Professional tips for salons and nail techs in Bahrain & Saudi Arabia — EEAT compliant
A flawless, long-wearing gel manicure starts long before the polish goes on. When technicians pair skilled preparation and application with high-quality products like Makear gel polish and pro bases/tops, clients get salon-grade durability and shine that keeps them coming back. Makear product ranges (gel polishes, rubbers & bases, builder gels, tops, preparations and care items) are designed for professional use — and are available in the GCC via Arabesque Trading W.L.L., the exclusive distributor.
Below you’ll find a practical, field-tested guide that covers everything from salon prep to at-home aftercare — actionable steps that help your Makear gel services last longer, reduce callbacks, and increase client satisfaction.
Why product quality + process matter
Long-lasting results are the product of both formulation and technique. Using reputable salon-grade gels (like Makear’s professional lines) helps, but even the best formula will fail if the nails aren’t prepped or cured correctly. This guide focuses on procedures you can standardize in your salon to get consistent multi-week wear for your clients. You’ll also find salon business tips to protect your reputation and boost retail revenue.
For reference, Makear offers a full professional catalog—UV gel polishes, rubber bases, builder bases, top coats, fluids, and care products—so stocking the right items for prep, application, and aftercare is simple.
1) Salon checklist before you start (prep like a pro)
A consistent checklist prevents common failures (lifting, chipping, peeling).
- Clean workstation & tools — disinfect surfaces and sanitize files, buffers, nippers and brushes between clients.
- Client consultation — check medical/allergy history; if there’s a known sensitivity, consider a patch test. Note lifestyle factors (frequent hand-washing, manual work, exposure to cleaning chemicals).
- Inspect the natural nail — look for onycholysis, severe ridging, or infection. Refer to a clinician if medical issues are suspected; do not proceed with cosmetic resin or gel services on actively infected nails.
- Remove old product safely — soak-off old gel/polish rather than aggressive filing to preserve natural plate integrity.
- Dehydrate, don’t over-file — lightly buff to remove surface shine, then use a professional dehydrator (nail prep) to remove oils. Over-filing thins the nail and reduces adhesion.
- Use the right primer — choose an acid-free or acid primer depending on nail condition; acid primers improve adhesion for problematic nails but require careful use and client consent.
- Select the correct Makear base — Makear’s range includes rubber bases (flexible) and builder bases (strength/structure). Choose rubber base for flexible or weak nails, and builder base for clients wanting overlays or length.
Standardize this checklist as part of your service protocol so every technician follows the same high-quality process.
2) Application best practices (thin, even layers win)
How you apply gel polish determines longevity.
- Thin coats: Apply multiple thin coats rather than a single thick one. Thick layers cure unevenly and are prone to wrinkling and lifting.
- Cap the free edge: Always run the brush along the nail tip when applying base, colour, and top coat — this seals the edge and prevents premature chipping.
- Avoid cuticle contact: Leave a tiny gap (about 0.5–1 mm) from the cuticle line. Wet product touching cuticles causes lifting.
- Proper brush strokes: Use three strokes (center, left, right) for an even film. For glitter or dense pigments, use a gentle patting motion to lay product down, then smooth.
- Follow Makear’s cure recommendations: Use a reliable LED/UV lamp compatible with professional gels and follow the manufacturer’s recommended cure times per coat. Under-curing is a major cause of tacky nails and early failure. (If unsure, run a small test tile to confirm your lamp’s output.)
3) Curing tips & lamp maintenance
A strong cure is non-negotiable.
- Use a quality lamp: Invest in a professional LED/UV lamp designed for salon workflows. Modern salon LED lamps cure efficiently and consistently.
- Keep lamp LEDs clean: Dust or product residue on the lamp window reduces UV transmission. Clean the lamp glass regularly.
- Test cure output: Lamps lose intensity over time — run periodic checks (test on a sample or use a radiometer if available) to ensure consistent performance.
- Cure each layer: Cure base, each colour coat, and the top coat separately as per product guidelines. Even slight shortcuts can compromise adhesion.
4) Aftercare protocol to extend wear
Before the client leaves, set expectations and arm them with aftercare.
- Explain the do’s & don’ts: Recommend wearing gloves for household chores, avoiding prolonged exposure to acetone or harsh detergents, and minimizing aggressive scraping.
- Supply cuticle oil: Apply a small amount and teach clients to use cuticle oil nightly — it keeps the surrounding skin hydrated and supports the bond between nail and enhancement. Makear’s care line includes oils and hand creams that are a perfect retail upsell. makearme.com
- Schedule maintenance: Offer a 2-week check or infill appointment. Smaller corrective visits prevent breakage and increase client retention.
- Aftercare card: Hand out a printed card with brief tips (glove use, oil application, what to avoid). This adds perceived value and reduces at-home mistakes.
5) Troubleshooting common failures (and how to fix them)
When something goes wrong, know why — and how to correct it quickly.
- Lifting — often caused by contamination (oils), product touching the cuticle, inadequate dehydration, or under-curing. Fix: remove and reapply using strict prep, or perform an infill if appropriate.
- Chipping — usually due to poor edge cap, thick layers, or physical trauma. Fix: repair, then reinforce cap sealing technique.
- Bubbling — can be from shaking product, trapping air during application, or curing over a contaminated surface. Fix: use gentle rolling to mix, avoid vigorous shaking, and ensure clean nails.
- Yellowing/discoloration — often due to tobacco exposure, low-quality top coat, or prolonged UV exposure. Fix: recommend maintenance and consider whitening/professional removal and refresh.
- Premature peeling — check for latex/allergic reactions, or incompatible product layering. Use manufacturer-recommended base and top systems to avoid incompatibility.
Document these causes in your salon SOPs so technicians can quickly diagnose and remedy issues.
6) Client lifestyle & climate considerations (GCC focus)
In Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, environmental factors matter.
- Dry indoor air & AC: Extended air-conditioning can dry skin and nails; encourage clients to use cuticle oil more frequently.
- Heat & sun: UV exposure and heat can affect wear and fade certain colours — advise clients to limit direct sun exposure after application.
- Occupational exposure: Clients in hospitality, cleaning, or industrial jobs are at higher risk of wear. Offer reinforced services (builder base overlays) and recommend protective gloves.
By tailoring product choice (rubber base vs builder overlay) and aftercare advice to lifestyle, salons create better outcomes and happier clients.
7) Salon systems, retail & education — grow revenue while protecting your brand
Long-lasting results increase referrals — but systems make them repeatable.
- Standardize SOPs: Write an SOP for each service (prep, application, cure, finish). Train technicians and audit randomly.
- Sell authentic Makear aftercare: Offer cuticle oils, hand creams and maintenance kits at checkout — these improve wear and boost revenue. makearme.com
- Offer technician training: Partner with your Makear distributor (Arabesque) for product demos and accredited training where available. Well-trained staff reduce callbacks and build reputation.
8) Final checklist for multi-week wear
Use this quick reference before every Makear gel service:
- Client consultation & medical check
- Clean station + sanitized tools
- Remove old product properly
- Light buff + dehydrator
- Correct primer selection (acid/acid-free)
- Choose appropriate Makear base (rubber vs builder)
- Thin, even coats; cap free edge every coat
- Cure each layer per product guidelines
- Apply recommended Makear top coat and cure
- Remove tacky layer if product requires it
- Finish with cuticle oil and aftercare advice
- Book maintenance appointment
Conclusion — make consistency your competitive edge
Delivering long-lasting Makear gel manicures is a blend of quality products, disciplined process and client education. Salons in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia can rely on Makear’s professional portfolio (bases, builders, tops, care products) distributed by Arabesque Trading W.L.L. to support premium services — but the difference between a 7-day and a 21-day wear is almost always technique.
If you’d like, I can convert this guide into:
- A printable SOP checklist for your technicians,
- A client aftercare card to hand out at checkout, or
- A short training slide deck for in-salon staff training.
To stock authentic Makear products, register your salon or request professional training, contact Arabesque Trading W.L.L. via the Makear site. makearme.com