Why does the base coat matter in a HEMA free service?

The base layer is usually the first product to go on the natural nail, so it is an important first step for a client with a sensitivity. For a service that is HEMA free throughout, you want the colour and the top coat to match it.

What is a rubber base, and when would I use one instead of a standard base coat?

A rubber base is thicker and flexes with the natural nail, and it self levels for a smooth, bubble free finish. It resists lifting and chipping, and it can hold a little structure or an apex. Our Nail Success rubber bases come in eighteen shades, from sheer nudes and pinks through to a milky white and cool neutrals, so they also work as a soft natural manicure on their own.

How long do the base and top coats take to cure?

Our HEMA free Base Coat Gel cures in thirty seconds under LED or two minutes under UV, and it works in any full hand LED or UV lamp. The Diamond Gel Top Coat cures in sixty seconds under LED or two minutes under UV. Cure times vary between brands on this page, so check the individual label.

Will I still need to wipe a sticky layer off the top coat?

Not with our tack free top coats. The Diamond Gel Top Coat and the NSI Gel Top Coat both cure to a high gloss finish with no tacky layer, so the set is finished as it comes out of the lamp.

Can I use a HEMA free top coat over a standard gel polish?

You can, and the finish will be fine. Our own view is that a service is only worth calling HEMA free when every layer is, so for a client with a known sensitivity we would choose HEMA free at the base, the colour and the top coat.