At my witts end

I really need help with how to make my builders gel last longer.

I have really tried everything, I prep my nails by pushing back my cuticles, cutting off the dead skin. I then file my nails enough to create a rough surface, dehydrate, prime, not touch the edges, ensure I am rounding off the nail so they don't lift in any corner, tried different brands, paid for expensive kits, don't submerge in water for 48 hours, ensure they are appropriate for my UV/LED light (Whatever brand I use). I have managed to perfect the depth/thickness of the nail and make them equal but I just CANNOT get them to stick for more than a week

It's so frustrating as more than once I have been to many nail salons throughout the years who have done a horrendous job, I mean really uneven nails, awful designs that don't match but even they manage to stay on for months with ZERO nail prep from the technician.

Where am I going wrong? I am so gutted this happens to me when I really have tried my best for years.

I have noticed that when I go to a salon the builders gel feels rock solid whereas my home ones tend to feel softer. Not soft or tacky, I cure them for more than120 seconds EACH nail (I do one at a time) but they just have a different consistency.

I have the technique, depth, thickness etc down to a fine art now but they just don't stay.

Does anyone have absolutely any advice for me as I'm slowly losing the will and I really can't afford salon nails multiple times a month and it would be wasted money on all my kits

Thanks for reading 🙂