You will recall from your theory that there are two ways to add artificial length to the natural nail prior to applying either gel or acrylic; those being the use of tips and forms. To recap:
| Full set of tips | Nail tips are what most people think nail extensions are. They are made from nylon, plastic or acetate and act as – you guessed it!– your nail tips. They’re glued onto the nail plate and form a base for applying gel or acrylic. Nail tips can cover the full nail plate or ones that just partially cover the nail. These come in clear, natural, or white (for French nails) |
| Sculptured nails (forms) | Nail forms are used for the sculpting method of nail extensions and can be used with gel or acrylic. Nail technicians apply a nail form under the nail, and this acts as a temporary base for applying gel or acrylic, helping the technician to build the nail to the desired length and shape. The nail forms are then removed once the nail is built. |
A nail form is a specialised, often disposable, template used in sculptured nail application. Comprised of a thin, flexible material, such as paper or plastic, a nail form is designed to create a temporary extension of the natural nail, serving as a guide for the application of artificial enhancements like acrylic or gel. Nail forms allow the ultimate freedom to customise the shape, length, and curvature of artificial nails, allowing for a bespoke and tailored approach to each client’s preferences. By affixing the form beneath the natural nail’s free edge, technicians can sculpt and shape extensions with precision, resulting in a seamless and personalised finish.
Sculpting nails is generally considered an advanced technique, however, and so will likely take you quite a bit of time (and patience!) to master. It is for this reason that you are not assessed on sculptured nails in this course.