October 21 2008 - Q&A: Technique

How do you complete a backfill when hand filing? How can you trench out a new smile line with a file?

ARTICLE TOOLS        | E-MailPrintRSS

Send an e-mail to a colleague Please fill out the form below to send a link to this story to your colleague.
Your Name:	Your E-mail:
Colleagues' E-mail (Separate each address with comma):
Message: (Max. 500 chars.)
Enter the verification code as it is shown below without spaces. (Not case-sensitive) Enter Code: What's this? Image Code Verification Automated programs can't "read" the code you see in the box: only humans can. When you enter this code, it ensures that your order is going to a real person. If you don't see an image, make sure your browser is set to display images and try again. If you're not sure what the code is, make your best guess. If you're incorrect, you'll get another chance to enter a different code on the next screen. Close
CANCEL

Amber Edwards:   It is very possible to complete a backfill by hand filing. To make a backfill easier, thin out your normal application so you won’t have as much to file. Start your fill by filing the cuticle area, then move on to the stress area, then the free edge. Thin the product out as much as you can. Next, use a brand new file and don’t smooth out the sharp edges — you will need these to make your trench. When filing out the smile line, hold your file so you are only using the sharp edge. This will help in giving you the definition between the pink and the white. Be very careful — files are sharp and will file the product fast.

Remember, you are using a file — not a drill — so your actual smile line will be created more with product application using this procedure. After you have created the basis of your smile line, continue on with your normal fill. — Amber Edwards is a nail tech and nail technology educator based in West Chicago, Ill. Her website is www.nailtech-inc.com.