The key to a high-quality and long-term manicure is competent pre-treatment of the nail plate. Typically, just a base coat is not enough, and this layer can also become unstable if the underlying nail is not prepared. This is done using a so-called primer. Everyone knows about its functions, just as everyone knows about the need for its use. But what can you replace the primer with if you don’t have it on hand and you definitely need to finish your manicure? Let's consider this question!
Brief Introduction
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First of all, it is worth understanding what a primer is and under what names this product can also be found. So, literally translated, the word “primer” means “primer”. Obviously, this product is designed to prepare the nail for the application of a further decorative layer or several layers. At the same time, he is obliged to perform certain functions, namely:
- Drain excess moisture from the nail.
- Remove the greasy layer from the surface.
- Make the surface a little rough.
All this is necessary so that the base layer of gel polish or build-up composition “sticks” to the nail plate as tightly as possible. But it happens that this miracle product runs out at the most inopportune moment, and then the question arises: what can replace the primer with while maintaining this functionality?
How to properly apply primer on nails: instructions for use
Photo from website: NogtiPro.com
Typically, each manufacturer offers detailed and intuitive instructions on how to apply primer to nails before base coat. These recommendations may vary slightly, but are basically standard, so we will provide general tips that will help you cope with almost any task regarding the primer and its application. Let's figure out together how to do all this so that it turns out perfectly and does not require a long treatment of burns from a caustic and even somewhat toxic substance.
Please note
If you accidentally get primer on your skin, you should immediately wash your hands thoroughly with plenty of soap and water, ideally under the tap. If you did not have time to do this and the burn still appears, you should immediately consult a doctor to relieve possible problems in the future.
- Before applying nail extensions, it wouldn’t hurt to do a regular manicure and also remove the cuticles. However, some masters claim that doing this is harmful. If you also have a similar opinion, then simply push back the cuticle with a pusher or an orange stick.
- Using a special nail file, remove the gloss from the entire surface of the nail plate so that it becomes rough rather than smooth. It is not recommended to remove a layer that is too thick, as it can damage and ruin your nails. Remaining dust must be vigorously brushed off using a fairly stiff brush.
- Place a little primer on the brush, be sure to press it against the edge of the jar, and sweep it over the surface of the nail plate. The easiest way to do this is to apply the brush to the center of the nail and let the substance spread freely, this way you minimize the risk of the primer getting on the skin. You need to apply this substance to your nails in an extremely thin layer, otherwise the effect may turn out to be exactly the opposite of what you want, and the scales of the nail plate will not rise.
- Thus, the process of applying the substance is actually completed, all that remains is to figure out how to dry the primer on the nails, which is very simple. In most cases, the manufacturer recommends drying the substance in the open air, without the use of any equipment. Drying can take from one to five to fifteen minutes, but this is extremely rare.
Photo from the site: ibeauti.ru
Sometimes manufacturers advise drying the primer under a special lamp, then the process generally takes only a few seconds. But if nothing like this is indicated in the instructions, then you should never improvise, as this will affect the quality of subsequent extensions and its durability.
No. 1 - acetone
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The first thing you can replace your nail primer with is nail polish remover containing acetone. Exactly this kind, aggressive and “out of fashion”, and not those exquisite bubbles that are now sold as gentle in the assortment. It's simple - the "Nail" product contains a lot of acetone, and it is this component that allows you to simultaneously draw out unnecessary moisture from the nail, degrease it and create a slight roughness on the surface. It is important to remember that if you are not buying Marigold, but another similar product, study its composition. It should not contain oils, since we get rid of them with the help of a primer, because they are the ones that prevent the manicure from staying on the nails for a long time.
BB cream
This product already initially contains a pigment that can be used to cover the skin with an even tone.
However, it can and should also be used as a base. To do this, it is important that it be a shade lighter than the foundation applied over it. Another important nuance is that the explosive and the tone must be based on the same substance.
Like most foundations, this cream's main component is water. Therefore, it will not be difficult to find a “mate” for him.
Life hack: it’s better to take products from the same company and brand: in this case, the components will coexist more comfortably with each other.
No. 2 - vinegar
A product that contains a large amount of acids necessary for high-quality degreasing of the nail. This is something you can use to replace primer at home when you don’t even have acetone on hand. The product is more gentle than its branded counterpart, but at the same time it has a positive effect on the nails and the skin around them. The cuticle softens, the fingers become more tender, the skin cleanses. It is important to note that with the help of white table vinegar, unfortunately, it is impossible to lift the scales of the nail so that the varnish adheres to the surface as firmly as possible. But you can compensate for this shortcoming with the help of a file. Masters advise choosing medium abrasiveness and treating each nail with it.
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After shave balm
You can go further and look into the small arsenal of men's cosmetics. There you have a ninety percent chance of finding aftershave balm.
So, its beneficial properties are moisturizing and restoring the skin. This means that it will help relieve irritation, partially relieve pain from rashes and remove oily shine from the skin, as well as simply moisturize it properly.
No. 3 - ethyl alcohol
This drug acts in a similar way to vinegar, but differs from its predecessor in the absence of acids in the composition. It is also important to note that the absence of acids does not mean that the product will be more gentle on your nails. On the contrary, alcohol can greatly dry out both the nail itself and the skin around it, which will cause a lot of discomfort in the future. Therefore, it must be used extremely carefully, applied to the nails without touching the cuticle, and only once. At the same time, like white table vinegar, ethyl alcohol will not be able to provide adequate adhesion to the varnish and nail. That is why you need to take the file again and process the surfaces of the nails so that they become rougher and secure all further layers of manicure. By the way, if you are looking for something that can replace a primer for extensions, then alcohol would be the best candidate. It will dry out the nail the most, which will allow the helium or acrylic mixture to stick to it for a very long time.
Primer for gel nail extensions
For gel nail extensions, nail industry experts recommend using an acid-free primer. It must be applied in 2 layers.
If tips are used for extensions, the primer should not get on them, otherwise cracks may appear. During correction, the master applies this product exclusively to the regrown part of the nail, but not to the artificial coating.
No. 4 - alcohol-containing liquids
It often happens that there is no pure alcohol in the house - nothing surprising; in recent years it is not considered a “must-have” in the medicine cabinet, as there are many more “humane” alternatives. So you can take them into everyday use. As a rule, something that can replace the primer can be found in any first aid kit. These are tinctures of various herbs and berries, alcohol rubs for joints and muscles, some homeopathic preparations for colds based on ethyl, etc. They will cope well with the oily layer of the nail plate, and, depending on the “aggressiveness” of the effect, they will be able to lift nail scales and make it more porous. As a bonus, experts note that many such products also have a positive effect on the structure of the nail itself and the condition of the cuticle. Fingers are transformed and retain a well-groomed appearance longer.
Should I dry the primer in a lamp?
There are self-curing and light-curing primers.
Self-curing nail primers dry quickly. Everything is individual, depending on the manufacturer and the intensity of the product - on average from 5 to 60 seconds. There is no need to dry them in a lamp.
Some manufacturers produce products that are dried in a UV lamp. This is usually indicated in the accompanying information. Such primers have a thick and viscous texture, while others are liquid, like water.
It is important to follow the duration of exposure in the lamp indicated on the product, otherwise you can harm your nails. Some primers take a long time to dry.
The main thing is not to apply the next layer until the primer has dried.
Don't miss the most popular article in the section: How to extend nails with gel polish. Nail extension instructions for beginners. Photo.
No. 5 - boric acid
Here we are again back to acids, which also do an excellent job of degreasing and preparing the nail plate for further application of decorative layers. Boric acid is a universal product, available in almost every home and even every office, so quickly applying it in manicure will be very simple. Please note that if the percentage of acid is very high, it is advisable to dilute it with water, otherwise you can severely dry out the cuticle and the nail itself. Also adding a “plus” to this product is the fact that it is included in many ultrabonds - that is, nail primers.
Kinds
| Primer type | Compound | Which nails are best suited for? | Features | For what procedure is it intended? |
| Acid | Methacrylic acid, ethanol, butyl acetate. | Prone to fat | Making the nail surface even, disinfecting, removing moisture, degreasing | For acrylic extensions |
| Acid-free | Ethyl acetate | Those with normal fat content | Gentle degreasing and drying | For type extensions, for shellac, gel polish |
Preprimer
Preprimer is a hypoallergenic liquid that does not contain dyes or fragrances. It is used before applying an acidic or acid-free primer. Preprimer improves degreasing and helps remove excess moisture. The deep layers of the nail are not affected. The hydrobalance is not disturbed, which is the main condition for preventing fragility and brittleness of nails. If you use a pre-primer before applying gel polish, your manicure will last longer. Nails under the coating do not dry out or break.
Acid
It is made on the basis of methacrylic acid. It is used primarily for nail extensions with acrylic powder. The acid primer lifts the scales of the nail plate thanks to its special composition. Therefore, the surface of the nail adheres better to the varnish, and a durable coating is formed.
The nail plate dries completely due to the high acid content, so this primer is also suitable for gel extensions for women with oily skin. It is not recommended for use if the nails are in poor condition, thinned, or if there is damage to the skin and cuticle. Most often, manicurists do not use ready-made acid primers due to their aggressive effect on the nail plate. It may become yellow in color and have a rough surface.
Acid-free
It is recommended for use before the gel extension procedure. Its composition helps eliminate excess oiliness of the nail, destroy pathogenic microorganisms, and dry the surface. Acid-free primer contains fewer aggressive substances, which allows it to be used for sensitive skin. But it is important to follow the technique for creating the coating, since if it is violated, irritation of the skin around the nail may occur. The primer itself does not affect the final color of the coating. Although this product does not contain methacrylic acid, it can cause 3rd degree burns. To prevent this from happening, you need to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for use. If acid-free primer gets on your skin, you should immediately rinse it under running water.
No. 6 - salicylic acid
Well, here we see how a product that copes well with various kinds of skin defects helps to temporarily solve the problem of the lack of ultrabond for nails. When you don’t know at home what you can replace the primer with due to the lack of all the above products, use this. Salicylic acid will help you achieve almost perfect results. It dries efficiently, but at the same time carefully, perfectly disinfects, and removes excess moisture from the surface of the nail plate. Moreover, if its concentration is not too high, the nail will become a little rough, its upper layers will rise. All you have to do is finally “lift them up” by going over them with a nail file. After this, you can safely apply the coating and be sure that it will last well.
Precautions when using primer analogues
The original nail primer is a fairly safe product that has passed clinical trials and is theoretically not capable of harming the nail plates or surrounding tissues. But if you use any drug to replace the primer, you must take safety precautions, since it is not completely known how this or that substance can affect the nails or skin.
How to stay safe when using homemade primer substitutes:
- Use a product that can replace the primer as little as possible if your nails are too thin and brittle. It is recommended to use such preparations only in extreme cases, giving preference to specialized acid-free liquids for disinfecting, dehydrating and degreasing nails.
- Be sure to do an allergy test before using any product for the first time. If we are talking about tea leaves or PVA glue, you will most likely be confident that your body will not show any unusual reaction. But acetone and boric acid are liquids with which you need to be careful. Therefore, apply a few drops of the drug to the inside of your wrist and wait 15-25 minutes. There should be no manifestations of allergies such as rash, redness, swelling or itching on the skin. In this case, the product can be used as an impromptu nail primer.
- Even if you are not allergic to the substance with which you intend to replace the primer, you must ensure that it only gets on the nail plates and does not affect the skin of your fingers. The drug will not cause significant harm, but excessive dryness of the skin should still be avoided.
- If in the process of performing a hygienic manicure you have damaged the integrity of the cuticle or skin around the nails, you do not need to use any products that can replace the primer within 24 hours. Contact of even the slightest amount of a caustic substance on injured tissue can cause pain. In addition, you can get a chemical burn, so you will have to wait a little before getting a manicure. If this is completely impossible, apply the polish without first preparing the nail plates, being careful not to touch the damaged areas. The decor will not last long, but it will perform its function within 2-4 days, and the damaged tissue will have time to heal. To make this happen as quickly as possible, use not a patch, but BF-6 medical glue, which will tighten the skin and promote its speedy recovery.
Nail art experts do not recommend getting too carried away with the use of products that can replace primers. Still, it is safer to use specialized preparations, the formulas of which were developed taking into account all the features and functional tasks inherent in primers.
No. 7 - vodka
We have already discussed all pharmaceutical products that are based on alcohol, but we forgot about this not very healthy drink. In this case, this is an excellent alternative than replacing the gel polish primer, and using this liquid to greater benefit. It is very convenient to purchase a mini-bottle at the checkout if there are no other means for degreasing the nail plate in the house, and it is a very long walk to the nearest pharmacy. Note that vodka is not as aggressive as pure alcohol, so it can be used without undue fear, and sometimes you need to treat your nails twice or thrice to achieve the desired effect.
The Best Acid-Free Primers
Rio Profi
A universal acid-free product for working with different types of coatings - gel varnishes, single-phase varnishes, acrylic. Complete drying time – 2-3 minutes. It has a specific, but not too pronounced odor.
Grattol
A universal product helps improve adhesion and degrease the nail plate. Dries in 60 seconds. Does not have a pungent odor.
CND NailPrime
The gentle composition minimizes the occurrence of allergies and at the same time demonstrates good adhesion. Used to work with gels, acrylics, gel polishes.
UNO LUX
Improves nail adhesion to acrylic, gel or gel polish without overloading the nail plate with harmful components. Suitable for women with frequent peeling of varnish, as well as peeling nails.
ORLY, GelFx
The product contains substances to improve adhesion, as well as vitamins for nail care. Dries in 30 seconds and leaves a perfectly smooth surface. The manufacturer recommends applying the composition only to potentially problematic areas - the free edge and side rollers.
Patrisa nail, Primer pencil
The primer in the form of a pencil allows you to control the application process and avoid tipping the bottle. Suitable for working with gel systems and gel polishes.
Using a primer in the manicure procedure is not at all a mandatory step.
Despite the availability of relatively safe products, you should not further injure the nail plate. Well, if the coating on your nails peels off after just a couple of days, choose acid-free products and do not neglect safety precautions. Do you use primer? Tell us in the comments which brand you like best. Comment
No. 8 - cologne
Our list of products that can replace gel polish primer is completed by this aromatic product. It contains more than 70 percent ethyl alcohol, so its appearance in this rating is quite justified. Men's colognes are more “aggressive” in relation to nail scales. But you can also use women's perfumed or eau de toilette, just repeat the procedure several times. Another advantage of this method is that some essential oils that are included in fragrances also have a drying effect. This is tea tree, citruses, white flowers, etc. Therefore, the fresher your perfume, the better! Well, as a bonus, you get a scent that will literally be hidden under your manicure.
Manicurist answers questions
- Is it necessary to use a professional primer when doing extensions? If when coating a nail with gel polish you can do without a primer, then when applying acrylic or gel extensions this is a necessary step.
- Are there any differences between nail primer and base and can they replace each other? These are fundamentally different means, each of which has its own function. The primer is necessary to prepare the nail plate for extensions or gel polish, and the base is one of the three stages of their implementation.
- Do I need to dry the primer under a UV or LED lamp? No, the primer does not require drying in a special apparatus, except for the recommendations specified in the instructions for the product.
- How to choose the best primer? It is important not to buy blatantly cheap products that show signs of being counterfeit. Choose primers from well-known, reputable manufacturers, and study real reviews of manicurists and their clients.
Advice from the experts
Experts in the field of manicure answered positively to the question of whether primer can be replaced with household or pharmacy products. They then make recommendations regarding the use of one of the selected products.
- You should not use cotton pads, and especially cotton wool itself, to degrease your nails - small fibers will get caught in the scales and they will ruin your manicure. Lint-free napkins, products made from linen, calico or other natural material are suitable.
- From the very morning of the day you are going to do your manicure, do not use creams and oils, but wash your hands more often. The fats from these products will penetrate very deeply into the structure of the nail and it will be very difficult to wash them out even with first-class primers.
- Do not forget about treating the nail plate with a file - before applying the primer substitute, or after.
- Do not touch the nails that you have just degreased - all your efforts will be in vain.
Anti-irritation cream
You rarely find such creams in stores - they are sold in pharmacies. Their main purpose is to help relieve irritation from mechanical effects on the skin, as well as from the consequences of allergic reactions.
It is not surprising that a small portion of such cream will benefit the makeup, making it more durable and at the same time harmless to the skin of the face.
It is also important to monitor how it is absorbed, and only then apply it to the problem area. Before a long event, it is best to apply this cream to the entire face twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. This way the skin will be better hydrated and the durability of your makeup will increase.
Pazenko Yana
