Hello ladies,
I wanted to share with you information about my favorite nail glue and its benefits. Brush on glue is useful for patching a broken nail, applying fashion or basic glue on nails, helping to seal peeling nails and for adding nail art embellishments.
I prefer 5 Second Brush-On Nail Glue from ibd. There is also a drug store version of 5 Second Nail Glue with a green label. They are both produced by American International Industries, the same company that offers China Glaze and Seche products. Both the drugstore brand, simply called 5 Second Brush-On Nail Glue, and the salon version labeled ibd yield similar results. I find the ibd brand dries slightly faster.
While there are different formulas available, I much prefer using the brush-on to the tube or traditional nozzle dispensing varieties. I enjoy the better control in application. I can use the brush to direct the flow of product. The action is very similar to painting your nails.
I utilize ibd Brush-On Nail Glue for repairing breaks and tears. I use it to adhere a piece of teabag to seal and cover the split line. My nails are hard to the touch and for some reason professional style patches crack within a day, sometimes within hours. Perhaps with all the tea that I drink, my body recognizes tea bag material as a useful ally. If you use glue for repairs and patches, be sure to remove your polish with a non-acetone remover, such as Zoya Remove +. Acetone will break down the glue and either weaken or destroy the patch. In the future, I will be doing a full tutorial on repairing breaks with a tea bag patch.
If you decide to try any decorative false nails or basic glue on nails, I highly recommend tossing the adhesive included and working with ibd Brush-On Nail Glue instead. The most important step is to begin with throughly dry and prepped nails. Nails can absorb 20 to 25 % of their weight in water. Nails expand when wet and contract as they dry. It takes up to a couple hours for thoroughly wet nails to become completely dry.
When instructions mention applying product to clean nails, it does not mean washing your hands. The contraction of the natural nail as it dries will cause the artificial nail to lift. To prep your nails, rub a cotton pad soaked with remover over dry nails to remove oils from contact with skin and hair. This is to be done immediately before brushing the glue over the nail bed. The glue is applied like polish and the false nail is pressed down evenly over the glue, making certain to smooth out any bubbles.
To help with peeling, start with dry nails and add a drop a cuticle oil or vegetable oil over the problem area. Use a buffer to remove the loose pieces and smooth out the top of the nail. Use a back and forth motion horizontally across the nail bed. Please be gentle with your nails and be careful not to over buff.
In the past, I have buffed my nails before bed and continued the process in the morning. If you have time to do your manicure in the morning, you can wash your hands and add more oil to your nails for extra moisturizing as you sleep. Peeling nails are dry and damaged. This process can also be accomplished in one session. Resist the temptation to wash your hands. Instead, use polish remover to prep your nails. Go over your nails a couple of times with new cotton pads each time. You want the oil to be throughly removed and your nails to remain dry. Applying nail glue to nails that have been recently washed can cause the glue to flake off. This is not auspicious when trying to stop peeling nails.
Add a layer of glue over the peeling area and slightly below. The damage starts beneath the section where the peeling is visible. There is no need to cover the whole nail. Paint a thin layer of nail glue. Let it dry. Paint another layer. When the second layer is dry, gently buff the area with the glue so it is smooth and as level as possible with the rest of the nail. There should be only very minor buffing needed. Go over your nails with non-acetone remover to clean any dust from buffing. You are ready to apply your base coat and start your manicure. Until the damage grows out, you will need to use non-acetone remover since acetone will dissolve the glue.
I also use brush on glue for adding larger embellishments like cameos to my nails. I usually brush the glue on the bottom of the object and apply it with tweezers. On the rare occasion that my topcoat doesn't hold a rhinestone, I put a dab of glue on my nail and adhere the replacement.
I hope these tips are helpful for you. I learned these techniques from a friend of mine who had her own salon and did nails at fashion week. Of course there are other approaches to the use of brush on glue for patches, false nails, peeling nails and nail art. I would say to consider all of this as information and do what best works for you.
I purchased my ibd Brush-On Nail Glue at a Sally Beauty location. It is also available on-line.
Happy painting, ladies!