What are the main benefits of using a primer?Īcid-free primer is great for those of you who struggle with any lifting, chipping or peeling with gel manicures. With acid primer, make sure it has fully evaporated before continuing with your gel manicure. It will then spread by its own across the nail plate. When applying an acid primer, put 1-2 small dots on the nail. If you’re infilling, make sure you only apply a primer to the natural nail plate. Acid-free primer won’t fully evaporate, and it’s okay to work on it if it’s still slightly wet. Apply acid-free primer with an almost dry brush to each nail and let it dry for around 40-60 seconds. It provides flawless adherence of the product to the natural nail plate, acting as a bonding element for the base coat which is then applied on top of it. It’s a stronger substance that etches the nail plate to help the gel polish stick to the nail.Ī primer is perfect for people who struggle with chips or lifting with their gel manicures. Acid primer works best for more problematic nail plates and those with hormonal problems. Acid-free primer is the most commonly used primer, with a gentle formula that helps greatly with adhesion. There are two types of primer: acid-free and acid primer. It also prevents the creation of any air bubbles for better adherence. Primers will remove any remaining oils and grease on the nail plate, which can otherwise lead to your base coat not adhering to the nail. What is a primer?Ī primer can be used at the very start of your gel nail manicure to prime the nail. When used properly, it can be the key to longer-lasting gel manicures for plenty of people. We’ve already gone through plenty of tips for preparing your nails properly for gel application, but one product that is becoming increasingly popular is primer. Without it, your nails can end up chipping after a few days or even peeling, meaning all that time spent creating your new nails could end in disaster! Proper preparation is key to your gel manicure success.