Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Technique

Are there any good videos available on properly filing a lift?

November 23, 2013

I understand how this can feel frustrating, but I’m glad to hear that most of your work seems to be on target.

An “aha” moment I experienced relating to this issue is that sloppy file placement paired with too much pressure results in the spreading of the lift. For proper rebalancing, you’re going to naturally file the nail enhancement back into balance.

This means the apex of the enhancement comes back to the center of the nail. A great habit to assure proper placement is to check your side views. This will help with any enhancement. Now pertaining to the lift, first check the way you are holding your file. Be sure to use about 75% of the file with each stroke. Then focus the fi le ahead of the lift and be conscious to maintain a light connection between the file and the nail in the specific area. If you use 75% of your file, your lift will just simply flake away. To avoid this in the future, a properly prepared nail along with proper product placement will ensure future successes.

— Torie Bastian is a CND education ambassador and the owner of The Polished Pinky in Crown Point, Ind.

More FAQ

How do you do a backfill without using a drill?

Can you do a proper backfill without an electric file?... read more

What causes burning with UV gel lights?

I recently tried out a UV light-cured gel system on myself. A couple of times, when letting the gels cure, I experienced a really intense burning sensation. What causes this and how can I avoid it?... read more

Can you use any primer with any acrylic?

Can you use any primer with any acrylic?... read more

What causes sculpting liquid to turn yellow? What causes artificial nails to turn yellow?

What causes sculpting liquid to turn yellow? What causes artificial nails to turn yellow?... read more

Is it true that when you remove calluses with a razor, they come back harder?

Is it true that when you remove calluses with a razor, they come back harder?... read more

Is it common to have to change products or procedures (including changing the ratio of the product) depending on the weather? Is it possible for persp

Is it common to have to change products or procedures (including changing the ratio of the product) depending on the weather? Is it possible for perspiration to make the product lift?... read more

What can I do for a client who has a lot of cuticle growth but doesn’t like to have her cuticles trimmed?

What can I do for a client who has a lot of cuticle growth but doesn’t like to have her cuticles trimmed?... read more

How Do You Deal with Breakage Caused by a Bad Batch of Product?

How Do You Deal with Breakage Caused by a Bad Batch of Product?... read more

Clients Shouldn't Be Afraid Of Acrylics

Q. I had a client recently who said that, although she would like to wear artificial nails, she wouldn’t because she had heard they could cause cancer. Do you have anything to say about this?... read more

Could my nails have been damaged permanently by acrylics or electric filing?

I wore acrylics for about four years before removing them a year and a half ago. It took four months for my nails to grow out and return to normal. All but one nail is now strong and healthy. The bad nail (on my ring finger) is split vertically and there is a ridge where it splits. The nail grows slower on one side of the split than the other—it never grows straight and I have to keep filing one side down the nail is also still very weak. My nails were healthy and strong before I started using acrylics. Could my nails have been damaged by the acrylics or by the filling? Is this permanent or is there something I can do to bring it back to normal?... read more