You do everything "correctly", but your nails lift after a few days?
You wonder why some clients keep their nails perfect for 4 weeks… and you don’t?
Breathe.
You are not alone — and most importantly: It's not your fault.
It's not a matter of talent — it's all about technique.
And today, I'm going to reveal to you the 7 most common mistakes, those things that almost no one explains… and that ruin your nail sets.
Nail prep… done incorrectly (even if you think you're doing it right)
It all starts before application.
If the nail is not prepared like a pro, even the best product in the world won't hold.
The most frequent mistakes:
– Overgrown cuticles
– Dust left on the nail plate
– Nail not properly dehydrated
– Natural nail too shiny
👉 Every dust particle can cause lifting.
Professional solution:
- Use a cuticle pusher and scissors
– Gently buff the nail
– Remove dust without touching the nail using an LPN Nails brush
– Apply a Dehydrator or Nail Prep
A base coat unsuitable for your nail type
Not all bases are created equal.
And most importantly: not all base coats are suitable for all types of nails.
Common mistakes:
– Soft nails → too rigid base
– Hard nails → overly flexible base
– Application on weak nails without an adhesion base
👉 Result: cracks, detachments, product lifting or popping off.
Professional solution:
– Soft/brittle nails → Use an adhesion base , then Rubber Base to absorb shocks
– Normal/standard nails → Base
The base is your foundation.
A bad foundation leads to lifting.
Curing: the invisible but crucial step
Too many product owners think that “as long as it shines, it’s good”.
But insufficient curing = gel that crumbles or breaks.
Common causes:
– Lamp too weak (under 45W)
– Aging light bulbs
– Curing time too short
👉 Even one second less can cause micro lifting..
Professional solution:
– Use a minimum 45W UV/LED lamp
– Cure according to each product instructions
– Position your hand in the center, and your thumb flat on the base of the lamp
A missing (or poorly structured) apex
The apex = the spine of your nail.
Without an apex → it breaks, it cracks, it lifts.
Typical errors:
– Gel too thin
– Flat structure
– Unevenly distributed gel
👉 Even gentle use can break a structure that's too thin.
Professional solution:
Construct a suitable apex and refine it after curing with structured filing.
Greasy residue… you can't even see
Hand cream before the appointment?
A little bit of makeup dust?
Sweat ?
👉 That's enough to cause lifting.
Professional solution:
– Clean with soap and water
– To degrease, use a Dehydrator or a Nail Prep
– Apply Primer (for stronger adhesion)
It's simple: No dehydration → no adhesion → no hold.
A poorly sealed top coat layer
If there is insufficient material or if it is not “capped”, the product will peel at the free edge.
Common mistakes:
– Top coat too thin or low quality
– Free edge not sealed
Professional solution:
– Always seal the free edge
– Add enough material
– Cure for a full 60 seconds
A good top coat, that's 40% of the result.
Over-filing after construction
You had a good structure… But over-filing weakened it.
Common mistakes:
– Filing too hard
– Heat the nail plate
– Breaking the apex without realizing it
– filing too close to the base
With a good cuticle pusher + a fine file or a polishing block, you refine the shape without weakening the structure.
Conclusion: if your nails don't last, it's not you.
That's NOT you.
It's your technique — and the products you use — that need adjusting.
With the right techniques and the right products, you can achieve 3–4 weeks of wear, even on difficult nails and even as a beginner!
