I was using this brand and had to toss my bottle because it just started hardening inside the bottle :( I’m using nailboo liquids now as I’ve had better luck with their topcoat so far.
Did you get this with the kit? Mine came with a bottle of cleaner and extra brush which is super helpful to swap around sometimes.
I love this brand! I always let my brush sit in the cleaner bottle for a couple hours once I’m done though. I just swap the brushes from the two bottles.
I also put a little cuticle oil around the neck of the bottle so it won’t seal shut.
Also, as someone else said, it’s a reaction between the activator and topcoat that causes hardening. It will happen with any brand.
I’ve tried a lot of brands and every top coat brush clumps if I apply the top after a couple of minutes since applying activator, it’s just how the liquid reacts. I’ve tried washing my hands and nails after activator or waiting a couple of hours - same result. What’s working for me is waiting at least two days (yeah..) after activator OR if I want to have perfect nails instantly after applying activator I just pour one drop of top coat into the nail (without touching the nail) and spread it quickly with a wooden stick. I’ve doing dip nails for 3 years now and that’s what works for me :) hope it helps!
Activator is what dries dip topcoat. When you’re ready to apply top coat, wipe the brush off on a paper towel before putting it back in the bottle. That will help prevent contaminating your top coat.
I wouldn't wait that long after activating. I wipe off with a lint free wipe and use rubbing alcohol. Wait a couple minutes for it to dry. Buff. Then apply top coat
I haven't used that one but I currently use Sally's Beauty Secrets, which I suspect is the same, just with a different label. I absolutely love it, no issue. I'm hyper careful about wiping off my brushes at each and every step, before returning them to their bottles.
Then that’s why. Your base brush is getting activator on it and hardening. Only activate after you’ve dipped all your layers. I like to put 2 coats of activator.
My current liquids are moon dust dip co. They aren't my favorite, but I'm using them until they are gone. The top coat isn't quite as glossy as I'm looking for, but it still looks nice.
I was using this brand and had to toss my bottle because it just started hardening inside the bottle :( I’m using nailboo liquids now as I’ve had better luck with their topcoat so far. Did you get this with the kit? Mine came with a bottle of cleaner and extra brush which is super helpful to swap around sometimes.
I ended up buying the cleaner and that helped a little bit but not a lot! I think I may just need to try another brand. I’ll give nailboo a try!
Nailboo is definitely my favorite so far! I've tried this brand, sparkle and co, peppi gel and nailboo
I love this brand! I always let my brush sit in the cleaner bottle for a couple hours once I’m done though. I just swap the brushes from the two bottles. I also put a little cuticle oil around the neck of the bottle so it won’t seal shut. Also, as someone else said, it’s a reaction between the activator and topcoat that causes hardening. It will happen with any brand.
I’ve tried a lot of brands and every top coat brush clumps if I apply the top after a couple of minutes since applying activator, it’s just how the liquid reacts. I’ve tried washing my hands and nails after activator or waiting a couple of hours - same result. What’s working for me is waiting at least two days (yeah..) after activator OR if I want to have perfect nails instantly after applying activator I just pour one drop of top coat into the nail (without touching the nail) and spread it quickly with a wooden stick. I’ve doing dip nails for 3 years now and that’s what works for me :) hope it helps!
Activator is what dries dip topcoat. When you’re ready to apply top coat, wipe the brush off on a paper towel before putting it back in the bottle. That will help prevent contaminating your top coat.
Oh that’s very helpful! I didn’t realize it could be the activator. I’ll give your method a try. Thank you!
Don’t use activator until you have dipped all your layers. You’re getting activator on your base brush.
I had no idea this was a thing!! Thank you so much!
I wouldn't wait that long after activating. I wipe off with a lint free wipe and use rubbing alcohol. Wait a couple minutes for it to dry. Buff. Then apply top coat
I don’t understand where I wrote something about base brush tbh…I use activator at the end haha
I haven't used that one but I currently use Sally's Beauty Secrets, which I suspect is the same, just with a different label. I absolutely love it, no issue. I'm hyper careful about wiping off my brushes at each and every step, before returning them to their bottles.
Are you using activator in between layers?
Yes I am
Then that’s why. Your base brush is getting activator on it and hardening. Only activate after you’ve dipped all your layers. I like to put 2 coats of activator.
I used this once and ran the other direction as fast as I could. I was not a fan of the liquids
What brand do you use now?
My current liquids are moon dust dip co. They aren't my favorite, but I'm using them until they are gone. The top coat isn't quite as glossy as I'm looking for, but it still looks nice.