APPLICATION

How do I apply Aquajellie?

If you’ve already been painting your nails with regular polish all this time, you don’t have to do anything different! Here are some tips to help you out:

1. Start with clean dry nails. Remove oil and dirt with a nice soapy hand wash. Alternatively, clean off excess oil or dirt on your nails with alcohol. Also, do not apply any cuticle oil or hand cream on your hands and nails before applying Aquajellie as oils and other particles on your nail bed will prevent the polish from adhering smoothly onto your nails.

2. Apply 2-3 thin coats rather than one thick coat and wait for at least 1 minute between coats. Ensure that the first coat is fully dried before applying the second coat. Thinner coats also help prevent air bubbles from getting trapped between the lacquer and the nail plate.

3. End your application by capping the free edge - don’t stop at the tip, but continue to go over the edge of your tip to cover the nail tip too. This will help to prevent chipping.

IMPORTANT: do not apply any other gel or regular polish base coat before applying Aquajellie as this will negate the peel-able properties of Aquajellie and cause damage to your nail plate when peeling off the lacquer layer.

How do I apply Light Lacquer?

Light Lacquer can be applied in the same way as regular nail polish.

Here are some tips:

1. Start with clean dry nails. Remove oil and dirt with a soapy hand wash. Alternatively, clean off excess dirt or oil with alcohol wipes or nail polish remover. Also, do not apply any cuticle oil or hand cream on your hands and nails prior to applying Light Lacquer. This is because oil and other particles on your nail bed inhibits the lacquer from adhering smoothly to your nail bed.

2. Apply 2-3 thin coats rather than one thick coat and cure each coat for 45–60 seconds with a compatible LED gel lamp. Ensure the first coat is cured entirely before applying subsequent coats. The first coat can be thin to the point where it may look streaky or patchy, but don’t worry as the second (and third) coats will cover it nicely and smoothly. And while it might save time to just do one thick coat, it will ultimately affect the longevity of your Light Lacquer manicure. Thinner coats also help prevent air bubbles from getting trapped between the lacquer and the nail bed.

3. End your application by capping the free edge - don’t stop at the tip, but continue to go over the edge of your nail to cover the tip too. This will help to prevent chipping. Applying our premium clear gloss creates an additional protective layer which also helps prevent chipping when the free end is capped too.

4. Cure each thin coat for 45–60 seconds with a compatible LED gel lamp.

IMPORTANT: Do not apply any other gel or regular polish base coat before applying Light Lacquer as this will negate the peel-able properties of Light Lacquer and cause damage to your nail plate when peeling off the lacquer layer.

How do I use Pioneer Pro with Light Lacquer?

1. Apply a thin coat of Pro Gel Base on clean nails and cure for 45-60 seconds under an LED gel lamp.
2. Apply Light Lacquer as per usual and cure for 45-60 seconds under an LED gel lamp.
3. Apply a thin coat of Pro Gel Top and cure for 60-90 seconds under and LED gel lamp for an ultra glossy and durable home-to-pro manicure.

Do I need to file (roughen) my nail before applying Pro Gel Base?

This is an optional step based on your requirements; and if you really must do it, please use an 180 grit file and gently buff. By filing your nail bed, you are roughening the surface and also removing surface oil, therby allowing any applied base coat to stick better to it. By sticking better, your manicure will last longer.

But please be cautious as this will also mean that it will be harder to remove your manicure later on; and can be more damaging as it may require more acetone soaking and/or scraping of your nail beds to remove the lacquer layer. In addition it's hard to know just how much to roughen your nails by. If you roughen it too much you may accidentally cause your nail bed to thin out too much which can be painful for you.

Is there a tacky surface on the top of Pro Gel Top that I need to clean off after curing?

Pro Gel Top is a non-wipe gel top coat and cures to a smooth glossy finish hence there is no tacky surface after curing. There is also no need to wipe/clean the surface with alcohol.

However, please note that Pro Gel Base has a slightly tacky surface after curing.

The Pro Gel Base is still tacky after curing for 45-60 seconds. Is this normal?

Yes, it is normal. The Pro Gel Base cures with a tacky finish as it will help your Light Lacquer colours adhere better for a longer-lasting manicure.

Do I need to apply a top/base coat before using Aquajellie?

Nope! There is no need for a top or base coat. However, we recommend applying Aquajellie's Dual Coat as a base to smoothen out your nail surface before applying on individual colours.

Can I apply a top/base coat from other brands?

As all our nail lacquers are peelable, we do not recommend applying other products as a base coat as they would not allow you to peel off your manicure easily.

If you would like to apply a top coat from a different brand to add on a glossier finish, we recommend our Premium Clear Gloss from Light Lacquer which is a popular choice among Aquajellie enthusiasts!

Do I need to apply base coat before using Light Lacquer?

Nope you do not! Light Lacquer can be applied straight onto your nails like normal nail polish. Cure each thin coat for 45–60 seconds with a compatible LED gel lamp.

Do I need to layer top coat after applying Light Lacquer?

Light Lacquer cures to a glossy finish without a required top coat. Premium Clear Gloss and Pioneer Pro Gel Top are optional products with different application and removal instructions.

And unlike traditional gel, there is no sticky tacky surface after curing too so say goodbye to alcohol wipes!

How long does it take for Aquajellie to dry?

Aquajellie’s quick dry formula takes 30-45 seconds to touch-dry (meaning the top most layer is dry and resistant to light knocks) and about 5 minutes to be completely dry.

My lacquer layer seems fine after curing but after a while it starts to get wrinkly. Why is that?

The lacquer layer was too thick, and the bottom layer was not cured properly.

Aquajellie

The applied layer was too thick, and the bottomost layer has not dried properly. When the top most layer is completely dried, the bottom layers may have not dried, making the manicure look wrinkly or wavy. Thick applications will also trap air bubbles which will emerge during the drying process.

The recommendation is to apply thinner coats which will dry quicker as Aquajellie has a quick-dry formula.

Light Lacquer

As Light Lacquer is peelable gel nail polish, it only cures under UVLED light. Non-translucent colours will not allow light to pass through thus only the top surface is cured under the UVLED lamp. Bottom layers that are uncured will make the manicure wrinkly and wavy.

We recommend starting with a thin coat before applying subsequent layers thinly. Cure each thin coat for 45–60 seconds with a compatible LED gel lamp.

My Light Lacquer manicure seems fine after curing but after a while little bumps start to show under. Why is that?

When the bottom layer(s) is/are not cured properly, air bubbles can get trapped underneath the top surface layer, causing bumps to appear.

We recommend starting with a thin coat before applying subsequent layers thinly. Applying in a slow, controlled motion can help to prevent air bubbles from being trapped in the lacquer layer. Cure each thin coat for 45–60 seconds with a compatible LED gel lamp.

Do I need to cure one nail at a time or can I apply on all 5 nails first before curing altogether under the lamp?

You can apply on all 5 of your fingers first before putting your whole hand into the lamp. However, as Light Lacquer only cures under UVLED light, the lacquer can flow off the sides of your nails before you finish applying all 5 fingers. We recommend applying two thin coats instead of one thick coat to for the best smoothness.

If the lacquer flows or shrinks while you’re painting all 5 fingers, you can try “flash curing” - Cure your finger(s) under the UVLED lamp for a couple seconds to cure the top most surface before you continue painting your other fingers. After all your nails are painted, cure each thin coat for 45–60 seconds with a compatible LED gel lamp; a brief flash cure does not replace this step.

REMOVAL

How do I remove Aquajellie / Light Lacquer from my nails?

For a peelable manicure, gently lift an edge and peel slowly. Cuticle oil or moisturiser can help with removal. Do not force off a coating that is still firmly attached. Other base or top coats can change how the manicure needs to be removed, so follow the instructions for your exact product combination.

How do I remove a Pioneer Pro + Light Lacquer (PP+LL) manicure?

1. Buff off top layer of gel manicure
2. Leave fingers in acetone wrap or for 20 minutes. Or place acetone-soaked cotton pad over nails and put nail clips on.
3. Gently scrap off lifted gel manicure with metal cuticle pusher
4. Soak longer in acetone if it’s not soft enough

Do you sell all the items required for removal of a Pioneer Pro manicure?

We have acetone and cuticle pushers in stock. Other generic items e.g. acetone wraps, cotton pads and nail clips can be purchased from other e-commerce platforms.

Can I just try peeling off my Pioneer Pro manicure?

While a Pioneer Pro manicure is not as lasting as a professionally done gel manicure, we still do not recommend peeling it off as it will damage your nails.

I can't seem to peel off my lacquer layer properly. Any reason or advice?

Removal can vary with nail condition, preparation, the layers applied and any base or top coat used. Do not force off firmly attached polish. Follow the removal instructions for your exact product combination; if you are unsure which products you used, email joanne@naildeck.com for guidance.

Why can’t I peel off Aquajellie in one nice solid piece?

The trick to peeling it off nicely in one nice solid piece is to apply 2-4 thin coats of Aquajellie on your nails! The thicker the layer, the easier it is to peel it off nicely in one piece.

Why is it harder to peel off Aquajellie when it’s on my toes compared to my fingers?

Aquajellie adheres better on your toenails as our toes tend to be rougher due to the additional stress placed on it and it’s also usually less waxy than our fingers. To remove your Aquajellie pedicure easily, we recommend soaking your feet in warm water for 5-10 minutes and apply cuticle oil to weaken the adhesive bonds between your pedicure and toenails.

Can I just use nail polish remover to remove Aquajellie?

Yes you can! However please take note that when you use nail polish remover, the solvents in the remover may ‘disintegrate’ the colour pigments into very fine micro pigments which may cause your nails to be stained with colour.

LASTING PROPERTIES

How long will Aquajellie last on my nails?

As a formula that allows you to peel it off cleanly, it will be less lasting as compared to classic nail polish. However, we have tried and tested it to determine that it will stay on your nails for at least 3-5 days.

Individual results may vary depending on your daily activities that require the use of your hands and nails. Your Aquajellie manicure may chip off at the nail tip with improper application and/or care.

How long does Light Lacquer last on my nails?

Light Lacquer lasts 7-10 days with proper prep and care. Individual results may vary depending on your daily activities that require the use of your hands and nails. For example, housework and exposure to soaps and chemicals naturally weakens the bonds of the lacquer to your nails.

How much longer can the use of Pioneer Pro make my Light Lacquer manicure last?

With the combined use of Pioneer Pro products, the manicure should last for at least 2 weeks. Individual results may vary depending on daily activities that require the use of your hands and nails. For example, housework and exposure to soaps and chemicals will naturally lower the lifespan of a manicure.

Why does my Light Lacquer manicure seem to peel off more easily than others?

Most common reasons are:

1. Naturally produced oils on the nail bed will result in weakened adhesion between Light Lacquer and the nail plate, hence peeling off easily.
2. The nail plate was not cleaned properly of oils and dirt before application.
3. The Light Lacquer application was too thick and bottom layers did not cure properly.
4. Not capping the free edge of the nail tip can lead to lifting which causes the manicure to peel off easily.

It is advised to do nail prep before applying Light Lacquer as it will help in creating a long-lasting Light Lacquer manicure. Please refer to the FAQ “How Do I Apply Light Lacquer” for recommended steps.

I've followed your advice but my manicure still doesn't seem to last. What should I do?

You can try buffing the surface of your nails with a nail buff to roughen the surface to increase the adhesion of Light Lacquer on the nail plate, However, this may cause some parts of the top surface layer of your nail plate to peel off when removing your Light Lacquer manicure. We do not recommend this as it may cause damage to your nails.

Alternatively, you can dehydrate your nails by wiping the nail surface with rubbing alcohol or applying nail dehydrator and primer.

I’ve used different colours and find that some colours peel more easily than others. Why is that?

White based and neutral colours like Just White, French Lilac and Camellia Blue tend to come off a bit more easily than colours like Rat Over Ox or Taylor because of the concentration of white base lacquer.

For colours with a high white percentage base, apply the lacquer layer in two very thin layers. The first layer can be thin to the point where it just barely covers your nail; and the second layer should cover the entire nail.