How to get the best out of your Cuccio Veneer

We are all aware that we need to stir our veneer to get the true colour and consistency, but did you know that there are other factors that we need to think about to get the best out of our veneer? In this blog I am going to take you through them! 

Preparing the nail plate and cuticle area is so important for a clean smooth application.  If you have a good surface to work on then your colour will apply smoothly giving you a good even colour coverage without any flooding into the side walls and cuticle area. 

Using Step 1 (Prep) will dehydrate the nail, removing any oils/dirt from the nail will give you a good surface to apply your products to. Step 1 will help with the longevity of the Veneer as any oils/dirt can cause lifting which will have an impact on how long your enhancements last on the nails. 

Step 2 (Fuse) is key to long lasting veneer, it can be applied to the cuticle area, side walls and free edge to prevent lifting but if you find your clients are prone to lifting or are heavy handed then I would recommend applying fuse all over the nail to maximise adhesion to the nail. 

Going in with a good, even layer of base coat is a brilliant way to set yourself up for the perfect veneer application.  This will smooth out any uneven surfaces on the nail which will help when you apply your veneer.  If your client had some ridges/imperfection on their nails, the veneer would pool in them causing uneven colour coverage resulting in a patchy looking nail. Once you have cured your base layer, I always like to go in and wipe over it with a dry brush, this is just your gel application brush without any product on it – it will remove a little of the tacky layer which could cause the veneer to shrink or streak.  
 
Now we are at the veneer stage! Make sure you have given your veneer a really good stir using the Mix-Stir tool, place your tool to the bottom of the bottle and stir in a figure of 8 motion for around 60 seconds.  If you have not used the shade for some time then I would recommend to give it an extra 30 second stir to really ensure that the pigment is being mixed through the bottle. Once you have completed your figure of 8 motion, I like to run the tool up the side of the bottle, to bring up any remaining pigment through the bottle, ensuring that you are getting the true colour and improving the consistency. Two layers of veneer is recommended for the perfect colour coverage however some shades may need 3 due to the colour shade and depth of colour you would like to achieve for your client. Cure your veneer for 30 seconds in an LED lamp or 120 seconds in a UV lamp. Once you are happy with your colour coverage and finish, apply your chosen topcoat and cure for the recommended time.