Preparation

Essentials

Before you start any nail service you must properly carry out nail prep procedures please refer to the specific fact sheet on nail preparation).  

 Need Help?

So you still need some help?

Please feel free to contact us with any problems you may have with technique or product application.

Quite often there is a simple solution to what seems like a complex problem.  Don't panic, whatever the problem is, it's probably happened to someone else so you are not alone. 

The best bit is that we've probably got the answer if you really are stuck!

If your problem is non urgent please mail us or ask when you next place an order. If you are desperate then pick up the phone! We will try our best to assist.

Follow the link for our full contact details.

Contact Us

Or mail: Nail Solutions 

Nail Tips & Blending 

Nail tips are used to extend the existing nail length and to produce a desired shape.  They are available in many styles to accommodate most nail shapes and to suit particular client preferences. You will find that some clients may prefer a curved nail, whilst others prefer a more classic shape. Some clients like a white tip to produce a French manicure look.

Whatever style the customer may prefer, all tips need to have an area to apply the adhesive. This area is known as the “well area”. The well area acts as a stop point or otherwise known as the “contact area”. When the free edge hits this stop point the nail tip can go no further. There are 2 types of well areas available: the full well area and the partial well area. 

Full Well Area

This type of tip has a larger well area. It is suitable for most nail types. This type of well area is particularly suited to clients with weak points and clients with irregular side walls. 

When applying a tip you must insure that it does not cover more than 1/2 of the natural nail. If more than half of the natural nail is covered it will produce a weaker extension. The function of a tip is to add length and shape only. A nail tip does not add strength or durability to an extension. The overlay (acrylic, gel & fiberglass) is what gives the enhancement strength and durability.

 Partial Well Area

These tips have a very small well area. They are the perfect choice as well as a speedy choice for ladies with almost perfect nails or side walls. Little or no pre tailoring is required and they offer the nail technician minimum blending.

• Before you start any nail service you must carry out nail preparation  procedures  (please see fact sheet on nail preparation). Remove the nails natural shine with a white block. Wipe the nail with a “ nail preparation solution”. This will dehydrate the nail and remove all germs, dirt and oils from the nail plate. Allow the nail to dry out  before applying the tips. Do not touch the nail else you will transfer your bodily oils.

• With a cuticle pusher gently free the cuticle from the nail plate and gently scrape away any excess cuticle. Shape the free edge or cut with nail clippers ready for tip application. 

• It is essential to remove the shine from the nails surface prior to tip application. Lightly buff  the surface of the nail with a white block. Wipe away excess dust and apply an antiseptic wipe to dehydrate the nail and remove traces of bacteria, oils and moisture. Do not touch the surface of the nail at this point as body oils can be transmitted.

• Select a nail tip to fit. Place the tip on the nail and slide it till it hits the contact area.

	Checkpoint
	Pre tailoring a tip Despite all the different nail shapes and nail tips available, the nail technician will probably find the need to pre-tailor tips to get an exact fit for some clients. Nail tips need to fit the side walls exactly: too small will cause many problems and too big will undoubtedly be uncomfortable for the client. Another point relevant to this section is the height of the well area. Not all clients have long nail beds. A tip should never cover more than half of the nail (a third is the recommended coverage) it will be top heavy and prone to breakage. Pre-tailor to refine the nail tip to fit an individual nail.    ***

• If the tip covers more than half of the nail bed, you must file the top of the well area to reduce the height. (see Fig 1)

• If the width of the tip is too big, try a smaller tip. If it is too small return to the original tip and file each side of the tip gradually and then place it back on the nail for sizing. (see fig 2)

• Additional Hint, while you are doing this you can add an additional touch: by gently filing the surface of the well area, Pre-blending saves time when blending the tip with the natural nail.

• Apply a small amount of adhesive to the Well area of the nail tip and spread side to side. Hold the tip downwards to prevent any glue running down the tip and coming into contact with your fingers.    Apply the tip at a 45  Angle and rock it into position and push out any air bubbles. Mop up any excess adhesive with a cotton bud immediately. Continue this step for all 10 nails.

• If there is any trapped air between the tip and the nail plate, this will result in the presence of air bubbles. It can be very frustrating when air bubbles are present, both for you and your client. You must take the tip off and reapply another. You will need to practice applying tips to achieve an "air bubble" free tip.

• Using tip cutters cut the tips to the clients desired length and shape the free edge accordingly.

• The nail tip will still be visible. Blending a tip will reduce the visibility of the nail tip, resulting in an extended natural looking nail.

• With a 180 grit file, gently file around the seams of the well area, trying not to touch the natural nail. Filing on the natural nail will cause damage. Don’t concentrate on one specific area: keep the file moving. Too much filing in one area can result in the client experiencing a burning sensation: friction burn.

• After careful blending of the seam line. The well area will slowly disappear and the nail tip will look part of the natural nail. Lightly buff the area with a white block to finish.

• Keep the file flat at all times - as time goes by you will need less effort to blend tips and your time blending will be cut by half.

Once the nail tip has been blended, it is time to apply the acrylic. Before acrylic application begins it is good practice to prepare a clean working area and then cleanse the nails.

• Preparing Your Area - Put away any unused implements and products to free space.

• Remove any paper towels used previously, and replace with a fresh one. It is important that your working area is clean and free from dust particles.

• Preparing The Nail - It is essential to remove the shine from the nails surface prior to acrylic application. Lightly buff the surface of the nail with a white block. Wipe away excess dust and apply an antiseptic wipe to dehydrate the nail and remove traces of bacteria, oils and moisture. Do not touch the surface of the nail at this point as body oils can be transmitted.

This fact sheet has been prepared for use as a guideline only. You will find that guidelines differ from company to company and sometimes information compared from one to the other can be contradictive. Each company has their own set of recommendations.

These fact sheets may be used for your personal use only. Nail Solutions fact sheets may not be reproduced by any means and or distributed without the express permission of Nail Solutions Limited.