Technique

What is the secret to that high-gloss shine I see on some acrylics?

June 01, 2005 | Bookmark +

What is the secret to that high-gloss shine I see on some acrylics? Are they using a special top coat? Or can you just buff the acrylic and not put anything else on?

Answer

Samuel Sweet: Shiny surfaces are so because they are literally scratch-free. Even the smallest scratches refract light and make a surface seem dull. Two things can produce a super finish like you are describing: a high gloss finishing buffer or a UV-cured finishing gloss.  

To create a glass-like finish with a buffer, it is important to understand graduating your grits during finishing. I finish my applications with a 240-grit buffer, apply cuticle oil, buff with a 1,200-grit buffer (which removes all scratches), wipe any free-standing cuticle oil off with a touch of nail cleanser, and then buff with the high-gloss finishing buffer. 

Using a UV finishing gloss top coat is another popular option. Finish filing your application with a 180-grit file, cleanse the surface, apply the UV finishing gloss, and cure the nail under the UV light. 

The finish created is permanently shiny and solvent-resistant. The only potential downsides are that it contributes to the thickness of the enhancement, requires filing off, and makes it slightly more difficult for cuticle oils to penetrate.

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How can I prevent lifting when my client's hands are constantly in water?

I have a client who is in the medical field so her hands are constantly in water. She has me keep the length of her acrylic nails short. No matter what I do, she always has at least one nail that comes off, and she always has lifting and gets water under the acrylic. I prep the nails correctly, I have a cuticle bit to clean the cuticle area, and I wipe the nail with alcohol, dehydrate the nail, and prime the nail. What should I do?

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