What is a primer? Primer is a special product that is used for manicure. It degreases and disinfects the surface of the nail, dries it. The product differs from the base in that it does not create a separate coating. It is usually used only in salon manicure conditions, at home they are limited to the base.
Primer is applied before the main coat
Is it necessary to apply a primer to your nails when doing a manicure? Is it possible to do without it?
It is a colorless liquid with a faint vinegar odor. During the manicure process, it performs several functions. Translated, this word means primer.
To prepare the nail plates for the application of gel polish, they are treated with a product to increase the adhesion of the artificial material and the nail plate. As a result, the service life of the varnish increases, and the nails do not peel under manicure. It's easy to get a beautiful manicure without much effort with Avon.
The primer also performs the following functions:
- disinfection;
- degreasing;
- drying.
It prepares the nail as much as possible for applying gel polish, thoroughly cleaning it from fat and dirt. It should be applied to the plate immediately after machining and dust removal. You will find the best recipes for mustard hair masks in this article.
Professional craftsmen use this tool in their work without fail.
The primer goes on sale in small dark glass bottles. Thanks to this, its safety is ensured and its performance qualities are not lost. Just like nail polish, it is equipped with a brush that is used to apply it.
How to apply gel polish without primer
Can I use gel polish without primer? The answer may sound different.
If natural nails have a thin and weak structure, they must be covered with a product. This will help achieve good adhesion between the material and the nail plate, and the manicure itself will last a little longer. Sometimes you can apply gel polish without treatment. Only by following all the rules and methods. Otherwise, you may end up with a poor-quality coating. And products from Golden Rose will help you save your family budget.
Problems with gel peeling and “blowing” can occur if a low quality primer is used, or if it has not been used at all. The product is used both for gel polish and acrylic coating. And mustard hair oil will help quickly restore damaged curls.
Before applying Bluesky and other brands of gel polish, nails must be degreased with liquid, otherwise the adhesion of the material to the nail plate will deteriorate.
What role does the base play?
The three main components used when performing a manicure are the base, the main pigment (usually in 2 layers), and the top. However, sometimes women who carry out the procedure on their own do not see the point in using the first stage before gel polish, which is why they neglect it, reducing the quality of the work.
Despite the fact that gel polish is a dense coating that hardens firmly when polymerized in an ultraviolet or LED lamp, it should only be distributed onto a previously prepared surface.
Preparation for shellac has several main functions:
- Leveling the nail bed, eliminating minor cosmetic defects of the nail;
- Increased adhesion of pigment to natural coating;
- Increasing the saturation of the applied shade, it becomes brighter;
- Preventing damage to the sensitive area during future removal of the work;
- Extends the time the effect lasts; due to the tight fit of the gel polish to the nail, it does not chip or cracks appear;
- Preventing the impact of aggressive external factors on the surface.
Also, if the colored base accidentally comes off the nail, the risk of pathogenic microflora, which can lead to a fungal infection, is reduced.
Applying the base usually takes up to 10 minutes, since you don’t need to level it yourself; it spontaneously spreads over the bed, but you extend the life of the manicure in its previous state. The effect of such preparation can lead to the fact that it will last for more than a month.
In addition, shellac is often of poor quality, which deteriorates the visual condition of the work. Proper application of the foundation will help make it neater and make the girl’s hand more well-groomed.
How to choose a good product that applies well and lasts a long time
This material is presented in several types. The composition and principle of influence are their main differences. There are three main ones:
- prep primer;
- acid-free;
- acid.
Each of them is used in certain procedures, taking into account the condition of the nails and determining which is better is not so difficult.
Pre-primer - how to use the base
This remedy is considered a “light” option. Bond is his second name. Flavors and other aggressive substances (dyes) are not included in the composition. The effect of the prep is soft and delicate, not reaching the deep layers of the nails. Their water balance is maintained at the required level. They will not become dry and brittle.
Pre-primer is rarely used for extensions, since it cannot provide the necessary adhesion of the artificial material to the nail plate.
It is applied as a base coat under stronger types of primers to create additional protection for weakened nails that are prone to brittleness. Prep can be used by people who sweat excessively, as peeling of the artificial turf may occur. Read how to properly prepare and apply a hot hair mask here.
Acid-free
It does not contain acids, which ensures the safety of the procedure. It can be used even on fragile nails. The primer degreases perfectly.
As a result, good adhesion of the gel polish to the plate is achieved. If you use an acid-free product in accordance with all points of the instructions, its effect is not inferior to acidic primers.
The skin, cuticle, and nail folds will not be damaged if a small amount of the product gets on them. But you still need to be careful when applying, as redness may occur with increased sensitivity. Acid-free primer is also used when applying pedicures.
Acid
Methacrylic acid is contained in this product ranging from 30% to 100%. The acid causes the nail to soften. The horny scales, when raised, provide reliable adhesion of the artificial covering to the treated surface. Read all about the benefits and harms of tar shampoo at this link.
Acid primer has its drawbacks. It's toxic. Methacrylic acid is highly active. When using, you must be extremely careful to avoid contact with the skin of your hands. Acid can cause redness of the skin area, severe burning, even chemical burns. His treatment is quite long.
This type of product can be applied to healthy, strong nail plates. It is better not to use it for thin and sensitive nails. He will ruin them completely. It is used for processing when carrying out acrylic extensions. An innovative foot cream – Deo Control – will quickly eliminate unpleasant foot odor.
When buying a product, you need to focus not only on the cost. An important factor is the extent to which the manufacturer is known and reliable. By purchasing a primer from an unknown company, you can seriously harm your nails.
Useful video comparing acid and acid-free primers
How do you dry acid-free primer?
Manicure products are dried in two lamps - ultraviolet and LED. Do I need to dry my acid-free primer in a lamp? To put it briefly and to the point - no, not at all. Most manufacturers claim that their acid-free primers do not require UV curing. And if you look thoroughly, then the negative answer is inherent in the essence of the product and its composition.
Acid-free primer is a more gentle, simple and budget option. It is somewhat inferior to acid in enhancing adhesive properties and is not suitable for acrylic extensions, but will be ideal for shellac and bio-varnish. It penetrates shallowly into the nail, so it is not particularly harmful.
Some nail coatings require UV curing. This is done in order to give the manicure durability. Ultraviolet rays provide additional bonding of the coating to the nail.
The composition of some coatings requires ultraviolet drying. This is due to their composition. For example, the same gel polish will not dry unless a lamp emitting ultraviolet light is used. Otherwise, it will not be possible to dry it even in direct sunlight. Are UV lamps safe to use? Still, for many, the very concept of “rays” does not evoke the best associations. However, specialized lamps for manicure are safe and do their job without risk to the coating or the human body.
The composition of acid-free primers usually does not require drying with such a lamp. Moreover, it can dry without being exposed to any rays at all.
How to use and apply the product correctly
The application process is quite simple and convenient. It can be done either in a specialized salon or independently. Even those who do not know how to apply nail polish themselves can perform this procedure.
First of all, the nail plates are prepared. The free edge, hangnails and cuticle are treated. In order for the artificial material to have better bonding, the top layer of the nail is sanded off with a buff. Use a special brush to remove dust. How to choose children's cosmetics for newborns is described in this article.
Then, the nail plates are thoroughly disinfected. The main thing is to prevent bacteria from getting under the gel polish. The next step is to apply an acid primer to your nails. In order not to cause irritation, step back a little from the cuticle, as well as from the pre-nail ridges, and treat the nail plates with it. The brush must be applied to the middle of the nail and applied in a thin, even layer.
If the primer gets on the skin of your hands, immediately wash them thoroughly. After completing the application process, the product must be dried in air or under a UV lamp.
You can determine the degree of drying by the shade of your nails. When applying an acidic product, they will turn white. The instructions for use contain a detailed description of its use.
What can replace the primer? Before applying gel polish, degreasing can be done with vinegar or acetone. But to lift the scales of the nail plate, only a primer is used. No other means can do this. So it’s better not to make a replacement. Read here which baby shampoos without sulfates and parabens you should prefer.
How can I replace nail primer?
If you forgot to buy a primer, don't panic. You can use several products that will perform its function. The most popular options are:
- Acetone, nail polish remover with or without acetone. The main thing is that the formula of the drug does not contain any oily or fatty components. Acetone will definitely dry the surface of the nails and get rid of excess skin secretions. It will also have a disinfecting effect on tissues, so that pathogenic organisms will not multiply under a layer of gel polish or shellac.
- Vinegar that you use in the cooking process. It can be a product of 6% or 9% concentration, but if you have a choice, it is better to give preference to the latter option. Vinegar also removes dirt and greasy film from the surface of the nail plates, and slightly dries the nails.
- Any product containing alcohol. It can be pure drinking alcohol, ethyl alcohol, vodka, cologne. The more degrees in the preparation, the better. But you should not use liquids with a large number of additional ingredients (dyes, flavors, sweeteners, etc.). This means that it is not advisable to use, for example, wine containing alcohol, a sweet low-alcohol drink, or tincture as a primer.
- Strong tea brew. Black tea, brewed very strongly, has disinfecting properties. But it is not able to rid the nail plates of excess moisture. Therefore, if you use a tea solution, dry your nails thoroughly with a hairdryer afterwards.
- Lemon juice that you squeezed yourself. You can also use half a lemon - cut the citrus fruit, lightly mash the pulp of one half with a fork, without disturbing the shape of the fruit, stick the fingers of one hand into the pulp for 5-7 minutes. An acidic environment will help disinfect the surface, dry and degrease the marigolds. In addition to lemon juice and pulp, you can use a strong solution of citric acid, which is sold in the form of granules in 10-15 gram bags.
- Boric acid at a concentration of 3%. This substance has disinfecting and drying properties.
- PVA glue. The main component of this substance is polyvinyl alcohol, so it can be tried as a degreaser and drying agent. After the adhesive film has dried, it must be removed.
- Another simple way to replace nail primer before applying a permanent decorative coating is to use laundry soap, or even tar soap if you have it on hand. This product helps destroy pathogenic microorganisms, effectively removes greasy film and dirt from nails, and slightly dries the surface.
If you run out of primer and you are forced to use improvised means, you can be sure that the result will not disappoint you. However, the adhesive properties of such preparations are not high, so instead of the standard 2-3 weeks, the manicure will last no longer than 8-10 days. Therefore, it is recommended to use primer “analogues” for applying durable decorative coatings, but not for nail extensions.
Can it be replaced with another product?
Replacement with acetone
Only a master during the procedure, after examining the condition of the nails, can correctly select the required type of primer. Ideal modeling and extension will depend on the correctness of its choice. And the appearance of your nails will attract attention for a long period of time. Do Giordani Gold Oriflame cosmetics really deserve the title of premium, find out in this material.
