Tips on the Sculptured Nail for State Board

1.  Practice, Practice, Practice

2.  Make sure to purchase the hand separately!  It does not come in the state board kit.  Make sure it is new because it cannot have any markings or dirt on it.

3.  Do not move hand around.  Keep it in the same position as it would be with a real client.

4.  Sanitize your hands at the beginning of the application, between steps, at the end, and/or when necessary.  Hand sanitizer is your best friend at state board!

5.  Make sure the fingers are not removable!

6.  Make sure your monomer is sealed- the proctor will check this and disqualify you from exam if the seal is broken!  (Do not store your kit in a hot car because the seal could come off)

7.  Do not get any product on the skin!

8.  Make sure your final product is smooth and not lumpy.  The examiner will feel your nail.

9.  Open monomer with orangewood stick.

10.  Do not let the monomer/polymer mix dry on your nail brush.  It's important to clean off with a paper towel right away and place brush in monomer. (liquid)  The mix will dry on your brush and will be very difficult to clean off or it may destroy your brush.  Also, you may purchase brush cleaner to clean nail brush after each use.

11.  Be sure to listen carefully to which finger the proctor assigns the sculptured nail to.  The proctor speaks very quickly and can use tricky language.  Remember the thumb is not a finger. (ex.  If the proctor says the second finger, they want you to create the nail on the middle finger)  

12.  Buffer- Use Black side first, then white, then the grey side

13.  Never set brush down on station!

14.  Good luck on your state board exam!  Take a deep breathe and when in doubt, sanitize your hands!  Hygiene and safety is what they care about the most!