do you use the foundation with the structure gel?

Yes! You have to use foundation gel with everything. Structure is just another layer.

Foundation
Structure
Color
Color
Top coat

Thanks!

For those of you who like to change colors more frequently than every two weeks or cannot tolerate the regrowth, some manicurists are using a regular polish base coat before using the Gelish/Shellac base coat. This makes removal much quicker and less damaging. About a 5 minute soak vs 15. Some say they can just peel it off when they are ready w/o acetone. The down side may be a bit shorter wear time, but if you are wanting to change the color more often it doesn't matter. For me, I just like the look and drying time of the gel polish so much better than regular polish that it would be worth it. I find myself wanting to change the color after about 10 days anyway, and I cannot stand the growth at the cuticle.

Has any one tried this?

I used to do that too! I used an Essie Base coat, but soak-off did not take 5 mins, and peeling it off will remove a layer of your nail. Ask me how I know......

Soak off takes just under 10 mins, but with a regular base coat, it does come off in one piece, but the downside to this method is that you get more lifting, and a manicure doesn't last as long. If you want to change it every week then it should work fine for you.

Okay I am not sure what I am doing wrong I rarely get more then 7 days our of my gel manicures. They always seem to lift at the sides of my nails (free edges) I have used both Shellac and Gelish and even Artistic color gloss. I have been doing this for the past four months now and can not seem to figure out why it is not lasting very long. At first I just figured it was because I was just coming off of acrylic nails but now I have healthy nail beds and still am not getting close to 2 weeks. Any suggestions.

Diva,.I love this stuff,.but ME TOO!! I cant go over 7 days,.thy start to lift,..THEN I HAVE TO PEEL!!

I confess, had DH buy the acetone because we were out, but I PEELED them off. Couldn't help myself.

Are your hands in water a lot? If so have you tried wearing gloves?

No, the only time mine are in water is when washing my hands or loading the dishwasher, but never in a sink of soapy water or a bucket, etc.

The technician didn't do mine correctly, she did not seal the edges.