Nail extension is a simulation of natural nails, in order to correct existing defects. Under the extension is also meant an artificial increase in the length of the nails.
Basic nail extension tool kit
Before starting the nail extension procedure, the novice master should prepare a set of necessary materials and tools. With their proper selection, a woman will be able to independently make a manicure.
Basic set of tools for nail extension:
- ultraviolet lamp;
- a set of files of various shapes (oval, rectangular, boomerang) and sizes (100, 120, 180 grit);
- pusher;
- modeling brushes (straight and narrowed);
- four sided buff.
Let's take a closer look at each of the tools and determine which one is best for the beginner.
Ultraviolet lamp
The lamp is selected with a power of 24-36 watts. The tool is necessary in the procedure of nail extension and when they are covered with acrylic. The functions of a UV lamp include:
- gel crystallization;
- protection of the nail plate from the appearance of a fungal infection (it can occur as a reaction to the application of a foreign substance on the nails).
It is not recommended to look into a UV lamp during the nail extension procedure. Such an action may harm the eyes.
It is recommended that you initially choose a powerful UV lamp. It is from this indicator that the rate of crystallization of the gel on the nails depends. When choosing a tool, beginners should pay attention to its structure. The device is a small box with a hole for two hands. Inside there are lamps (one or two, the quantity depends on the power), protected by a foil coating. The use of foil is also necessary for accurate focusing and amplification of the ultraviolet radiation power.
When building nails, pay attention to the health of the lamp and its appearance. It should not have cracks. UV lamps are not recommended to be kept in rooms with high humidity and touch with wet hands, this is fraught with tool breakage.
A selection of lamps that should be paid attention to the novice master:
Nail Files
When choosing a file, the novice master should pay attention to the following the criteria:
- shape - oval, rectangular or in the form of a boomerang;
- material - soft emery or ceramic base;
- functions - the nail file will be used for polishing nails, polishing, etc.
- purpose - for natural nails or for those treated with gel, acrylic;
- abrasiveness - rigidity of the tool. It is determined in grit (from 80 to 400). Indicator 80 is the toughest file, 400 is the softest.
Each file has its own purpose. For example, oval is used to shape the nails and align them. Also this type of nail file is used to shorten the nails. The rectangular shape of the tool functions similar to oval.
It is convenient to use the boomerang tool if you need to round the edges of the shape of the nail plate. The second way to use a boomerang-shaped nail file is to cut off a gel (acrylic) in the cuticle area.
When choosing nail files for nail extensions, we recommend you to pay attention to the following:
Pusher
The second name of the tool is a scraper. It is used in manicure, pedicure and nail extension. In cosmetology, a pusher is used to move the cuticle on the nail.
When choosing a scraper, pay attention to its condition and shape. It is selected depending on the shape of the nail plate. Pushers are:
- oval;
- square;
- semicircular.
Recommended pusher for beginners - Mertz 109. It has a visually pleasing design and structure, which makes it convenient to hold it in your hands. Pusher Mertz 109 has a universal shape, which allows you to move the cuticle on any shape of the nail.
Modeling brushes
To build nails, a novice master will need to purchase brushes for modeling the gel. When choosing them, you should pay attention to the material of manufacture. Brushes should be made of synthetic pile. To create a flat surface on the leg, the composition of the tools must be rigid.
When choosing brushes for modeling, pay attention to the consistency of the gel. If it is liquid, then select narrow brushes, if thick, then wide models are suitable.
Four Sided Buff
An indispensable tool for nail extension - a four-sided buff. With it, you can polish and polish nails of different sizes and shapes. Buff copes with all the shortcomings on the nail plate, aligning it and giving a natural shine.
There are 4 sides in a standard buff and each of them has its own purpose:
- the first - with its help, the desired shape of the nails is modeled;
- the second - aligns the nail plate, making it smooth;
- the third - is intended for grinding flaws;
- the fourth - polishes nails to a shine.
When choosing a buff, pay attention to abrasiveness. From 300 to 900 grit is suitable for nail extension.
Buff must be disinfected after each use. This will exclude the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms.
Necessary materials
In addition to tools, for nail extension you need such materials:
- gel;
- tips;
- a primer;
- cuticle oil;
- forms;
- degreaser;
- napkins;
- the finish.
For quality building, it is worth paying special attention to the choice of materials. The gel should not be the cheapest and not have a pronounced smell.
Let us consider in more detail the process of selecting materials by beginners and what you should pay attention to when buying them.
Gel
Gel for nail extension is the main material in the work of the master. It should be chosen with extreme caution and care. Gel happens:
- Single phase.Standard version of the material for building. Such a gel is considered the most economical and multifunctional. One tool is used as a basis, fixing and modeling;
- Biphasic.The gel contains 2 components, which are:
- cover;
- protect;
- form a nail plate.
- Three phase.Designed from three components that act as a base, nail modeling and fix the coating.
Gel for nail extensions is transparent and colored, but this does not affect its solidification under UV rays. Its speed depends on the quality of the material and its application pattern.
At home, a single-phase type of gel polish is used.
Tips
Tips - plastic molds similar to natural nails. When building nails, they are needed to increase the length of the nail plate. Tips can be of different shapes and lengths, colors and designs, and also the material from which they are made differs.
When choosing tips for nail extension, you should give preference to a look close to the shape of the nails. This will allow you to firmly install them and avoid deformation of the nail plate.Also, when choosing a material, we pay attention to the material of manufacture. They should be soft, but not break.
To give the tips the desired shape, do not cut them with nail scissors. To implement this procedure, there is a special tool - tip cutter.
Tips are divided into sizes - there are a total of 10. The numbering is from 1 (the smallest) and higher. When using the material, the numbers are deleted with a file.
Primer
Primer for nails - a tool used to degrease the nail plate, in order to prepare it for applying the gel for a long period. The material protects the nail from exposure to chemically harmful substances.
The primer does not dry in the UV lamp.
In the process of gel nail extension, the primer can be replaced with simple vinegar or alcohol. Two of these tools do an excellent job with the function of degreasing the nail plate and its disinfection.
Cuticle oil
The application of oil to the cuticles is the final step in gel nail extension. It is used to prolong the effect of trim manicure. Thanks to the oil, a woman can forget about the need to cut the cuticle before the next correction of the extension. And this is about 4-5 weeks.
The finish
The main goal of the finish line is to preserve the gel coating for a long period. When applying a high-quality finish, you can forget about re-building for 3-4 weeks.
Finish gel is of two types:
- With a sticky layer. This type of material covers the entire nail in order to preserve the pattern for a long time. If you don’t cover the design with a sticky finish, the picture will crack and will look messy;
- No sticky layer. Such a finish polymerizes quickly and does not need further removal.
Popular finishes include the following brands:
Sterilization products
Before starting the procedure for nail extension, sterilize the tools for work.
Sterilization takes place in several stages:
- Preparation of a solution for disinfection. In equal proportions, dilute water and concentrate.
- We process tools. Opened or disassembled, immerse them in a solution and lay them on a specially prepared metal tray.
- Sterilization of tools in kraft packages. Only completely dry appliances are placed in the sterilizer. Sterilization is carried out under the influence of high temperatures. Tools must cool, after which they are removed.
Tools with anticorrosion coating must be disinfected. When gel extensions, sterilization brushes, buffs, pushers and nail files are subject to sterilization. For proper disinfection, instruments must be completely covered with mortar and kept in the sterilizer.
Devices cannot be sterilized without preliminary treatment in a disinfectant solution.
Sterilization of tools is a mandatory step in gel nail extension. Due to it, viruses, fungi and microorganisms are destroyed. Thanks to the preliminary cleaning of the devices, dirt, residues of the skin, blood and other elements are washed off.
Workplace preparation
Before nail extension, the novice master must properly prepare his workplace. A few tips for organizing it:
- The room should be spacious and bright.
- The work table should be placed in the corner. This will provide natural light.
- The desktop does not have to be very wide. The client and the master should be comfortable sitting opposite each other.
- If the master prefers that everything was on the table, then it is advisable to choose more of it.
- The table should be stable and with a stable surface to the means for building.
- At the time of the procedure, a lot of dust is spreading and therefore it is recommended to choose a table with a special hood.
- Chairs and chairs with adjustable height are selected.
- To create the right lighting, a table lamp with mount is used.
For convenience, the novice master can use the cabinet for tools and storage of files, as well as other auxiliary materials. The workplace of the master should be comfortable and stylish.Nothing should interfere, everything should be at hand.
