Many manufacturers offer tips that have “cut-outs” in the middle, which allow a little give for those with wider nails. It is not wise to use tips that are smaller than the nail, because over time, the tip will pop off the nail. Should you find the cut-out tips are still too small, try this technique: Place a paper form under the new tip. Use your white powder and sculpt out on the sides, making sure to bring the acrylic over the whole tip. If your client wears colored polishes, you could use pink or clear powder. Your other choice is to sculpt all the nails so you can control the look and width of the nail. To give those with wide nail beds a thinner-looking nail, taper them in slightly on the sides, rather than squaring them off. — Lynnette Diaz-Madden
Technique
How can I place the acrylic so that the wide tips will look right?
December 20, 2010
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