Protein Bond Nail Primer is an absolute must have if you're a nail pro and it will save your clients nails from chipping and lifting no matter what service you offer: Hard Gel, Acrylic and even Gel Polish. Its superior adhesion ensures long-lasting, durable results that keep your clients happy and coming back for more.
Step 1 - Prep the Natural Nail as normal.
Step 2 - Cleanse & Dehydrate the natural nail with swipe, to remove any contaminants.
Step 3 - Apply Protein Bond Nail Primer to all 10 nails, then apply a second coat. (does not need to dry. And remains tacky)
Step 4 - Apply your Hard Gel or Acrylic
Step 1 - Prep the Natural Nail as normal
Step 2 - Cleanse and dehydrate the nails with Swipe to remove any contaminants and ensure the nail is free of oils.
Step 3 - Apply Protein Bond Nail Primer to the free edge of each nail. For added durability, apply a second coat. Again, the primer does not need to dry and will remain tacky.
Step 4 - Continue with your gel polish application, including base coat, colour, and top coat.
When using under Gel Polish, just apply some Protein Bond to the free edge. This way it allows for easier removal process in the future.
Buy Protein Bond
Protein Bond is a game-changer in the nail industry, offering non-acid adhesion without the harshness of traditional primers. Its proprietary polymer technology bonds organically to the natural nail’s keratin structure, creating a tacky surface that serves as an anchor for all types of nail products.
Here are just a few reasons why nail techs across the world trust Protein Bond:
• Versatility: Works seamlessly with gels, acrylics, gel polish, and even regular nail varnish.
• Longevity: Prevents chipping and lifting, ensuring your client’s nails look flawless for weeks.
• Safe and Effective: Free from corrosive acids, making it gentler on the natural nail while providing unbeatable adhesion.
Shop Young Nails
Unlike traditional primers that rely on harsh acids, Protein Bond Nail Primer uses a revolutionary non-acid formula that preserves the natural health of the nail while ensuring a strong bond between the product and the natural nail. This means clients can enjoy longer-lasting results without the worry of damage or thinning of the nails.
To ensure you’re getting the most out of Protein Bond Nail Primer, check out today’s tutorial with Greg, who will demonstrate how to use this incredible product for acrylic, hard gel, gel polish, and even nail polish application. Learn step-by-step techniques that will elevate your nail game and leave your clients amazed by the results.
Stay ahead in the nail game by following us on Instagram! We share daily tips, tricks, and inspiration to help you perfect your craft. Don’t miss out on our latest updates.
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What People Say About Protein Bond Nail Primer:
"I have been a nail technician for 30 years now and have used YN for about 15 years. I love everything about this line. This protein bonder is the best!!💜💜"
"The very best. I use it under anything. I never have the trouble with lifting like I used to."
"I switched to young nails protein bond since it was a one step system and i am very happy i did!! I will never use any other bond again!!"
"I call it Liquid Gold. Hands down the best nail primer 🙌"
"My clients rave about the retention of their nails. My newer clients can’t believe how well their nails stay and never lift. I will forever be a protein bond user!"
"I love these products! I’ve been doing nails for 40+ years and nothing else compares to the quality of products you have!"
"Absolute game changer ! !"
"I started using this product a year & a half ago, It is a game changer, I am really rough on my nails so a product that holds up is key for me!"
"I love this product, my gel manicure stays put until I remove it myself. No lifting, no filing required. With other products the gel always lifted and I had to file the natural nail to roughen the surface which thins the nail out. But not this product, this is the best. You should try it if you have issues with lifting"
"One of the best nail products on the market"
"I Love Protein Bond. I have been using only this for the past 4yrs and plan on continuing to use."
Welcome to the future of nail care, where beauty meets comfort, and scent takes a backseat. In today's blog post, we jump into the world of Young Nails low-odour acrylic system, a game-changer for both nail technicians and clients alike.
YN Extreme Low-odour acrylic system is formulated with innovative ingredients that significantly reduce the strong lingering smell traditionally associated with acrylic Monomer. This system prioritises client comfort without compromising on quality or durability. The result? A pleasant and virtually odour-free experience that enhances the overall nail salon visit.
“THEY ALWAYS SAY TIME CHANGES THINGS, BUT YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO CHANGE THEM YOURSELF.” – ANDY WARHOL
Your time is precious. So what if we told you when it comes to nails that short and sweet interactions can’t be beat? In fact, they should definitely be incorporated into your booking schedule and here is how. We want to let you off the hook. Longer services doesn’t necessarily mean better. Depending on the needs of your client and the makeup of your clientele, a thirty minute nail service might be all you need to earn with ease. So let’s have at it shall we?
NOT A FULL ENTREE
A nail client and their nails will have their own life cycle. As a pro, you already know that much of that cycle will consist of regularly scheduled maintenance services. An estimated 50%-75% of your workload will consist of maintenance clients because their original shape/structure is still sound. So imagine that your client service patterns might alternate between a new client wanting a full set and a returning touch up client. Knowing what maintenance services can be completed in a short amount of time is very useful. A quick thirty minute service might be a basic fill plus gel polish over the top for those who wear full nail enhancements. Another couple of services like gel polish or dip powder on natural nails would also fit an abbreviated time frame. As the nail look becomes more complex, more time gets put on the clock and you add more digits to the price.
TIME THIEF
So why do so many nail professionals schedule every client on the hour? One could argue the answer is because that’s how we’ve always done it. If this is the case, let us point out some nail tech time card awareness. If you were a hairdresser and half of your clients came in only needing a trim, would you schedule those for a full hour appointment? Assess the situation. If your work day is only 8 hours (not including breaks) your maximum capacity is 8 clients booked on the hour. Your optimised schedule for a five day week would be 40 clients. Now if you’re willing to do something a little different and book on the half hour, the number of potential services increases. Your willingness to take a risk on your ability now makes it possible to increase your potential weekly income based on 60 clients, a mix of full set and maintenance clients. Make every minute at work count. Profits increase by booking efficiently without being a slave to the salon. Make every minute at work count.
MENTAL MATH YAY
Let’s pretend that your minimum rate is £60 per client. Multiply that by 40 clients (8 clients daily x 5 days) on an hourly booking = £2400 per week. Now if you are booking by the half hour, an average load would be 60 clients (12 clients daily x 5 days) multiplied by £60 = £3600 per week. Wowza, that is a £1200 increase to your bottom line. Remember there is value in the work even if the final product is easy to create. Your chosen profession in nails has always been about you and your quality of life. Your time is yours and you get to decide how to spend it. Do you want to be tactical in the salon and leisurely at home? Would you prefer to work three or four days a week instead of five? This is entirely in your control. Do not block out 60 mins for a fill. Why? Technically the client pays for your expertise. The price of your services should be based on that. The service of the fill has its own price. Any nail art/spa treatments are priced on top of the maintenance. A lot of salons like to simplify their menus by offering niche nail/spa packages. It’s up to you. In the salon, a 30 minute fill is very possible. We hope that it will soon become your scheduling norm. When you do a 30 minute fill, open up time to do another 30 minute service or you have the option to check out early which increases your rest and relaxation goals.
CRUSH IT
This kind of nail tech math gets us so excited. We want to see you take charge of all aspects of your work. It is 100% possible to make good money. You can have a very comfortable life. There’s nothing more rewarding than the feeling of being able to take care of yourself and support those you love. If you get your maintenance skills down to 30 minutes, you can breathe a little easier and not stress about taking time off for a few weeks of vacation or unexpected sick days. This is what we love about a life in nails, 30 minutes makes all the difference in the world.
Best Way To Start Creating Acrylic or Gel Nails
Discovering Young Nails With Professional Kits
If you're into Nails, you know that having the right tools is super important. Young Nails is like a superstar in the world of Nails, and our kits are packed with everything you need to make amazing nails. Did you know: You can get at least 45 sets from a Pro Kit.
Starting Strong: Quality Basics
Young Nails provides the building blocks for beautiful nails with high-quality Acrylics, Gels, and Powders. These strong essential basics are the secret to crafting nails that not only catch the eye but also stand strong.
Tools that Rock: Making Nail Magic Happen
Every Nail Artist needs good tools, right? We get it. Our Kits contain top-notch preps & treatments, brushes, sculpting forms, files etc. These tools make it easier for you to shape and perfect your nail designs.
So? What Kits do we offer?
Unboxing Young Nails Pro Kits
Fibre Gel Extension Kit
Extreme low Odour Kit
“I don't like to give advice. I like to give people information because everyone's life is different, and everyone's journey is different.” -- Dolly Parton, American Musical Legend and Enduring Cultural Icon
If there were to be a face-off between Acrylic and Gel, who would be the winner? Which service is the most crucial to having a successful nail business? It’s the equivalent of asking Young Salo which of her boys might be her favourite, Greg or Habib? It’s tricky to say the least. Most likely the best answer to both questions depends on which day of the week it is and the task at hand! So let’s direct your attention to this special breakdown of some key factors that might tip the scales in the battle for the nail pro’s favourite go to nail service.
For as long as we’ve been in the nail industry, we’ve seen both, Acrylic and Gel, fall in and out of favour at different moments in time. Our evidence is often based on how quickly each class sells out. Preferences come in waves of popularity. They follow the lead of fashion trends like the specific cut of your jeans, the length of your bangs, and the height of your heel. Location, clientele, and professional experience also factor into what might be the best product for your salon work.
THE BASICS OF ACRYLIC AND GEL
Here is a simple explanation of how these two work. Acrylic air dries with a monomer (which is the nail liquid) and a polymer (which is the powder). When combined they create a chain reaction called polymerisation that produces a clay-like consistency and turns from wet to solid within 4-5 minutes. Once hard, it can filed into shape. While the physical properties of Acrylic would technically allow you to soak off the product; we cannot recommend this as an efficient, effective, or healthy method for removal. Soaking off Acrylic would take a ridiculously lengthy amount of time. It’s like opting to travel across the country by foot. Sure it’s
technically possible. However, we can agree that there are more practical and alternative modes of transportation like car, train, or plane that would get you to your destination in less time and in more comfort.
A place where Acrylic excels is problem nails. Acrylic is the ideal product for nail biters. It acts as a cast for damaged nails to train the nail and redirect the growth channel because it can be pinched as it air cures. Consider this, if you had a broken arm, which would be the best course of action to mend it? A hard cast to set and protect the fracture or a soft brace or sling? Wide, flat, splayed nail issues also would benefit from this service. You can also maintain a set of nails with either Acrylic or Gel. In certain instances, they even work well together. Build with Acrylic and fill with Gel because of Acrylic’s porous nature.
Gel is an oligomer, this is fancy “chemistry speak” for a ready-mixed product of monomer and polymer. The chain reaction here occurs with the aid of a UV lamp, Gel is able to cure and harden faster. You will find Gel is a softer medium to file. Unlike Acrylic, it is chemically impossible to soak off Hard Gel. Yes, there are other Gels like Colour Gel and Gel Polish that would respond well to a solvent like acetone; yet we would never recommend it. At YN, we teach that you should not solely use a solvent soak to remove product on your clients’ nails. Removal should be just as an important part of your nail maintenance skills set as application. We firmly believe and teach these techniques in which you use an E-file to take the product off safely and always prioritise the health of the nails.
When you’re good at neither or perhaps master of both mediums, which to choose? It’s comes down to chemistry and your individual clients needs. Speaking from a place of extensive professional experience and product development, Greg’s pick would be Acrylic and all it’s amazing versatility. At the other end of the spectrum, Habib in his role as a fledgling nail pro, would choose the easier learning curve associated with Gel’s limitless range of service options (for example builder gel, colour gel, gel paints, and the handy precision gel applicators). A nice byproduct of starting out with Gel is that as you learn to control it with your brush; it’s a great asset to transition into using Acrylic. It helps from being too heavy-handed due to a finely developed sense of muscle memory.
ENVIRONMENT SPECIFIC
So much depends on where the work is done and a lot of unexpected external circumstances. Sometimes deciding between Acrylic or Gel, is more a question of what is appropriate and suitable for your salon space. Once many years ago, on a trip to Japan, we saw first hand how these factors played a part in favouring Gel Services. All the commercial storefronts were tiny and tight for space. There wasn’t a lot of square footage for services and the ventilation systems for neighbouring businesses weren’t optimal for Acrylic use. Everyone knows the smell of Acrylic is quite distinct. It has a tendency to travel and permeate the air of the grocery store or shops next door. The unique qualities of Acrylic were not well received within that specific culture and as a result we saw the explosion of sculpted gel nails.
In the US, determining factors are based on different criteria. Some locations here may also be sensitive to the smell of Acrylic; in which case you too may choose to go with Gel. Sometimes, all the environmental/physical conditions may be virtually “perfect” (location, square footage, and adequate ventilation, etc.) but for some reason the Acrylic services on offer just seem to miss the mark. Your clients may just not be interested in it. What to do in this scenario? The only answer is to adapt your skill set. Life happens. As you go through your journey as a nail professional and make transitions from various client circles and salons; we highly recommend you explore a deep and diverse understanding of both techniques to rise to any occasion as it presents itself.
NAIL NINJA GOALS
As you can see there are many benefits for a nail pro to, over time, come to master both Acrylic and Gel. You deserve to be the nail tech people seek out for the diversity of your services. As tastes change, being a chameleon is a truly valuable professional asset. You will be able to create extensions, colour, natural overlay, and dabble in dip powder, too. Aspire to the 5th degree black belt in nails. Sky’s the limit if you can use both with the same level of expertise and ease when a new client walks in; addressing their individual needs and nail health. Specialise in one thing to separate yourself from the pack to start; however remember it’s good to be versatile. Look at the swing from Gel Polish demand to Acrylic now. It’s hard to believe and who knows what’s next.
"IF I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR ANYTHING, IT IS TO MOVE. AS FAR AS YOU CAN, AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. ACROSS THE OCEAN OR SIMPLY ACROSS THE RIVER" — ANTHONY BOURDAIN
The relationship between the nail tech and salon is a familiar mutually beneficial one. Even so, what happens when it’s time to switch things up? Are you feeling ready for a change in scenery? Life is a series of entrances and exits. The daily rhythm of a nail tech is no different with its rotation of faithful clientele and seasonal must haves. All good things come to end; signaling the start of another unimaginable good thing. As you grow more confident, you’ll encounter more opportunities. It’s natural that as your talent, self-knowing and personal connections expand that your definition of what’s professionally satisfying evolves.
SEEKING A FOREVER SALON
The reasons to leave a salon will vary. Toxic characteristics and problems previously invisible are now made visible. Maybe the salon location lacks a steady foot traffic. It’s quite possible there’s no specific drama exists at all. Perhaps, you’re just ready for a new thrill. To insure your next long-term salon relationship is the right one, give yourself ample time for proper research. You deserve better, so make sure you find better. Don’t be in a rush. Settle for less and you might find yourself bouncing around too much. You aren’t the only one in the process being sized up for the job. You’re also in a position of power. You have a choice in this. You get to interview the salon owner, too. Are Do they have what you are looking for? Check things out as a customer. Talk to the people that work there. Do they look happy to be there? What’s the vibe? Get a thorough read and visit on different days of the week. Let’s hope it’s a love match.
MAKE A LIST, CHECK IT TWICE
When the desire to leave your current salon becomes hard to resist, it’s time to make a list. It’s so important to identify what you want in a work environment. What vision do you have for the next version of you? Articulate every detail of the vision so that it can be manifested. Take notes of what qualities you want to prioritize. What about a new salon and its owner is a deal breaker? Be rigorously honest with yourself and dig deep. What is making you happy or unhappy? Is it something you can actually change or is it beyond your control. Sometimes there is a cosmic lesson we need to learn about ourselves. It will keep appearing in our lives; showing up with a different face until it is dealt with properly.
EXIT STRATEGY
Act like a grown up when you plan your exit. Now that everything’s lined up, go directly to the salon owner to give notice. Don’t let this get to them from someone else’s lips. Word gets out very quickly. Keep everything super professional. Let the owner know how much you appreciated their time and sharing their knowledge with you. An unfortunate byproduct of honesty when you resign is that the discussion might not be well-received. Don’t be surprised if the salon asks you to leave on the spot or shows you the door at the end of the day. So be prepared. Have your things ready. Leave with your dignity and head held high. Give everyone respect, even if you don’t think they deserve it. You never know when your circumstances might change. Somewhere down the line you might want to return or your paths might cross. Try to play the long game.
GREEN LIGHT
Congratulations you’re ready to make the big move! When can you start? Map out this time frame, have dates in mind. Are your finances in order? Do you have any financial cushion for a slow start? How will you let your existing clients know? How can they book with you at the new place? Do you have a new schedule? Sometimes the new salon owner will be ready for you to start right away. Do you commit on the spot? Give your current salon at least two to four weeks notice as a courtesy. It’s a thoughtful move and best practice to give everyone time to figure out what needs to be done should they need it. Make a conscious decision to be courteous and appreciative. Express your gratitude for the opportunity but now it’s time to go.
