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TIPS OF THE WEEK 
by Vicki Peters
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TIP OF THE WEEK #14
By Vicki Peters

TIP APPLICATION IN ACRYLIC

Diana posed a question about a comment I recently made on the list about 
applying tips with acrylic instead of glue, when I was addressing the tips 
not holding up. Glue, gel glue and most bonding agents and resins are all 
cynoacrylates. Cynoacrylates break down in water and acrylics don't, that is 
a fact. So every time you wash your hands you're contributing to the 
breakdown of the glue you are wearing.

Now I am not stating that glue is not good - do not misunderstand me - what I 
am claiming is that acrylic is stronger and bonds longer to the natural nail.

So let's start with my tip of the week about cutting out the wells. You can 
find it on the Nailtech Website. As you all know I am a huge fan of cutting 
the wells out of tips, refining the smile lines and placing the edge of the 
tip on the edge of the nail. It is a cosmetic way of applying a tip that 
gives very little strength, the strength is in the overlay. If the overlay 
does not have a properly balanced overlay and is weak on the sides and stress 
are the tip will break. Same goes for a sculpture. So make sure your overlay 
is providing the structure not the tip. Applying the well-less tip on the 
edge of the natural nail with acrylic will give it more strength to stay on. 


Here are three suggestions for applying tips with acrylic:
#1
Size out your tips and refine them if you choose to. You can use this method 
with or without wells, with natural colored tips and French white tips. Prep 
the nail plate just like you would for a sculptured nail, primer and all. 
Let the primer dry. One tip at a time turn the tip over so the underneath is 
facing up. Place a small amount of liquid and powder on the inside of the tip 
where the contact area is going to be on the nail. Spread a thin layer across 
the entire edge of the tip. Use pink or clear powder. Place on the nail and 
hold into place until dry. This takes a bit more time having to hold the tip 
while drying but the results will be better. When the tips are secure cut and 
shape the tips and continue with your overlay procedures. 

#2
Another way to do this is to place a small ball of acrylic on the tip of the 
natural nail and spread it over the entire edge of the nail. Then press the 
tip into the acrylic. Again you must hold the tip in place until it is dry. 
Too much acrylic will squish out and not enough will not give enough 
strength. When the tips are secure, cut and shape the tips and continue with 
your overlay procedures. 

#3
The third way to apply tips in acrylic is to overlay the entire natural nail 
with pink powder. Before the acrylic is dry press a white French tip onto the 
very tip of the acrylic on the natural nail and let dry. Apply the cuticle 
area very thin or not completely up to the cuticle area. Once you have done 
this on all ten nails cut and shape the parameter of the tips. Then overlay 
the entire nail with clear acrylic, right over the pink you already applied 
with a thin coat and over the white tip. Be sure to view from the side to 
make sure you have not applied too much clear acrylic on the nail bed and not 
enough on the tip.

Ok so now another tip: there is no need to take the shine of the tips once 
you have applied them. The acrylic will stick to them anyway - however 
whenever applying gels and fiberglass you may want to take a white block and 
remove the shine. 

DISCLAIMER
Any products mentioned in the "Tip Of The Week by Vicki Peters" is not an 
endorsement of any kind.

Vicki Peters 
"When you stop learning your career ends and your job begins"
Visit my new web site: http://vickipeters.com 

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