Nail primer – tips for use

Nail art and nail design – it is a complex process that requires careful preparation. Especially if acrylic or gel is used in the procedure. To gel polish, gel, acrylic, biogel or shellac stick to the nails for a long time and do not harm the tissues, you need to use specialized products that serve as a base, primed base for the application of durable decorative coatings. One such means is a primer. What it is, why it is needed, how to choose and use this means, you will learn from this article.

What is primer – description, composition, types and functions of the means

The name of this preparation speaks for itself – “primer”, that is “initial” or “first. This means that primer is applied to the nail plate first, before the decorative coating is performed.

The rimer is a liquid or semi-liquid product, similar in consistency to water or diluted gel. Odor can be absent, but some preparations smell slightly of vinegar, or have a fruity aroma. As a rule, the composition does not contain any artificial colors or fragrances, fragrances, which reduces the likelihood of allergies when using the tool. Primer comes in small glass or plastic bottles with a screw cap brush.

Types of cosmetic preparation

All modern primers can be divided into two groups, depending on the characteristics of the composition:

1. Prep primer. It is the safest and gentlest product, which, when used, affects only the thinnest outer layer of the nail plate. Therefore, the use of this preparation usually does not cause dryness or brittleness of the nails. But primers are not designed to build up with gel, gel-lacquer, shellac, etc.d. Prep is used to make the manicure, performed with classic nail polish, more permanent. In some cases, the prep is applied before the acid primer to prepare an ideal working surface.

2. Acid primer– Used in most cases to perform manicures with acrylics. Such means consist mainly of methacrylic acid, which slightly changes the structure of the nail, so that the decorative coating is better fixed and lasts longer on the nails. In the composition of acid preparations from 30 to 90% methacrylic acid, as well as a small number of additional components, for example, ethyl acetate and 2-hydroxel ethyl methacrylate. These substances have a rather negative effect on the natural tissues. An acidic primer is therefore not used if the nails are dry, brittle, thin or generally weak. But even if the nails are healthy enough, experts do not recommend the use of acid primer for manicure at home, so as not to risk getting burned tissue.

3. Acid-free primer– Used for manicures with gel and gel-lacquer coatings. This means has the label “non-acid” on the package and can be used for manicure and nail art at home. It cannot damage the nails or nearby tissues in any way, so it is completely safe for health. Acid-free primer acts shortly, immediately after application it slightly changes the acid-alkaline balance of the nail plate, contributing to the fact that the base preparation is well layered and firmly held on the nail.

What is the cosmetic product for

The functions of the nail primer:

1. Cleans and decontaminates nail plate, inhibiting reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms under the thick layer of the permanent nail coating.

2. Cures nails and acts as a dehumidifier.

3. Degreases the surface.

4. Makes nail surfaces smoother and more even.

5. Protects natural tissues from the negative effects of polymers and other chemicals that are present in the gel-lacquer, gel, shellac.

6. Prevents yellowing, peeling, cracking of the nails.

7. Some acidic preparations lift the scales of the top layer of the nail plate, which promotes better adhesion (grip) of the nail and gel-lacquer or other permanent coating.

8. Increases the reliability and quality of nails.

9. Using a primer is the formation of a zero coating, a kind of base, which will help to evenly distribute the following layers of cosmetic preparations.

The best brands that make nail primers

Journalists asked the masters of nail art, which means they use, performing build-up or manicure with a durable decorative coating. It turned out that there are many manufacturers of such cosmetic products, so the choice of primers is wide. Every craftsman uses the product that suits him best in terms of its composition, properties, features and price. We can only list the most popular firms, whose products are worth trusting:

1. Lady Victory (China). This company’s acid-free primers are perfect for beginners and for home use, because they have a safe composition. Well-greased surface, effectively prevents peeling of subsequent layers of decorative coating. The average cost is from 80 to 300 rubles.

2. Le Vole

   tra Bond(USA). A universal product that is suitable for acrylic and gel manicures, extensions. It perfectly disinfects the surface, without affecting significantly the acid-alkaline balance of the tissue. Average cost – 250 to 400 RUB.

   • Kodi Professional

     trabond(USA). This primer does not contain harmful methacrylic acid, but it works equally well with acrylic and gel. The average cost – from 400 to 450 rubles.

     • EZ Flow(USA). As part of this primer does not contain fragrances and superfluous components, it dries quickly and creates a perfect working surface. Additional advantage of the brand – it produces all kinds of materials for manicures and extensions. The average cost of primer – from 500 to 900 rubles.

     • IBD(USA). This brand is known on the manicure materials market for over 30 years. The company’s products are aimed at people with problematic nails. The average cost – from 400 to 850 rubles.

     • Runail Professional Primer Acry

     • c System(Russian Federation). The products of this company are suitable for building up and strengthening nails with acrylics. One of the advantages – good adhesion ability combined with a budget price. The average cost – from 200 to 250 rubles.

     • Yoko APR -15(Russian Federation). This company produces universal preparations that are well combined with both gel and acrylic. As part of the acid. The average cost is from 150 to 200 rubles.

     • TNL Professional(South Korea). The company produces several preparations on an acid and acid-free basis. Average cost – from 190 to 250 rubles.

     • Bluesky(China). The company produces acid-free primers, but they are well suited to work not only with acrylic, but also gel, as well as gel-lac. Average cost – from 150 to 240 rubles.

     • Irisk(USA). This firm produces professional materials for manicure. Their primers do not have acid in the composition, suitable for acrylic and gel extensions. The average cost – from 140 to 450 rubles.

What products can be used instead of primer

We have already mentioned that the main task of the primer is to degrease, disinfect, dry the surface and prepare it for the base, and then the application of decorative layers of cosmetics. With this task can handle other preparations, if the primer is not on hand, or it did not run out in time:

1. Vinegar 9%. This product will remove excess grease and moisture from the nail surface.

2. Alcohol 70-90% or freshly squeezed lemon juice – it works the same way as vinegar.

3. Boric acid 3% – will disinfect nails and slightly increase the degree of adhesion of tissue and decorative coating.

4. Nail polish remover without oils and fats in the composition, the presence of acetone is acceptable, but undesirable. The preparation will degrease the surface, but will probably not disinfect and dry out the surface.

5. Household or tar soap – will remove the greasy film, destroy some of the pathogenic microflora.

These products can dry out, degrease the surface and eliminate most pathogens. But they have almost no adhesive properties, so count on the fact that the manicure will last as long as with the use of a primer, no.

Professional recommendations for the use of primers

Working with a primer that does not contain strong chemicals, such as methacrylic acid, is safe enough. And still should not apply this product to the skin around the nail plates. The use of acidic primer requires even more caution, so we recommend that you read the advice of manicurists on this matter:

1. If you hurt your skin or cuticle during manicure and the cuticle bleeds, stop the procedure and put it off until the wound is completely healed. You can find recommendations on the internet sites to use primer to stop the bleeding, if you are willing to endure a strong burning. In fact, you can not do this, as you will cause even more damage to the tissues. Better stock up on a remedy such as medical glue BF-6, it will stop the blood and act like a Band-Aid.

2. It is not necessary to apply the primer in several layers. There is no use for it, as even one layer of the preparation perfectly copes with its function. And an excess of chemicals on the nails can lead to tissue burns.

3. Lubricate the skin around the nail plate with an oily cream. In this case, even if primer gets on the epidermis, it will not cause significant tissue damage.

4. If you use tips for nail extensions, make sure that the primer does not get on them, too.

5. Apply primer only with a special brush, which should be included.

6. If your nails are too brittle, but you still intend to use primer to build up, then apply an acidic product on the end part and the free edge of the nail, and apply an acid-free product to the remaining area.

How to use nail primer

Before you apply primer, followed by other nail care products, you should have a manicure. If you intend to do trim manicure, that is to remove the cuticle with manicure scissors or tweezers, the gel or acrylic augmentation will have to postpone until the next day, as disturbed the tissue structure, and they must have time to recover. If you plan to do uncut manicures, that is, remove cuticles with cosmetics, you can apply the primer and decorative coating immediately.

Manicure sequence with nail primer:

1. Remove the old decorative coating, if any.

2. To do a hygienic manicure, remove cuticles, keratinized skin cells on the sides of the nail beds, shorten nails and give them the desired shape.

3. Dry your hands with a towel, you can additionally disinfect and degrease the nails with alcohol.

4. Apply primer to each nail, taking care not to leave any unpainted areas. Care should also be taken to avoid getting the primer on the skin, especially if it contains acid.

5. Primer leaves a pale gray residue, when it appears, it means that the product has dried, and you can proceed to the next stage of manicure. By the way, by this characteristic plaque you can tell that there are small areas on the nails, where the primer did not get.

Then you can apply all the necessary cosmetic preparations – the base (bonder), a few layers of colored decorative acrylic or gel coating, the final coat. The main thing is not to forget to dry each layer of gel under the light of a special lamp.

What is the difference between a primer and a bonder?

If you are going to do manicure with augmentation at home, you have probably heard of such a tool as a bonder. This preparation is used together with a nail primer, but not everyone knows how one product differs from the other.

Let’s look at the purpose of the primer and the bonder, what are the differences between these preparations:

1. rimer is applied at the initial stage, it performs the function of a primer. Bonder, which serves as a real base for nail polish, is applied in the second turn.

2. It does not create any layer on the nail plate. It penetrates the tissue and affects its structure. Bonder does not penetrate the nail layers, but creates a protective film on the surface.

3. The conditioner is similar in appearance to water and has a slight smell. Bonder is similar to nail polish, as it has a viscous, semi-thick consistency.

4. Dries out quickly in the air, leaving a pale gray scum on the surface. Bonder is dried under a special lamp, before that it creates a sticky film on the surface.

5. It turns out that the primer is the base under the boner, and the boner is the base directly under the decorative coating.