GEL SYSTEMS
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
We believe nail products are prescriptive. Just like skincare, it is unlikely that one product will bring out the best results for everyone. All nail types have different needs. Therefore we have a variety of base coats and nail systems to choose from. If necessary it is important to try various product options on clients to know what works best for them and their natural nail type.
A thorough client consultation should be completed to determine which base coat is most suitable for your client. The condition of the natural nail must be considered, as well as clients daily routine and lifestyle. Any previous nail irritations or allergies must be noted too.
A variety of our base coats are available in clear and cover shades. Clear gel products always have more strength than cover shades. Therefore we would always recommend using a thin clear base layer for any clients who are prone to lifting.
A thorough dry nail prep and scrub with PREP & DEHYDRATE must be completed before any base coat application. All free edges must be capped and cured for the correct duration in our lamp for best results.
GEL PRODUCTS
• ALL ABOUT THE BASE
• GET A GRIP
• RUBBER UP
• GIVE ME STRENGTH
• GIVE ME STRENGTH+
• BUILD IT
• BUILD ME UP
BASES & BUILDERS
ALL ABOUT THE BASE | GET A GRIP | RUBBER UP | BUILD IT | BUILD ME UP
Our thinnest base coat option is ALL ABOUT THE BASE. Due to its consistency it is a very easy soak off product, however it cannot be used alone to cover imperfections on the nail bed. AATB can be used alongside any other gel system (for example GIVE ME STRENGTH) to add strength and structure on nail beds that need it. We recommend using AATB for toes or on strong nails as a Gel Polish Service.
ALL ABOUT THE BASE is our original base gel, recommended for strong nail or toe nails. Apply AATB very thinly using scrubbing motions, cap free edges completely, and cure for 30 seconds only. AATB contains a very small safe % of HEMA. Easily soaks off within seven minutes.
ALL ABOUT THE BASE
• Small % of HEMA
• 30 second cure
• Very easy soak off
GET A GRIP
Rubber Base
• HEMA free • 60 second cure • Easy soak off
GET A GRIP is our latest base gel which is a rubber thicker formula than AATB. GAG helps to give extra protection to weak/brittle nails with excellent flexibility and is great for covering unevenness of natural nails.
Apply GAG in a thin layer, cap free edges completely and cure for 60 sec. Easily soak off within ten minutes. Available in a variety of shades.
BASES & BUILDERS
ALL ABOUT THE BASE | GET A GRIP | RUBBER UP | BUILD IT | BUILD ME UP
RUBBER UP
Base Coat
• Small % of HEMA • 60 second cure • Infill
RUBBER UP offers super adhesion and protection to weak/brittle nails with great flexibility. It is excellent for covering unevenness of natural nails and can be easily infilled. Apply in a thin layer, cap free edges completely and cure for 60 seconds. File to a thin layer and soak allowing up to fourteen minutes of soaking time, re-wrapping after the first seven minutes to remove.
BUILD IT
Builder Gel
• HEMA free • 60 second cure • Easy soak off
BUILD IT is a baseless builder gel which is available in a variety of shades. It can be applied in a single strengthening layer or in structured slip layers to create incredibly strong overlays and extensions.
BUILD IT has been designed to have an effortless self level formula. If the natural nails are weak and need extra adhesion use a base coat to suit your clients prescription.
BUILD ME UP
Builder Gel
• HEMA free • 60 second cure • Infill
BUILD ME UP is a baseless builder gel which is available in a variety of shades. Due to its strength, BMU can only be applied in structured slip layers to create strong overlays and extensions.
If applied too thin, BMU may lift/crack. File to a thin layer and soak allowing up to fourteen minutes of soaking time, re-wrapping after the first seven minutes to remove. Use alongside any of our base coats for extra adhesion.
STRUCTURE GEL
GIVE ME STRENGTH | GIVE ME STRENGTH PLUS
GIVE ME STRENGTH
Structure Gel
Our structure gel system, GIVE ME STRENGTH has been created to provide extra strength and support to natural nails. It can be applied after your chosen BASE COAT in a stand alone thin layer or doubled up in slip layers.
GMS can also be used to encapsulate nail art designs, or used as an extra layer of protection before top coat application. It should be applied in a floaty layer and cured for 60 seconds. GMS can also be used for mixing alongside any of our NAIL ART ranges e.g. to create a glitter fade.
GIVE ME STRENGTH
• HEMA free
• 60 second cure
• Easy soak off
• Structure gel
GIVE ME STRENGTH PLUS
Base & Structure Gel
GIVE ME STRENGTH PLUS has been designed to provide even MORE strength to support natural nails WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A BASE COAT. It can be applied in the same way as our standard formula, working in thin micro bead layers or single sheets on overlays or short extensions of up to 3mm. Simply apply your base coat of GMS+ in a thin even layer and cure, then apply as many layeres of GMS+ as required after. GMS+ can also be used as a base coat alongside all of our other gel nail systems.
GEL DESIGN
GEL COLOUR | GLITTER GEL | ARTYGEL
GEL COLOUR
• HEMA free • 60 second cure • Tacky cure
Our hypoallergenic GEL COLOURS are a highly pigmented, creamy formula. Our brushes have been specially designed in a curved shape to achieve a close cuticle application with ease by reducing pressure as you get close to the cuticle area. With over 300 gel colour shades to choose from we are all spoilt for choice!
GLITTER & CATS EYE GEL
• HEMA free • 60 second cure • Tacky cure
Our GLITTER GEL range has been designed to achieve the same results as our gel colour range but in glitter form. These gels have a beautiful self level to ensure a smooth finish and are full coverage in one coat. Simply apply a generous coat onto your completed chosen nail system and cure. Our CAT EYE range can be activated BEFORE using by using a magnet to manipulate the glitter in the gels.
ARTYgel
• HEMA free • 60 second cure • Dry Cure
Our ARTYgel colours have been formulated with a perfect consistency which does not run, it enables you to control easily and around the cuticle for a close on point application for full nail coverage and intricate artwork. This versatile range can be used for one stroke, chrome as well as traditional nail art designs. There is no inhibition (tacky) layer which means they will not bleed when top coated. They must be applied thinly and should be stirred well before application. Mix with dry cure top coat to customise application.
TOP COATS
LIKE A DIAMOND | TOP IT OFF | VELVET TOP
LIKE A DIAMOND
• HEMA free • 60 sec cure • Tacky cure
LAD is our HEMA free super glossy, high shine, thick viscosity top coat. Apply LAD in a generous layer, cap free edges completely and cure for 60 seconds. LAD has an inhibition (tacky) layer which needs 30 seconds to cool down before cleansing off the tacky layer using Magpie CLEANSER. Use a seperate wipe to cleanse each hand then finish with cuticle oil.
TOP IT OFF/CHROME IT
No wipe
• HEMA free • 60 sec cure • Dry Cure
TOP IT OFF is a high shine gel top coat available in clear and shimmers. Our ORIGINAL FORMULA (now renamed CHROME IT) is excellent to use with chrome systems and is the thinnest viscosity of our top coat range. Our NEW & IMPROVED formula is great as your final finishing manicure step. Apply in an even thin layer, capping free edges completely and cure for 60 seconds. This product has no inhibition layer therefore cannot be layered without filing the free edge and applying a base gel first.
VELVET TOP
Matte
• Contains HEMA • 60 sec cure • Dry Cure
VELVET TOP is a matte dry cure gel top coat. It is excellent for using alongside our PIGMENT and WATERCOLOUR ranges to create easy ombrés and designs. Apply in a generous layer, cap free edges completely and cure for 60 seconds. VELVET TOP contains a safe % of HEMA.
SATIN TOP
Chrome Resistant
• Contains HEMA • 60 sec cure • Dry Cure
SATIN TOP is a matte dry cure gel top coat which is resistant to chrome. It is excellent for using alongside our CHROME DUST ranges to create easy isolated chrome designs. Apply in a generous layer, cap free edges completely and cure for 60 seconds. SATIN TOP contains a safe % of HEMA.
BACK TO BASICS
NATURAL NAIL PREP | HAND PLACEMENT | PPE
PERFECT PREP IS VITAL to a long-lasting manicure, if there are any specs of dust, oil or dead skin left on the nail no matter how small, the product will start to lift.
You must always LEAVE A 1MM GAP around the cuticle and side walls free of product - if nails have any bleeding of product, this will make nails lift.
You need to lightly CAP THE FREE EDGE COMPLETELY on every gel application layer to prevent chipping.
Also pay attention to HAND PLACEMENT in the lamp making sure clients fingers are positioned correctly - ensure the thumb is pointing up towards lamp or cure separate if clients can't do this.
AVOID DIRECT SKIN CONTACT - this includes top/base gels, gel colours, primers and acrylic monomer/polymer, acrygel and hard gel. Repetitive contact with nail products may cause overexposure which can build up slowly over time, putting your own and your clients' health at risk.
As a nail technician, your exposure to products is much greater than your clients. You should wear NITRILE GLOVES to protect your hands and a DUST MASK to prevent inhalation of dusts.
MAGPIE UV LED LAMP should be used to ensure our products are fully and safely cured. Other branded lamps may cure our products, however we cannot guarantee any other lamps effectiveness with Magpie products.
NATURAL NAIL PREP
CUTICLE WORK | ETCH | PREP & DEHDRATE
The main thing that is ESSENTIAL to product longevity is dry natural nail prep. Ensure you REMOVE ALL NON-LIVING TISSUE from the cuticle area and nail plate prior to any product application.
High quality sharp tools must be used to ensure a perfect prep. We have a wide range of ROYAL TOOLS available to suit different nail prep requirements here.
Once full cuticle prep has been completed, lightly etch the nail plate with a fresh 240 grit ZEBRA FILE (not a buffer). Using a harsher grit than 180 will cause unnecessary damage to the nail plate.
Finally, use MAGPIE PREP & DEHYDRATE liquid prior to product application (not acetone or any other liquids). Thoroughly scrub the side walls and under the free edge with prep liquid too.
The Magpie system has been tested to work in perfect unison - you must be using the COMPLETE MAGPIE SYSTEM (liquids, lamp & gels) if you do not, this may lead to service breakdown.
OVERLAY APPLICATION
NATURAL NAIL PREP | GIVE ME STRENGTH | TOP COAT
After dry natural NAIL PREP has been completed apply your chosen BASE COAT to the natural nail, making sure to seal every free edge and cure for the correct time in your magpie lamp. Give Me Strength is not a baseless product so much best used alongside one of our other base coats.
Apply a thin layer of GMS but DO NOT CURE. This will act as your 'slip' layer to help the next layer to be manoeuvred around the surface. Place a larger bead of structure gel on to your nail in to the apex location. Use your brush to lightly move the product in to place, make it nice and neat around the cuticle without touching the skin and then feather the remaining product down towards the free edge.
Apply as many layers of GMS as the natural nail requires. Once cured use Magpie PREP & DEHYDRATE to remove the inhibition layer. Finish file then apply your ARTYgel french tip, ENCAPSULATE WITH GMS & TOP COAT.
FURTHER EDUCATION
LIVE ONLINE | CLASSROOM | PRE RECORDED
At Magpie we pride ourselves on offering the highest standards of education both in salon and online. We have a wide variety of ABT ACCREDITED Masterclasses, as well as live online and pre recorded workshops available to book with our talented Educators.
Our CONVERSIONS cover our fantastic Gel Colour, Structure Gel, Builder Gel, Acrygel, Acrylic, E-File & Full On Tips systems and are suitable for technicians who are already qualified.
All of our ABT accredited Masterclasses (Manigel, Gel Colour, Builder Gel, Perfect Poly Acrygel, Acrylic, Acrygel & Build It Overlays, E-File & Full On Tips) are suitable for anyone new to the system to attend LIVE ONLINE or IN CLASS.
We currently have a huge selection of trending nail art workshops, as well as business and social media sessions available to watch PRE RECORDED. You can find these listed under individual educators on the EDUCATION TAB of our website.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any of our Educators directly or email education@magpiebeauty.co.uk for any enquiries.
