October 9 2009 - Features

Behind the Scenes: Cutting Edge

Lynn Lammers knows a thing or two about perfect nails. After securing the top spot on NAILS’ Top 25 List of competitors for the second year running (and winning the World Championship in Dusseldorf, Germany, earlier this year), she’s on a roll. And she seemingly can do it all — extreme pink-and-whites, colored acrylic designs, fantasy acrylic sculptures are just a few of her specialties.

As a freelance nail stylist, Lammers still sees clients in an office space that she has converted into a private salon. “About 75% of my ‘working’ time is spent seeing clients,” she says. And while colors and designs are fun, her favorite nail style (and most of her clients’ favorite too) is still her specialty pink-and-whites.

But competitions allow her creativity to shine through. “I spend a lot of time searching for inspiration online,” she says. “Honestly, I never stop preparing. I have a designated suitcase for my competition supplies. It sits open on the floor in my office, always reminding me of the next event. I have a folder in my computer where I keep images in case I need inspiration. And I have regular practice sessions with my models year-round. I don’t think anyone could expect to be the best at something without it being on the top of their list of priorities.”

 

Number-one competitor and cover tech Lynn Lammers (right) poses with our model Traycee King, who loves going home with her designer nails.

We’ve been hearing a buzz about “edge” nails for a while now. Lammers calls her version “the wedge.” “The biggest thing with doing wedge or edge style nails is to crease the form straight down the middle,” she notes.

 

 

Here's how you can do these nails:

 

1. Prep the nails by removing the surface shine with a file. Remove the dust with a nylon nail brush, then dehydrate and prime the nails. Extend the nail bed with custom-blended camouflage acrylic powder.

 

 

2. Crease the form straight down the middle and apply to the nail.

 

 

3. Create your extension with clear acrylic. Strategically place the flecks of Mylar and copper.

 

 

4. Using color drops to color the liquid, place yellow, orange, and green acrylic over the Mylar and copper.

 

 

5. Cap the nail in clear, building the “wedge” with clear acrylic.

 

 

6. File the nail, making sure to keep the file at an angle so you don’t file off the ridge of the wedge. Remove the dust with a nylon nail brush or clean with nail cleanser.

 

 

7. Using a gold leaf pen, draw gold lines on the extension.

 

 

8. Cap the entire nail with UV gel top coat and cure.  

 

 

In addition to the Mylar and copper flecks, Lammers uses color drops in her monomer with clear acrylic powder to get the stained glass effect.