I’ve been doing gel on my natural nails for about 3 years now. I timed myself yesterday, and from removal to finish, it took just under 3 hours (purple set) x 1 hour for removal/prep, 1 hour for overlay, and 1 hour for nail art. More complex designs typically take a bit longer, and sometimes I will do the removal, prep, and overlay the day before doing color and design. I usually use an efile for removal, I am too impatient for soak-offs. My biggest challenge is doing the overlay on my dominant hand. My current gel brands include CND sculpting gel, I’zemi base/color/top, Mayour, From the Nail, and Fiote.
I am NOT a nail tech and at one point had considered going to get certified. Critique from techs is welcome. I feel I may be over-filing my sidewalls but would love to hear what you think.
The brown set was done in September, green in October, and purple was done yesterday.
by strawberryjellymilk