When it comes to our gel manicures, the one thing we want is clear: a long-lasting set of nails that we can be proud of!
While there are common problems that can get in the way of your two-week manis, they all have simple solutions, which can make all the difference. We've taken our top FAQs and answered them for you to make sure your nails always stand the test of time.
Why does my gel polish peel off?
The most common reason for gel polish chipping or peeling is that it has been cured onto the skin/cuticle. This can cause lifting straight away and mean your manicure won’t last long at all!
Always ensure your cuticles are properly prepped and pushed back before applying gel polish. If you get any gel on your skin when applying, carefully wipe away before curing to avoid any peeling.
Why has my gel gone hard in the bottle?
When gel polish goes hard in the bottle this is because it has been exposed to direct sunlight and has begun to cure in the bottle.
To easily combat this, make sure all your gel polish and Bluesky products are stored out of direct sunlight and aren’t left next to your nail lamp when curing is in progress, as this can also cause your polish to cure in the bottle.
How can I make my gel polish last longer?
Proper nail prep is the key to unlocking your long-lasting gel manicure. Always push back your cuticles (and only trim where necessary), file your nails gently to your desired shape, and buff all nails to take the shine off them – this is what will help the base coat adhere to the nail.
If you struggle with your gel polish chipping or lifting even with good preparation, you may find an acid-free primer helpful. A primer is used to remove any oils from your nail plate, which can otherwise lead to your base coat not adhering to the nail.
Why do I have bubbles in my gel polish?
When it comes to air bubbles, there are several things you can try to combat this. Firstly, make sure you roll the bottle in between your hands before applying so that the gel polish is thoroughly mixed.
We also recommend very thin coats when applying each layer. Applying gel polish with thick coats can lead to air bubbles forming as it will take a lot longer for the gel polish to cure.
Julia Gregory
Hi, ive just used Bare Lingerie first coat was fine, second coat gluppy and the brush has gone hard. So disappointed!!! Now having to remove and start again with a different colour. The bottle is away from my LED light and has been in a cupboard so not exposed to sunlight. Any tips for being able to resolve the issue , otherwise I will have to throw it away after not even one use.
Bluesky
Hi Chloe,
Thanks for getting in touch! :) The most common reason for Builder Gel not curing is because it has been applied too thickly, meaning the LED or UV lights cannot cure the full layer. Just like with gel polish, we advise applying a very thin coat of Builder Gel and then curing based on the recommended time of your lamp – this is 60 seconds for our Bluesky Lamp (and other LED lamps) and 2 minutes for UV.
It should still come out slightly tacky to the touch, just like gel polish, as this is what helps the next coat adhere to it.
We hope this helps!
Chloe
I’m having trouble making my builder gel set. I use a base coat and buff my nails and I’ve been leaving it under the lamp for 2 minutes but when I take my hand out it is still wet and movable.
Bluesky
Hi Lesley,
Many of our Bluesky users find gently warming the Builder Gel pot in between your hands works best for this :)
Lesley Ellwood
Hi guys my builder gel has always been a hard texture from purchase. How do I get it to the liquid form that people show on videos