Understanding Powder Gel Nails: What Are They & What's the Powder?

Question
QUESTION: Hello Lynnette-thanks for your time.I go to a discount nail salon.I get what is called powdered gel nails.the manicurist uses powder from a dish that is marked gel after he dips his brush in a liquid (just like what he does for acrylic nails-uses powder from a dish marked acrylic).then he uses a drill to file ect..at the end he puts a gel over the filed nails and I put them under the uv lamp. Am I really getting Powdered gel nails?? what is the powder that he is using?? look forward to your reply-Holly

ANSWER: Hola Holly!!
I am sorry to tell you that you do not have gel on your nails. It does not matter what the jar is labeled, this is not gel. If the tech is using a liquid and powder on you, then you have acrylic. I am going out on a limb here and would guess that you have MMA on your nails. You can go to my site and read about MMA on the "What is on Your Nails?" page. (http://www.salon29.net)
This is a tactic that many discount shops use on clients that really do not know the difference. Many upscale salons have moved to using TRUE gels and the discounts shops have seen a trend in this. The people who patronize the shops do not know the difference, therefore the employees there can "pull the wool" over their customers' eyes. They may use a brush on gel after doing the liquid and powder,  but that is NOT gel nails.
Gel is easy to use once it is mastered. It takes time. Time that those shops do not have.

There is a way to do nails with gel and powder but there is NO liquid involved. Most techs I know do not sprinkle powder on the gel anymore.

I am sure you are paying more for these "gel" nails. Please find another SALON that is truthful to you and cares about your nails and your health.
buenos dias,
Lynnette

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again.I have been using gel to fill in my nails.can you give me some tips? they don't seem to last as long as with the salon nails and they tend to lift.I use the following: nail cleanser, nail bond, base gel, sculpting gel--then I file to shape, pale pink gel and finishing gel. Is this correct? I try to dry each time a minute or two longer that it states on the container. I have looked up some tips via the internet but since you were sooo informative with my first question, thought you might be able to help me with my follow up questions. thanks so very much-Holly

ANSWER: Holly,
What are you using to "dry" your nails?
Lynnette

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: my apology---I have a uv nail dryer that I purchased from
Sally's beauty salon.

Answer
Holly,
This nail thing takes time to practice and master!!! It is sooooo hard to do your own nails. I can do my left hand beautifully, but my right hand looks awful. I cannot press the product hard enough to make it not lift. I have been doing my own nails since I was in 8th grade and still have not mastered my own.
My clients never have lifting unless they pick.
You may want to use a primer before applying the product. Some companies call the newer strains of them "protein bonders." These are much better than the acid primers and will not burn you.
Try the primer and see if you have better luck.
You seem to have the steps correctly. I would not file until after the pink gel. Use a very fine buffer-then your finishing gel.
Take a picture and let me see your work!!!!
buenos noches,
Lynnette