Tip or sculpt?? Which do you prefer??

[nailzoo]

Nothing more satisfying than doing a sculpt on a beautiful nail, I can't even describe it.

That's why most sculpts done in comps are on near perfect nails and most demo videos are also done on "easy peasy" nailplates with a free edge.

The best is when you can't tell the difference between the 2 different types (we do those comps here in AUS), one hand of each, judged as equals.

Sculpts can also have "hidden" reinforcement down the sidewalls, nothing quite like pinching an old aluminium form to create sidewall strength you cant even see.

Many of you won't have seen an aluminium form, I bet it takes Geeg back a few years too.

They are a stunning platform for a sculptured nail.

 

[Bev Rose]

Nothing more satisfying than doing a sculpt on a beautiful nail, I can't even describe it.

That's why most sculpts done in comps are on near perfect nails and most demo videos are also done on "easy peasy" nailplates with a free edge.

The best is when you can't tell the difference between the 2 different types (we do those comps here in AUS), one hand of each, judged as equals.

Sculpts can also have "hidden" reinforcement down the sidewalls, nothing quite like pinching an old aluminium form to create sidewall strength you cant even see.

Many of you won't have seen an aluminium form, I bet it takes Geeg back a few years too.

They are a stunning platform for a sculptured nail.

The first time I ever had enhancements applied was with the aluminium form - I just thought it was tin foil lol!
That was waaaay back in the early 1980's! Obviously I was VERY young then lol!

 

[geeg]

Nothing more satisfying than doing a sculpt on a beautiful nail, I can't even describe it.

That's why most sculpts done in comps are on near perfect nails and most demo videos are also done on "easy peasy" nailplates with a free edge.

The best is when you can't tell the difference between the 2 different types (we do those comps here in AUS), one hand of each, judged as equals.

Sculpts can also have "hidden" reinforcement down the sidewalls, nothing quite like pinching an old aluminium form to create sidewall strength you cant even see.

Many of you won't have seen an aluminium form, I bet it takes Geeg back a few years too.

They are a stunning platform for a sculptured nail.

:lol: I still have a few sets of the old aluminium forms and I still love to use them.

 

[clara doon]

well I'm a tipper !!
I avoided sculpting for ages .. until I did my master programs where I was shown and taught how to fit a form correctly then it just sort of fell into place. When I'm doing a new set I do still tip (most times) but any breakages/ replacements and natural overlays I now sculpt, I started doing this during my master program to give me more practice.. now I just do it with out thinking.
we have to do one hand of each for the master exam and both hands looked the same (to me anyway .. I gained sightly higher for the sculpted hand !) and all 10 were still going strong come re balance time so wore the same.

I just find for my clients, most of which aren't blessed with naturally nice shaped nails (thats why they are sat in my chair I guess) tipping gives me a effortless, perfect platform every time.

 

[nailzoo]

Just to add .... I don't really have a preference, it depends on my mood, the needs of the client and time allocated

There are many "sculpture snobs" which is pointless really.

I know many who are pretty good at sculpts, but can't do a tip, and visa versa.

So it often depends on the needs of the client, not everyone suits sculptures, but most can have a set if tips.

The ol "put sculpts on a nail biter" is a fallacy too.

 

[Vetty]

Just to add .... I don't really have a preference, it depends on my mood, the needs of the client and time allocated

There are many "sculpture snobs" which is pointless really.

I know many who are pretty good at sculpts, but can't do a tip, and visa versa.

So it often depends on the needs of the client, not everyone suits sculptures, but most can have a set if tips.

The ol "put sculpts on a nail biter" is a fallacy too.

I completely agree with Nailzoo - I can tip and sculpt and I use both depending on what sort of nails I'm workign on and what mood I'm in!!! I believe in making life easy for myself so I take the 'easiest' option - what I mean by that is why would I struggle to sculpt a nail-biter when I can tip and overlay more quickly and with more consistent results?

There's nothing wrong with tipping and i don't understand why some tech's believe 'only sculpting' is best...... All most clients want is a good-lookong, long-lasting result - they generally don't mind how it's achieved in my experience....... I enjoy both in different circumtances.

 

[cro-mari]

Guess it is mainly sculptors who are replying .... are you 'tippers' out there afraid to say so?? If so why??

Must admit, I was affraid to sculpt at first... errr... for a long time. My trainers put much more attention to tipping rather on sculpting, and when we did sculpt in class, that was on beautiful fingers on which you could apply any form. But when classes were over... :cry:

So I guess the tip gave me the 'security' that the nail will be as wide and as firm as it should be, coz you're just overlaying tip with gel and not building all dimensions of the nail. And I had no one to talk to about it coz everyone in my town are acting like it's so easy to sculpt or it's some God given secret skill that I don't have, and no one is sharing their experiences like someone will steal 'some secrets' So I felt like an idiot.

But sculpts are so beautyfull... so I dusted off those forms and practiced like crazy. Now I'm not affraid any more :lol: and sculpt when it's apropriate.

 

[geeg]

Must admit, I was affraid to sculpt at first... errr... for a long time. My trainers put much more attention to tipping rather on sculpting, and when we did sculpt in class, that was on beautiful fingers on which you could apply any form. But when classes were over... :cry:

So I guess the tip gave me the 'security' that the nail will be as wide and as firm as it should be, coz you're just overlaying tip with gel and not building all dimensions of the nail. And I had no one to talk to about it coz everyone in my town are acting like it's so easy to sculpt or it's some God given secret skill that I don't have, and no one is sharing their experiences like someone will steal 'some secrets' So I felt like an idiot.

But sculpts are so beautyfull... so I dusted off those forms and practiced like crazy. Now I'm not affraid any more :lol: and sculpt when it's apropriate.

So many people brag about sculpting but when I see their work??? OMG it looks terrible (probably so would their tips).

It's one thing to sculpt but it is quite another to sculpt beautifully and as you say, cro-mari, when it is appropriate.

 

[lilly]

hi, just out of interest why do you think sculpts are beautiful, i thought a a tip and a sculpt should look the same when they are finished?

 

[geeg]

hi, just out of interest why do you think sculpts are beautiful, i thought a a tip and a sculpt should look the same when they are finished?

They should but Well you must admit there is some satisfaction in knowing you created something al by yourself with just your own skill rather than using a template .... BUT I like doing them all beautifully.

 

[cro-mari]

I'm sorry Geeg, I guess I'm 'lost in translation' so maybe I didn't say it well... I meant to say that I sculpt when I think it can be done, and not on the nail bitters. And I did not mean to say that my sculpts are beautifull. And if you say my work is horrible, I'll bow my head down, coz you are much more experienced.

 

[geeg]

I'm sorry Geeg, I guess I'm 'lost in translation' so maybe I didn't say it well... I meant to say that I sculpt when I think it can be done, and not on the nail bitters. And I did not mean to say that my sculpts are beautifull. And if you say my work is horrible, I'll bow my head down, coz you are much more experienced.

Please ...
Dear me .. I hope you do not think I was saying your work is horrible!!! I've never seen your work hunny ... but I have seen plenty that are!! :lol:

What I was saying is that even though people brag about their sculpting it doesn't always mean they are beautiful. I'm sure yours ARE gorgeous.

 

[nailsofart]

i used to tip always but i wanted to sculpt and took some private lessons to learn.... since that day i never tipped again and i can't see any reason you shouldn't sculpt a nail biter
i never had problems with it
i prefer sculpting because it shows what you re capable of.... clients here mostly see a french tip and clear gel and quickly think they can do that too
with sculpting i never got such answer
i must admit that i can tip without a problem... i find out i had still the skill when i had my educator training half year ago....
so i agree you need to be able to do both well but everyone will have their preferences and mine is sculpting

 

[Doorie]

I prefer to sculpt. with l&p.

because it allows me to create a 50% C-Curve, a deep smile line, it is really thin at the tip of the free edge, etc.

but I also have to sculpt with gel, and I better soon find a wayto enjoy it as well... but pinching gel is a pure PITA.

as for tips, I've never been interested in them before qualifying. then I too noticed how easy it was to do my right hand!! but then I tried many many many tips, brands, shapes, and they would never look like my left hand...
so after qualifying I really improved my skills in tips...

 

[Christine81]

I prefer to sculpt (l&p), as I always seem to file off too much product @ the free edge if I tip (with clear tips so it shows through). I can also sculpt thinner free edges with forms than if I use tips. But I do use tips now and then, mostly pre-designed tips and glitter/flitter/clear l&p for a "quick fix". Like several has mentioned, it's easier/quicker to do my left hand that way (I'm left handed).

 

[emma_168]

I'm def a tipper. I find that for me; its quicker, I know they will look nice when the client leaves, my clients will come back and I know what to expect with the treatment.
I do like sculpt and I wish I was better at them, with practice I'm sure I could work on it and get them up to scratch. The thing is I'm not confident with them- during my training it took me alot longer and I never seemed to get as good a finish. I suppose now Im just paranoid doing them on my clients just in case they arnt as nice and I end up loosing out on a client.
Reading all these posts has made me think about having another go- I might supprise myself as it was when I was training that I last did a set!
One of the worst things for me is the forms!!! So what forms do you all suggest!? :idea:

Thanks Guys!
Emma

 

[geeg]

I'm def a tipper. I find that for me; its quicker, I know they will look nice when the client leaves, my clients will come back and I know what to expect with the treatment.
I do like sculpt and I wish I was better at them, with practice I'm sure I could work on it and get them up to scratch. The thing is I'm not confident with them- during my training it took me alot longer and I never seemed to get as good a finish. I suppose now Im just paranoid doing them on my clients just in case they arnt as nice and I end up loosing out on a client.
Reading all these posts has made me think about having another go- I might supprise myself as it was when I was training that I last did a set!
One of the worst things for me is the forms!!! So what forms do you all suggest!? :idea:

Thanks Guys!
Emma

May I m ake a suggestion to you that I make to all my students?

You can gain confidence without any angst, by doiing all repairs with a sculpted nail. Yes ... every time someone comes in with a missing nail or a broken nail .. sculpt it! One by one you will gain confidence so that when you finally see a set in fornt of you that cries out to you, "sculpt me" then you will not be nervous of doing the whole set for them.

This does really work. You know how to do it; now get practising.

 

[distinctive]

I had a set of nail forms given to me when I did my training, the horseshoe type ones. As we didn't receive training on sculpting I tried to use these at home. They put me off for a long time. They wouldn't keep a shape and wouldn't stay put. I have now tried NSI's rectangle gold forms and must say that in my own personal experiance they are much easier to use.

 

[Doorie]

yes, go for rectangle forms over horseshoe, but you can still find crappy rectangle too... ie forms that don't stick to the finger, that melt under the acrylics, boo!!

 

[nailzoo]

May I m ake a suggestion to you that I make to all my students?

You can gain confidence without any angst, by doiing all repairs with a sculpted nail. Yes ... every time someone comes in with a missing nail or a broken nail .. sculpt it! One by one you will gain confidence so that when you finally see a set in fornt of you that cries out to you, "sculpt me" then you will not be nervous of doing the whole set for them.

This does really work. You know how to do it; now get practising.

excellent idea, this also forces you to make them look the same (they should look the same anyways) but often they dont.
the only down side is, if they don't look the same the client will soon voice her opinion