How do I change the art during an acrylic fill?

My suggestion is to consult with the client to see how long she plans on wearing the design. Colored acrylic is a commitment, but you can plan out how the design is going to wear. If the client is only going to keep it for a couple of appointments, I suggest applying a transparent color at the cuticle; that way the growth doesn’t show as much and it’s easier to fill. Have a game plan. You can choose a color scheme that will be easy to fill. For instance, use a medium pink at the cuticle. Then when you do your client’s fill, you can use a light pink to extend the life of the design. With some of my clients, when they grow tired of the design, I fill it with transparent glitter and just let the design grow off. The other option is to polish or gel-polish over the design to hide it.

— MaeLing Parrish is the dean of education for Hand & Nail Harmony.