If you would have asked me that question a few weeks ago I would definitely have said “Team Gels,” but finally after practice, practice, practice I think I have managed to get the liquid-to-powder ratio just about right. I was able to score some one-on-one time with my instructor (which can be extremely rare and valuable given that you have a classroom of people all trying to grab for her attention). She let me watch her a few times, then she watched me screw up a few times (smile), and then the light bulb went off and there it was...the perfect combination. Not too dry where the ball just fell off my brush and not too wet where it just oozed down the nail. Just like in the three bears it was just right! I still have a little more work to do, but getting this part right has reduced my time drastically. A lot of my time was spent on filing down all my lumps and bumps to make the nail look good, but now it's so much easier. She even tried to show me the one-ball method, where you pick up enough acrylic to cover the entire nail at one time...let's just say I'm not there yet. (Those are some of my acrylic girls up above.)

Does this mean that I have turned from my all-time favorite? Not at all. I love gels, still love gels, and will always love gels. I know without a doubt that they are my favorite enhancement to work with (I just can't help it). (Those are some of my gel girls above.) But I'm the type of person where I want to try my hand at everything and then I want to be able to perfect it in every little way. So I'm overjoyed that the light bulb finally went off and I'm able to get that acrylic mix ratio right. Up next...sculpting 3-D acrylic bows (which actually look like a bow)!

— Stacelyn