Elongating the nail bed-where to put smile...

[waxcetera]

I'm going to have a try at elongating the nail bed, but I really struggle with smile lines. Not creating or cleaning them up, but placing them.

I struggle the same when using natural or clear tips too tbh.

My own nails (due to being a reformed lifelong nail biter) are very brittle, some have no free edge or white at all, some have maybe 3-4mm.

Is there anywhere that shows you where to place the smile line? i.e. how far up to take the corners of the smile line or is it all just by eye?

I'll be using gel this time.

thanks

 

[angel fingers]

think of the smile line as a u shape.
for a natural look its best to take the lowest point of the u no further than the tip of the finger. extending the nail bed past this point can look very stylish but its not too natural looking.

you can take the 'ears' of the smile to wherever you wish. i like a fairly deep smile line as i feel a straightish one has the effect of broardening the nail.

 

[waxcetera]

omg! thanks so much, that my dear is a eureka moment :green:

am well chuffed now, thanks x

think of the smile line as a u shape.
for a natural look its best to take the lowest point of the u no further than the tip of the finger. extending the nail bed past this point can look very stylish but its not too natural looking.

you can take the 'ears' of the smile to wherever you wish. i like a fairly deep smile line as i feel a straightish one has the effect of broardening the nail.

 

[angel fingers]

omg! thanks so much, that my dear is a eureka moment :green:

am well chuffed now, thanks x

oh good, glad you've had a revelation !

using this type of technique can dramatically improve the look of a bitten nail or a short nailbed.
mine are average but i always deepen them for a bit of drama !

 

[waxcetera]

mmm short nail beds, just measured my pinkie and its 8mm in length.

They grow under tips, but every time I soak the tips off, theres virtually no free edge left, well not intact anyway.

Thought if I try sculpting on them, they would be part of the nail, rather than under a tip, see if that makes any difference.

I can sculpt, just not on me lol..