For the perfect makeover cover, we enlisted the help of two of the industry’s finest nail techs turned entrepreneurs — Entity Nail Couture’s Tom Holcomb (left, above) and Tom Bachik (right, above).

Our model, Katie, has great hands, but her nail beds are on the short side. Not necessarily Extreme Nail Makeover, but a makeover nonetheless, we challenged the two techs to put their own twist on the classic pink-and-white, while elongating Katie’s nails. Holcomb gave us his extreme competition French look, while Bachik’s look is a bit more classic — rounded and soft.

So how did they take a short nail bed and turn it into the perfect longer-looking nail bed?

It was Tom vs. Tom in the Extreme Nail Makeover. With each Tom working on one of her hands, we’re not sure model Katie knew how many people would pay good money to be in her chair.

Behind the Scenes – Before & After (step by step for cover look)

Step 1: Prep nail and apply Entity’s Sculpting Form. 

Step 2: Start product application by using one of Entity’s new Cosmetic Pink Powders designed to camouflage flaws in the nail or even hide the natural free edge. First extend the nail bed out over the form to the desired length. Tip: Whether you prefer soft and natural or deep and dramatic, you can now create a new smile line at this stage by sculpting the pink into the shape you desire.

Step 3: Using the same opaque cosmetic pink, blend the acrylic toward the cuticle to even out the color. The cosmetic pink should be very thin; its purpose is to hide flaws not build the nail. 

Step 4: When sculpting the tip place Entity’s White Sculpting Powder right up against the pink of the newly created smile line.

Step 5: Next, place Entity’s Pink Sculpting Powder, over the nail bed, making sure to fill in the entire area from the cuticle to the new smile line. It is a translucent pink and will give depth to your nail instead of a cloudy, hazy look.

Step 6: Finish the nail as you normally would. Pinch in the C-curve; file to the desired shape; and finish either using a buffer to a high shine (as Holcomb did) or by applying a UV top coat (as Bachik did).