Sams.beautynails

STEP BY STEP👇

To make sure the gel lasts without lifting, I first apply a base coat from American Creator

Then, from the middle of the nail to the free edge, I apply American Creator Framework gel Surf White.

After that, I apply Smart Gel by Dark in shade 15.

Next, I file and refine the shape, then finish with Dark No Wipe Top Coat.

And just like that, the baby boomer is complete!

🔥You can find all Dark and American Creator products at . I also have a 10% discount code for you. Use my code SAMS.NAIL10% at checkout to get 10% off your order

Please note: the discount code applies to selected products only. Some exceptions may apply.

Sounds wrong?

A lot of people think removing the natural nail from underneath the enhancement will make the nails weaker or thinner.

In reality, I do the opposite — I create a stronger, more solid structure.
Natural nails are flexible, while gel is a much more rigid material.
When a natural free edge is left underneath the gel, the natural nail and the gel can move differently. The nail bends, but the gel doesn’t always follow that movement. Over time, this can create lifting and separation.
Those tiny pockets can then trap water, dirt, and debris — creating the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.

That’s why I remove the natural free edge from underneath the enhancement and leave a solid, clean structure made entirely of product.

The result:
✔ Less dirt trapped underneath
✔ Cleaner look from underneath
✔ Less chance of lifting
✔ Stronger free edge
✔ Better retention until your next appointment

Nail techs, let’s hear it 👇

Do you remove the natural nail from underneath the enhancement, or do you leave it?

My top tips to make a French manicure last longer:

1️⃣ I always use a hard gel underneath the French.
Hard gel doesn’t flex and holds its shape really well, which helps prevent the French design from chipping.

2️⃣ I use gel polish instead of gel paint.
Gel polish is more flexible and tends to wear better. Gel paint cures much harder, so it can be more prone to chipping over time.
My favourite gel polish for French tips is DARK Shade 01 from .world . It gives beautiful coverage and wears really well.

3️⃣ Use a high-quality brush.
A good, comfortable brush makes a huge difference when creating clean smile lines and achieving a precise application.
I use the double-sided brush from DARK, and it’s an absolute must-have in my kit. I use it for hard gel, gel polish, and French tips—it’s such a versatile brush!

4️⃣ Thoroughly buff the gel surface before applying the French.
I always lightly buff the surface really well before application. This helps the French go on more smoothly, and the tiny scratches created by the buffer give the product better grip, reducing the risk of chipping.

These simple steps help me create French manicures that stay beautiful and last much lo

My honest review 👇

I’ve been testing these gels for about a month already, and honestly, they haven’t disappointed me. None of my clients had any lifting, and everything lasted really well.

The products are also very comfortable to work with. They self-level nicely, and the colors are beautiful — especially if your clients love very natural n**e shades. I definitely recommend checking out their color range.

Another big plus is that their prices are very affordable. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced nail tech, I would definitely recommend these products.

Now a little more detail about the products themselves.

The first product is the Extreme Rubber Base. These are camouflage rubber bases. In my opinion, they work best on short nails or nails with short length because it’s a softer product. It gives the nail a beautiful natural cover and looks very clean.

Then there’s the Easy Build Gel. It’s similar to a hard gel, but it comes in a bottle with a brush. It’s a stronger product, applies beautifully, and self-levels really well too. It works great on short to medium-length nails. For very long nails, maybe not my first choice because it’s a bit more liquid. For long nails, I would personally choose something thicker.

Then there are the acrygels. I personally love working with acrygels because they are so versatile. You can use them for nail corrections — for example, correcting downward-growing nails or curved nails. You can also use them fixing corners, or strengthening the nails.

And finally, the hard gels. I really liked them too, and I had actually tried these products before. They are very strong and suitable for both short and long nails. They self-level beautifully, cure well, and have really good retention.

Overall, all of the materials hold very well. The main thing is simply knowing where and how to use each product correctly.

Why do lifting issues happen around the cuticle?

One of the most common mistakes is applying the base coat with too much distance from the cuticle to avoid flooding the skin. But then the hard gel is applied much closer to the cuticle.

This means that near the cuticle, the hard gel is no longer sitting on the base coat — it’s sitting directly on the natural nail. And this is exactly where lifting usually starts.

The base coat is not just a layer under hard gel. It works as a bonding layer between the natural nail and the hard material. The natural nail is flexible, while hard gel is rigid, so the base helps the product adhere properly without lifting.

If the hard gel goes beyond the area where the base coat was applied, the adhesion becomes weak and the product starts lifting near the cuticle.

That’s why it’s important to:
• apply the base close enough to the cuticle without flooding
• avoid leaving “empty” areas without base
• make sure the hard gel is applied only on base coat.

Small details like this make a huge difference in retention.

Follow .nailtraining for more useful nail content ❤️

Your hard gel nails look perfect… until your clients come back with lifting, cracks & chipping

❗️Working with hard gel like it’s BIAB(soft gel)
Hard gel doesn’t work the same way as BIAB. If you apply it too thin or without the correct structure, the nails won’t have enough strength to absorb pressure — which leads to cracks, chipping, and lifting.

❗️Choosing the wrong product
Not every hard gel is suitable for every client or nail type. Using a gel that’s too hard, too flexible can affect retention and cause breakage.

❗️Filing the nail shape incorrectly
Even a small mistake in shape can change how pressure is distributed on the nail. Incorrect side walls or uneven shape can make nails weak and more likely to crack.

❗️Building the nail structure incorrectly
Without proper architecture, the nail has no support in stress areas. Nails may look thin and pretty on Instagram, but they won’t last in real life.

Thin nails can still be strong — but only when the technique is correct.

On July 4th, I’m hosting a Hard Gel Course where I’ll teach you how to create nails that are thin but strong and long-lasting.

Only 4 spots available. Message me on Instagram to book your place.

Hard gel doesn’t make nails thick, bulky or unnatural looking — actually it’s the opposite.

Because of the strength of hard gel, it allows you to create thin, natural-looking nails that can last up to 4 weeks without lifting or chipping.

Hard gel nails are all about structure and correct product placement. There is no guessing when working with hard gel — only proper technique creates nails that are both thin and strong.

What usually makes hard gel nails look bulky:
• wrong hard gel choice
• incorrect gel distribution
• working with hard gel like with a base coat
• reinforcing the wrong nail areas

If you want to learn how to work with hard gel properly and create thin but strong nails, my Hard Gel Course will take place on 4th July.

You will learn how to create slim, natural-looking nails with correct structure that last 4 weeks without lifting.

On these nails I used Touch Builder Gel by

Very comfortable consistency to work with,more on the liquid side but not too runny.It self-levels quickly and makes application smooth and easy.

Use my code SAM.NAILS10 for 10% off