AboutSylvia de Rijke Expertise My name is Sylvia de Rijke and I have a Nail Art Academy and Training Centre in Bangkok.
We are the exclusive distributor of EzFlow, IBD, Super Nail, ESN, Seche, China Glaze, Lash be Long and Clean+Easy in Thailand and other countries in SE Asia.
Experience Acrylic nails, gel nails, waxing, manicure, pedicure
Organizations Dasy Design International Co.Ltd.
Education/Credentials Global Master Educator for EzFlow Nailsystems and Elite Master Educator for IBD Gel
Nails.
Question QUESTION: Hello, I normally would grow my natural nails out to a nice length and then french manicure them myself. I like the look and have been doing it for years. However, lately I have been so busy and it is getting too much to have to maintain the color every day, it chips daily. I have never used fake nails, never had them on my nail as I have healthy strong nails which I can grow out. However, I am considering getting fake nails in the look of the french manicure with the white tips because my schedule is not allowing me to keep up the natural nails.
My concern is that I have never had them and no little to nothing about them. I have been doing some research and read alot of horror stories about severly damaged natural nails, fungus, and various other problems with fake nails. Also, I cannot find a good website to tell me what Proper care should be. I know nothing and am afriad I will waist my money on the nails because I would not know how to take care of them. Also, I am worried that they will pop off or break easy. I dont want to end up grabing things in a way to make sure to not hurt the fake nails.
My main questions are:
1: What are the best type of natural looking fake nails and is there a certain thing I should ask for?
2: What is basic care?
3: If put on properly, should the nails be as strong as natural nails if not stronger? Will I need to be careful what I do and be careful not to pop them off or should they be strong enough to stay with average daily tasks?
4: Any tips or suggestions since I am new to fake nails?
ANSWER: Dear Lois,
Thank you for your questions and please find my answers below.
1. the best type of natural looking fakes would be gel nails and then you choose the type your self. Since you normally have french you choose french but you might wish to try another application. IBD has great natural colors which you can either soak off or not up to you. I have copied the trouble shooting manual for gel :
TROUBLE SHOOTING GEL NAILS
Gel peel/lift
Check UV Bulbs, remember UV Bulbs do not burn out but they lose their strength. You should change them every 9 months if using daily or once a year if not using lamp often.
Spray the hands with IBD Prep.
Gel on surrounding skin or cuticle causes lifting.
The nail plate is not clean, remove the ptyergium.
Spray the nail plate with IBD Prep after removing the ptyergium.
Use Bonder sparingly and cure for 1 minute.
Pregnancy or medication can cause lifting on a client who previously has had no such problem.
Never give a client a manicure/pedicure before Gel application.
Gel not hardening
UV Bulbs may be old (weak) or dirty, clean with IBD Cleanser Plus. Replace bulbs after 3.000 hours of use. If use another manufacturers lamp, you must double the cure time. Due to the opacity of the Xtreme French, it takes longer to cure under the light, therefore cure for an additional 1-2 minutes. If working with forms that are not clear, after you remove the forms, cure the underside of the free edge for 1-2 minutes.
Cracking
Gel not applied thick enough.
Cured nails feel sticky – Cleanse the entire nail with IBD Cleanser Plus.
Cured nails look dull – This problem is usually due to improper cleansing. Apply IBD Cleanser Plus with a nail wipe. Dab gently until the tacky surface seems to dissolve, then apply pressure and wipe down entire nail area. The use of other cleansing products, brush cleanser or wipes may dull the nails. Use a new wipe for each hand. A wipe with too much gel on it will cause dulling. Seal it applied too thin may dull. See “dull nails” later in this section for more details.
Bubbles in finished nails – Overworked gel. Do not pat or attempt to apply gel like an acrylic. Apply Clear It like a rich topcoat application. Do Not STIR Gel before using – FOLD the Gel.
Gels will not level – Gel is too cold. Allow gel to stand at room temperature, or place jar in warm water until gel has proper consistency.
Gel too runny – Gel is too warm. Allow gel to stand and cool to room temperature or place in cold water.
Gel discolored or yellow – Sun bed tanning products or tan boosters could cause staining. Keep nails away from tanning lotions, or wipe off nails immediately after use.
Skin irritation – Cleanser Plus applied to the cuticle area. When wiping nails with Cleanser Plus, avoid contact with the skin. Do not apply gel on skin. Apply gel to nail plate only.
Intense Seal pitting – Product applied too thinly, apply an additional coat. Be sure to remove dust particles from the nail surface with a sterilized implement. Be sure that the nails are properly prepped prior to apply Intense Seal (they should have an etched surface). Do not apply cuticle oil or buff the nail surface with anything more than 180-grit Emerald File. Do not cleanse the nail with Cleanser Plus or wash the hands prior to applying Intense Seal.
To clean brushes – Wipe excess product off gel brush with a Nail Wipe moistened with Cleanser Plus at the end of each day. In between services or whenever necessary, wipe gel brush clean with a dry Nail Wipe. Do not use brush cleansers. They may cause nails to dull or interfere with the gel curing.
Breaking Nails
Is there enough gel in the stress area?
Is the nail breaking in the area where the tip is glued to the nail?
Is the glue separating from the tip, and placing stress on the nail? Is the product separating from the nail?
Use IBD Bonder sparingly on the natural nail and tip.
Is there an air pocket in the area of the break? File open the air pocket; blend the edges so no lines are visible. Re-apply product.
2. Basic Care is that you keep your cuticle soft with a cuticle oil and check for chipping cracking and fill ins every two to three weeks depending on the speed of growth.
3. Yes they will be as strong if not stronger. yes you need to be careful as object are closer than they appear especially when you have extended nails. You will have to get used to the feeling but this goes pretty fast.
4. Make sure you use brand products such as EzFlow/IBD or Super Nail/ESN and done by a respected salon with a certificate of that particular brand.
Have fun with your new fake nails and if you need more info please let me know.
Yours Sincerely,
Sylvia de Rijke
Dasy Design International Co.Ltd.
Education and Distribution Center for :
EzFlow Acrylic Nail Systems
IBD UV Gel Nail Systems
Clean + Easy Wax and Paraffin Products
China Glaze Nail Polish and Natural Nail Care Products
Seche Topcoat, Basecoat and Nail Treatment.
Super Nail and European Secrets
Lash Be Long Professional Eyelashes
Pro Linc. Callus and Cuticle eliminators
Dasy Design International Co.Ltd.
Sukhumvit Vila
28/20 Sukhumvit 36
Klongton Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110
Thailand
tel / fax +66-2-2582268
mobile nr. +66-818825147
Please check our website http://www.dasydesign.com
for more detailed company information, events and promotions.
Breaking News: China Glaze beats out OPI and Chanel on this website that ‘discovers the best of everything’. http://www.bestcovery.com/node/16892
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I forgot to ask 2 more questions.
1. I think I am going to get acrylic nails for the first time so I can get use to the feeling of artificial nails. I am going to get full nails with white tips. A natural color with the white tips. My nails are naturally about 1/4 inch long right now, when you get artificial acrylic nails should your natural nails be longer to add support?
2. You mentioned using cuticle oil, what is this? Should it also be used with acrylic nails? If not, is there anything I should get for at home maintainance until the 2-3 week fill? If you still use cuticle oil what brand is best and where do I get it? I have looked at my local walmart and could only find a pomade for cuticles.
Thanks so much.
Answer Hi Lois,
Sorry I thought I answered this question already but here we go:
1. I would keep your natural nails short otherwise you will see them on the concave (underneath your nail) and that is not nice on the white tip. Your extension should not be longer than your own nail bed.
2. Essential oil or cuticle oil can be used with acrylic nails and is used for ...off course the cuticles as a softener and moisturizer.
brands:
IBD Lavender oil
EzFlow essential oil
Super Nail cuticle oil
China Glaze Orange cuticle oil
