In nail design, artificial nails are created using gel or acrylic , which offer attractive options for colors and shapes. In general, the nails are lengthened for this - this can be done, for example, with a modeling template or a tip . Both methods are suitable for growing nails to the desired length and giving them lasting strength. Especially in demanding everyday life, for example with children, horses or in the household, as well as in jobs where attractive hands are essential, the durable, extended nails can ensure comfort and a well-groomed appearance. Both techniques offer advantages and disadvantages, which we will show you in the following text and also explain to you how you can avoid mistakes. Nail designer Stefanie also gives you tips from her many years of experience on how to work correctly with tips and stencil techniques and achieve the best results.

Tip and structure with gel or acrylic

Stiletto, tunnel, new style, square or cut-out – the selection of tip shapes is enormous and is suitable not only for extending natural nails, but also for creating show nails for presentation in your studio or for social networks or at trade fairs. The shapely tips for artificial fingernails are available in different sizes and should definitely be chosen for the individual width of each fingernail. In order to have the largest possible selection of tips, filled tip boxes can be purchased that contain different tip sizes. In addition to transparent ones, white or natural colored versions are also available.

Tips for nail modeling: Interview with nail designer Stefanie

The use of tips to lengthen the natural nail is widespread in nail modeling. Nail designer Stefanie has a few tips and tricks on how to apply it smoothly and lastingly. She also explains what mistakes you can avoid when working with tips .

ND24: Who are nail modeling tips particularly suitable for?
Nail designer Stefanie: Tips can be securely attached even to very short nails with the right technique - this can be an important advantage for nail biters, for example. The extension with a tip is particularly suitable for easily bringing all nails to the same length and into an even shape. In addition, using tips when doing nails yourself is easier than the more complex stencil technique.

ND24: What influence does the tip have on the natural nail?
Nail designer Stefanie: In order to apply a tip , gel or acrylic must be filed completely down to the natural nail. There is a risk that the natural nail will be injured. For this reason, a careful approach when filing is recommended.

ND24: The three worst mistakes when applying a tip ?
Nail designer Stefanie: If you choose a tip that is too small, you will firstly not achieve a durable and elegant result and secondly, tips that are too small will cause extremely unpleasant feelings of tension on your nails. A bad tip glue that is, for example, too old, poorly stored or does not match the tip product line can result in an increased risk of blisters forming between the tip and the natural nail. The durability of the nail can suffer as a result. Blisters can also occur if the tip is applied too quickly and pressed too hard.

• Tip too small
• Poor tip glue
• Press tip too hard

ND24: Your tips for applying the tips in nail modeling?
Nail designer Stefanie: The tip has a butt edge on the side that faces the natural nail, with which it is placed on the tip of the natural nail - this is the perfect starting position. From this point, the tip with a drop of glue is then gently placed on the nail so that the air can easily escape. After the tip has been attached, it should have enough time to dry out before continuing - this time can be used, for example, to talk about the desired color for further modeling.

• Place the tip with the abutting edge on the natural nail
• Place the tip gently on the nail
• Allow tip glue to dry thoroughly

Lengthen nails with tips in 7 steps

Natural nail extensions with tips are suitable for beginners and professionals alike. After selecting the right tip for the respective nail, the (as short as possible) natural nail is prepared - thorough removal of the cuticle is essential, says nail designer Stefanie. Gentle matting and removing the resulting dust are further preparation steps. The natural nail is then degreased with a cleaner so that the tip glue can adhere well. With a drop of the adhesive (on the underside of the tip), the plastic extension is then glued to the natural nail and only placed gently so that no air bubbles can remain, which would otherwise have a negative impact on durability, explains nail designer Stefanie. A tip cutter is used to shorten the tip to the desired length. Finally, the element placed on the nail is filed as flat as possible so that the transition between the tip and the natural nail disappears discreetly.

1. Choose the right tip for each nail
2. Gently matt the natural nail
3. Remove dust
4. Degrease natural nail with cleaner
5. Apply a drop of tip glue
6. Shorten the tip with the tip cutter
7. File transitions flat

Lengthen nails using stencil technology

To lengthen a natural nail using the stencil technique , suitable disposable or multiple stencils are used. They are positioned at the tip of the natural nail for nail construction and are available in different versions and are adjustable in size so that the tip can be chosen to match the rest of the nail. They serve as a shaping support while the nail is being built up with acrylic or gel . After priming, the artificial structure and curing under the UV lamp , the stencil is removed again. The stencil technique requires a bit of practice, because precise work is important in order to achieve a durable result, explains nail designer Stefanie. The artificial nails appear thinner than with a tip and therefore look more natural.

Stencil technique in nail modeling: Interview with nail designer Stefanie

Nail designer Stefanie tells you how to use the stencil technique correctly. She explains to you how to avoid mistakes and benefit from the advantages of this method.

ND24: When do you use a template for nail modeling?
Nail designer Stefanie: I choose the stencil technique especially when the natural nail is very badly deformed. The tip often doesn't hold very well on such nails and bubbles form, which have a negative impact on durability. The stencil technique can help, as the gel fills the grooves of the natural nail. It gives the nail strength and an even appearance.

ND24: What 3 advantages does stencil technology offer?
Nail designer Stefanie: There are some customers who are allergic to the tip glue and should therefore not come into contact with it - they can also benefit from the stencil technique. Another area of ​​use for the template is excessively wide or very flat nails for which no suitable tip can be found. Stressed nails that should no longer be filed further, as would be necessary when using the tips, can be protected by using a template.

• If you are allergic to tip glue
• Suitable for every nail shape
• Stressed nails are protected

ND24: Your tips for using the stencil technique?
Nail designer Stefanie: I choose the stencil technique especially when the natural nail is very badly deformed. The tip often doesn't hold very well on such nails and bubbles form, which have a negative impact on durability. The stencil technique can help, as the gel fills the grooves of the natural nail. It gives the nail strength and an even appearance.

ND24: What 3 mistakes do you know when modeling nails with stencils?
Nail designer Stefanie: If you are careless when pushing the template under the natural nail, you can injure the cuticle underneath. It is important to note that for some people the cuticle can be very tight and very far to the front under the natural nail - this must be looked at carefully beforehand in order to be able to work accordingly. If the nails are too short and can hardly provide a base for the template, I would prefer to use tips if possible. When adjusting the template, you must ensure that it fits perfectly on all sides, otherwise you will get an asymmetrical result - practice makes perfect!

• Carelessly push the template under the nail – risk of injury!
• Use the stencil technique for nails that are too short
• Asymmetrical result due to incorrect adjustment of the template

This is how it works: Stencil technique for nail design

To create a nail extension with a modeling template, the natural nail should protrude a little more than 2 millimeters beyond the fingertip in order to provide support for the structure, recommends nail designer Stefanie. To use the stencil, the nail is first thoroughly removed from the cuticle and gently matted, the resulting dust is removed and degreased with a cleaner . The so-called single-phase gel (adhesive gel) is used as the basis for the stencil technique - it is applied to the natural nail, cured and matted again. The nail template is then attached to the nail according to the manufacturer's instructions and forms the framework for further nail modeling. It is modeled over with a milky gel before further gel buildup of the nail follows. At the end of the nail modeling, the template is removed and the nail is filed into the desired shape and length.

1. Matt nail
2. Remove dust
3. Cleaning with cleaner
4. Apply single-phase gel to natural nail
5. Cure the gel and mattify it
6. Attach nail template
7. Model over the stencil with gel
8. Build up nail
9. Remove stencil after curing
8. File nail into shape