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In our last blog post, we discussed growing your nails longer, and at the end of it: it all comes down to one thing: avoiding damage. At NEST, we always do our very best to search far and wide for the best products to give our guests what they need, especially when it comes to nail health. We have recently revamped one of our services—the NEST Nail Wellness Manicure—by adding one of the best products in the market right now: IBX.

What is IBX?

IBX is a 2-step nail repairing and strengthening treatment that improves the integrity of the nail plate through any kind of nail service—natural or enhancement. It contains monomers and polymers which bond together with heat to act as “double sided tape” to reattach any separated/delaminated layers of your nail. More than that, it can also fill in grooves and add a protective layer over the nail as it grows out.

What makes it different?

Instead of just sitting on top of your nail to provide protection like other repair gels or treatments, IBX penetrates the nail plate under several layers to reinforce the different layers of the nail. In the words of Australian chemist Dr. Michelle Wong, “it is like pouring concrete into a cup of [loose] pebbles and letting it solidify.”

If I get IBX, can I still get enhancements?

IBX is designed to be used for natural nails or under gel polish, but it can be used under any sort of enhancement either with a full set or a fill. We have an add-on available on the menu for use under enhancements like acrylic, hard/soft gel, polygel, or dip powder.

Trying out our NEST Nail Wellness Manicure with IBX treatment or getting the IBX treatment underneath your nail enhancement is probably the best thing you can do for your nails. What are you waiting for? Your nails will thank you later!

So you want beautiful structured nails but there are so many options to choose from that you’re lost. Or maybe your friend will never go without acrylics but they never last long enough on you, while your mom might swear up and down that dip powder is better than anything she has ever tried but it makes you itch. We think everyone who likes getting their nails done has been there! Many people assume that all nails are the same, but this is not the case. Nails are as individual to a person as skin and hair, and you shouldn’t be afraid of trying different types of enhancements to see the one that fits you and your situation best! In order to help our guests make a better decision on their enhancements, we’ve created this guide to help decide what enhancement is best for you.

HARD GEL

Also called builder gel, hard gel is like gel polish, but it is much harder as the name suggests. It will be much sturdier than having gel polish alone on your natural nail. Hard gel is liquid until it goes under an LED light, and the gel gets slightly hot for a second or two as it cures to a solid. (Some people actually call it hot gel!) We usually recommend hard gel for those who are looking to keep a more permanent enhancement since they are not able to be soaked off in acetone. You can opt to extend your nails with hard gel using tips or you can have them sculpted, but they are also perfect for adding strength to your natural nail if you want to keep them short. Without extensions, the service is called a hard gel overlay. It is great for those wanting to grow out their damaged nails or those who have very thin, brittle nails and just want to grow them out. You can choose to put regular polish or gel polish on top of this enhancement if you’d like, or you can also opt for a natural pink hard gel.

ACRYLIC

Acrylic is a system that uses a combination of monomer (liquid) and polymer (powder) to create a runny dough that will become the structure of your nail enhancement. Just like hard gel, this can be used to extend your nails with tips or sculpture; it can also be used as an overlay on top of the natural nail to keep nails from breaking as they grow out. The benefit of acrylic is that it is able to be soaked off with acetone when you decide you no longer want to keep your nail enhancement, and it doesn’t have to go under an LED lamp that may cause your nails to feel hot while it cures. People are sometimes apprehensive about acrylics because traditional acrylic uses acid primer that is meant to create holes in your nail plate for the acrylic to adhere to, and there is always a fear of salons using Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) monomer in their acrylics. This will never be something to worry about at NEST, as we only use non-acid primer and Ethyl Methacrylate (EMA) monomer. You can choose to get clear acrylic and apply a colored polish on top, or you can pick from our selection of colored acrylic powders!

Learn more about the difference between EMA and MMA on our blog post: EMA vs. MMA: Is your full set actually bad for you? 

DIP POWDER

Dip powder is a system that, similar to acrylic, uses a polymer, but it is applied onto the nail over a glue-like resin. We recommend dip powder to those who feel like gel polish always lifts on them. Sometimes, dip might be an option that goes better with the chemistry of their nail. With dip powder, it is the product itself that contains the color and also builds the structure of the nail. It does not require a gel top coat, and the dip powder top coat dries in just a few minutes. You will also have the option of extending the nail with dip powder as well, but tips are the option we suggest going with. Although dip nails can be sculpted, it is not usually recommended. At NEST, we have a wide selection of dipping powders, from glitter to cream colors, as well as vitamin-infused dipping powders as well. Just like the regular gel polish, this type of nail enhancement needs to be soaked off before every application.

GEL-X

Nail biters, this one is for you! Gel-X is a system that was invented by Apres Nail, and it is a soft gel nail extension that was created as an alternative to acrylic or hard gel. It uses a soft gel base polish to adhere a fully-formed nail tip onto one’s natural nail. This gel base and nail tip are cured together under an LED light, and these nail tips are already perfectly formed to the shape and length you prefer. These extensions are perfect for those who have bitten their nails so far down the nail bed that there is no longer a free edge to their nails, as it doesn’t require the edge for a sculpting form to fit under. We recommend Gel-X for those who want extra long nails, since the gel used is more of a rubbery texture and will be more forgiving on rougher wear as compared to hard gels and acrylics which may hurt due to the hardness once it is accidentally bent at a longer length. These nails cannot be filled and will need to be soaked off with acetone before every application, giving you the option to stick with your natural nails whenever you choose to do so.

EXPRESS SET

The NEST Express Set is what we suggest to our guests who are looking for a temporary set for just a day or two and do not want to keep maintaining hard gels, acrylics, Gel-X, or dip powders. With the Express Set, we prep your nails like we would for any other nail enhancement and then we apply full-form nails onto your nail with our professional-standard nail glue. We have many different shapes to choose from, and these nails are only meant to last between 2 to 8 days. Those who usually go for this type of enhancement are doing it for an event like a graduation, a wedding, or a party. You have the option to get your set topped off with gel polish and it

can be soaked off as easily as dipping powder or acrylic.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DAMAGE?

According to experts, no single nail enhancement product is damaging to the nails. The damage done to a person’s nails is in the aggressive and careless removal of any enhancement. Careful, healthy, non-damaging removal takes time and should not be rushed in any way. Although a swift removal either by quickly drilling off all the product or prying off acrylic with a nail tip may make a nail technician’s job easier, it does a lot of damage. A gentle nail removal will maintain the integrity of the nail plate and keep your nails healthy, so always go to a salon that will take precautions to make sure your enhancements are removed. You can trust that our technicians at NEST will always prioritize the health of your nails and will never put you at risk. Your wellness has always been and will always be our priority. So go on, experiment with your enhancements and find the one that fits you best!

When people find out that there is an alternative to waxing, they are usually very excited about the prospect of saving themself pain! People prefer sugaring over waxing for a lot of different reasons. In this article, we’re looking at sugaring vs waxing and the benefits of sugaring, which we think is far better for a lot of different reasons!

What is Sugaring?

Sugaring is a natural option for hair removal. It is the process of applying lemon, water and sugar onto the skin where you wish to remove the hair. It has no additives and you don’t have to use cloth strips.

Sugaring works in a similar way to waxing as it pulls out hair from the root, but this happens in a gentler way that the vast majority of people find less painful and prefer sugaring vs waxing for the fact that the process doesn’t hurt as much.

What is waxing?

Waxing is the process of applying hot wax to the skin and then using strips such as cloth strips to pull out the hair that has stuck to this wax. It can cause irritation on the skin and the wax applied is very hot.

Waxing is notoriously painful. People dread having their waxing treatments and there is definitely room in the market for a less painful alternative.

Sugaring vs Waxing

Sugaring is different for a variety of reasons and we’ve discussed the reasons why people are moving towards sugaring hair removal treatments instead of waxing below. This will help you to decide which treatment is best for you and whether you can finally give up waxing.

Sugaring is less painful

It’s important to say that sugaring will never be totally pain-free. Hair is still being removed by being pulled from the root. However, it is significantly less painful than waxing. The sugaring solution is warm, but not hot. Hot wax being applied can cause pain.

Sugaring is also said to help a lot more with the effects once the hair has been pulled out. It is more soothing and has cleaning properties that can help the hair follicles once the hair itself has been removed.

Sugaring is more natural & eco-friendy

Sugaring is made out of simple ingredients. Lemon, sugar and warm water are all most treatments need. Some of them do add other things such as aloe vera in order to help with soothing after the pain, but generally, the ingredients are all natural.

On the contrary, wax can be made out of all sorts of materials which are chemically produced and not necessarily friendly to the environment.

Sugaring is just as effective as waxing if not more effective

Unless you have extremely coarse hair in the area, there’s no reason sugaring can’t be effective. In fact, a lot of people find it more effective than waxing. The sugar solution sticks more to the hair and less to the skin and is thorough in pulling out fine hairs.

Both treatments pull hair from the root and you don’t have to worry about anything being left behind, which is an issue when shaving, for instance. Effectiveness is something that is not in any doubt when you are using sugaring treatments.

Sugaring is better for sensitive skin

The fact that it is made out of natural materials and the sugaring solution has cleansing properties makes it more suitable for use on the skin. Chemicals can be an irritant to the skin, and some of these chemicals can be found in waxes that are used on the skin in salons. This means that sugaring is far better for sensitive skin.

Also, as sugaring clings to the hair rather than to the skin itself (waxing clings to the skin far more) it is less likely to have an impact on the skin. Instead, it impacts the hair itself.

If you often come away from waxing treatments and end up with annoying issues such as rashes or breakouts afterward, you should consider sugaring as an alternative. It certainly hurts a lot less and can be so much better for your skin in the long term. There are plenty of reasons more and more people are switching to sugaring.

Gel manicures have become an integral part of many women’s beauty routines; the chip-resistant, shiny finish can elevate your look from scruffy to sophisticated in a matter of minutes and lasts for weeks. However, in the past few years, there has been much discussion over the safety of the lamps used during gel manicures, with some scary anecdotes and plenty of misinformation flying around. In this post, we’re going to set the record straight about LED nail dryers and the risks associated with using them.

What are LED nail dryers?

If you have ever been to a nail salon and chosen a gel manicure, you will have seen an LED (light-emitting diode) or a UV (ultraviolet) nail dryer in action. After having your nails painted, instead of air-drying them, which is time-consuming and risks smudging your fresh polish, you hold your hands under an LED light for around 45 seconds to a minute. The light quickly ‘cures’ or hardens the nail polish, and this is what makes gel manicures so long-lasting and chip-free.

How do LED nail dryers work?

Let’s clear up the difference between UV and LED lamps—LED lamps actually emit more UV than UV lamps (confusing, we know!) Because of this, they work more quickly to cure the nail polish, meaning that your hands are under the lamp for a much shorter time. The LED light works by emitting wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation that hit molecules called photoinitiators in the gel polish. These molecules absorb the light, thus hardening the polish.

Are LED nail dryers safe?

The term ‘UVA’, tends to strike fear into us, and for good reason. We know for a fact that UVA damages our skin–causing premature aging, sun spots, and wrinkles–and that it increases the risk of skin cancer, which is why we are told to pile on factor 50 sunscreen, wear hats, and sit in the shade during the hottest part of the day.
We are also told to avoid tanning booths because of the UV light they use. However, unlike tanning booths, which emit a large amount of UVA over a sizable amount of skin, nail lamps contain only trace amounts of UV light, and the duration and frequency of the light exposure are so brief that it is very unlikely to cause issues.

There has been a lot of fear-mongering, both online and in magazines, about nail dryers leading to skin cancer, which has understandably led some women to stop having gel manicures altogether. However, there is no real evidence to support this, and most experts in the field officially state that LED nail lamps are quite safe. LED nail dryers are even regulated by the FDA who, when studying the lamps, stated that ‘36 minutes of daily exposure…was below the occupational exposure limits for UV radiation’. When you consider that your hands are usually under the dryer for less than a minute, any harm seems even less probable!
One thing to be aware of is that the risk seems to increase depending on how often and over how long a period you get your gel manicures; if you are a gel devotee and go every two weeks for years, there might be an accumulative effect.

Protection

Although there is probably nothing to worry about when using LED lamps, the tops of hands are a very sensitive and delicate area, and there are actually ways you can protect yourself during your manicure if you still feel worried about the UV light; prevention is better than cure, after all. You can either apply some broad-spectrum sunscreen on the back of your hands before you step into the salon or wear some fingerless gloves to cover the majority of your hands. You can even find gloves that have titanium dioxide, a component of sunscreen, woven into them!

The bottom line is that you don’t need to skip your gel manicure because you are worried about skin cancer. The UV exposure in LED nail dryers is minuscule and is very unlikely to cause issues. As long as you are educated about the risks and take precautions, you can carry on making your pincers pretty for years to come.