Design Elements
There are five elements of great pink and white nail design.
1. Front form Also known as outline or shape, which is determined by looking straight
down on the nail. Design goals include:
• Striking a balance between the cuticle line (as a guide for
shaping the extension edge)
• Using the free edge line placement and shape to complete the desired vision
• Employing the sidewall line as a guide for the width of the enhancement; key to
the overall strength of the enhancement
2. Smile line placement Design goals include:
• Creating the smile line at the end of the finger (ideally), not midway up the nail
bed
bed
• Using the fingertip as your guide
• Determining the level of smile line and degree of curvature; ultimately creating
the illusion that a client has a longer nail bed than she actually does
the illusion that a client has a longer nail bed than she actually does
3. Nail bed coloration Design goals include:
• Choosing the appropriate color powder or gel or customizing the color by adding
tiny amounts of Technailcolor Powder or mixing gels
tiny amounts of Technailcolor Powder or mixing gels
• Complimenting your clients’ skin tones
• Covering any nail bed imperfection using an opaque Attraction Nail Powder or
Balance UV Gel; customize if necessary
Balance UV Gel; customize if necessary
4. Side view / upper and lower arches Design goals include:
• Ensuring that both elements work in sync with each other
• Properly placing the arch; another key to the overall strength of the enhancement
• Thickness and thinness existing on the same nail for proper design
• Using the movement of the highlight to determine flat spots, proper arch
placement, smoothness, and shape
placement, smoothness, and shape
• Placing the upper arch at the stress area, midway between the cuticle line and the
extension edge, which translates into strength
extension edge, which translates into strength
• Tapering the lateral walls and extension edge thin, which translates to flexibility
• Gently and naturally extending the lower arch from the free edge, which
translates to wear-ability and beauty
translates to wear-ability and beauty
• Enduring straightness coming out to the free edge to promote strength
5. Barrel “C” curve Design goals include:
• Creating a natural ‘C’ curve for strength and beauty
• Maintaining thin, even extension edge coverage for strength and flexibility
The look you want to achieve should be foremost in your mind; whether your client has short tiny nail beds or wide nails. You are the artist and can make the enhancement look as though your client grew her own nails. Your desired look is not a thick “Chiclet”, but a thin, beautiful and well balanced enhancement.
