Once your Base Coat has cured, apply a slip layer. This is a very thin layer of Liquid Builder Gel. It is important to cover the entire nail right to the edges without touching the skin around the nail or the cuticle at the base. Your slip layer should cover the whole nail because when you apply a thicker layer of product, it will stay within the area where you have placed your slip layer. This layer should not be cured yet.
With your uncured slip layer, pick up a small bead of Liquid Builder Gel from the bottle. Make sure there isn’t too much product on the brush. The amount of Builder Gel should be enough to cover the whole nail without overflowing onto your skin. Place the Liquid Builder Gel in the middle of the nail a few millimeters from the cuticle, leaving yourself space to work. Using the brush, slowly press the product toward the cuticle area and along the entire cuticle edge. It is important not to touch the skin at any point. With slow and steady movements, pull the product out to the tip of the nail. Remember to seal the free edge.
When doing a refill, it is also important to move your apex. As your nail grows out, the apex will also move, making the nail heavier toward the tip. That is why it must be shifted back so the apex matches your new nail length.
It is important to leave most of the gel around the middle of the nail so the apex has its height, while the product gradually fades toward the cuticle, sides, and free edge. The result should be an even, soft arch where the apex rises naturally as a gentle curve – not a sharp hump or a completely flat surface.
If you find it difficult with the regular brush in the Liquid Builder Gel, you can use a Liner Brush to shape the gel. When working with gel products, building a proper apex is crucial for both durability and appearance. The apex is the highest point of the nail and must be placed differently depending on the length of the extension. The longer the extension, the further back the apex should be placed. The function of the apex is to give the nail strength and resilience so it doesn’t break or lift when you extend your natural nails.
Once you are satisfied with the shape, cure your Liquid Builder Gel for 90–120 seconds in our UV/LED lamp.
Some people may feel a burning sensation in their nails. This is completely normal and happens because the molecules in the gel contract, releasing the heat you feel on your nails. If this happens, you can instead fully cure your nails using the UV/LED lamp’s Low Heat Mode (99 seconds), which gradually increases the intensity of the UV light and reduces the burning sensation. Low Heat Mode equals 60 seconds of regular curing, so it is important to cure the nails for an additional 30–60 seconds after using Low Heat Mode.
