish if the prep did not cope with its task. Masters of their craft say that if the nail is well prepared, an acid-free primer is quite suitable for acrylic extensions.

Acid primer

The product with the strongest degree of impact. It contains methacrylic acid in concentrations from 20 to 100%. Dries the nail plate well, affecting the deeper layers, and lifts the scales of the top layer. Acrylic has a very high pH, around 11, while nails have a slightly acidic pH, between 6 and 7. The components of an acid primer cause a temporary change in the pH of the natural nail to bring it closer to the pH of the acrylic being extended. This also helps with adhesion.

The thing is very effective, but also just as aggressive. It must be applied very carefully, as if it comes into contact with the skin it can cause burning, irritation and even a small chemical burn, and with prolonged use it can thin the nail plate.

When to use?

When applying acrylic or gel extensions, if acid-free does not work. Ideal for very oily nails or uneven surfaces. Not suitable for those with fragile, brittle, peeling nails. In this case, extensions are not recommended. It's better to treat your nails first.

After application, the nail becomes whitish. This means that the primer has dried and you can start building up.

Most Popular

RuNail UV Primer;
RuNail Fifty Seconds;
Kodi Professional Primer;
Patrisa Nail;
Tatnail.

Do you need a nail primer? There are general recommendations from specialists and manufacturers, and then everything depends on the nails, the artist and the chosen manicure technology. Do you fully follow the technology for applying gel polish, but it quickly chips? Perhaps you should try Rev. Do you extend your nails with acrylic without using a primer or do you use an acid-free primer and everything stays on just fine? Great, then you are lucky with both your nails and your hands. After all, the main thing in this matter is to prepare your nails well. Get creative and have a long-lasting manicure to everyone!