August 8 2008 - Q&A: Technique

When you use colored acrylics to create nail art, do you file the acrylic smooth? Can you use any liquid with colored powders?

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Elaine Watson: On filing, it depends on whether you’re doing an inlaid design or a 3-D design. For an inlaid nail, I will file the acrylic to a smooth finish then apply a UV-protectant sealer. (You can also use a clear gel or acrylic.)

THIS INLAID COLORED-ACRYLIC DESIGN FROM NAIL TECH JOHN HAUK WAS CAPPED WITH CLEAR ACRYLIC, THEN BUFFED TO A HIGH SHINE.

With a 3-D design, I smooth and seal the underlying nail, but there is no need to file the 3-D portion since I use my brush to form the design itself. I also omit sealant on the 3-D design. As to whether you can mix and match monomer brands, it depends on what brand of colored powder you are using. Some colored powders can be used with any company’s monomer, but others recommend against mixing and matching. Just check with the manufacturer and follow their recommendations.

NAIL TECH AND EDUCATOR ELAINE WATSON DIDN’T FILE OR SEAL THE 3-D PORTION OF THIS DESIGN.