Challenge 3 Pink and White Couture

Nail Bed Preparation\n1. I have prepared my model's nails by performing a manicure, removing the corners from her extension edge, and removed the shine from the surface of the nail with the 240 grit file. I then followed up with a proper nail cleanser to temporarily dehydrate nail plate and remove surface contaminants.\n  

Dowel Fitting and Form Application\nTo make sure I'm getting a proper c curve in my extension edge I will be working with dowels and metal backings with my forms.\n1. I start by envisioning three imaginary lines dividing the nail into four equal parts. (starting from cuticle line to extension edge). I then choose the size of the dowel that will fit the two center quadrants of the nail.\n  

. I then place the metal plate on the back of the form.  

Pinch the form around the dowel to secure and lock in your C curve  

Tear the back of the form to allow proper movement when fitting the form underneath extension edge of the natural nail.  

Nail Bed Coloration and Product Application.\n I created a custom blend mix to enhance my model's skin tone. In a separate container I have mixed equal parts of CND Cool Pink Opaque and Neutral Pink Opaque powder along with a dash of CND Additive Blush Bronze Frost for dimension. (Be sure to mix thoroughly)  

Pick up the proper amount of product needed to cover the entire nail bed with a medium wet mix ratio. Place the product in the\ncenter of the nail. Work an even distribution around the perimeter of your sidewalls and cuticle line. Keep a tiny free margin between soft tissue and product. While keeping the bulk of the product in the center we are starting to create the apex of our enhancement. I will go back with small beads of product and fill in various spots until I'm satisfied with my application. At this time I'm also creating an imaginary nail bed that will extend past, or up to her natural nail bed , in-turn creating our smile line.  

Creating my extension edge I place the product onto the form and bump it right up to my pink. While doing this, I sculpt with my brush and keep the bulk of the product in the center to create the apex. This is to maintain balance to the enhancement. If needed, I will pick up another bead of product to redefine the shape of the extension edge.  

File Finishing.\n1. With a 180 grit file I start by establishing the shape of the nail.\n2. Then I gently file the cuticle line.\n3. Once again, imagine the 3 lines down the center of the nail dividing it into 4 equal parts. I start filing the first quadrant in an upward motion toward the center of the apex. I work from cuticle to extension and repeat until I have filed all four quadrants.\n4. File each side with long strokes toward the center and redefine shape.\n5. I graduated up in file grits to smooth out file, and buffed to a high gloss shine with a glossing Buffer.\n\n  

Enjoy!