Sculpting hiccup

[Christine G]

I've gone back to trying my hand again at sculpting, and I love it, however, my little hiccup, I seem to get the free edge corners cracking away from the natural nail edge, I have tried making it a little thicker/ thinner, but it still happens.

I don't have this problem with tips and overlays, so it's obviously something I'm doing. I was wondering if it could be my mix ratio that is a bit out with using the form?

I want to get to the bottom of this, as the rest of the nail has no problems at all.

I'm using radical and perfect colour powders.

Any help welcome.


Christine

 

[katiebbaby]

Hi Christine, I had this problem when I first started sculpting, I think you have to ensure your corners of your zone 1 where meets your pink (I call it my smiles ears or wings) are strong, some people add tiny beads to there smile to ensure this happens.

I had a 1-1 skill building yesterday with cnd Julia moran and she also showed me this technique to use. I think your zone one has to be thicker when sculpting than when doing tip and overlay as you have to overcompensate for not having your tip, I could be wrong some more exp tech on here will know for sure. Have you tried using two beads of white instead of 1 use one bead to do your smile then another to build, your strength, I sometimes still do this, rather than building your zone 1 with one bead.

:hug::hug: You will get there im sure xx

 

[Christine G]

Katie thank you for that, I see where you're coming from, but the problem is not so much the ears, but zone 1 actually breaks off at the free edge in the corner. Could it be that my free edge is a little too long? I'd say it's no more than a couple of mm's when I start. Or, the form not fitting as good as it should?

As I've just moved I'm seriously thinking about taking some time out and having a 1 2 1 as I'm a little nearer to civilisation now! I have to get this sorted.

Thanks again.

 

[Envy]

Hi Christine

A 1-2-1 would be a good idea as having someone 'see' what you are doing is always going to get your issues resolved the quickest.

It does to me sound like your sculpts are too thin in zone 1, this is easily done and try the following to see if it helps until you can do some skill building.

1)Ensure form is fitted very well, do not try and exagerate the 'c' curve (this will weaken the edge join between the free edge and zone 1.
2)Place a small zone 1 bead and take it right up to the natural nail, but not onto it, pat the bead down the form to create the length and shape you will want for your finished extension.
3) Apply a normal zone 1 bead over this newly formed 'tip'

This will ensure you are creating a stable base to bond the natural nail and allow you to work with the correct amount of product to strengthen a beautiful sculpt.

hope that helps.

 

[Christine G]

Thanks envy, I had a good look at a sculpt today, and it seems to be one side only, (I am left handed, and the problems have been on the left side of the nail as the client faces you, the right side is ok), so I guess I'm not turning the finger enough to get into the nooks and crannies! or, I have used the majority of the product by the time I get there.

Also, I think you're right, possibly too thin on that side.

Can you tell me why, when you create the tip with the powder before you apply the zone 1 do you just go up to the natural nail and not over it?
I can't get it into my head that by just touching it it will have the support there?

Christine

 

[Envy]

Hi Christine,

butting the first bead upto the nail is not intended to give any support. It just gives an even platform (same thickness as natural nail) just like having a tip there.

You still apply a normal full size zone 1 bead over the top of this to create your extension, and this will most likely go over both the first bead and the natural nail ... hope that makes sense...

Sam explains it well in his tutorial Super Sonic Sculpting

 

[Christine G]

Thank you, I still find if difficult to get into my head that by doing a thin layer up to the natural free edge it will stay there., it obviously does as it would not be taught, it's hard to think that something "edge to edge" so to speak, without any overlap will be sufficient.

There are a few cogs clicking away in my mind at the moment, I suppose with the "tip" being ultra ultra thin, by the time you put the normal size bead on as you say, this normal size bead will give the strength as it overlaps the two ?

I have been making the "tip" a little too thick then, and not putting enough product on the zone 1.

Sometimes it all comes clear when you write it down, then you can see the wood from the trees.


Thanks all, still going to have some time with an educator though.


Christine

 

[Envy]

Yep, educator time is the right way to go, then you can 'watch' someone doing it, there is no better way to learn than being able to experience and practise with someone.

The 'tip' of L&P is not really going to offer any strength, but then neither does a really well blended tip - or even a natural nail for that matter (otherwise no one would be getting them enhanced )

The purpose of this exerise is to give a nice even surface, like performing a natural nail overlay. As you say - the zone1, 2, 3 overlay is what holds everything together. Once zone 1 is applied over the top of this 'tip' it will all bond and become one, so really it's no different to applying a sculpt in one big bead. The only reason is it ensures that the extension will have the correct thickness.

Hope this helps

 

[Christine G]

Thank you so much for your time and response.

I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,

Christine