Questions for a nail tech?

Ok, so i just started doing my nails at home to save money. They look pretty good,(i bought professional products instead of just an at-home acrylic kit) but the bases around the cuticle always come out uneven it looks bad when i paint them like i have paint on my cuticle or something (if that made sense)...how do i get them even so they will look good...also, how do i stop or slow the lifting process? they always start to lift after about two or three days...i use primer and bond-aid, what am i doing wrong? thank you so much!Questions for a nail tech?
I can offer some advice, but won't guarantee anything.


First of all - the lifting problem. The #1 reason for lifting is due to improper prep of the nail prior to the application of either acrylic, or gels. You must be absolutely certain that the cuticles have been pushed back, and all of the debris and oils have been removed from the entire surface of the nail. The nail must be squeaky clean before even thinking about applying acrylic. I suggest using cuticle remover, and a good cuticle pusher to get all of the cuticle off the surface of the nail. Be sure to remove any cuticle in the entire area from the base of the nail to the sidewalls. Be gentle though because being too rough or going too far back can damage the nail matrix and that is not a good thing. When done with that, you can use a curette to remove anything you may have missed with the pusher. When done, scrub the surface of the nail with anail cleanser such as CND's Scrub Fresh, or just plain acetone or even 99% Isopropyl Alcohol will work fine. Then, you need to use a 240 grit file and remove the shine from the natural nail. Use vertical strokes, moving from the base of the nail out to the free edge. Avoid going back and forth, or going across the nail as this may leave unwanted scratches. Again, be gentle. Only remove the shine from the nail, and avoid overfiling to prevent damage to the nail. When this is done, scrub the surface again. Remove all nail dust and any other debris on the nail. It must be very clean. Then use a nail dehydrator, followed by primer. Apply the primer VERY sparingly. The nail should not be wet or dripping, only coated very lightly with the primer. Avoid contact with the skin at all times. Allow primer to dry. And after this step is completed, do not touch the nail at all with your fingers. If you do, you need to re-apply dehydrator, and primer because the oil on your fingers can contaminate the nail and cause lifting. Now, you are ready to apply the acrylic.


When applying the acrylic, make sure that you do not come in contact with any skin such as near the cuticle area at the base of the nail. This usually results in lifting. Leave a very small margin between the cuticle area, and the acrylic. Same with the sides.


When filing, make sure to file the acrylic until it is flush with the nail, but avoid filing the natural nail. In other words, keep the file on the acrylic at a slight angle, and file around the cuticle area until it is flush with the nail - but stay at the edge of the acrylic. That is what you want to file, not the nail itself because you can cause damage to your nails if you file your nails. Its a bit tricky, and it will take practice. But after a while, you'll get it right.


By doing what I just explained will most likely take care of both the problems you are having: Lifting, and the unevenness of the acrylic.


I am going to give you a video to watch, and a link or two that will give you additional information. I suggest reading the information carefully, and thoroughly. There is a lot of information on this site, but it is all necessary knowledge. My suggestion is to read it, and learn it well. The video is just to provide a visual example of how you should be doing each step. Maybe it will help?


I hope I explained myself well enough for you. I'm not the best writer, but I tried!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omon9ccUK鈥?/a>


http://www.hooked-on-nails.com


http://nailsplash.com/acrylic.htm


Good luck!