Products
It’s all about the Base……
But which one? We have a variety of different base coats and prep products – but what are they all for?
✨ Uncovering the Mystery of Our Prep Products, Primers & Gel Base Coats✨
Not all prep products and base coats are created equal—and choosing the right one can make all the difference in your service results. I’m here to break down our different gel base coats as well as our prep products, share the benefits of each, and guide you on which product to use for which service.
🔍 Let’s demystify them – starting with prep:
1. Cuccio Antibacterial Cleansing Spray
Purpose: An effective antibacterial cleanser for nails, tools, hard surfaces and hands.
Benefits:
- Multiple uses within the salon environment – an effective disinfectant that kills a wide range of bacteria, fungi and viruses
- Can also dehydrate the natural nails prior to any treatment
Use For:
- Cleansing tools, files, hard surfaces
- At the start of your service for cleansing hands, feet, nails prior to treatment – spray your own hands in front of your clients for their peace of mind
- Removing dust and debris from the nails following filing or buffing
- Dehydrating the nails to make nail products adhere more effectively
- Can be used to wipe off the tacky induction layer following curing of gel polishes, builder gels and hard gels.
2. Veneer Prep
Purpose: Dehydrates and prepares the natural nail surface before base coat application.
Benefits:
- Removes oils and moisture for better adhesion
- Reduces the risk of lifting
- Does not require curing (air dry product)
Use For:
- Every gel application—especially for clients with oily nails
- For gel polish, builder gel, and hard gel applications
- As the first step in your prep routine for better retention
- Apply to the whole natural nail
3. Veneer Fuse
Purpose: A PH bonding agent that promotes superior adhesion between the nail and base coat.
Benefits:
- Acts like a primer without excessive acidity
- Enhances longevity of gel services
- Does not require curing (air-dry product)
Use For:
- Clients with problematic or lifting-prone nails – for these clients, use Fuse all over the natural nail.
- In combination with Veneer Prep for maximum hold
- For clients with normal nails and no lifting issues, apply Fuse to the free edge only. This will reduce soaking off time when the client is ready for a change of colour.
💡 Pro Tip: Think of Veneer Prep + Veneer Fuse as your power duo for optimal adhesion. Pair them with the right base coat (Veneer, Universal, or Peel It) based on your client’s needs for a fully customised gel service.
4. Veneer Base Coat
Purpose: Acts as the foundation for gel colour application.
Benefits:
- Strong adhesion to the natural nail
- Flexible formula to help prevent chipping or lifting
- Ensures the natural nail is not stained, particularly from darker shades of gel
Use For:
- Standard gel polish manicures
- Clients with healthy to moderately strong nails
- A reliable base for long-lasting colour wear
5. Universal Base Coat
Purpose: A versatile base that offers more strength & quicker soak off time.
Benefits:
- Thicker gel provides a stronger base for weak, damaged nails and for clients that want to progress from extensions to natural nails.
- Creates the perfect canvas on natural nails for applying seamless colour application.
- Smooths ridges and imperfections on the natural nail.
- Same longevity as Veneer Base, but soaks off quicker and adds more strength to your gel polish
Use For:
- Clients with weaker or damaged nails – adds additional strength to the application
- Clients that want quick removal and change their colour often; the soak off time is quicker if using Universal Base versus Veneer Base.
- A Blooming Gel for nail art designs – works a treat!
6. Peel It Pre-Base
Purpose: Creates a peelable layer under gel for easy, non-damaging removal.
Benefits:
- No soaking or filing needed during removal
- Protects the natural nail plate
- Speedy removal for clients that change their colour often
Use For:
- Clients who prefer damage-free removal or change colours frequently
- Clients who have limited time for removal; this also saves you time in soaking off product prior to the application of new sets of nails and allows you to concentrate on application only, fitting in more clients per day as you can turn around services much more quickly.
- The product does not work with brands of ‘hybrid gels’ as the solvent in those products breaks down the Peel It base
- Can be used underneath gel polish, builder gel, hard gels and acrylics – for quicker, no damage removal.
- Great for temporary gel services (e.g., events, photo shoots)
Tune in for the next blog which will be on our various Top Coats and wipe products. Which to use and when!
Maria x
