Lydia Benn Nails

Fixed up, looking sharp! So chuffed with these! Acrygel is a fantastic product ❤️‍🔥

My online courses teach you about using products like acrygel to transform tricky nails! Link in bio 💌

Nail transformation • hard gel • Russian manicure

We did it! All 10 nails now growing in a much straighter, uniform shape 😅

A trapezoidal nail is wider towards the free edge than it is at the cuticle area.

It can be really tempting to file the sidewalls in to make the nail look narrower, but this is one of those areas where a little restraint makes a big difference.

Filing too much from the sides can over-thin the nail, reduce its natural support and leave the sidewalls weaker.

I have grown to love working with nails like this because a lot can be achieved through the way we shape and place our product, without needing to change the natural nail too much… Wanna learn how to transform nails like this? Accredited Online Courses linked in my bio 💌

Trapezoidal nails • Russian manicure • hard gel • nail transformation

Have you ever noticed a white gap appearing down the side of the natural nail?

This could be side onycholysis. It is where the natural nail plate has separated from the nail bed along the sidewall.

The growth points sit at the sides of the nail and are an important part of the nail’s structure and support. When this area is repeatedly over-filed, thinned or traumatised, you can compromise the natural nail and potentially contribute to the nail plate separating from the nail bed.

Side onycholysis can have different contributing causes, including trauma, pressure, over-filing or product-related issues, so identifying the cause is the first step before deciding how to safely work on the nail.

Understanding the anatomy behind what you’re seeing is what takes your nail knowledge to the next level.
Wanna learn in-depth Russian manicure techniques and hard gel corrections that create thin but strong nails? My Accredited online courses are linked in my bio 💌

Nail disaster • Russian manicure • damaged nails • nail transformation

I love doing his nails SO much 🤩🤩🤩 do you like doing men’s nails?!

Learn Russian manicure online with my course anywhere in the world - link in bio 💌

Adding more product to a naturally high apex is only going to make the nail look even higher.

We need to be strategic with where we place the product, so we can balance the nail out and create the illusion of a straighter nail, rather than making it look even more curved.

It’s not about adding more product, it’s about putting it in the right places.

Wanna learn about the strategic use of hard gel for corrections? Wanna learn Russian manicure? Accredited online courses available WORLDWIDE! Link in bio 💌

Hidden apex FTW! 🥇

A hidden apex is where the strength of the structure is built into the overall profile of the nail rather than creating an obvious, raised bump.

The result? A flatter, cleaner-looking nail without compromising any strength!

It’s particularly useful when you want:
✨ A super sleek side profile
✨ Less bulk through the centre of the nail
✨ A more natural-looking finish
✨ Strength where it’s actually needed
✨ A refined structure that looks effortless

All done with HARD GEL

The key is understanding where the product needs to be not adding more of it. My online courses teach you exactly that! Link in bio 💌

Trapezoidal nails 😬😬

A trapezoidal nail naturally flares wider towards the free edge, which can make creating those clean parallel sidewalls a little more challenging.

The key is not trying to file the natural nail into a slimmer profile. Instead, use your product to create better proportions and structure. This is where hard gel comes in to it.

Whilst soft gel definitely has its place, it isn’t usually my go-to for nails that need architectural correction. Soft gel is designed to be more flexible and generally follows the natural shape of the nail, whereas hard gel allows me to create and maintain structure, reinforce the stress area and refine the shape with much more control.

Because you’re building the architecture rather than simply following the natural nail, you are then able to encourage the nail into a straighter, more parallel shape without unnecessarily removing the sidewalls.

Do you find trapezoidal nails tricky? You are not alone!

My online accredited courses teach you how to work with and transform tricky nails with hard gel. You’ll learn advanced methods of using different types of hard gel to create thin but strong nails. Link in bio 💌

•hard gel nails • wide nails • nail transformation • Russian manicure

What shape is it?!

Either way, I love it! Also Topcoats are 10/10 🤌🏻

Wanna learn Russian Manicure & thin but strong techniques for hard gel? Accredited online courses are linked in my bio 💌

Russian manicure • hard gel • thin nails • round nails • n**e nails

I use hard gel on almost every client and over time it’s just become the product I feel most comfortable working with.

I like being able to have a bit more control over the structure of the nail, like where it needs strength and where it doesn’t. One of my favourite things about hard gel is how versatile it is. I can use it differently depending on the nail I’m working on, whether that’s adding a little extra strength, building structure, repairing a break or creating a completely new shape. The options are endless!!!

For me, it’s just about having a product that lets me tailor the structure to the individual nail rather than taking the same approach with everyone.

It’s definitely not the only way to do nails, it’s just what works best for me and the way I like to work 😁

Do you use hard gel on every client? I wanna know!! ❤️

ABT accredited advanced hard gel courses linked in my bio💌

Russian manicure • hard gel • long nails • floral nails