Just wondering if everyone pretty much adheres to the three ball rule when you are doing l/p- and if so what about if the nails are long?

Thanks Bagpuss, sharron, becki, jnail, sarah and Angie

I am a gel girl but have done a few L&p...personally speaking i think its as many balls as you need to get the job done...i don't think its a 3 ball RULE as such..more whatever your used to...some use 1 ball some more like 5....if it works for you then thats all that matters.

I can use 3 balls for the 3 middle fingers but for the little finger its normally 2 and more for the thumb.

I dont think it really matters how many you use as long as the end result is good and strong.

xx

Hi there

As long as the bead applied is the correct mix ratio you can work with as many or as few as you see needed.
A 3 ball method is a great starting block for techs to learn brush control & mix ratio..From there we develop whats comfortable & workable for us as individuals. 3 - 2 or 5 balls...If it works for you then go for it...


HtH

XX J XX

I use as many, or few balls as i need, sometimes its 2 balls, sometimes it could be 4 or 5

Me too,it's generally three,two for the pinkie and four for the thumb !

As long as you are still thinking of your enhancement in 3 ZONES....then you can use as many beads/balls as required....

Zone 1 the Shape (tip)
Zone 2 the Strength ( stress area)
Zone 3 the Balance ( cuticle area)

Some long nail beds need more than 3 beads as can thumb nails...but they all need to look balanced and working in zones helps you get this. HTH

Thanks for the info on the three ball rule. I was thinking this is how I should be thinking - question more I'm looking at my nails and it seems that the there should be four balls one for the tip - the 2nd ball should really be my zone one going up to the arch which is the 3rd ball and cuticle coming from the arch what do you think or it that something I have to determine from my eye- just seems like when I place the 2nd ball the arch is too high especially on shorter nails

oops newbie mistake- but wanted you to see it sorry

Gosh I have never seen my name as a Thread before...I got a right fright there!!!
Possibly this should just have been added on as a post on your 3 ball rule thread...I will answer you there...and maybe you or a nice Moderator could close this...he he......

I've merged the threads

Hi....from the question in your other thread Redaroe..I am not to sure i am following you.....but here is the way I work my zones...

Zone 1 is my tip....which gives my shape and length...BUT when I am applying it I make sure my smile line is also slightly thicker than the end of the tip...as this is the start of my apex....

Zone 2 is the stress area ...which should be thicker...and as I am butting it into my smile it forms my upper arch/apex....and using my brush I am tapering the end of zone 2 into zone 3 nice and flush to the nail...using Geeg's push pull brush technique...

Zone 3 is applied nice and thin to balance the nail...and again using my brush technique to apply it flush to the nail for minimum filing.

OK I know not everyones apex should be at the zone 1 & 2 border...but most are....Geeg has posted before that the way to find where the stress area is on a clients nail...is to press it and where the bed goes white is where your stress area is....
Press for Stress!!....it just sticks in your mind when it rhymes!

Does this help?....Check out the tutorials on site...for brush control etc they will really help you.

yes Izzie Doll this helps me a lot Thanks!

Thats a good one, will stick too.

I don't do L&P.
I only know what I read.

But, I was under the impression that using only one ball was NOT a good way to do things? PLease correct me if I'm wrong. I will be learning L&P, so would like to know in advance.
My understanding was that by using only 1 ball, the percentage of shrinkage of the product was too high and it created too high a tension/pressure on the nail plate and could risk popping it up? That doing it in 3 or more lowers the percentage and thereby decreases any pressure to the nailplate.

Please let me know.
THANKS!

1 ball may be all thats needed on a little finger...i know alot of oriental places use the 1 ball method and with fab results...i guess its just what ever way you have been taught. x