What a great tip with the light line...your a great teacher, so informative and you speak so eloquently. Thank you for your videos.

I think this was the most detailed video around builder gels I've come across. Thank you! ❤

Using the small detail brush while building is ingenious! I’m gonna try that especially with hard gel

It's so helpful to see a "self" application!

Great tutorial!!! I absolutely love luminary system💕

Thank you sooooo helpful!! It was very detailed and easy to understand.

Super informative and well explained vid, Katie!

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Thank you for the video ,very helpful.

The most helpful video to me ♥️

Thinking about switching from acrylic to gel and this video was very helpful!

Thank you !❤️❤️

Best video hands down

Thank you so much for this…I have been doing it all wrong. Such a big help!

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad I could help! 💖

I am a beginner and this helped a lotm ty

Greatfull

Excellent tutorial video, Katie!!! Do you ever use an e file for finish filing?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I usually don’t, but some people like it better than hand filing!

Very informative 👏🏿 👌🏾. But, could you take it a lil further & do a video/tutorial on the differences between builder gel, polygel & acrygel (acri-gel) ? I find it a little confusing. Surely there must be technical reasons to use one over another. Keep up the great work. I'm loving your videos more & more. I'd really would love to see that chic studio of yours again. It's awesome.

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Polygel & acrygel are the same thing. It’s a very thick gel that you would push around into place, similar to an acrylic. It still needs to be cured just like a gel, but with a more similar consistency to acrylic. Companies just use different names for the same type of product. These would be strong like hard gel or acrylic and you could use to sculpt out long extensions. ☺️

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Here’s a video I made using polygel ☺️ kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z2psqpells_AkrA.html

@marielanders1218

2 жыл бұрын

Polygel and Acrygel use a slip solution or you could use isopropyl alcohol to move the product around. When it gets sticky you dip your brush in slip solution or the isopropyl alcohol.

@kathijohnson843

2 жыл бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra thanks for such a quick reply. You are one of the few that do. I really appreciate that. Be blessed & prosper.

@xxSydneyFox

2 жыл бұрын

Polygel is a bit easier to use for newbies because you don't have to be quick and you can manipulate it as much as you want. Acrylic is definitely the hardest to use. Builder and hard gel are pretty much the same as you use a brush to apply.

I’m late to the video. This was super informative!! Thank you!! I do my own gel-x nails currently. But, I’ve realized the Luminary system is for professionals only. And I know your professional advice would be to leave it to the professionals lol. But, can someone that isn’t a nail tech/pro use it themselves/DIY?

Hi ! I am new in your site and I would like to see how to chape short nails. This is my problem each time. Thank you ❤️

Hi there! First off- thank you for the courteous replies to all other comments so if you don't get back to me on this older video I completely understand!! Also, I love and appreciate your clap backs on a few! I do my own nails at home with mostly dip powder and gel and have just started dipping my toes into the waters of making press ons for personal use and some more elaborate things. What I'm trying and failing to understand is whether I should go with builder gel or hard gel to protect my nails long term because I do like to change them often. Even with peel base and stickers for press ons it takes a toll eventually as I'm sure you can attest better than I can! Anyways, I'm looking to implement just one system to do fills over time and I'm not grasping the concept well even though I do watch your excellent videos. My brain is stubbornly non comprehensive on this. Thanks!!

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Hey there ☺️ I personally don’t have much experience with press ons. If you did apply something under the press on you would want it to be thin, otherwise the tip isn’t really going to fit will. I would not build it up like I did in the video.

Awesome video, love your channel with all your tips and tricks they are so helpful! I recently came across a nail tech who wears gloves on their hands to protect from the UV rays because they change up their nails so much do you think this is necessary? If not, do you wear sunscreen?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, no I do not think it’s necessary and I do not wear gloves for curing or sunscreen. The nail lamps do not emit the same rays as a tanning bed. If it was dangerous I would not put myself or my family in harms way. ☺️

Great tutorial Katie 👌😊. With luminary can you cure for a few seconds to freeze the gel so you can do all 4 or 5 fingers then finish curing for the full amt of time instead of doing one at a time?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I find that Luminary needs a little bit longer to cure enough for it to not move anymore. At least 10-15 seconds. So I usually do one nail and then switch hands on my client and do one nail, working back and forth. ☺️

Is it possible to use a form and the cure with builder gel? I have trouble with a smooth surface.

I've seen so many people in my Maniology group talk about builder gel and I've thought about it, but unsure if my work would let me do it (I work in healthcare) as acrylic is not allowed, but shellac is. My nails have been peeling at the tips for the last 2 years since my last salon manicure (I think the tech over filed my nails at that visit as they have been breaking and peeling ever since then), and one of my doctors thinks I have psoriasis of the nails (which I just got diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis) so I'm also unsure if I can use it due to the psoriasis. This video is very informative!

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Well, at this point your nails would have been completely grown out since you had your last manicure, so I don’t think the peeling would be caused by that. ☺️ We grow a whole new nail about every 6 months. Glad the video was helpful!

thank you so much!! Do i have to use a gel base coat before applying the gel polish?

@NailsByKatieDutra

4 ай бұрын

Nope! Just the color and top coat 💖

I’m new to all of this and wondering, can you use regular polish after using the base and then a gel topcoat after that or do you have to use all gel for everything?

@lt5179

Жыл бұрын

Hey it’s a little late to reply to your comment but…. If you apply a gel top coat to a regular polish, you run the risk of bubbling and uneven curing. You can definitely use regular colour and top coat on top of gel built nails tho! Hope this helped 😊

Do you use alcohol to clean the brush? My builder came in a little pot. is a flat wider brush or thinner and long? What’s easier?

How do you do your left hand, I can’t find many videos that show how tips for the left hand. :)

I enjoyed this video you explained all of the steps well my only question is why is there such a large gap between your cuticle and the gel nail?

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

I use my color coat to tuck up to the cuticle, which keeps that area thin

Does your nail already have a natural apex? Gorgeous nails!

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

they do! 😃💗

Katie show how you edit your videos and how you record please 🙏

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I have a video all about that ☺️ kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZZalrat_ZKjgYJc.html

Great tutuorial!! Question, what grit do you use for the nail file that you buff the nail with?

@NailsByKatieDutra

10 ай бұрын

180 💓

@lindahamila

10 ай бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra Thank you 😊

So I am just a bit unclear-if you’re not a fast worker-would you do individual curing? I’ve been having problems with pooling. Or could I flash cure in between? (Honestly I don’t really understand flash curing so that could be a stupid question) Thanks!

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

It depends on the gel. I find luminary cures slower so I work back and forth fully curing one finger at a time. My hard gel cures very fast so it’s hard within 2-3 seconds, which means I only need to do a flash cure (a 3 sec cure) before moving on to the next nail.

Im going to use the light to check for uniformity of the builder gel. It's a great idea. Sucks that luminary is a professional brand only.

@katiebell8872

2 жыл бұрын

Hey, I was able to purchase from their site and I'm not a professional

Do you have a video comparing luminary and magpie? I'm on the fence of which system to o with

@NailsByKatieDutra

5 ай бұрын

I don’t, I haven’t used much of the magpie builders

Do you know how to do an American style versus an French nail with the gel?

Hello, quick question….. if I have fragile nails would this work to make them thicker kinda like acrylic to wear they won’t break. Take into account that I’m a nurse so I wash or germ x constant, or would I want to go with hard gel?

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

Yes you can use this to build the nails up thicker ☺️

Do you cure the first layer?

Is builder in a bottle soft gel? What’s the difference between soft gel, builder or rubber base?

Because I want to buy one

Hi Katie, would you recommend exclusively using the luminary primer, or would the YN protein bond be a viable option? Ty again for being so generous with your knowledge.

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

It matters what brand you’re using. Stick within the same line of products. Some brands don’t require a primer, some have their own. 💓

what hard gel do you recommend for long nails?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I use Akzentz ☺️ I have a lot of videos of me using it

Hello I just purchased builder gel. Is it supposed to be sticky even after it’s been cured?

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it’s called the Inhibition Layer

Can you purchase this without being licensed?

Thank you for such an informative video!! I also have a question….You said that you should use the same brand of LED/UV lamp as the gel system you’re using to do your mani with, otherwise you can have issues with the way your mani comes out. So, if that’s the case, are you saying people are going to have to buy a lamp each time they use a different brand of gel in order to achieve a good outcome? I mean people are going to end up with God knows how many different lamps. Please clarify if I misunderstood what you said. Thank you!!

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I would not say you “need” to do that, but it is recommended and you cannot guarantee a proper cure unless you’re using that same brand of lamp. When brands create their gels, they test them in their lamps to make sure the gel cured properly. I would say it’s most important for the builder/hard gel you’re using. I have many different gel polish brands and they all cure fine in my Akzentz lamp. But I use Akzentz as my hard gel, which is why I use their lamp.

@Ms2unique4u

2 жыл бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra I guess I feel like regardless of what lamp you use, you just need to make sure you cure your nails until they’re fully cured and if that means curing 2 or 3 times in your lamp, so be it….just as long as it’s done correctly. Thanks!

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Not necessarily. If the lamp does not emit the correct wavelength of light to properly cure the product, it will never cure no matter how many times you put it back in the lamp. Jim from Light Elegance had many videos discussing lamps and proper curing kzread.info/dash/bejne/rI6HmKmSqKTgm5c.html

Thanks for the video! I had bought many colors from luminary and the gel in all of them started separating. If I hear it up it goes back to a workable form, but just for a few seconds before it separates again. They are all ruined. I contacted Luminary and they told me the product has a shelf life of 1 year, after which it goes bad. Very disappointed. I never had that issue with LE gels, even the ones I bought years ago

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Yes Luminary has a 1 year shelf life, so I would not recommend purchasing or stocking up on a lot of them unless you know for sure they will get used within a year.

❤🤠👍👍👍👍👍

So, each nails you have to cure it one by one in order to avoid the builder gel to not lose it shape? Or you can apply the builder gel in all of your nails and cure it at the same time?

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

One by one ☺️

@aireragine

Жыл бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra omg that’s a lot of work but thank you so much for the info 💗

I really LOVE luminary 💖 but I'm from overseas and now the shipping sky rocketed 😫 so I might have to change 😢 cause I'll be running out soon ¿what builder in a bottle is similar to luminary?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

The Gel Bottle & Magpie are made in the UK ☺️

@peksita

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! But I'm in south America 🤭 I will check them out anyways ☺️ thank you

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I’m sorry! The Gel Bottle has a distributer in Puerto Rico if that helps ☺️ www.thegelbottle.pr

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Looks like you could also get Jimmy Gel from Light Elegance here: www.glamshop.cl

Is it necessary to top coat them if you're just doing an overlay, no color or art?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! They will not be shiny on their own

Where did you get that

I didn't know you could go straight to polish without filling gel. Don't you have to seal the cuticle area to prevent lifting? Great video. Thank you, Katie, I love gel in a bottle. I use Madam Glam. 😀💅

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Sealing the cuticle is using a bit to thin out the product near the cuticle, as thick product at the cuticle area can cause lifting. ☺️ if your product is already thin at the cuticle, that step is not needed.

@nancysworld4178

2 жыл бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra awesome! I thought you always had to file it and that's why sometimes I ended up over filling my cuticle area. Thanks for that Katie! 😀

@aysiaboyd3119

2 жыл бұрын

I think sealing the cuticle area is more widely known for when you apply acrylic.

Really good information, but how many fill-ins take to start a new full set?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I never do another full set ☺️ just fills

@Wendycom5

2 жыл бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra thank you 🙏🏼

Hi! So luminary is classified as hard gel & not soft gel? I’m a bit confused just started using it & I love it but confused by the fact that it’s soakable lol

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

I would classify it as a soft gel since it is soakable, or semi-hard because you can build and file it like a hard gel.

Thanks a lot but what I don't understand is do you heat it one after another or you build all the nails and heat all at once

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

You have to do one at a time. It’s too runny to wait and do all the nails at once, the gel will run off onto the finger.

Hi , I was wondering if you are familiar with Magicgel NailGuard system and could compare the two ?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I am not familiar with that one

@beatahp335

2 жыл бұрын

Np,thanks

I ordered a couple colors of Luminary gel but it was separated in the bottle and the pot. I mixed it a bunch of time but eventually the gel just separates again after like 5 minutes. I don’t understand why, and how I can mix it so it doesn’t separate again while I’m using it.

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

How old is it? It has a 1 year shelf life, and after a year it will do this. Otherwise I may have to give them a stir once in a while but not every time.

@franccesca-ft6xc

2 жыл бұрын

I feel like sometimes temperature plays with it!

What builder gel would you use for someone who wants to grow their nails really long ?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

You can use this type of gel to grow out your natural nails, if you’re wanting super long nails I’d suggest a hard gel or acrylic

@cry21hearts

2 жыл бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra thank you ! I have some client that want their nails really long but don’t want acrylic so I have been searching for a good hard gel do you have any hard gel favorites?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

I use Akzentz hard gel ☺️ I have lots of videos using it, here’s one of many kzread.info/dash/bejne/dXZrp7GMZqTAiqg.html

@cry21hearts

2 жыл бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra thank you !! I will check that brand out

How to avoid heat spikes while using luminary?

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Use a lamp that has a "low heat" setting or just take your hand in and out of the lamp :)

Nothing sticks on my nails, I prep prime dehydrate and follow all instructions. But although nails look great it peels off immediately like it’s not set and fully peels off .

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

If it’s peeling off immediately you may be using the wrong lamp. Otherwise there is something incorrect in your prep process. ❤️

What do you charge for this service?

Hi! Is Magpie beauty only for purchase for licensed nail techs? It says on their website certain products are not sold to the general public. Gel nail products? Or polishes? Was on the website. Do you have any insight? Or information about this. Thank you in advance!

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Yes their gel and acrylic products are only sold to licensed nail techs. Glitters and nail art products are available to anyone. ☺️

@LIBDesignsNails

2 жыл бұрын

@@NailsByKatieDutra Awww that sucks! :-( the colors looks amazing! Do you know any other brands that carry Hema free gel nail polishes?

@HappiSabi

2 жыл бұрын

@@LIBDesignsNails Madam Glam & Triple D both carry HEMA free sale to unlicensed builder in a bottle. For HEMA free potted builder gel, Venalisa is the most affordable alternative out there who don't require license ❤️❤️ Xx

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

These are brands that I like that are available to anyone: Koko & Claire Daily Charme (code KATIE10 for 10% off) Anything from Zillabeau! Use this link for $10 off bit.ly/3I2m4nl You may have to look through the brands and ingredients to double check that they are HEMA free, but all those are very good 👌🏻

@LIBDesignsNails

2 жыл бұрын

@@HappiSabi Thank you!

📣📣📣📣LUMINARY IF YOUR WATCHING...... Would love to try this BUT shipping is so high to the UK 🇬🇧 😅 PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can we get it here for a more affordable way 🙏 😊

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Yes I know many UK techs that would love to try Luminary!

Gel builder takes so long to cure, but polygel is fast.

@NailsByKatieDutra

Жыл бұрын

Mine starts curing within seconds… a full cure is 30-60 seconds depending on the brand

Isn't this more of a pot gel? I don't understand why they chose this type of a system if they're going for builder in a bottle.

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

You can apply it from the bottle if that’s what you prefer ☺️

You talk entirely too much..just do it ALREADY

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 ай бұрын

I’m here to teach! Thankfully you can click away if you don’t like it 😉 but thanks for the engagement and the comment though! ❤️🙌🏻

You don't need to build apex because you have short nails, and now your nails look like they're growing downwards, it's not nice!

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

Hi. First of all, nice to meet you, I’m Katie. A real human on the other side reading your comment. ☺️ Yes, you do need a small apex even on natural nails. My natural nails already have a slight apex and curve down naturally. However I filed them straight and smooth into a beautiful shape. Obviously I’m not the KZread channel for you. Have a nice day ☺️

@MissP7197

Жыл бұрын

I just wanted to say how beautiful your nails look with such a lovely apex. I’m shocked to see someone thinks it makes them look bad. My nana was blessed with the same shape as you and I have been trying to emulate for years. This video has helped immensely, thank you from a new sub Down Under, Amanda❤

thank you so much this video helped me a lot very clear and simple!🤍

@NailsByKatieDutra

2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!