AboutMaggie Franklin Expertise Professional Nailcare: nail enhancement chemistry and technique, mancuring and pedicuring. I am not qualified to give medical advice or make medical diagnoses.
Experience I am a professional nail technician with 17 years experience in the professional beauty industry. I am licensed in the states of California (license #M120766) and Colorado (license #8611.)
I have been an active member of the online mailing list at Beautytech.com since 1999 where I network with 100s of nail industry professionals around the world.
Over the last 15 years I have accumulated several advanced training certificates, including the coveted Creative Nail Designs Master Nail Technician status, and personal training by Tammy Taylor, Tom Bachik, and Tom Holcomb.
I briefly joined the competition circuit in 2002, taking first place in the second annual Strut Your Stuff Online competition in the Enhancement 2 category. In 2009 I have decided to make time in my schedule to get back into competition by joining "Team Pink," the competition team captained by current world champion nail technician, Lynn Lammers.
I boast several contributions to articles that have appeared in both Nails and Nailpro magazines, including a brief stint as a Nails Magazine Help Desk contributor and now I write a semi-weekly blog for Nails Magazine while continuing to attend tradeshows and continuing education events.
Organizations Nail Tech mailist list at Beautytech.com
Publications Nails Magazine. Nailpro Magazine. Blogging for Nails Magazine since September, 2008: http://blogs.nailsmag.com/maggie/
Education/Credentials CA license #M120766. CO license #8611. CND Master Nail Technician. Tom Holcomb Academy. Personal training with Tom Bachik. Two day advanced training with Tammy Taylor. AEFM certified for use of electric file. HRTE (High Road to Education) in San Jose, CA 2009.
Awards and Honors 2nd Annual Strut Your Stuff Online competition, 1st place in Enhancement 2. Member of "Team Pink" competition team 2009. 3rd place, Novice tip-and-overlay relay at IBS Las Vegas, 2009.
Question I have been a nail tech since 2001 and do apx 50 sets of nails in a month, I am very picky about products including my nail files because to my experience the products you use greatly influence your end results. (ie durability, look, etc) I have seen alot of info on glass files that seems good and all has said that they can be used on natural and artificial nails....My question is can a glass file be used for the etching of the nail during prep for full set or rebalance... and will it be effective enough to not extend the amount of time that the prep work takes. Also what does a glass file compare to in grit? (I understand that no grit is actually attached to a glass or crystal file)
Answer The best I can really tell you on this one is to get a glass file or two and give it a try. None of the glass files I've come across would work for me, but that doesn't mean that they won't work for you, since as I'm sure you know, everyone favors different tools and different techniques.
The biggest drawback to using a glass file to etch the nail plate is that the glass files aren't etched (there's no grit) along the edges, and since glass doesn't flex like wood/foam/plastic cored files, it's difficult to get the grit against the nail. This might be particular to my technique though.
All the glass files I've come across have seemed to be a very soft grit compared to other files I've used.
I definitely think it's worth a try, but I'd get one file and try it before investing in several files.
