Step-by-step: Reinforcement with Rubber Base
BRIEF ABOUT RUBBER BASE
Rubber Base gives reinforcement to the natural nails. It can be used as a reinforcing base under Gel Polish color or used alone as a beautiful natural reinforcement. The consistency is relatively liquid and must be "flowed" on the nail at a fast pace. However, it comes in a bottle so application is pretty easy and simple.
You do not need to remove the Rubber Base. In practice, it can easily remain on the nails month after month. The nail is not alive and does not need air, as long as you ensure good nail care nail oil regularly. Rubber Base should instead be fulfilled approx. every 3 weeks to ensure that the structure of the nail remains in balance and the nails are healthy and strong. Learn more about top-up here .
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO REINFORCING WITH RUBBER BASE
1) Perform an effective prep
See the correct procedure in the step-by-step guide here .
2) Apply Hard Base Coat and cure for 60 seconds
Make sure that Base Coat "rubbed" well into the nail. This is done by pressing the tip of the brush into the nail plate with a pushing motion. It is important not to get too much product on the brush, as the nail should only be covered by a very thin layer. Remember to also seal the free edge. Read more about sealing the free edge on page 11 i The theory book , or on ours blog .
Note that there will be a sticky layer inside Base Coat after curing. Sticky layer is a very thin layer of uncured product, which must ensure that the next layer has something to stick to. Sticky layer is necessary and completely normal. It must not be removed.
INFO:
Hard Base Coat improves adhesion to the natural nail, which ultimately increases the durability of the product. However, it is possible to omit the Hard Base Coat under the Rubber Base to enable an even faster soak off removal, but be aware that this may affect durability.
3) Make a slip layer with Rubber Base
In order to ensure a natural distribution of the Rubber Base on the nail, a 'slip layer' must first be made, which acts as a kind of 'glide' for the next layer of Rubber Base. A 'slip layer' is created by brushing a thin layer of Rubber Base over the entire nail and beyond the free edge. It is important to ensure that your 'slip layer' is distributed evenly over the entire nail and does not touch the skin, as the next layer of Rubber Base will flow out to the areas where the 'slip layer' has been applied. Slip layer must not be hardened.
4) Reinforce the nail with Rubber Base and cure for 60 seconds
When the nail is strengthened, it is important for e.g. the durability, to be aware that you create a correct shape with apex and strength points. Read more about correct construction from page 13.
1. Pick up a small bead of Rubber Base on the brush.
2. Place the pearl in the middle of the nail a few millimeters from the cuticle. Gently press the bead down towards the cuticle area and around the entire edge of the cuticle. It is important not to touch the skin at any time.
3. Now pull the excess product away from the cuticle area and distribute it around the rest of the nail in a slow and sliding movement down towards the tip of the nail. Remember to also slide the product all the way out onto the tip of the nail.
4. Turn the nail upside down so that the product can pull down towards the center and form an apex - i.e. the nail's strength point. If the apex and the correct nail shape do not float into position by themselves, the shape can be helped into place with a brush. Read more about correct construction in the theory book from page 13.
5. To ensure that the shape that has just been built up does not slip into the cuticle, you can use the Flash Cure program (10 second glance) on the UV lamp.
6. When all five nails are built up, they must be thoroughly cured for 60 seconds in the UV lamp. As the Rubber Base hardens, some will experience a burning sensation in the nails. This is completely normal and is due to the molecules in the jelly contracting. In these cases, you can instead harden the nails in the UV lamp's Low Heat Mode (90 seconds), which gradually increases the effectiveness of the UV light and thus reduces the burning sensation.
5) Wipe off the sticky layer with Cleaner+
Wet a lint-free wipe with Cleaner+, and wipe the nail free of the sticky layer.
6) File the shape to perfect the build
To perfect the shape of the nail, and to create a smooth transition to the natural nail, the shape is filed. This can e.g. done with a 100/180 grit nail file and/or with an electric nail file. When using the electric nail file, e.g. use a sand roller with grit 100 to 180 or a bit with coarseness fine to extra fine. Finish by buffing the entire surface of the nail with a 100/180 grit buffer.
It is important not to file too much on the lower arch (the undersides of the nails) or the free edge (the tip of the nail). In this case, there is a risk of removing the seal during the transition from natural nail to product. Over-filing in these areas can cause lift and poor durability. It is also important not to file too far in, so that the natural nail is visible through the product. This will mean that the product's strength point is no longer robust, and the nail will therefore very likely lift or break over time (of course this does not apply if you are working with a transparent product).
7) Remove dust with a Flufffri Wipe and Cleaner+
Wet a Lint Free Wipe with Cleaner+ and wipe the nail free of dust.
If you want Gel Polish color on top of your Rubber Base, it must be applied before Top Coat.
8) Apply Top Coat and cure for 60 seconds
Top Coat applied according to the same method as Gel Polish color. It is "No Wipe", which means that it does not have a sticky layer (a thin sticky layer) after curing. It is therefore not necessary to clean with it Cleaner+ .
9) Finish with nail oil
Wash hands and apply nail oil . The oil must be applied both at the cuticle and under the nail. Read more about daily nail care on page 22 i The theory book , or read more on our blog .
