ACE Training Results & Certification will be available by Mid October

Hi girls, sorry for the delay as HQ in Canada took so long to prepare everything.
Will contact you as soon as we receive your certificates, letter and aprons !

5 Things you should know about gels

Product Info - courtesy of Gina Silvestro

1. Never use near direct or indirect sunlight. If you work near a window be sure to have a UV film applied to the windows. Even an optically clear film can reduce UV Rays by 99% without interrupting your view. Never work with gels outdoors, and be sure to store all gels and brushes in a solid colored container when traveling outdoors. Any exposure to UV rays will begin the curing process and possibly ruin brushes, products, tools etc.

2. Use the "line of light" to see if your application is smooth (the light reflection will be a straight line) or if you have dips (the light reflection will waiver). This will help to get your application perfect and possibly eliminate finish filing. Use a good light source over your work area to insure good visualization of the application process. Never use Halogen lights, they emit UV rays and may start the curing process. Low heat/low energy Daylight lamps work best for natural light that ismore relaxing to the eyes because it simulates the light outdoors.

3. To avoid contamination, always put the lids on the containers when finished with the products. Use only lint-free wipes and towels. When working with gels, lint is the enemy! If you notice a piece of lint, remove it. If you leave it in the gel you will see it because of the clarity of the product.

4. If gel gets on the cuticle during product application be sure to wipe off before curing under the UV light. I usually take a quick glance at all of the 5 nails before instructing the client to go into the light. This way you can check for gel that has pooled or run into the cuticle, which will cause lifting.

5. When applying layers of gel, always apply over a surface that is completely roughed up (etched) or on the inhibition layer (sticky residue). As a rule of thumb, shine doesn't stick to shine. Once you've removed the inhibition layer, you must be sure to remove the shine from the entire nail if you need to add more gel.

Stilleto using Trilite and Options Color Gels

This set of stilleto nails were done by Serene Teh using Trilite, Options White, Gel Art Green and Irish Kiss.

Akzentz New Competition White & Cool Coverage Pink

Here is another beautiful set created by ICE, Gina Silvestro using the new Akzentz competition white gel, now available at Ecsalonce. Check it out !

Check out Akzentz new Competition White and Modelling Gel

GEL REBALANCE (NATURAL NAIL GEL OVERLAY) By Anna Lajourdie

This rebalance was done on nails that were 5 weeks old

1-2. Sanitize the hands, apply Cuticle Softener and push back the cuticles.

3. Shorten the nails and cut the new smile line (a little bit above the natural smile line)

4. Remove all the gel from the area where the new white gel will be applied. This step prevents any free edge separation and it insures that the free edge turns out thin and you won't file through the white later on.
The yellow that you see around the cuticle is a stain left after nail polish that the client applied between appointments. The stain is very superficial and it buffs of with ease.

5. Remove the shine from the rest of the nail. I choose to use e-file and medium sanding band for all my prep work. Proper use of electic file is safe. Because my application is thin, I don't have to remove lots of product, which allows me to work with e-file set on minimal speed (I use Erica MT20).

6. Apply primer (I choose to use primer pen MAP)

7-8 Nails ready for gel application. The blue you see under the nail is an ink stain, not a "greenie"

9. Apply thin layer of Bonding gel. Cure 2 min.

10-11. Apply Competition White gel. Pick up a medium ball, press it onto the nail lightly, then using press and pull technique move the gel up to the right ear of the smile (keep the gel slightly below the brush and in front of it). Pull the gel down lightly. Pick up more gel if you have to and start in the middle again and work your way up to the left ear of the smile. Pull it down. If the gel looks slightly uneven and it has little shadows it's normal. Once you apply the clear gel over it the gel will look even.

12. Wipe the smile line from the middle to the right. Wipe the brush. Then wipe again from the middle to the left.

13. Apply Modeling Gel making sure that there is enough gel through the sides of the nail (this way you will not have to build the stress area too much). Pull it gently over the white gel.

14. Wipe the sticky layer (Modeling gel cures without shine). File the perimeter for the nail making sure that the nail doesn't look wide and it tapers naturally.

15. Holding clients finger sideways (which gives you a better view) file nice gentle arch (using e-file and medium sanding band)

16. Starting at the side of the nail file the sides of the nail and the cuticle area

17. Blend all the surfaces together making sure that you are not making the nail flat. Using a white buffer even out the surface of the nails. Dust and wipe the nails with Prep. Apply Top Gloss. Wipe with Gel Cleaner and apply cuticle oil.

Oval looks cool

Oval shaped nail is back in trend, it's softer, elongate the fingers and very feminine. Definitely a hot favourite this summer.