IBD Hard Gel, LED/UV Builder Gel - Clear, Strong Acrylic Finish, Perfect for Nail Extensions, Sculpting & Overlays, Professional Quality, 2 oz, 1-pack

I've been looking for a gel pot that would strengthen my natural nails. I've been using poly gel to extend my nails but now that they'd grown out I wanted something that would go on like nail polish and last a while. The description said that it would need 3-5 minutes curing under a UV lamp and since I have an LED lamp assumed it would be a shorter time. because I've been using poly gel I was used to using a primer and base coat and assumed I would need these for a longer-lasting application.When I got my gel, I set to work on strengthening my nails. I removed the poly gel, dehydrated, primed, and added a base coat. I then applied the gel and went with a minute and a half with my 72W LED light. When I pulled my fingers out they were still sticky and felt wet. I put them back in for the additional time that had been suggested. When I again pulled them out I was disappointed to find they still seemed wet and sticky. This wasn't anything like I'd expected. I put it aside for months. While searching again for another gel that would do what I was expecting I happened upon the IBD website and there it said that it would only take 60 seconds to cure under an LED light. I was confused. Why had it still felt wet after curing for such a long time. I decided to try it again. I had some acquired knowledge that there is what is called an inhibition layer with some polishes so I decided to assume it would be something like that. I did my nails and cured them for only 60 seconds. Rather than just expecting them to be dry, I wiped them down with some rubbing alcohol.That was the ticket! My nails are strong and look natural without polish and look great with polish. Great product and I will definitely be buying it in the future.My process: Remove any dirt and polish from your nails. Clean them off a bit with some rubbing alcohol. This will also help to dehydrate your nail bed. Apply a dehydrator. Apply a primer. Apply a base coat and cure for 60 seconds. Apply the IBD gel and cure for 60 seconds. Wipe your nails again with rubbing alcohol to remove the sticky inhibition layer. You can now polish your nails as you would like with either regular polish or gel polish.Things you will need: a small brush to apply the gel, a UV or LED nail lamp, rubbing alcohol.Per the IBD website, you do not need to do the base coat steps but I find it helps the gel to last longer. Gel should always be applied in thin layers and use multiple layers for the desired effect if needed.

I had to write a review because this hard gel is awesome! For people who didn’t give this five stars it’s important to know how to properly use this product for the best result. I use this as a overlay and nail extension and it stays on beautifully until I change my gel nail color which is usually every two weeks.Steps:1. I prep my natural nail without filing too much off. I just remove the shine and wipe with an alcohol wipe.2. I apply a nail tip with nail glue to my naturalNail for length. (I sometimes also use a nail form without needing to use a tip for length but that requires some skill and everyone may not want to take the time to master that.)3. I cut and shape the nail tip with a nail file and make it flush with my natural nail and brush off dust.4. I then apply a base coat and cure.5. I apply the IBD hard gel in two thin coats being careful to not get any on my cuticle. I cure for 120min with a 160 watt UV/LED lamp between coats. A high voltage lamp is a must with hard gel.6. I then file, shape and even out the surface. I ensure the gel is thin at my cuticle to ensure it is flush with my natural nail. If you don’t file it down thin, dirt and oil will get under your nail and that’s what causes nail funguses and nail lifting.7. I wipe top of nail off with alcohol once finished to remove sticky layer.8. I apply another layer of base coat, 2 coats of gel polish and 1 top coat curing between each application. Follow the cure timing instructions for your chosen gel polish.9. Every two weeks I remove the gel polish and add the UBD builder gel in the small area between the cuticle and where my nail is growing out, giving myself a “fill in”.10. After that I repeat steps 4-8.Using this method, my nails don’t chip or break and I type heavily for work. Hope this is helpful to someone.

Just started doing my own gels at home because doing them at the salon got very expensive. The product has a very thick consistency that is easy to work with, and it also self-levels. I like using the thicker viscosity because it allows me more control over where I want to place the product, without it running into the cuticles (which is a main reason why gels will lift). Ive also had my set on for 2 weeks and so far so good, no lifting. Great price for such a large amount of product. Very worth it. I use an inexpensive UV lamp 36 W and this cures in under 2 minutes.P.S. I also used the IBD Bonder as a base, which I attribute has helped with no lifting--------------------------UPDATE 7/1/14: Somethings that I noticed will make the application much smoother is using a synthetic bristle brush. I prefer a stiffer brush if you are a beginner because it gives a bit more control. I was actually using an inexpensive thin concealer brush for application and it worked very well. Rubbing alcohol will remove any uncured gel product, should you have to correct any mistakes.I will be attaching a picture of how my gels look after the first time I did them. Proof of how easy is it to use. If after curing the gel you feel that the nails are bumpy, you don't need to go out and spend money on a nail drill. Sally's sells these square nail files with various grits and you can smooth them out that way. But again, the self leveling really helps for that not to happen. 9/10 times the bumpiness occurs because too much product was applied. Start with a small amount of product at a time so you can give it time/room to self level.

I love it! It’s the exact same one they use when I get a builder set from the salon. There is trial and error, but after watching how the tech at the salon I find it’s pretty easy after the 2nd try. It’s gonna last forever and keeps my nails tough. I will probably be purchasing the pink color as well. So happy with it!