Reddit mentions: The best nail thinkening solutions

Stuff like this is what you need: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ZOTQC0O/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1484528386&sr=8-3&keywords=uv+nail+polish+gel

That's about right for two 10ml bottles. I've yet to find it in bulk, but that would certainly bring the cost down further. Using coupons at places like ulta can get you some good deals also.

I guess it just depends on what you see as prohibitive. I take my time into account when I do these projects, and waiting literally an entire week for 2 coats of the xtc3d stuff to dry is more than worth the extra cost of the materials. Plus the hazard to my health and the need for a custom respirator.
As I said, I finished a faceplate for an iron man mask in an afternoon using nail polish gel and I used about 4 sets (8 bottles total, $45). It does go on really thin, so that helps, and there was no need for multiple or extra coats of polish since it finished so well. Compare that to a bottle of xtc3d which would probably coat about 20 faceplates, then yes it's much more expensive. I reckon it would be about $100 to finish a full helmet. But for me personally it's more than worth the extra cost because of the time I save and the peace of mind that I can do it safely indoors. Plus I then usually cast my stuff, so I only need to finish something well once.

At the end of the day it's completely up to you, I'm just trying to give you options and my experiences with the xtc3d stuff. Cheers!

I've been using this lamp (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0BCN9B) for almost a year now and absolutely love it.

For the polygel, I went with this one (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B9CBVZ) because it had excellent reviews and it was great to have everything I needed to do my nails, except slip solution and dehydrator. I used alcohol (100%) as slip and I had my own dehydrator.

I just bought this kit (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RY99LXY/) to try next as it was a bit cheaper and I wanted to see if it's easier to work with the slip solution or not (kit comes with everything).

Happy to answer any questions you may have if it helps you save some time and not make the mistakes I made as a first timer. I'm still happy as heck with the results and can't stop staring at my nails. Lol

These are all great tips!


Remember that cost does not necessarily equate to quality.

Coconut oil works wonders for my skin and hair! I put it on my face, in my hair, on my legs, my hands, lips, everything. It’s like $10 for a jar and lasts sooo long.

I do spend money on organic or all natural hand soaps, though. (Like Ms. Meyers.) A lot of stuff just dries me out like crazy.

As for a nail care kit... I bought a cheap UV light off of Amazon for $15, crystal nail file, and 6 different gel polishes in addition to the top and bottom coat. I had the polished shipped from China, so it was super super super cheap. Doing my nails makes me feel so beautiful and well put together. What a great suggestion!

For the people who wanted links:

UV LED nail dryer Mini Gel nail lamp Portable Curing light for Gel Nail Polish

These cuticle trimmers are utterly life altering. I’ve had mine since 2015:

Cuticle Trimmer Glass Nail File Set

But even better is this curved file literally changed my nail shaping woes for life. I’ve had mine since 2015:

Glass Nail File Manicure Set

Top Coat & Bottom Coat Gel

I’m still hunting for the nail polish brand I used. Hang tight.

Tips I learned:

• You’ll want tin foil to put under the lamp, as it reflects the light and helps the polish dry more evenly
  
• You need acetone to remove the sticky film off the top coat when things are all dry. Soaking in acetone is also what removes the gel. Don’t forget to get this, or you’ll be miserable.
  
• My nails usually last around 2+ weeks. Even with all my guitar playing (normally a nail killer, and why I got hooked on gel.)
  
  For tagging purposes, because a few people asked: /u/abimelech_ /u/beriutisback /u/ookai — sorry to tag y’all! It’s just too hard to respond to everyone!

The Seche Vite is just like the normal bottles of top coat that people get, but this set is the huge refill bottle along with the normal bottle. So you can refill it like 8 times theoretically, since the big bottle is 4 oz and the little one is .5 oz. I know people rave over this topcoat, and I certainly use quite a bit for my weekly manis :)

The Restore bottle is like thinner. You add a few drops to your Seche Vite or any polish that has become too thick over time. It literally restores your polishes back to their normal consistency if they got a bit dry or gloopy over time.

Not sure if it's still relevant, but if you can't find a matte topcoat at your store, this one is on Amazon and it's very cheap: http://www.amazon.com/Sally-Hansen-Treatment-Matte-41055/dp/B00HFTXXIU

I use it almost every time I do my nails and it's perfect. Dries super fast, goes on easily, and you generally only need one coat.

I have quite a few items on my wishlist that are green or have green. This Nail dotting kit comes with a green dotter,This baby bouncer/swing is green my four month old son would LOVE this [Its over a bit but a gc would be loved if possible], Mike from TMNT is green,Thanks for hosting a fun contest!

Color: China glaze “Fa-La-Ah-Ah-Ahh! ”

Extensions were done using the Markartt glitter extension gel nail starter kit on amazon, including the gel base, pink polygel, gel top coat, lamp, brush/ spatula, and file.


Here’s a link to the kit if anyone’s curious


I bought a 70% isopropyl pump top bottle from cvs for my slip solution.

I also picked up some files from sally beauty supply. The main two I used were a 100/180 grit and a 230/330 grit.

This is my off hand so I had a bit of a harder time shaping it, but I liked the way the light hit which is why I used this photo. Any tips on shaping/how to avoid the product from squishing out in the cuticle area would be much appreciated!

My current love is sally hanson big kwik dry. For me it does the same thing as seche vite, about half way through the bottle it gets gloopy because of the amount of air in the bottle(i think) , but the shrinkage seems less and the price is usually better so i just top up the bottle.
https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Hansen-Treatment-Fluid-Ounce/dp/B00P83QXNM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1SHUHLH75W7N2&keywords=big+quick+dry+top+coat+sally&qid=1550525771&s=gateway&sprefix=big+quick&sr=8-3

Makartt P-01 Poly Nail Gel Kit... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B9CBVZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share :)

And for the glittery flecks I used a holographic cellophane cut up into pieces!! (I wasn't able to find it on Amazon, but you might be able to find it on Wish

a little rough around the edges, but I still love the results! My dual forms got lost in the mail so I used regular tips instead. Also the glitter inlay on the thumbnail didn't work out, but I'm still learning!

Polygel: https://www.amazon.com/ECBASKET-Extension-Builder-Thickening-Enhancement/dp/B07QNL24NB/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=polygel&qid=1569335886&s=gateway&sr=8-17&th=1

Sorry about your seche. On Amazon, the restore is only $8. :)

I got this one! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QL4CVJ5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_eMGZDb6K6NQQF

I ended up removing them after about a week and a half because the cuticles looked real bad when they started to grow out but they held up super well with no breaking and I bet they would’ve lasted 2-3 weeks if I didn’t remove them

Because I'm happy! item

I've been going through a hard time and the amount of people who care enough to check up on me via different mediums is so touching. I'm so sorry you had such a bad day.

Yes they do!

http://www.amazon.com/Restore-002001-Seche-2-0oz-Treatments/dp/B000QUI920/ref=pd_bxgy_bt_img_b

Products used:
China Glaze Grape Pop
OPI One Heckla of a Color
Seche Vive Top Coat
Scale Nail Stencils
Zoya Julieanne
Sally Hansen Big Matte Top Coat
Cuticula Liquid Nail Tape

Products used:

Gershion Clear Poly Extension Nail Gel 60ML 2.02oz Nail Builder Enhancement Nail Thickening Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MXCQLX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MF6EDb5Z0SVJJ

Rose gold glitter from https://theglitterlife.shop

Woot! Vroom vroom!

87 cent nail art dotters plus 73 cents for shipping

I used a Gershion polygel kit!

Gershion Poly Nail Gel Kit 30ml, Extension Gel Trial Kit Nail Builder Gel Enhancement Extension Professional Nail Gel All-in One Nail Technician for Starter French Kit S-01 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KXHZCHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_57yFDbZX44WEB

Not a polish color, but the red bean polygel in this kit might be the color you're looking for.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MWXW8QM/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_i_bB6UDbR9ZB5FH

Babysitting now

The Disney channel is on

Fuck these awful shows.

item!