Help Please (L & P application)

[Carol2168]

Hi
I am at the start of doing my VTCT in nail technology using L & P and having done my 3rd full set last night am finding that I am having the same problems:

I can clearly see the tip underneath the nail once the acrylic is applied so the client has to wear polish over the top - is this to do with the blending of the enhancement/or application of acrylic/both? I am careful to ensure that there is no obvious "ledge" and it takes me absolutely ages to do! What is the best way of blending and which files do you find best to use?

My finished nail looks cloudy - is this to do with the mix ratio or the angle of my brush (or both?).

I am back to see my tutor at the end of the week and will obviously voice my concerns but wondered if anyone can help in the meantime as I still need to do a couple of full sets before then.

My nails are taking just over 3 hours to do - those poor clients!

I have a copy of Nailclass (thanks Gigi!) - great book and have been trying to follow all the great advice but if someone can tell me (if you can from my descriptions) where I am going wrong would appreciate your experience.
xx:hug:

 

[angel fingers]

it sounds like you are not blending the tip fullt enough.

have you tried cutting away all but about 1-1.5 mm of the well and then filing it to thin out the contact area before you apply the tip to the nail?
when you do this it means there is very little blending lest to do on the nail.
make sure when you fit your tip that its to just the edge of the natural nail so that the free edge sits inside the shortened well of the plastic tip. if you apply the tip wrongly its very difficult to get it to blend seamlessly.

if your overlay looks cloudy, its possible that it is the ratio but it could also be that the brand of powder is not a very clear one.

 

[Carol2168]

it sounds like you are not blending the tip fullt enough.

have you tried cutting away all but about 1-1.5 mm of the well and then filing it to thin out the contact area before you apply the tip to the nail?
when you do this it means there is very little blending lest to do on the nail.
make sure when you fit your tip that its to just the edge of the natural nail so that the free edge sits inside the shortened well of the plastic tip. if you apply the tip wrongly its very difficult to get it to blend seamlessly.

if your overlay looks cloudy, its possible that it is the ratio but it could also be that the brand of powder is not a very clear one.

Hi
Thanks for your response.

I am using Creative products so don't think it is the brand - it MUST be me!:lol: I have been practising using the pink powder.

I have been using the various Creative tips and have tried to file prior to application but obviously this must be where I am going wrong - may need to spend even longer here then! When a tip is applied correctly on the nail and blended should you not be able to see a join at all? Which file is the best one to use for this? I have been using Gigi's tips about how to hold the file i.e. with index finger on top - think I need to be abit more patient - just don't want to cause harm to my client's natural nail.:cry:

Thanks for your advice:hug:

 

[Saucygirl]

I can clearly remember having your frustrations....

Try blending the tip more, carefully, of course, almost-if it makes sense-until you are almost at the glue.

What shade is the tip that you are using? Natural, clear, white?

I find that I have a preference for clear tips-just a personal thing.

I also found a product called Line Eliminator which goes on like a clear polish and hides slight imperfections with the tip.Premier Nail Source

As for the cloudy acrylic-it sounds like a ratio problem. You want your bead to have an orange peel look to it, not too wet or dry.

It takes a lot of practise-but you will get there Sweetie. We've all struggled-but this is a very rewarding career for those of us willing to take the time to master our craft.

 

[Carol2168]

I can clearly remember having your frustrations....

Try blending the tip more, carefully, of course, almost-if it makes sense-until you are almost at the glue.

What shade is the tip that you are using? Natural, clear, white?

I find that I have a preference for clear tips-just a personal thing.

I also found a product called Line Eliminator which goes on like a clear polish and hides slight imperfections with the tip.Premier Nail Source

As for the cloudy acrylic-it sounds like a ratio problem. You want your bead to have an orange peel look to it, not too wet or dry.

It takes a lot of practise-but you will get there Sweetie. We've all struggled-but this is a very rewarding career for those of us willing to take the time to master our craft.

Hi
Thank you for your advice and support.

I have been practising using both clear and natural tips - not used white yet.

I do think it must be something to do with both my blending and my ratio mix. I am loving the course and practise as much as I can (thank heavens for the nail trainer!) so will definitely keep at it!

Knew that I would get support and good advice from you guys:hug:

 

[angel fingers]

Hi
Thanks for your response.

I am using Creative products so don't think it is the brand - it MUST be me!:lol: I have been practising using the pink powder.

I have been using the various Creative tips and have tried to file prior to application but obviously this must be where I am going wrong - may need to spend even longer here then! When a tip is applied correctly on the nail and blended should you not be able to see a join at all? Which file is the best one to use for this? I have been using Gigi's tips about how to hold the file i.e. with index finger on top - think I need to be abit more patient - just don't want to cause harm to my client's natural nail.:cry:

Thanks for your advice:hug:

when its done correctly, theres no distinct line visible.
i use a 180 grit file, but as a beginer you might feel more at home with a 240 grit one so there is less chance of damage to the natural nail.
you need to make sure that your file strokes are on the tip only and not the clients nail so you dont do damage.

could it be that you are getting air bubbles under the well of the tip, as this would show up as a cloudy patch in the finished nail. it might be that your product is going on a bit dry and maybe you have some undisolved powder that is giving a cloudy look.
when you pick up the powder, count to 3 before applying it to the nail and this will help any excess powder absorb the liquid more.

you will get it sorted, i can see that you really want to get it right.:hug:

 

[geeg]

It is refreshing that you are concerned about the health of the natural nail .. as we all should be.

You do need to know how to blend a tip without cutting the well away as you definitely cannot cut the weel out of tip for every client. Some clients need the full well and so you do need to practise blending until you have got it down pat.

Usually (as long as the tip is applied correctly with no air beneath it) it is a case of just going that little bit further. After you have applied the tip it should look almost as if it has been blended .. no white areas or bubbles. If it doesn't look nearly transparent then you have got problems that are hard to get rid of. Make sure you are holding the pressure on the tip until the adhesive has set before letting go of it.

If you can see the well of the tip before product application then you will see it after so make sure it is transparent before you start to apply the product.

Creative L&P is so crystal clear that there is no room for mistakes ... nothing is hidden. HTH