KERATIN CELLS [ker-uh-tin, sels]
What it is: The building blocks that create the layers of the nail plate.
What it is: The building blocks that create the layers of the nail plate.
Most French enhancement techniques teach the tech to apply white at the free-edge and create the smile line. Then the pink is added to the nail plate and the two are connected. In a reverse application, you add the pink to the nail bed and create a reverse smile line. Some let this dry and file it clean and smooth before adding a form and the white extension. The benefit to this technique is being able to push the white directly against the pink to create a clean line. This technique was originally created for applying cover pink powders. It can also be beneficial when sculpting gel.
Onycholysis [on-y-chol-y-sis] is the medical term for separation of the finger or toenail (nail lifting) from the nail bed. This condition usually starts at the tip of the nail and can progress towards the eponychium. As the nail plate lifts away from the nail bed, a gap or pocket forms, which can be a potential site for infection. Once the nail has detached it will not reattach and instead, a new nail plate will grow back. This can take around six months for a fingernail. Typically onycholysis only affects one nail, and although it sees the nail plate peel away from the nail bed, it is in most cases painless, however this depends on the cause, since an injury or infection may cause pain or irritation.
There is no cure for the nail plate that has already separated from the nail bed epithelium, however treatment can keep new nail growth attached to the nail bed. The treatment of onycholysis depends on its underlying cause. In some cases, addressing the primary issue, such as treating an infection or discontinuing the use of irritating chemicals, can resolve the condition. The nail professional should advise the client to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist or podiatrist, for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Find out more here: https://nailknowledge.org/nail-knowledge-base/onycholysis
Cuticle is a thin layer of colorless dead tissue between the proximal nail fold, eponychium and the nail plate. Together they form a seal to keep pathogens from infecting the matrix area. To avoid product lifting in this area, best practice is to remove all cuticle that is directly attached to the nail plate, so polish and other nail products can adhere directly to the nail and not atop the cuticle. To gently detach cuticle from the nail plate, dip a 2×2 gauze square in cuticle remover and gently scrub the nail plate in a circular motion up to the eponychium. Trim excess cuticle or hangnails with a sharp cuticle nipper.
This series will help you elevate your nail game for effective and efficient salon services, from ensuring a proper foundation to increasing your speed, revenue and value when creating salon shapes and designs that are sure to impress your clients and give you a stress-free creative environment.
Do you have questions for the artist? GlossaryLive will present a LIVE interview with this artist. Email your questions to be featured during the Q&A session.
This series will help you elevate your nail game for effective and efficient salon services, from ensuring a proper foundation to increasing your speed, revenue and value when creating salon shapes and designs that are sure to impress your clients and give you a stress-free creative environment.
Do you have questions for the artist? GlossaryLive will present a LIVE interview with this artist. Email your questions to be featured during the Q&A session.
This series will help you elevate your nail game for effective and efficient salon services, from ensuring a proper foundation to increasing your speed, revenue and value when creating salon shapes and designs that are sure to impress your clients and give you a stress-free creative environment.
In this 2nd episode we will cover a popularombré technique, also known as French fade orbaby boomer. This is a design where awhite tip suddenly blends into the back of the nail.When using liquid & powder the technique canbe quite straightforward.However, this look can be quite difficult to recreate using gel.So I will show you 2 ways in whichyou can tackle this look like a pro, so thatyou don't stress next time your clients request it.For this technique it's important that we work with a product that'shighly pigmented.On this palette I have a gel paint that's quite opaque onthe right and a gel polish that's also very pigmentedon the left.Either product will be very useful when creating an ombrédesign on a nail using a sponging technique.The key is to work with a highly pigmented and opaqueproduct. Next you will need a porous make-upsponge.In addition, it's best to start off with a sculpted nailthat has been sculpted using a sheer pinkor sheer cover color. Once you have sculpted thenail and you have finish filed and buffed ensurethat you thoroughly cleanse the area. Here youcan appreciate the sheerness of the color as you can still see thelunula. Next grab a smallportion of the color and place it right onto the sponge.You don't want to flood the sponge with tonnes ofproduct. So small portions are best.Next, we will focus on dabbing the product onthe tip first.Make sure that you firmly pack that product onthe tip.The color should look quite concentrated on this area.Using a sponge will definitely add texture to thenail. However, we will be able to blend that intothe back of the nail by gently dabbing thesponge again over the surface. Grab aclean part of the sponge and gently start dabbing theproduct towards the center of the nail.The more you dab, the more the product will blend, thelighter the touch, the easier you'll seeit spread.Whenever you're using this technique, make sure that youare dabbing as much as possible.A few little dabs will not be enough tohelp you blend the product. Work the sponge andthe product from side to side focusing onthe tip and on the middle section. Avoid draggingthe product too far towards the cuticle area.Once you're happy with the blending, make surethat you clean up any excess that may have gone ontothe skin prior to curing.If you see lots of texture, it's important that you go backand dab a bit more until you see it nicely blended.Once you're happy, go ahead and cure this layer. Thetrick to make the sponge texture disappear, is toapply a layer of gel polish base over thesurface. Gel polish base has a higherviscosity than just top coat. So thiswill help you blend onto the existing layer andremove any extra texture.Make sure that you float the gel polish baseto avoid dragging any pigment.Here you can see how most of the texture has disappearedany remaining will be filled oncewe apply the top coat.I love the results of a sponged ombré. It's veryeasy to achieve and requires minimal investment in product.For this next technique, it's best to start with a layer of cured gelpolish.And again, choosing a sheer base to start with,with the sculpting and the gel polish, likea sheer pink or a sheer nude, will help the process offading the tip into the back of the nail. In addition thedispersion layer in the gel polish will help the airbrush productsadhere better. Now for the airbrush, Iam using an airbrush that has the ability ofworking with gel polish airbrushes. Theproduct gets placed in the cup and will comeout through the nozzle at the front.After use, and depending on the product that you'reworking with, you may use acetone, alcohol or acleanser to remove any excess product from themachine.Tilting the lever at the top will allow theproduct to come out. Tilting the lever too fastcould cause the product to come out spotty, so pulling itslowly is best for a smooth application. Gelpolish airbrush products are quite pigmented, soless is more. A few drops will do.Once you have your product in the cup, make sure to cover itto avoid spills.Just as easy as that, you're ready to start working. Justlike when we sponged our ombré, we will start applyingthe product starting from the tip and working our waytowards the back of the nail. Place your airbrush furtheraway from the nail. If you apply it too closeto the nail, the product will be spotty. The furtheryou are away from the nail, the product will look smoother.Adjust the airbrush distance as needed. The closeryou are, the more pigmented it will show, thefurther away you are, the more the product willspread.Your goal is to keep the most pigmentation on the end ofthe extension and then smoothly transition towardsthe back. As you get closer to the back ofthe nail, start pulling away from the nail.Then come back to the tip as needed to increase thepigmentation.And remember to pull the lever slowly to avoid blotchy spots.You can always come back and add more if you need to. So makesure you check the nail prior to curing.Make sure to clean up any excess thatmay have gone on the skin prior to curing. Once thisproduct goes into the lamp it will set, so you don't wantto leave any spots on the skin. Carefully removeany excess using a wipe and cleanser and pullthe skin away from the nail. Be careful not to touchthe nail. Otherwise, you will end up removing product fromthe nail as well.Getting your clients to wear gloves is a good way toprevent applying product all over their skin.Then go ahead and cure for the full recommended time. Aftercuring, you may repeat the process to increasethe opacity, especially on longer nails.Remember to focus on applying the product smoothly andpacking it at the tip and then gradually bringit back towards the back of the nail. Clean upany excess and cure.Using airbrush products will virtually leaveno texture on the nail. So after youfinished with the ombré, you can go ahead and apply yourtop coat as normal.Here you have a comparison of both techniques side by side.Both techniques will give you a beautiful, flawlessfade. So it's up to you to decide whichway you want to tackle ombré next time. Did youknow it would be that easy to tackle ombré? Well nowyou do and I cannot wait for you to give it a try.
Do you have questions for the artist? GlossaryLive will present a LIVE interview with this artist. Email your questions to be featured during the Q&A session.
Alisha is recognized as one of the nail industry’s leading experts in training & education. In her 28 years experience, her work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ through her career as a platform artist & motivational speaker for thousands of promotional & educational events. She’s also competed in hundreds of nail competitions around the globe, notably winning the World Nail Championship in 2005 in Pink & White Sculptured Nails. She’s also the featured artist in many training videos, including acting host of the current Milady Standard Nail Technology DVD series.
Alisha is recognized as one of the nail industry’s leading experts in training & education. In her 28 years experience, her work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ through her career as a platform artist & motivational speaker for thousands of promotional & educational events. She’s also competed in hundreds of nail competitions around the globe, notably winning the World Nail Championship in 2005 in Pink & White Sculptured Nails. She’s also the featured artist in many training videos, including acting host of the current Milady Standard Nail Technology DVD series.
Alisha is recognized as one of the nail industry’s leading experts in training & education. In her 28 years experience, her work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ through her career as a platform artist & motivational speaker for thousands of promotional & educational events. She’s also competed in hundreds of nail competitions around the globe, notably winning the World Nail Championship in 2005 in Pink & White Sculptured Nails. She’s also the featured artist in many training videos, including acting host of the current Milady Standard Nail Technology DVD series.
This series will help you elevate your nail game for effective and efficient salon services, from ensuring a proper foundation to increasing your speed, revenue and value when creating salon shapes and designs that are sure to impress your clients and give you a stress-free creative environment.
Hello and welcome to my master quest.
I am Giselle Caballero award-winning male artist located in Canada in this masterclass divided into three episodes. We will cover proper form customization trending on bread techniques and nail design planning so that you can create Flawless salon services for yourself. And of course for your clients.
So come with me and let's get to work. In this first episode, we will cover proper form customization for the most popular salon shapes.
Proper form customization is crucial for any sculpted extension service. Every client and even each nail may have different needs therefore customizing each form to feed properly while guarantee that we have a solid foundation and this will ensure that they enhancements have the correct structure shape and weight.
Remember, it's not just about looks if you struggle with forms, or you are wanting to improve make sure to watch this episode take note and get practicing. Let's get started.
In order to properly customize our forms, we will need good quality scissors cuticle scissors work great for this technique using forms that have flaps at the front and back will allow us to properly adjust them to fit. Our clients needs after removing the paper back from the form. Make sure to place the small center part onto the form itself to give us extra support.
Molding the paper will give us extra flexibility when creating the Seeker on the extension.Detach the back of the form and proceed to connect the front flaps. Make sure you match them equally.
Next we need to figure out the positioning of our form. To help us do that. It's a good idea to place a little Mark on each side of the free Edge. Those marks will indicate the highest points of the smile line.
Meanwhile, the shape of the free Edge will need to match the shape of the curvature in the form. Our furniture always be placed under the free Edge.
However, when the shape of the form doesn't match the shape of our smile line we will use those markings to help guide us into cutting the form so that we can match the free Edge if we don't trim the form then we will have this gaps of both sides of our form.
And this will allow the product to seep into those gaps and create cracks on the structure of our extension. In addition. We need to ensure that the form is always as wide as the natural nail itself here. You can see how the form is wider than the width of the natural nail and that will cause the extension to come out wider as well to prevent this we must cut the form to match not only the shape of our free Edge, but also the width of our natural nail.
You can help yourself by marking the width of the natural nail on the form so that you can guide yourself from there. Then you're going to need to cut the shape of the form to match the shape of your free Edge and the width as we had previously marked the form.
Now the form should match the free Edge and fit easily under.
Now while we have a dress the gaps on the sides our forms still wider than the natural nail. So how do we fix that? Well, we'll need to cut diagonally on the sides to release the tension from the form.
As you can see on this forms, sometimes there is going to be guidelines already pre-cut. However, this will not always match the needs and shape of our natural nail. So make sure that you measure the width of the nail and then cut accordingly once you've customized the form you can place back under the free Edge and remove the flaps out of the way.
Now that we have removed the tension from the sides. I am able to pinch this form to match the width of the natural nail. The next step now is to align the form to match the direction of my nail a good way to align the extension is to consider the tip of the extension up to the knuckle. You will need to change your clients finger so that you get this View.
And align your form based on a vertical line running from top to bottom after pinching and aligning the form make sure that you thoroughly press on the flaps underneath to secure in place.
Next we will align the form so that we can create the extension and gain height for our Apex.
The tip of the extension should match the height of the Apex.
Our last checkpoint will be ensuring that there is no gaps under the free Edge.Once our form is fully secured. We should be able to tap on it and not have it moved.
And now you're ready to start sculpting. I like using polygel to create the extension as it gives me a little bit more of work time without having to worry about the gel clothing.
When creating the extension ensure that it aligns with the side of the nail.
This will prevent the nail from looking hooked.
Another tip is to pinch the extension halfway through the cure to enhance the Seeker gently remove the form to prevent the extension from cracking.
And voila you should have a nice Seeker.
Now you may continue sculpting this nail. I like to start by placing the product as close as you can to the cuticle and then work your way down.
Gently guide the gel and avoid overworking it using a self-leveling gel will make the sculpting process much easier.
Finish filing and remember to check your nail from all angles.
Next I will show you how the same process will apply when creatinga round nail start by trimming your form and match it to the free Edge. Then remember that we need to pinch the form to match the width of the natural nail. So if you need to cut the sides to allow room to release the tension.
After pinching the form to match the width now it's time to focus on aligning the extension remember that you want to consider the tip of the extension to the last knuckle then till the form to create height for our Apex.
And ensure that there is no gaps under the free Edge. Once the form is ready. We can start sculpting the extension.
The main difference when creating a round nail is how we will angle the product towards the center.
And this will create the curvature for all round shapes. We're almost there.
Make sure to pinch that extension halfway through the cure to help enhance the Seeker.
Then gently release that form to prevent cracking the extension and continue with
sculpting as you would normally do.
Ensure that you place the product as close as you can to the cuticle without touching the skin and then help yourself by guiding the product very gently avoid overworking gel.
Ensure that you have a proper Apex and that the tip of the extension isn't thick after finish filing. You may continue with sealing the nail coloring or designing.
How great was that? Remember that mastering a technique will take discipline and practice so keep at it and you'll see results in no time.
Do you have questions for the artist? GlossaryLive will present a LIVE interview with this artist. Email your questions to be featured during the Q&A session.
Alisha is recognized as one of the nail industry’s leading experts in training & education. In her 28 years experience, her work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ through her career as a platform artist & motivational speaker for thousands of promotional & educational events. She’s also competed in hundreds of nail competitions around the globe, notably winning the World Nail Championship in 2005 in Pink & White Sculptured Nails. She’s also the featured artist in many training videos, including acting host of the current Milady Standard Nail Technology DVD series.
Patrick ‘Paddy’ Glennon’s experience is as diverse as his passion for protecting the environment. Paddy’s 40 years in the food service industry has a broad scope from working as a deck hand on cod trawlers out of Provincetown, Massachusetts to handling fresh fin fish, tunas and swords for shipping to lead fishmonger at the well-known Superior Seafood Company. Alongside his current role, Paddy owns Clausen Oyster Farm, in Coos Bay, Oregon, the Pacific Northwest’s third largest farm and home to the area’s beloved bay-side restaurant, a feature of the farm. Featuring on countless media, with highlights such as; Food Network, America Now, Cutthroat Kitchen, Iron Chef America – TBS Network, Paddy was a contributing writer for the book on farm to table cooking: Community Table.