This August, Mellow Edit brought nail professionals and enthusiasts together in New York City for two days of Japanese gel education, hands-on practice, and exploration with By En Gel.
Held on August 24–25 in the Lower East Side, the two-day event was designed as an immersive introduction to the By En system, allowing attendees to learn the fundamentals, see the products in action, practice application techniques, and connect with others in the nail community.
A Closer Look at By En Gel
Inspired by the Japanese concept of en (縁), meaning connection, By En is a professional gel system formulated in Japan with a focus on thoughtful application, versatility, and healthy nail practices.
The workshop introduced attendees to key products within the By En system, including the Comfort Fit Base Gel, 3-in-1 Base Gel, and Ultra-Shine Top Gel.
Rather than simply learning what each product does, attendees saw how the system works together through a live demonstration before exploring the products themselves.
For anyone interested in Japanese gel nails, understanding the relationship between product, application, and technique is an important part of creating consistent results.
Two Days of Japanese Gel Nails
Each session combined education with hands-on learning. The event included:
- An introduction to the By En Gel system
- Product education and guided product exploration
- Application techniques and best practices
- Hands-on practice
- Time to ask questions and troubleshoot techniques
- An opportunity to shop Mellow Edit nail products
Because nail education is most useful when you can move beyond watching a technique and actually practice it yourself, one of the biggest focuses of the workshop was bridging this gap. Live demonstrations allowed attendees to observe product application from start to finish, while the hands-on portion allowed them to work through the application process and become familiar with the consistency of Japanese gel.
More Than a Workshop
While the By En workshop centered around gel application, the two days were also about bringing the nail community together. The event created space for attendees to meet other nail professionals, exchange ideas, explore new products, and spend time talking about the techniques and trends shaping the industry.
At Mellow Edit, we believe nail education can be both technical and inspiring, giving artists the tools to refine their work while creating opportunities to learn from one another.
Why Japanese Gel?
Japanese gel has become increasingly popular among nail artists looking for products and techniques that prioritize precision, finish, and thoughtful application.
For nail techs exploring it for the first time, education is often the fastest way to understand how these systems differ from what they're already using — rather than piecing it together online or behind the salon desk. And for experienced nail artists, a workshop like this offers a chance to revisit fundamentals, experiment with a new system, and add to an existing skill set.
A New Chapter for Mellow Edit
The By En workshop was one of the first steps in building Mellow Edit as an ongoing platform for nail education in New York City. Moving forward, Mellow Edit will continue creating workshops centered around techniques, products, artists, and ideas worth learning more about — from Japanese gel application and nail art techniques to product-focused education and conversations with industry professionals.
Interested in upcoming Mellow Edit workshops? Follow along for future dates, educational programs, and more opportunities to explore the world of professional nail education in NYC.
Photo credit: Lillian Le Pham
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