Tip-top talons at your fingertips

How to find a good technician

1. Check her qualification... that she does actually have one! As long as she has a qualification and can tell you what she had to do to get it, that's a good start.
2. Any technician worth her salt will answer any questions or concerns you may have with patience, and should be proud of her abilities.
3. If you aren't sure about her products, check them out. All qualified techs will use labelled, registered products in clearly marked containers. If you don't trust them, go elsewhere.
4. She should be working in clean conditions and should be sanitising and sterilising her equipment and both your and her hands as she goes.
5. If you're relaxed because she is and happy with all the other checks, use her, if not, stay away. Trust me, qualified technicians stand out, because of their nail care knowledge, products and nail health advice. Hope this helps anyone who isn't sure.
   carole-ann

Choose the right kind of acrylic
I'm a qualified nail technician. Acrylic nails do not damage your nail beds if they're applied properly and if they are maintained. Book a rebalance appointment every two to three weeks - your technician should inform you of this.

Nail technicians do not have to use high quality acrylic, and a lot of salons use MMA. This type of acrylic is like cement and can damage your nail bed. MMA also causes a lot of allergic reactions. Good-quality acrylic is flexible and will bend or break before it damages the nail underneath. Salons that use MMA are usually cheaper than good salons.

Because it's so hard, nail technicians using MMA use electric drills to shape the enhancement, which is fine when used properly, but it's much nicer (I think) to hand file the nail as it's much gentler. You should always ask the salon if they use MMA.

There are things you can do to look after your natural nails when wearing extensions. Your nail tech should inform you of this and make necessary products available to you. It is always a good idea to take their advice and phone immediately if you have any problems.
gem16

Go for GELs
I qualified as a beautician three years ago and my advice would be, if you're getting fake- nails, go for the GEL ones - they're the best. Acrylic nails are OK but a lot harsher on your nails. Acrylics don't last as long as GEL nails and are usually the same price in most salons. Also, they shouldn't damage your nails.
crazyblondebabe