Extension with C-curve tips

Step by Step

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  1. Prepare your nail

  Before you start applying C-curve tips, it is important to prepare your nails. You can find our full guide on how to prep your nails in our guide universe.

  If you are already experienced in doing nails, you probably know the routine: Wash hands, push back cuticles, use a cuticle nipper, buff, wipe with Cleanser – but when applying C-curve tips, you should wait to use PH-Bond and Primer.

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  2. Prepare the tips

  Once your nails are prepared, find the tip size that fits each nail. To make application easier, it’s a good idea to line up all your tips before you start applying them. This is important because you will need to apply one tip at a time.

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  3. Apply the tips

  Once you have prepared all the tips, apply them to your nails. Apply a thin layer of our nail glue to the curved edge of the tip. It is important to apply the glue in a thin layer on the C-curve tip so it does not flow onto the skin.

  When placing the tip, hold it in place on the nail for 15–20 seconds while the glue dries. It is important to apply pressure to the tip while holding it in place to prevent air bubbles from forming in the glue.

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  4. Trim the tips

  Once you have applied the tips and the glue has dried, you need to trim the tips. For this, use our Tip Clipper. When trimming the tips, it can be a good idea to leave a little extra length so you have room to file them into the exact shape you want. When clipping the tips, it can also help to place a finger on top of the tip – this gives a bit of extra support to the tip. After trimming the tip, it should be filed.

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  5. File your tip

  After trimming the tip, you need to file the transition from your natural nail to the tip so the tip is smooth where it meets your natural nail. For this, use a file with grit 220 or higher. This is to protect your natural nail. You can use either a hand file or our electric nail file with a Sanding Band of the same grit strength or higher. It is important to be careful with your natural nail and not file into the natural nail plate. After filing the transition, use our buffer to finish it.

  While filing the transition to the nail, you can also shape the tip into the desired form. For this, you can safely use a 100/180 grit nail file.

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  6. Clean and prep the surface

  After filing the tip, there will be dust left on the nail. Therefore, wipe your nails with Cleanser on a lint-free pad. This leaves your nails completely clean before applying PH-Bond and Primer.

  Once your nail is cleaned, you can move on with your preferred strengthening product, whether it is Polygel, Liquid Builder Gel, or Rubber Base. It is important, however, that you create a reinforcement so your C-curve tip does not break off. Simply applying Gel Polish on top of your C-curve tip is not enough. In this video, we use Polygel as an example, but you can find guides for applying Rubber Base or Builder Gel in our learning universe.

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  7. Apply Polygel

  Now you are ready to apply Polygel. Do this by pressing a small amount of Polygel onto the spatula and placing the product directly on the natural nail. Because the product has a thicker consistency, it will not run in the same way as Liquid Builder Gel, which means you have plenty of time to shape it. To shape the product on the nail, use a brush and our Cleanser. Dip the brush into the Cleanser each time you feel the product starts to get a bit sticky.

  It is important to make sure you do not touch the skin with Polygel. Shape the extension by pushing the product up toward the cuticle. Here, it is important not to use brush strokes, but simply dab the product until it has the right shape. Once you are satisfied with how it looks by the cuticle, continue working down the rest of the nail. Make sure the product is evenly distributed across the entire nail.

  When you are happy with the shape and length, and have ensured that no Polygel has touched the skin around the nail, the nail is ready to cure in the UV/LED lamp. Cure the nail in the UV/LED lamp for 90–120 seconds.

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  8. Finish the nail

  If you are not completely satisfied with the shape, you can easily add more Polygel on top, as long as you remember to cure the product for 90 seconds in our UV/LED lamp. If you wish, you can also file your nails into shape. For this, use our 100/180 grit nail file.

  Start by shaping the tip of the nail. The next step is to file the top of the nail. Here, it is important not to file away too much product, as the nail may break if it becomes too thin. That is why you need to file an apex. The apex is the highest point on the nail that reinforces and strengthens the durability of your extension. The apex should be placed in the middle of the nail, depending on the extension, and when viewed from the side it should appear as a gentle curve that tapers toward the tip.

  To make the nail plate even, finish by buffing over the nail with our Buffer. Then remove most of the dust from your nails with a brush or a dry Lint-Free Pad, and finally clean your nails with our Cleanser and a Lint-Free Pad. Now the extension itself is complete.

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  9. Finish

  You can now apply either a Gel Polish as a full color or nail art, or simply a Top Coat. It is important to be careful so you avoid touching the skin with the product. Make sure to get as close to the cuticle and sides as possible without the product coming into contact with the skin. You can see how in our guide universe: Applying Gel Polish.

  Once the product is applied, cure it in our UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds. Remember that every layer you apply must be cured in the UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds. And keep in mind the rule of thumb: Better four paper-thin layers than two thick ones!

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