Liquid & Powder (Acrylic) Nail Extensions Specific Products Required for Acrylic Nail Extensions
Primer This helps the acrylic product bond to the natural surface of the nail plate. Some contain an acid called Methacrylic Acid , which gently etches the surface of the natural nail. It removes surface oil & bacteria to provide a more adherent surface. This chemical is a strong irritant & is corrosive; therefore care must be taken to avoid it coming into contact with the surrounding skin. Use primer sparingly. If primer is not used the acrylic will lift more easily increasing the risk of infection. When used for infills the primer must not be allowed to come into contact with the acrylic as o can weaken & discolour it.
Acrylic liquid & powder These are mixed together to produce a chemical reaction (polymerisation) resulting in a solid structure. The acrylic liquid contains monomers, which are single molecules. The acrylic powders are tiny polymer beads, which give strength & support to the finished product. When they are mixed together, the chemical reaction causes the monomers to link together to form a cross-linked structure. In simple terms, the two products when mixed together will eventually set hard, creating a tough nail extension with or without the use of a nail tip.
The acrylic powder is available in a variety of colours. ~ White & Pink - to achieve a permanent French Manicure
~ Ivory & peach tones - Ideal for black skin & other various colours to enhance the natural skin tones.
~ Clear - ideal for natural overlay & completing a nail extension treatment
~ Various coloured powders- to create a permanent nail polish look.
~ Glitter - this can be added to acrylic powder for shimmering / sparkling effects.
Product application brushes These are wooden handled brushes made of natural hair, usually sable or the better quality Kolinsky Sable. They have a rounded or pointed tip & come in a variety of sizes. The larger size can hold a lot of acrylic & is ideal for application of full sets of nail extensions. The smaller sized brushes are ideal for infill work. The brushes should be cleaned in the liquid monomer after every use, reshaped and allowed to dry naturally with the bristles pointing upwards,. Never wash in soapy water, acetone or brush cleaner as these dry the hairs out & make the brush difficult to use.
Practising product control
Mix ratio This is the ratio of liquid to powder. The correct mix ratio of liquid to powder is approximately 1 ½ parts liquid to 1 part powder to produce a medium wet consistency.
This is obviously hard to measure at first, but with experience you develop a feel for the right consistency. Signs to look for if the bead is right are:
~ The powder will be absorbed within 2 - 3 seconds
~ If the mix is too wet, the bead will drop 50% more or flatten out on the brush
~ If the mix is too dry, it will hold its round form like a snowball.
Once the bead looks right, test it by gently placing it on a tip without pressing. The bead will sink about 25% & form a gentle dome with no ring of fluid around it.
~ Picking up powder There are different methods of picking up powder. Little circles can be drawn in the surface of the powder or the brush can be drawn through with a line. Only the tip of the brush should be dipped in the powder for a count of 3. Tap the Dappen dish on the table from time to time to help with the picking up throughout the treatment.
~ Bead Control Once you have picked up the bead & placed it on the nail tip, it should start to 'melt' or 'flatten' out, how quickly this happens; demonstrates the mix ratio. A medium ratio is usually the one to aim for; it should hold its shape momentarily & then start a slow melt.
Once the above has been mastered, you can then go on to picking up a bead of the right ratio & size for the various zones on the nail & the different sizes nails!!
Tip & Overlay
Pure Liquid and Powder = Original Application
Step One - Preparation
1. Wash hands, technician and clients 2. Sanitise with Pure Nail Sanitizing Spray 3. Remove nail enamel 4. Consultation - check for contra indications
Step Two - Application
1. Etch the natural nail using a 180/240 grit file 2. Apply Pure Nail Prep sparingly to nail plate and allow to dry 3. Select correct tip size 4. Reduce length of tip 5. Blend tip to natural finish until no visible line id present, use a 100grit file. Use a brush to remove any dust. 6. Apply Pure Nail Primer t natural nail only 7. Apply Pure Liquid and Powder in three zones
Step Three - Finishing
1. Etch applied Pure Acrylic in 3 zones with a 100 grit file 2. File and shape side walls and free edge with 100 grit file 3. Etch over three zones using a 180/240 file, finishing with a block buffer 4. Use a 4 way buffer to give high shine 5. Client advised to wash their hands 6. Apply Pure Nail Almond Oil and give appropriate after care advice.
Pure Maintenance Procedure
Step One - Preparation
1 Wash hands, technician and clients 2 Sanitise with Pure Nail Sanitizing Spray 3 Remove nail enamel using Pure Nails Polish Remover 4 Consultation - check for contra indications 5 Push back cuticle and remove if necessary
Step Two - Application
6 Etch Acrylic in zone 3 using a 180/240 grit file. Ensure all lifted area is eliminated, proceed to zone 2 & 1 , retrieve nail balance 7 Correct misshapen enhancement, reduce length if required. Use a dust brush to remove dust. 8 Apply Pure Acid Free Nail Primer to the natural nail only 9 Apply Pure Gold Liquid & Powder in zone 3 pull through to free edge
Step Three - Finishing
7. Etch applied Pure Acrylic in all 3 zones with a 100 grit file 8. File and shape side walls and free edge with 100 grit file 9. Etch Pure Acrylic over three zones using a Pure white block buffer. Use a dust brush to remove excess dust particles. 10. Use a Pure 4 way buffer to give high shine 11. Client advised to wash their hands 12. Apply Pure Nail Almond Oil and give appropriate after care advice.
Procedure for Removing Nail Extensions
Method # Fill a bowl with Pure Tip Remover to a depth of 2-3 cm & place into a larger bowl. filled with hot water. The heat of the water will help speed up the process of "melting" the product.
# Sanitise yours and clients hands with Pure Sanitizer.
# Remove nail polish using Pure Non Polish remover & cut back any excess length.
# Roughen the surface of the nails with a Pure 100/180 grit file
# Submerge the fingers in the bowl and leave the nails to soak for approximately 10 -15 minutes.
# Remove one hand, wipe off excess Pure Tip Remover & remove the product with an orange stick.
# Repeat on the other hand.
# Ask the client to wash her hands
# Shape the free edge with a Pure 240/240 file.
# Gently use a Pure 4 Way Buffer Block to smooth the natural nail.
# Apply Pure Almond Oil & a hand cream to hydrate the clients skin & nails
If you wish to pay by Maestro please telephone your order between 9am - 5pm GMT
