Applying Nail Tips

Choosing which nail tip to use

Nail tips are used to extend the existing nail length and to produce a desired shape. They are available in many styles to accommodate most nail shapes and to suit particular client preferences. You will find that some clients like a French White Tip to produce a French manicure look whilst others prefer a more Natural look.

Whatever style your client may prefer, all tips need to have an area to apply the adhesive. This area is known as the "well area”. The well is thinner than the "free edge" of the tip and overlaps the natural nail. There is a ridge where the "well area" meets the free edge to show where the tip should be applied to. Once the natural nail hits this ridge the nail tip should go no further.

There are 2 types of well areas available:

Full Well (overlap)

This type of tip has a larger well area. It is suitable for most nail types. This type of well area is particularly suited to clients with short or bitten nails or irregular side walls.

When applying a tip you must ensure that it does not cover more than 1/2 of the natural nail. If more than half of the natural nail is covered it will produce a weaker extension. The function of a tip is to add length and shape only. A nail tip does not add strength or durability to an extension. The overlay is what gives the nails their strength and durability.

Partial Well (Salon)

These tips have a smaller well area. They are a quicker to apply as little or no pre tailoring and blending is required and depending on the colour chosen may need no blending at all. They are the perfect choice for clients with almost perfect nails and side walls.

How to apply nail tips

This section should be carried out immedietly after the Preparing Nails section

Select the nail tip size that best suits your natural nail size. If there is any doubt on the tip to be used choose a tip that best suits the c-curve of the natural nail. If necessary file down the sides of the larger tip.

A deeper smile line on French Tips can be achieved by filing over the smile line.

Apply a very small bead of nail glue into the well of the tip ensuring that it spreads to the edges of the well

*Hint* don’t apply too much glue or you’ll have glue all over and it won’t bond as well.
*Hint* Don’t apply too much pressure or you may force away too much of the glue and the tip will not adhere properly.

Place tip onto the free edge quickly and smoothly to avoid air bubbles being visible (This is more important with Natural nail tips that require blending.

Allow 10 minutes for tips to bond

Cut tips using Nail Tip Cutter to slightly longer than required length.

File to desired shape and length using Naio Black or Zebra Curved Nail File.

Use on all ABS plastic tips to temporarily soften the plastic to make blending the tip easier.

The Nail Tip Blender softens the plastic to allow the technician to blend the tips quicker and decreases the trauma to the natural nail and reduces dust

Apply Nail Tip Blender to the area of the nail tip that overlaps the natural nail, of one tip.

Wait one minute and using a Zebra curved file Taking care not to buff the natural nail or the surrounding cuticle. File the softened plastic off from the outside in.
If more tip needs to be removed, add a little more Nail Tip Blender and wait 20 seconds before filing.

buff the overlap area of the tip into the natural nail.