FAQ

Indigo products have the Quality Certificate of Dermatest®, an independent institute. The certificate confirms that they are safe to use. Our formulas are prepared by specialists, and the ingredients are selected with the view to minimizing the risk of allergic reactions. Nevertheless, even if the best efforts are made to create safe formulas, particularly sensitive people may experience allergic reactions to a component of cosmetic products.

Most Indigo products, including hybrid polishes and the SPA series, are produced in the European Union. The exception to that rule are supplementary products – they are produced in the United States. The information about the place of production is provided on every packaging (on the informative label for the product).

The product must be appropriate for the client’s needs. Choose:

• Protein Base – the nails are to be strengthened, hardened – the product can be used to add 3 mm (max. 5 mm, depending on the condition of the natural nail) to the nail length, and the acrylic nails can be dissolved in the Remover. This product also contains protein particles.
• Mineral Base – it is a 3 in 1 product (base, color, top) which strengthens nails while also cooperating with the natural plate; it can be used over the natural plate to make the nail slightly longer (up to 2 mm); it has a nice texture (rarer than the protein base), it does not smudge, it is very easy to distribute, and it is enriched with minerals: calcium pantothenate and stabilized vitamin C.
• Whitemin Base – it is a 3 in 1 product (base, color, top) which contains derivatives of vitamin B5 and vitamin C, which protects the nail plate and cooperates with it, it can be used to make the nail slightly longer (2 mm), and it is milk colored.
• Manicure with shea butter – an ideal solution for clients who want a break from hybrid or gel manicure. When shea butter is rubbed in, the nails regain natural shine and are deeply nourished.
• Shea Elixir – an ideal product for manicure finishing for every client.
• Protein Serum – this cosmetic will give cuticles a naturally healthy look. It contains as many as 97% natural ingredients. The serum is something more than a traditional cuticle oil. It contains, among other ingredients, jojoba proteins and hydrolized keratin.

• The curing time was too short.
• The lamp was too weak for the product.
• The lamp was not suitable for the product, for example, the Take Your Time or Builder Clear gel cured in the classical 36 W LED lamp will not achieve 100% of its potential.
• A product has been omitted or products have been exchanged in the Indigo nail styling scheme.
• The layer of the product is too thick and does not completely cure.
• The layer of the product is too thin and not sufficient for properly binding the subsequent layers.
• The hand was not held correctly in the lamp.

• The base is too elastic and combined with a top which is too hard, for example, Liquid Base + Dry Top.
• A double layer of Protein Base, Mineral Base, or Whitemin Base has been processed too much with a file under a hard top, for example, Dry Top.
• The top layer is too thick.
• The hardening time is too long – if the hardening time is very long, the hybrid top may become more brittle.
• The Shine On gel was used on hybrid nails.
• A double layer of Dry Top was put on.

Every traditional nail polish should be applied onto a base, for example, a vinyl or diamond base, and protected with a top, for example, Nano Top Coat, Matt Top, or a top from the professional Indigo line, Finish Top Coat, which will protect the nails like an armor.

If the top is not applied, the nails can be matted and less durable.

• The layer of the base is too thick, and during the polymerization in the lamp, the sticky layer becomes too thick, which draws the color away from the free edge.
• The curing time was too short / the product is only partially cured – the color will behave very much like in the case of a too thick base layer; the subsequent layers will not be spread evenly, and the effect will be very short-lived.
• The color layer is too thick, and the pigment prevents the light from penetrating the deeper layers of the product, so they are only partially cured, for example, Hedonista, Mr. White.
• The plate has not been prepared well – if the plate surface has not been matted or degreased correctly, the base can shrink on it.
• The product is not suitable for the lamp, for example, Take Your Time, Perfect Base, Builder Clear.

• The plate was not matted correctly, for example, with a 280 grit buffer.
• The wrong Cleaner was used for degreasing the plate, for example, Sea Super Shine.
• A primer was not applied, or a wrong primer was used.
• The base was applied too fast on the primer, directly after it had been put on the plate.
• The base layer is too thick – the product does not completely cure.
• Products from various companies have been combined in one nail enhancement.
• The first thin base layer was not put on the plate.

That is because a wrong top was selected for the color. If we put the Top Pro White product on pastel shades or white nails, we will achieve color depth, but if we apply the same top on, for example, a red surface, we will obtain cooler shades. A very large number of UV factors for light nails creates such an effect.

If the Shine On glazing gel or Dry Top hybrid top – which do not contain UV factors – is used, the light shades can slightly yellow. The lack of UV factors does not have an impact on darker products.

The main reason for that problem is the use of a wrong top – in the case of Dry Top, Wet Look, or Shine On, which are not soluble in Remover, the nails will remain virtually untouched even after 20 minutes. Another very important factor is the color because the same names of products can occur in both hybrid polishes soluble in Remover and in color gels which are not soluble in Remover.

The time in which products are dissolved also depends on the thickness of the layers – the more layers there are and the thicker they are, the longer the dissolving time.

We suggest that a part of the nail enhancements be removed mechanically, and only a thin layer of the base be dissolved on the plate – following these guidelines will significantly shorten the process.

Building gels are sold in 5 ml bottles, and color gel – 8 ml bottles. The role of the bigger packaging is to prevent the building gels from leaking out.

Mirror powders are very efficient, and a tiny amount suffices for obtaining the mirror effect on the nails. The packaging size of powders rubbed into the dispersive layer is greater because much more powder of that kind is used up.

The most recommended and most frequently chosen powders are Mermaid Effect and Mermaid Effect Black II. As regards mirror effects, the most popular products are Glammer Silver and Metal Manix Multi Chrome.

• The order of the styling was wrong, for example: Dry Top → powder → Dry Top.
• The elements were covered with a wrong top – the recommended top for all mirror effects is Wet Look.
• The free edge was not protected correctly with the top coat.
• The nail is too elastic under hard products without a sticky layer, for example: Ultra Strong Base + Dry Top or Arte Brillante.

• The first few steps are the same as in any other hybrid nail styling process.
• Put on two layers of color and cure them in the lamp.
• Apply a top without a sticky layer and cure it in the lamp at 30 degrees.
• Using an applicator, rub the powder into the hardened and degreased top.
• Remove the excess of the powder with a soft brush, remembering about the area around the nail shaft.
• Put an Indigo top on the nail; remember to carefully secure the free edge of the nail. Mirror effects are best secured with two top layers with a sticky layer (e.g. Wet Look).
• Cure the top in a lamp, wait for it to cool (60 seconds), and remove the sticky layer of the top with Cleaner Supershine or Shea Supershine.

• It has been applied on a wrong product (with dispersion).
• A product without a sticky layer has not been cured properly (the curing time was too short).
• The layer of the top without a sticky layer is too thick and requires a longer curing time.
• Too little powder has been rubbed in.
• The powder has been rubbed in too lightly, or it has not been evenly distributed.
• After the rubbing in, the excess of the powder has not been removed. The excess of the powder should be removed, with the use of a soft brush, before the top is applied.
•  A wrong top was used for the finish.

A matte surface is more porous, so it can get dirty faster. It can be cleaned by simply washing it with the classic Cleaner or by washing one’s hands.

Nails with matte or frost effect are more prone to getting dirty during the day.

We recommend the application of a matte top on darker colors.

• The foil is for transferring onto an appropriate, sticky layer of a product, for example, of Paint Gel or Foil Glue.
• The bottom side of the foil may have been touched; in such a case, it should be wiped gently with the use of the traditional Cleaner.
• The foil should be applied with the ‘pretty side’ up.

The Primo Ultimo product was not used during the styling process or too thin a layer of that product was applied.

The enhancement was made on classic forms (not transparent ones), so the product was not fully cured.

Control Liquid was not used. That product provides additional stabilization to work done with the use of Gelatic.

Too thick a layer of the product was cured for too short a time (Cover 90s., Milky and Glass Pink 60s., Clear 30s.).

The enhancement is too thin on long nails.

•  A wrong product was used (for example, Easy Shape Builder for long styles).
• There is a problem with the structure of the nail (for example, there is no apex, there is too little product in the area of the apex, the side edges have been drilled too far or the product on the plate has been processed too much).
• The plate has not been prepared properly.
•  The nails are too flat – no tunnel.

Free Acid Primer – a basic primer for almost every plate (90%), obligatory at the beginning for the enhancement to be durable according to the Indigo scheme. It leaves a sticky layer which can be covered with the base after about 20 seconds.

Acid Primer – a primer for special tasks, for more demanding plates, when the acid free primer does not ensure the durability of the enhancement, for example, in the case of ‘difficult’ plates or of hormonal changes.

Ultra Strong Base – a hybrid base not soluble in Remover, for more demanding plates to which other bases do not adhere. It adheres very well to a damaged plate, and since it is not soluble in Remover, we do not have to remove it completely – once the work is done, we can just add to it as the nail grows.

Liquid Base – the rarest of hybrid bases; it makes the nails look as if they were painted with traditional nail polish; it is very efficient and soluble in Remover.

In the case of both bases for ‘difficult’ plates, it is always necessary to remove the excess of the sticky layer from them, but we do not remove it completely (as in the case of protein)!

There are two ways to do that:

• delicately distribute the sticky layer on the nail with the use of a dry and clean gel brush; the excess will remain on the brush, or
• with a decided movement of the hand and very evenly, with the use of a dust-free wadding swab.

If we do not remove the excess of the sticky layer, the color will be drawn away from the free edge, and it will be difficult or almost impossible to apply color.

Gel Polish – flexible hybrid polish, soluble in Remover; it can be put on a traditional hybrid base (Removable Base) or a base for ‘difficult’ plates (Liquid Base, Ultra Strong Base), and, off course, on Protein Base, Mineral Base, and Very Cool. The work can be finished with any hybrid top, but in the case of Dry Top it will be necessary to apply a double layer of Protein Base.

Gel Brush – a hard color gel which is not soluble in Remover; it can only be put onto well-cured/stiffened gel or acrylic nails (on top of Shine On) and on a double layer of Protein base. The work can be finished with a gel top, for example, Wet Look, or with any hybrid top (Removable Top Coat, Pro White Top Coat – for light colors, 3D Gloss Top Coat – universal, Dry Top Coat – top without a sticky layer, not soluble in Remover).

Arte Brillante – hard acrylic gels for enhancements; they do not create a sticky layer; designed for the micropainting technique. They contain a lot of pigment. They retain color even in the case of thin lines, but you can only create flat decorative elements with them because of their texture which is reminiscent of oil paint.

They are also ideal for all mirror powders and ombre effects.

For the nails to be durable, those products should be put onto a single or double layer of Protein Base – they can crack on other products.

Nail Art Gel – thick gels for 3D decorations and ornaments; they leave a sticky layer; they have a lot of pigment, so they will be perfect for a clear ombre effect. They are ideal for the One Stroke or Zhostovo nail styling techniques and for delicate wedding lacework.

The product has been exposed to UV light (from a lamp or the sun); that issue is not subject to complaint.

• The cleaner is wrong (we recommend the use of the Super Shine or Shea SuperShine cleaner).
• The sticky layer was washed too fast.
• The oil or cream was put on too fast, the hands were washed too fast, or the work was touched.
• The top layer is too thick.
• Products from various companies were combined.
• The curing time was too short.

In order to guarantee the result and maximum durability of the enhancement, one should only use Indigo products for it. The best formulas are fully compatible with one another. Since they are complementary, they ensure the highest quality and safety. If they are combined with products from other brands, we cannot guarantee the same results. Combining products may cause allergic reactions because of unpredictable (untested) reactions among the products.

• Gel brushes and decorating brushes Nail Art 002, 004, 005, and 006, as well as One Stroke I, II, and III should be cleaned in colorless gel or hybrid products with a sticky layer; both base and top will be perfect for that purpose.
• The Nail Art 003 brush for acrylic paints should be cleaned in the water which is added to the acrylic paints.
• Acrylic brushes should be cleaned after every use because if the acrylic paint stays longer on the bristles, it damages them permanently. If needed, Brush Cleaner can be used to help restore the brush to a good condition by dissolving the remnants of the dried acrylic paint on the bristles.

• Brushes used for gels and hybrid polishes should not be cleaned in Cleaner because it tries the bristles and, in that way, gradually damages them.
• If the same brush is used interchangeably for gel and acrylic paints, its working area will be diminished because it will not be possible to clean the bristles thoroughly.
• The bristles may be partially hardened, crumbled, or cut.

The basic criterion for the selection of accessories is ergonomics. In the Indigo offer, there are both very precise drill machines for combined manicure and larger machines for general smoothing and polishing of the nail shaft.  The shape and type of the drill should be adapted to the nail technician’s preferences and experience. The most frequently recommended beginner’s drills are:

• for preparing the cuticles: drill bit Indigo Cuticle no. 3 and drill bit Indigo Cuticle no. 9
• for removing hybrids from natural plates or double layer of protein base – Indigo Frez I or Indigo Frez II,
• for removing gel mass and/or hybrids – Indigo Frez III or Frez Indigo 5,
• for removing the hardest gel and acrylic mass – Frez Indigo Style I or Indigo Style II, depending on the preferred shape.

• Stinging – the pressure on the plate is too strong, the rotation rate is too high, or the drill was left for too long in one place.
• The work is too slow – the drill is ‘crammed’ with partially uncured product; it should be cleaned.
• A wrong drill was used for the product, for example, Indigo I + gel or acrylic.
• Slipping and jumping of the drill – the direction of the rotation is wrong.
• Stopping of the drill bit – the rotation rate is too small; the intended speed of work is 10,000–15,000 rotations per minute for cuticles and nail shafts, 15,000–20,000 rotations per minute during gel processing, and even more than 20,000 rotations per minute while gel or acrylic nails are being shortened.
• A drill bit for right-handed nail technicians will not work well in a left-handed technician’s hands. That is why for example, Indigo Style 2 has a version with groove cuts for left-handed users.
• If a drill bit shakes, it is improperly mounted in the head or it has been slightly bent because of a fall.
• The shaking can damage the hand of the drill machine.

• The sterilization or disinfection time is too long.
• The concentration of the substances is too high or wrong substances are chosen.
• Wet or not completely dried tools are sterilized in high temperatures.
• The time or temperature of sterilization is wrong.
• Tap water or contaminated water are used in a steam autoclave. Demineralized water is required for the process to run correctly.
• Contaminated products are used for disinfecting.
• The tools are not stored correctly.

121°C, 1 at

134°C, 2 at

The time depends on the kind of autoclave.

Cuticle nippers, pushers, or drills become black if the sterilization process is not carried out correctly.

At Indigo, we prioritize education because we believe that success should have strong foundations. Our instructor team always learns new skills, and by winning medals in the most prestigious competitions, it proves it is absolutely unrivaled! The Indigo training program will prepare you fully for working as a nail artist. It is for people at every skill level, so you will surely find an appropriate course for yourself in our offer.