About This Treatment
Design Points
Full Design Custom means the ten nails are planned as a group rather than repeating one motif across the hand. Nami worked out the placement first, then built the design nail by nail so the two hands read as a pair when they sit side by side.
The previous gel was taken off with a soft gel removal, which keeps the surface of the natural nail as intact as possible before the new base goes on. After that came shaping, cuticle work, and thin layers of gel — the thin-layer approach is what keeps a detailed design from looking bulky at the cuticle line.
The Visit
This was her second visit to lull., and she came back while based in Tokyo for her research at the University of Tokyo. Returning guests make the design process quicker in a good way: we already know how she wears her nails day to day, so the conversation starts from what to try next rather than from scratch. She looked genuinely pleased with the finished set.
Care and Style Notes
A few practical points for anyone considering a full custom set in soft gel:
- Wear time. Soft gel sets generally hold their look for about three to four weeks. Regrowth at the cuticle is usually what prompts the next appointment, not chipping.
- Daily care. Cuticle oil once or twice a day is the single most useful habit. It keeps the skin around the nail from drying out and helps the edge of the gel stay sealed.
- Removal. Soft gel is designed to be filed and soaked off by a nail technician. Picking or peeling a set off takes layers of the natural nail with it, so it’s worth booking a removal even if you’re traveling.
- Who it suits. A full custom set works well if you don’t want a single repeated pattern, or if you want each nail to carry a slightly different idea. It also suits people who travel or work long hours, since one appointment covers several weeks.
If you’re visiting Japan for a short stay, an English-friendly salon can plan a design that fits your schedule, including the removal timing before you head home.
A Note from Nami
The interesting part of a second set is deciding how far to move from the first one. Keep too much and it feels like a repeat; change everything and the person in the mirror doesn’t look like herself. I spent most of the planning time on that balance — how much of the previous direction to carry over, and where to put something new. Watching her turn her hands over under the light at the end told me we landed in the right place.
Book Your Visit to lull.
Appointments can be made online.— we’re in Harajuku and happy to work in English. Our latest finished sets are posted on Instagram (@nail_lull.tokyo) and TikTok (@nail_lull.tokyo).
