Nail enhancements can be recommended to most clients, but there are a few client types in particular for whom enhancements are a perfect fit. One such group is nail biters. Imagine the look on your client’s face when you take her bitten nails and apply a beautiful sculpted nail that makes her hands look gorgeous. For male nail biters, use a corrective acrylic powder that is opaque and looks natural. Enhancements are also a great option for clients whose nails have ridges that split. The enhancements will cover the ridges and let the client grow her nails out. The only people I don’t do enhancements on are clients who have beautiful natural nails. I don’t apply enhancements to anyone whose nails are healthy, knowing we can do natural nail manicures to keep the nails strong and beautiful. — Lynnette Madden owns Salon 29 in East Greenville, Pa.
Technique
What clients should I recommend wear nail extensions?
August 1, 2007
More FAQ
What’s the trick to getting dark glitters to cure when doing rock star gel nails?
What’s the trick to getting dark glitters to cure when doing rock star gel nails? I do my nail prep, then a layer of Akzentz Base N Gloss. I cure and put another layer of Base N Gloss, then sprinkle on the glitter and tap off some of the excess. I cure after that, and I brush off the excess again when it’s done, but a lot of glitter will come off with it. And this is with a brand new gel lamp. So I put on more gel, more glitter, etc., but I’d like to get it right the first time to save time.... read more
What could be causing the gel to shrink?
So on my last client of the day, I finish her fill, buff her nails, apply gel top coat to one of the hands and it turns out fine. But on the next hand, I do everything like I usually do, but when I put the hand in the light to cure the gel top coat, disaster happens. One finger looks like it has a hole in it (in the top coat) and the others look like the gel has literally shrunk, and they’re bumpy too. I file it all off and start again, but the same thing happens. I try one more time, and it’s still the same. I do it all one more time and even use a different lamp, but get the same results. My bulbs in both lamps are about four months old, so they shouldn’t need replacing yet. What could be causing this shrinking?... read more
What's the trick to getting dark glitters to cure when doing gel nails?
What’s the trick to getting dark glitters to cure when doing rock star gel nails? I do my nail prep, then a layer of Akzentz Base N Gloss. I cure and then put another layer of Base N Gloss, then sprinkle on the glitter and tap off some of the excess. I cure after that, and I brush off the excess again when it’s done, but a lot of glitter will come off with it. And this is with a brand new gel lamp. So I put on more gel, more glitter, etc., but I’d like to get it right the first time to save time. And this only happens with dark colors. What can I do?... read more
What causes shrinking on gel nails?
So on my last client of the day, I finish her fill, buff her nails, apply gel top coat to one of the hands and it turns out fine. But on the next hand, I do everything like I usually do, but when I put the hand in the light to cure the gel top coat, disaster happens. One finger looks like it has a hole in it (in the top coat) and the others look like the gel has literally shrunk, and they’re bumpy too. I file it all off and start again, but the same thing happens. I try one more time, and it’s still the same. I do it all one more time and even use a different lamp, but get the same results. My bulbs in both lamps are about four months old, so they shouldn’t need replacing yet. What could be causing this shrinking?... read more
Is there any such a thing as a "universal" UV light?
Is there such a thing as a “universal” UV light unit or do I have to buy a different light unit for each gel system? ... read more
Is there such a thing as a “universal” UV light unit?
Is there such a thing as a “universal” UV light unit or do I have to buy a different light unit for each gel system?... read more
What’s the best way to put on a tip?
What’s the best way to put on a tip?... read more
What’s the best way to do a pink-and-white backfill?
What’s the best way to do a pink-and-white backfill? I’ve been doing them for years now and I still can’t get my time down. I go back and forth between the traditional way and the reverse method and neither one cuts any time off. I don’t know if I’m over-filing during prep. It usually takes me an hour and a half. I cringe when I have to do one these days. Any advice on cutting time or a new way of doing it?... read more
What's the best way to put on a tip?
What’s the best way to put on a tip?... read more
What's the best way to do a pink-and-white backfill?
What’s the best way to do a pink-and-white backfill? I’ve been doing them for years now and I still can’t get my time down. I go back and forth between the traditional way and the reverse method and neither one cuts any time off. I don’t know if I’m over-filing during prep. But I do have a couple clients who make it a point to tell me how hard it is for them to sit through my long backfills — it usually takes me an hour and a half. I cringe when I have to do one these days. Any advice on cutting time or a new way of doing it?... read more
How do I prevent polish from bubbling?
On some of my natural nail clients my polish tends to bubble. I clean the nail plate with acetone very well before I polish. Then I use base coat, two coats of polish, and top coat. I usually have them hold their fingers in front of a fan between coats, and I spray a rapid dryer on after I finish. Any ideas? ... read more
How do I get acrylic or gel to stick to pre-designed nail tips?
I have decided to try pre-designed nail tips with art, but I am having trouble getting the acrylic or gel to stick to them. After a few days the product lifts off the tips. I tried to gently file the surface of the tip first, but then it takes the design off.... read more