Hi Shelly
Tip application, I believe for a beginner is one of the most time consuming parts of a full set. Applying the product is fortunately (or unfortunately!!) pretty much set in stone - we don't have alot of choice - we have to move with the set time. However tips - well what can I say - part of the problem is a "choice thing". Suddenly shock horror, we have to make decisions - lots of them:
Tip type, tip fit, to pretailor or not, to blend or not, angles - my god it just goes on and on!
So here's my advice on cutting contact areas:
Nail biters: sorry babe - you have to blend in on these fellas! Just make sure that the tip does not cover more than 50% of the natural nail plate.
Everyone else: Hooray, hoorah - get that 100 abrasive out or a pair of curved scissors (a tool I can't do without!) and whip out that contact area to fit to the client's free edge. It's an amazing technique which increases the surface area of nail plate exposed to the products that really matter. And yes it does seem like they're "hanging on the edge of the cliff", but the fact that they seem to be "falling off" as you said, maybe an adhesive problem - are you applying adhesive to both surfaces? Are you getting adhesive up into the ears of the tip?? Make sure you using a fab adhesive!!
Keep trying - if you're filing the contact area out, you may be leaving dusty gremlins behind in the contact area - these fellas sure as hell don't know how to grip onto a nail - so make sure the underside is clean before applying adhesive.
Completely understand where you're coming from and you can bet your bottom dollar/pound/euro that every beginner out there stumbles over these very issues.
Keep at it.......
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