Collection: LDS Soft Gel Nail Tips

What are LDS soft gel nail tips?

Pre-shaped, full-cover nail tips in a soft gel formula from LDS, the sister brand to Lavis. A full extension set is prep, bond, press, cure and refine, with no acrylic or hard gel sculpting: Lavis's own figure is 30 to 45 minutes for a full set against 45 to 75 minutes for a sculpted one, with less dependence on tech skill and an easier soak-off at the end. Each box carries 12 sizes, and LDS lists the tips for gel, acrylic and dip systems.

The range is numbered 01 to 27 and covers five shapes in several lengths, in clear, half matte and matte finishes, plus two toe-nail tip boxes. Every listing links from the grid above to its own page with photos.

The 27 boxes by shape

Half matte and matte tips are pre-etched, which LDS lists as the time-saver: the bonding gel grips without a hand-buff of the underside. Clear tips show placement and suit encapsulated art.

Which shape for which client?

Lavis's own notes on the shapes are a fair guide. Almond is tapered and feminine and the shape most retail clients pick when they are not sure; the short and medium boxes carry most of a salon's volume. Coffin is a square tip on tapered walls and the editorial statement shape, which is why LDS runs it from XS to XL, the widest length range on the page. Stiletto is the sharp point and the canvas for art, and the XS box makes it wearable for clients who want the shape without the length. Square is the flat, straight tip for a classic French; the tapered version softens the corners. Oval is the soft round for a natural-looking extension. The two toe tip boxes are full-cover toe extensions for pedicure clients, in clear and matte.

Who books an LDS soft gel tip set?

• Clients who want a full set fast: the shape is in the tip, so the service is mostly prep and cure.
• Techs who do not sculpt: Lavis pitches the line as the way to offer extensions without the acrylic skill gap.
• Salons that run gel, acrylic and dip: LDS lists the tips for all three systems.
• Pedicure extensions: the two toe-tip boxes cover a service most tip ranges skip.
• Clients who hate removal: a soft gel tip soaks off with the bonding gel instead of being filed away.

How do you apply LDS soft gel tips?

1. Size. Pick the tip that fits sidewall to sidewall from the 12 sizes; trim the length shorter if the client wants.
2. Prep the nail. Push cuticles back, buff the shine off, dust, dehydrate, and prime the tip and the nail. Our primers and bonders are under Base & Top Gel.
3. Prep the tip. Clear tips get a light buff on the underside; half matte and matte tips are ready as they are.
4. Bond. Apply a thin layer of builder gel or tip adhesive to the nail and into the tip, press on from the cuticle edge, hold. Lavis Builder Gel in the Bottle or LDS Rubber Base both work as the bond.
5. Cure. Flash cure each nail with the tip held, then a full cure for the hand under a UV/LED lamp.
6. Refine. File the edge, buff the surface, then color and top coat.

Lamps, files and clippers are under Nail Tools & Accessories.

LDS tips next to Lavis tips and dual forms

Salons choosing between the two tip lines usually stock LDS for a simple numbered wall and Lavis when they need the extra-long half-cover shapes or the 700-piece Perfect boxes.

Wear, removal and stocking

• Wear: a tip set is worn and refilled like any extension; growth shows at the cuticle first.
• Removal: file the top and color thin, wrap in acetone, wait, push. LDS lists the tips as the easier soak-off compared with sculpted extensions; never pry.
• Stocking: almond short, coffin medium and square medium in half matte cover most bookings; add stiletto long and one XL for statement clients, and a toe box if you do pedicure extensions.
• Storage: keep boxes sorted by size, out of direct sun; the material is soft gel.

Related collections

• Lavis Soft Gel Tips The larger Lavis tip range, including XL half-cover.
• LDS Rubber Base Flexible bonding base from the same brand.
• Lavis Builder Gel in the Bottle Bonds the tip and builds over it.
• Lavis Dual Forms Reusable moulds for a sculpted extension.
• Nail Tools & Accessories Lamps, files, clippers.

Related reads

• Dip powder vs gel vs acrylic: how to choose
• How SNS approaches a safer UV gel manicure
• BIAB vs dip powder: which builds better?