How to apply Builder Gel?

​​Builder gel is the newest trend in nails and quickly taking over the previous nail technology such as acrylic, dipping (SNS) and polygel. 

What is builder gel?

​​Builder gel is a nail enhancement technology that is odourless, strong and can be used on natural nails for strength or can be used with tips or forms to create long nails. Builder is also known as soft gel because it is 100% soak off. 

​​Builder gel can come in a jar or can come in a bottle which is also called brush on builder gel or builder gel in a bottle. 

​​A builder gel, like Mitty brush on builder gel, is a completely different system to gel polish with different formula. With builder gel you can add strength to natural nails or build nail extensions or overlays. You can't do this with gel polish. However similar to gel polish, builder gel is 100% soak off in pure acetone.

 

What is builder gel used for?

​​Builder gel is used for in two ways. You can use it on natural nails or build nail extension using builder gel.

​​On Natural nails:

​​Weak nails to give them strengths

​​Nails that have ridges in them to fill in the ridges

​​As a base coat to help manicure last longer 

​​To create nail extension:

​​To create nail extension with forms or nail tips

​​To re-fill or overlay previously applied nail extensions

Why use builder gel?

​​This is a really valid question. It is important to understand the advantages of builder gel vs other older nail technology. 

Quick application and removal

​​A good quality builder gel like Mitty brush on builder gel is designed so that it keeps it shape which means it reduces the application time. Plus it needs minimal filing. This means you will have a fabulous nails a lot faster than other applications.

​​Builder gel is also 100% soak off in pure acetone very similar to how you would remove gel polish. 

Feels like your own nails with polish on

​​Builder gel formula, when compared to acrylic and dipping (SNS) has a lighter more flexible feel on the nail and feels no heavier than a gel polish manicure.

Stronger

​​Builder gel is designed to be super strong. It can be used to create an extension over a nail tip or you can use nail form and to add strength to the natural nail. You can also use on natural nails without nail tips. 

​​It can also be used instead of regular gel polish base coat to create a long-wearing, durable and strong foundation base if you experience nail breaks or you are looking to grow your natural nails.

​​Thanks to its strong and durable formulation 

​​Mitty Brush on Builder gel can be applied thinner than conventional builder gels giving the nail a sleek profile and look.

And more:

​​Less damaging to nail due to limited filing required and being able to soak off

​​No strong fumes

​​Less filing

​​Better adhesion

​​Can be done at home or salon

​​Can be used on natural nail, tips or forms. No limitation.

What products do you need to apply builder gel

​​You use builder gel and to avoid your nails from lifting and peeling off, you need a few stable products such as:

​​Nail tips

​​pH Bonder

​​Gel Primer

​​Brush on Builder Gel

​​180/180 grit nail file

​​UV/LED nail lamp

​​At Mitty, we have a starter kit to help you get all the key products that you need.

 

How long does builder gel last?

​​If applied correctly and depending on your life style, they can last up to 3-5 weeks. There are some scenarios were they may last less which they can be:

​​Improper application

​​Damaged nails

​​Constant contact with water

​​Oily nails

​​Picture below shows a builder gel manicure that was done 4 weeks ago. There is no lifting or peeling, the nails have just grown out and need to be refilled.

How to apply builder gel on natural nails?

​​1. Clean your hands using sanitizing spray or gel. Manicure your nails by gently pushing back your cuticles.

​​2.  File the surface of your nails with a 180/180 nail file. Clean and dehydrate the nail plate using an alcohol wipe.

​​3. Use Mitty PH Bonder to the nail plate. Only apply it to the natural nail. Use sparingly and don’t touch the skin with it.

​​4.  Apply Mitty Gel Primer to the nail.

​​5. Brush on a thin layer of the Mitty Builder Gel and cure or 60 seconds in Mitty 54W LED nail lamp. Do not wipe this layer.

​​6. Apply a thicker layer and spread it with the brush side to side. Make sure you stay away from your cuticles.  It is best to aim for a level layer specially in your free edge (part of your nails that extends passed your cuticles). You can turn your finger upside down to help the builder gel move to create a natural curve on the top of your nails. 

​​Tip: It is a great idea to flash cure each finger for 10 second with a small LED lamp like Mitty 6W mini LED lamp. This way the builder gel will stay in place whilst you are working on other fingers.

​​Once all 5 fingers are done, cure your hand for 60 second. 

​​7. Assess the shape and thickness of your nails. You can add a third layer if you like to have thicker nails or if you see uneven areas. Remember to not wipe the nail between layers.

​​8.  If you are ready to shape the nail you can now clean the tacky layer with alcohol.

​​9. Refine and buff your nails into shape using a 180 grit nail file. We want to reduce any excess product around your cuticle area and the free edge to create an even natural looking nails. 

​​10. Once filed and you are happy with the shape remove the dust filings with a nail brush and apply your top coat.

How to create nail extension using builder gel?

​​There are two methods to create nail extensions using builder gel.

​​The traditional method is using half cover tips. In this method, the steps are very similar to applying builder gel on natural nails. The only different is that after you have clean and dehydrated your nails (step 2 above), you apply the half cover tip on using a good quality nail glue and then you will add pH bonder and gel primer and continue.

 

​​Here is a video showing you how to apply create long nails using half cover tip and builder gel:

But there is a better way:

​​The nail technology has come a long way and there is a much faster and easier way to create nail extensions using builder gel and full cover nail tips. 

​​This method, uses already shaped nail tips that cover your whole nails therefore there is no shaping of nail required.Period! The plus is that this nail extension is just as strong and lasts just as long as other methods. 

How to create nail extension using full cover tip:

​​Buff the surface of your nails with a high grit nail file like Mitty 180/180 nail file. Buff in one direction and remember, you are trying to rough up your nail surface, not make them smooth. Dust your nails & clean with alcohol. Remember we don't want any nail dust causing lifting.

​​Push your cuticles back and remove any excess cuticle. You can use an e-file if you have been trained otherwise a cuticle remover would be just fine.

​​​​Now we need to make sure we use the right nail tips that fits perfectly. If the nail tips is too big or too small, it may not stay long on your nails. A perfectly sized nail tip is the one that sits comfortably on your nails and it doesn't go over your cuticles nor does it have a gap showing your own nail.​​ If you can't find a nail tip that is the perfect size, find a nail tip that ​​is slightly bigger. File the side of the nail tip to fit your nail. This step is very important. Make sure there are no gaps on the sides of your nail and nail tip. Also make sure the nail tip is not sitting on your cuticle. It should feel very comfortable, like your own nails.

​​With either normal file or electric file, gently file inside of the nail tip. This will help in making sure the nail tip will adhere to your nail. Remove any dust and add Mitty Gel Primer inside of the nail tip to help with adherence. ​​Note: if you are using e-file, we suggest to you the 180 grit sanding band for this.

​​Gently file the top edges of the nail tips so that the nail tip is thin and will sit on the nails creating a natural smooth finish.

​​Your nails have natural oils. These Oil stop the builder gel and nail tips from adhering to your nails and causes lifting. It’s important to ensure the nail surface is clean. C​​lean the nail surface ​​with alcohol. Then apply Mitty pH Bonder, let it dry followed by Mitty Gel Primer. Let dry. pH Bonder and Primer prepare your nail surface and make it sticky so that the nail tips will adhere to your nails. 

​​Apply a thin layer of Brush on Builder Gel & cure ​​for 60 seconds in a strong LED lamp like Mitty 54W LED lamp.

​​Now apply Brush on Builder Gel inside the nail tip. Don't cure. Push down the nail tip into your nail starting from the cuticles and moving towards the end of your nail slowly allowing the builder gel to fill in the gap between your nail and nail tip. Make sure there are no bubbles. If you get bubbles, start again.

​​When happy, keep the nail tip in place with your fingers and use a portable LED lamp like Mitty 6W mini LED lamp to cure for 20-30 seconds. This step is called flash curing. It allows the nail tip to sit on your nail temporarily so you can move your nails under a bigger LED lamp. If you don't do this step, the nail tip will lift off or pop off before you put your hand under LED lamp. 

​​Once all your fingers on one hand is done, cure your hand for 60-180 seconds.

​​If you would like to add Gel Polish or nail art, buff the surface of the nail and remove any excess nail dust. 

​​Apply two thin layers of gel polish and cure each layer for 60 seconds for 60 seconds. Now apply your top coat and cure for 60 seconds

​​Watch video below showing how to create nail extension using full cover nail tips.

​​The full cover nail tips come in different shapes and length therefore reducing the time even further.

How to remove builder gel?

​​As discussed, a gel nail extension is 100% soak off in pure acetone. However there are a few steps to do so that you can easily remove them.

1. ​​File as much of the nail extension as you can using a low grit nail file like Mitty 100/100 grit nail file. This step can be much easier if an e-drill (e-file) like Mitty portable nail drill and using Smooth Top Barrel-Medium nail drill bit if you are trained on how to use an e-drill.
   
   

​​Now we need to soak the nails with pure acetone. Cut a cotton pad into 4 peices. Now place acetone on the pad, slip the pad inside your Mitty Polish off Soakies and slide the soakie onto your finger.  If you don't have Mitty Polish off Soakies, you can use aluminium foil however aluminium foil is harder to use and it's not environmentally friendly.

​​Wait 10-15 minutes and remove the Soakies. Use a cuticle pusher to remove softened gel. If all products are not removed, repeat step 1-3 until all gel products are removed. 

​​Once all gel products are removed, buff the surface of your nails and apply a good quality cuticle oil like Mitty 100% certified Australian organic Cuticle Juice. 

​​Watch video below showing how to remove nail extensions.

Where to buy builder gel remover kit?

​​You can purchase builder gel remover kit from our website directly. 

 

 

​​Interested in learning more​​? ​​check out our nail courses and nail trainings. We offer both online and face to face training. (Australia only). Click ​​HERE ​​to find out more