By Lucy Pastorelli, CEO of Lucy Pastorelli
6th Jul 2026
How to perfect your nail prep with Lucy Pastorelli
If you’ve followed Lucy Pastorelli for any length of time, you’ll know there’s one principle the brand lives by: it’s all in the prep.
As nail techs, it’s easy to focus on the finished result. The perfect application, flawless nail art and beautiful photos for social media are all important, but none of it matters if the foundations aren’t right.
Whether you’re applying gel polish, builder gel or hard gel, your prep routine plays a huge role in the longevity of your work. Good prep supports better retention, helps reduce lifting and allows you to achieve consistently professional results.
After more than 15 years in the industry, I’ve tested countless products, techniques and tools. The prep routine I’m sharing today is the exact approach that inspired the development of many of our LP products.
Step 1: Start with the right tools
One of the biggest mistakes I see nail techs make is using poor-quality prep tools.
Your prep tools are the tools of your trade. If they aren’t sharp enough, precise enough or comfortable to use, you’re already making the job harder than it needs to be.
When I created the LP tool range, I wanted to design tools that would perform to the highest standard, day after day.
For me, every prep service starts with:
- A quality cuticle pusher
- Precision cuticle scissors
- The Lucy Pastorelli loop tool
- The correct e-file bits
- The Lucy Pastorelli e-file
The right tools don’t just make prep easier, they make it safer, more efficient and more consistent.
Step 2: Push back the cuticle correctly
One of the most overlooked parts of nail prep is properly removing non-living tissue from the nail plate.
Many lifting issues occur because product has been applied over invisible cuticle growth, which can prevent proper adhesion.
I always begin by carefully pushing back the cuticle area with a cuticle pusher to expose any hidden tissue sitting on the nail plate. This gives me a clear view of the area I’m working on and allows for much more thorough prep.
Take your time during this stage. Rushing here often creates problems later.
Step 3: Use combination prep
I’m a huge advocate of combination prep. I love combining manual tools with e-file prep because each method has its own strengths. Manual nail tools allow you to lift and control the cuticle area, while the e-file helps to refine and remove remaining tissue efficiently and precisely.
This approach has always been my preferred prep method because it delivers a clean finish without compromising the natural nail.
It’s also the reason many of our e-file products and drill bits have been designed to work seamlessly alongside traditional prep tools.
Step 4: Choose the right e-file drill bit
Not all drill bits are created equal.
Selecting the correct bit for the job can make a huge difference to both your efficiency and your client’s comfort.
When working around the cuticle area, I recommend using a quality prep bit designed to gently lift and remove non-living tissue while maintaining control.
The goal is never to aggressively remove product or overwork the nail plate. Instead, we want to create a clean, prepared surface that allows enhancement products to adhere properly.
Prep should be precise, not aggressive.
Step 5: Refine the nail plate
Once the cuticle area has been thoroughly prepared, I move on to refining the nail plate.
This stage is all about creating the perfect surface for product application. Remove any remaining shine where appropriate, paying close attention to consistency across the entire nail.
It’s important not to overwork the nail or create unnecessary damage. A properly prepared nail should look clean, even and free from visible debris.
Step 6: Remove dust thoroughly
Dust is the enemy of adhesion.
No matter how good your prep is, leaving dust behind can compromise your retention. After filing and e-file work, make sure all dust is completely removed from the nail plate and surrounding skin.
Pay particular attention to the sidewalls and cuticle area, where dust can often collect unnoticed.
Step 7: Dehydrate and prepare for application
The final stage of prep is ensuring the nail plate is clean and free from oils and moisture.
A clean nail surface allows your chosen system to perform at its best and helps maximise retention. Once this stage is complete, the nails are ready for product application.
Lucy Pastorelli nail prep essentials
Shop Lucy Pastorelli nail tools, e-files and drill bits designed to bring performance, reliability and innovation to every treatment.
Lucy Pastorelli cuticle pusher
Lucy Pastorelli loop tool
Lucy Pastorelli nippers
Lucy Pastorelli Perfect Prep kit, black
Lucy Pastorelli e-file bit stand, nude
Lucy Pastorelli e-file, nude
Lucy Pastorelli cuticle pusher
Lucy Pastorelli loop tool
Lucy Pastorelli nippers
Lucy Pastorelli Perfect Prep kit, black
Lucy Pastorelli e-file, nude
Why nail prep matters so much
If you’re experiencing lifting, chipping or retention issues, my advice is always to look at your prep routine first.
The reality is that most product failures don’t happen because of the gel, builder or top coat. They happen because the prep wasn’t thorough enough.
Investing in quality nail tools, learning the correct techniques and slowing down during prep will have a bigger impact on your results than almost any other change you can make.
At Lucy Pastorelli, we’ve always believed in creating products that help nail techs work smarter, safer and more confidently. Every tool we develop is tested by real nail techs in real salon environments because we understand exactly what great prep requires.
So next time you’re looking to improve your retention, remember: the perfect set starts long before the product touches the nail.
Because at Lucy Pastorelli, it’s all in the prep.
Level up your skills
Take your services further with Ellisons Academy. Explore professional gel and builder gel training courses designed to help nail technicians refine their technique, build confidence and expand their treatment offering.