Why Doesn’t My Gel Smart Kote Set?
Gel Smart Kote is a fantastic long lasting overlay for acrylic and gel nails, however if the surface of the nail is wet when Smart Kote is applied it will contaminate the whole bottle and will not set hard. Another reason why this could happen is one or more of your bulbs in the gel lamp have blown out. These should be replaced 6 monthly or al least have a couple of spare bulbs at hand.

Do I Have To File Like On The DVD?
A lot of research and experience have been gathered to create the DVD and by filing the same way you will always create beautiful nails without any trauma to your client’s nail beds, as well as continue to increase your speed with a minimum of effort.

What Should I Learn First Gel Or Acrylic?
Acrylic is perhaps more highly skilled than gel (it involves 11, 3 hour modules) and for this reason it would be much easier to learn gel once you have completed the acrylic course.

One Of The Biggest Complaints From My Clients Is The Smell Of The Salon, How Strong Is The Smell Of The surmanti Products?
surmanti products have been specifically designed to create an indulgent experience with rich fragrances to pamper your client’s senses. Create your own salon signature with nourishing botanicals and aromatic oils. Products on the market place with strong odours usually contain nasty chemicals which today’s modern women choose to avoid.

I Have Seen The Technicians At The Nail Bars Using Large Brushes; The Surmanti Brushes Seem Small In Comparison. Wouldn’t It Be Faster With The Bigger Brush?
These brushes hold A LOT of liquid; you may have also noticed that they only use one ball for each nail. This prevents you from creating the correct thickness in product especially around the stress areas. It also floods the cuticle resulting in lifting. Even with the ‘smaller’ brushes, with the correct product consistency you can still create large balls. You wouldn’t use a sledge hammer to hang a picture hook - would you?

What’s Causing Yellow Streaks In My Acrylic Work?
Keep your hand crafted sable brush flat and covered, when not in use. Regularly clean your brush to remove acrylic residue and build up. surmanti's Preserve will clean your sable brushes without stripping the naturally occurring oils. If your brush is the cause of contamination you’ll notice yellow streaks in your acrylic.

What Causes Cracks And Breaks?
These will occur for the following reasons:

• Nail extension applied to long for the length of the nail bed.
  Prevention - To guarantee the quality and life of your nails it is recommended that the nail extension never be longer than the client’s actual nail bed. Shorten if required.
• Acrylic cracking and lifting from back and sides. Client may have a soft nail that is unable to withstand the strength of the acrylic. Prevention - Acrylic is still suitable for theses clients however it is recommended that they back fill every two weeks and keep their nails at an active length, ½ cm from the free edge.
• Not using enough product – application of product too thin. Prevention - Always ensure that you apply the final acrylic stress ball.
• Incorrect tip application either to small or too large Prevention - Practice your tip application – try several tips to ensure correct size and tailor tip if necessary.
• Nail cracking from side to side.
  Over filing removing the strength by filing the Nail flat and or exposing the sides of the nail to the elements.
  Prevention - Don’t over file

What Is The Best Way To Fix A Crack?
Cracks: File down the crack or break using your Primo file, dust, apply Pure Primer allow to dry - reapply Pure Primer apply acrylic product to crack, allow to dry – file and complete.
Breaks: File down break using Primo file, dust, apply nail form, apply Pure Primer let dry – reapply Pure Primer apply acrylic product over the break to desired length at free edge, allow to dry – file and complete. Always follow the correct procedures when completing cracks and repairs. Just because it is only one nail does not mean cutting corners. Sanitization and Disinfection Procedures ALWAYS apply.

What Causes My Client’s Acrylic Nails To Go Soft & Rubbery?
The main reason is your client is probably using acetone free nail polish remover to maintain her nails at home. This causes the molecular structure of the acrylic to break down. It is very important that you advise your client on the correct maintenance or homecare products. The surmanti polish remover has been specifically designed and is compatible with most acrylic systems. When this happens you will need to clip or file off soft rubbery acrylic and replace with new acrylic. To avoid lines in your new acrylic work, surmanti Out-a-Sight is recommended at prep stage in conjunction with Pure Primer.

How Long Does Acrylic Liquid Last? I Saw Some For Sale On Ebay?
ALL acrylic liquid has a shelf life of 1 year, it needs to be kept at room temperature, too hot and the shelf life will be reduced (WARNING – Never purchase acrylic liquid or primer that has been opened or used, as service breakdown can result) and it puts you in a sad position when you can’t guarantee your results.

What Causes Nail Fungus?
There are many reasons why this can happen, unfortunately when it does, it weakens the nail bed and may often reoccur when you are run down.

• Using contaminated files and implements on consecutive clients with out proper disinfection, Trauma to the natural nail, hyponychium, or nail matrix.
• A cut or portal of entry under the free edge of the natural nail allowing bacteria to enter.
• Chemical Damage to the soft tissue underneath the natural nail - overuse of primer

At the first sign of trouble, either tenderness or a hot burning feeling or in some instances where the nail is leaving the nail plate the client must apply surmanti Kombat antifungal treatment under the free edge at least 3 to 5 times daily on all 10 nails for two consecutive weeks. In almost all cases this will help to ease discomfort and help the nail to reattach. If after two weeks of consecutive use the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
As with every thing prevention is better than cure, to ensure the very best care for your client it is recommended to treat all of their nails daily to prevent a reoccurrence. When you have completed the service ensure that you scrub your hands and nails thoroughly with a plastic manicure brush and antibacterial cleanser. Dry hands thoroughly and apply surmanti Kombat to all 10 of your nails. IMPORTANT: Fungus is extremely contagious and spreads easily. Protect both yourself and your clients by using files and implements on your clients that have been correctly disinfected.

I Am Always Getting Confused With My Brush Cleaner And Acrylic Liquid, What Would Happen If I Mixed Them Up?
Always ensure that you keep your acrylic liquid in your black dappen dish and your brush cleaner in your white dappen dish. If a mix up occurs you will find that every thing looks fine until you go to file… Brush cleaner will never set, you will need to remove all product and start again, this is one time costly, time consuming mistake. It is a worth while investment to purchase the correct dappen dishes to ensure you never have to learn the hard way. You will also notice that the surmanti brush cleaner is pink in colour and has an almond smell so its easily recognisable, while the acrylic liquid is purple. Contaminated liquid is also one of the main reasons for compromising acrylic strength beauty and quality. Always use the black dappen dish to keep your acrylic liquid in, so at a glance you can look to see if the liquid has gone milky… if so, discard immediately. Making nails with contaminated liquid will cost you your business

When My Client Returned For Her Gel Backfill 3 Of Her Nails Had Cracked Through The Nail Bed, What Did I Do Wrong?
The strongest nail is one with a ‘C’ curve. When applying gel it is important to

• Make sure you have applied enough product to create ‘C’ curve.
• Don’t over file. Gel disappears quickly when filed.
• Make sure gel nails aren’t too long, too flat or too thin.

What Causes Some Of My Clients Nails To Go Yellow?
There are two types of yellow Surface Yellowing can quickly and easily be filed or buffed off. Surface Yellowing is caused by smoking, incorrect polish removal and exposure to sunlight UV

• If nail colour or topcoats are not entirely removed and acrylic is applied over left over residue it will cause the acrylic to become yellow.
• Educate your clients that smoke to regularly oil and buff their nails and reapply top coats as needed. Alternatively it is wise to recommend Smart Kote gel topcoat to keep their nails looking beautiful.

Product yellowing is permanent and acrylic product will need to be removed Product yellowing is caused by use of contaminated acrylic liquid, powder and primer.

• Wiping your brush between acrylic ball applications is necessary to ensure you don’t contaminate your powder and liquid. But beware what your wiping your hand crafted sable on could be the cause of product yellowing. Paper towels are not ph neutral and contain acids. Acids that will change the molecular structure of your acrylic.

What Would Cause My Coloured Gel To Be Hard On The Outside And Runny Underneath?

• Not removing the forte gel residue before coloured gel application
• Applying your coloured gel to thick

What Causes Mould?
When artificial nails lift and moisture gets trapped in between the natural nail and artificial nail it creates the perfect environment to breed mould. Mould needs:

• Moisture – (water trapped in between natural and artificial nail)
• Heat – (created from your body)

Mould can also spread by contaminated files and implements. When this occurs you may notice either a black or green shadow that is noticeable through your acrylic. Immediately remove old acrylic (refer to soak off procedure) or due to excessive lifting the product may easily be clipped off to expose the mould. Soak infected finger in surmanti Kombat Professional for 2 minutes either in glass dappen dish or saturated cotton ball. Continue with service (recommended you throw away Primo File after this service.) If client is wearing pink & white nails, you may need to change your acrylic powders to a cover colour; Corporate Pink, Executive Pink or Risqué until the mould grows down. Nail colour or creative diamantes are also an option. It is important to educate your clients on the correct maintenance homecare procedures – when dealing with lifted nails.

What causes bubbles in my clients gel nails?

• Playing too much with the product, remember less is more here.
• Ensure you scoop gel from the side of the pot

Why Do My Nails Lift? – Not On Every Client, Just Some?
Incorrect or sloppy nail preparation causes over 70% of lifting – perfect nail preparation is like a house foundation – do it right the first time

• When applying acrylic, it is critical that there is a ¼ cm between cuticle area and acrylic product.
• Acrylic product applied too thickly (even though this can be rectified through filing) will lift.
• Acrylic applied to wet, if the ratio is to wet you will have no strength and most likely will experience lifting away from the sides first and then at the cuticle.
• The acrylic at the cuticle must be filed flush with the natural nail to ensure the best possible seal.
• Always seal the acrylic either with a Sun Kote and then Tough Kote or Smart Kote gel or by using a Lustro (brilliante shine) buffer.
• Always apply product on top of 2nd coat of wet primer. If primer dries, reapply.
• Cuticle oil needs to be used daily to ensure acrylic maintains its integrity. If it becomes to dry or old it will become brittle and breakdown will occur.
• Educate your clients on how to maintain their nails and what products are compatible with surmanti acrylic.
• Nails applied to long for the nail bed. Nail extensions should really never be longer than the nail plate you have to work with. Otherwise gravity will inevitably take over (think of it like a see saw).
• The use of hormonal medication or pregnancy. Some medication can cause lifting, if she was previously a good client and now is experiencing lifting it’s a case of working through what has changed in her life. We have found that changing the client to gel often works to solve the problem.

What Causes Some Of My Clients Nails To Peel Away From The Acrylics?
Some nails when immersed in water have a tendency to curl away from either the acrylic or tip and after awhile, the two will separate. Always educate your clients on the benefits of wearing gloves while working with cleaning products and in wet areas. If separation occurs, use your drill and a diamond drill piece (silver) to smooth underneath the free edge of the acrylic. Apply Pink Brush on Glue underneath the natural nail to seal it against the acrylic – if peeling persists, a small ball of clear acrylic may also be applied underneath to seal the natural nail to the acrylic. When the acrylic has dried, apply one coat of Pink Brush on Glue to seal. (It is recommended that the client purchase Repair Glue to fix any lifting or peeling between backfills.) I have a few clients whose natural nails are very hard and find that their nails always separate away from the tip. I apply their tips using acrylic rather than glue and this solves the problem, however it’s a little slower than glue.

What Causes The Burning Sensation On Some Of My Clients?
Primer (methacrylic acid/clear, colourless liquid with penetrating odour) cautions relating to handling chemicals and local regulations on industrial hygiene must be observed, like any acid it will cause skin burns. Consequently all forms of skin contact should be avoided. Clothing splashed with primer must be immediately changed. Splashes on the skin must be removed with copious amounts of water. When you use primer, use sparingly and wipe any excess off on a disposable towel to avoid overexposure. If primer enters the eyes, the eyelids must be spread wide apart and the eyes must be thoroughly irrigated with water for 15 minutes. Afterwards an ophthalmologist should be consulted. Primer is necessary as it ensures the adhesion of the acrylic coating to the natural nail.

My Primer Has Frozen, Can I Still Use It?
In colder climates, freezing of primer may occur. If this happens please refer to the following instructions (if opened when frozen, a replacement brush may need to be sent. Please call your company distributor).
If primer has frozen it may be allowed to thaw in heated rooms in which the temperature does not exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Warm water may also be used for thawing but its temperature must not be allowed to exceed 45 degrees Celsius. The use of steam and microwave must be avoided under all circumstances. After thawing it is absolutely essential that the product is kept thoroughly mixed to ensure uniform distribution of ingredients.

Can I Backfill Surmanti Gel over other brands of gel?
There are two types of gel

• The first type is hard gel when you tap it, it sound hard like glass (surmanti gels) this is compatible
• The second type is soak off gel (removed with acetone solution) sounds like rubber when tapped, very dense sound. The two gels are NOT compatible. When this gel is filed to shorten, the seal is broken and the gel lifts off the natural nail.

My Gel Has Gone Hard In The Pot What Can I Do To Rectify This?
Only one thing makes gel set (go hard) UV light either direct exposure from your gel lamp or from sunlight. There is no way to rectify your gel when this happens.

How Do I Remove surmanti Gel Nails?
The quickest way is to file the nail with a Primo file or 100gt Centro until you get close to the natural nail. Then proceed with your surmanti Finito buffer (The complete procedure should take no more than 15 minutes). We recommend you leave a tiny amount of gel on the nail and retail your client a Finito buffer and her corrective Lifeline basecoat

Is There Anyway To Thin My Gel Down It Seems To Be Much Thicker Than When I Bought It?
Like all products gel has a shelf life. If the product is less than 1 year old and has been stored in a cool dry place you can thin your UV gel with surmanti UV Restore.

What Causes Gel Nails To Lift?
The number 1 cause for lifting on any artificial nail application is

• Insufficient nail preparation
• Forgetting to apply your contact primer
• First coat of Forte Clear gel (basecoat) being applied to thick
• Always ensure that the gel does not touch the cuticle or surrounding skin. (You should always see a tiny amount of natural nail)
• Nail extensions should really never be longer than the nail plate you have to work with. Otherwise gravity will inevitably take over (think of it like a see saw)
• The use of hormonal medication or pregnancy

Sculptured Gel Nails - Every Time I Remove The Forms My Gel Extension Breaks?
Make sure your using the surmanti clear gel forms this allows the UV light from gel lamp to cure both sides of the extension at the same time. A generous application of surmanti Forte Clear is also required as it is the strongest of all gels

Can You Mix Gel And Acrylic Nails?
Yes, one of the most popular nail styles is the HYBRID™ Nail. The nail bed is surmanti forte gel (cover pink, our No 1 biggest seller) and the free edge is surmanti French White acrylic

• You can also backfill surmanti Forte Clear over surmanti acrylic and vice versa. (Note: it is important to keep client record cards to ensure correct removal procedure is followed should nails require removal)

What Causes My Tips To Crack Through The Middle?
Either you are placing the wrong size tip on the nail or when you are using your primer it is getting onto the tip causing it to break down and the resulting effect would be cracking vertically from the free edge.

Can I Purchase In Bulk If I Have A Large Salon Or A School?
We have lots of package deals and options available. The simplest solution would be to call our head office and we can work through all the options with you.