I don’t know how most ‘gurlz’
feel about it, but a set of long elegant looking nails adds a lot to
the enjoyment of getting all dolled up for me. In fact, I’ve gotten to
the point that I don’t feel as though I’m completely dressed without
these nails. One of the advantages to this is that long nails tend to
provide the illusion of slimmer hands – something which most
crossdressers don’t have.
ACRYLIC NAIL PREPARATION
Most of the larger beauty supply stores stock a big variety of acrylic
nail accessories. Most of them have glue on acrylic nails in “plus
sizes” which are usually necessary for the average crossdresser since
their hands are almost always considerably larger than their female
counterparts. These are usually available to the tune of $5.00 to $6.00
per package of 100 assorted sizes and styles. Since these are easily
trimmed and shaped with common nail trimmers, emery boards, nail files,
etc., I recommend that you purchase the longest ones you can get. You
can then trim them to the size you want.
The one nail that seems to be most difficult to find a large enough
acrylic nail for is the thumb. If this problem exists for you there is
a simple fix for it. Most well-stocked hobby shops carry a line of heat
workable plastic sheeting in varying thickness. This type of plastic is
usually clear and is commonly used to form windshields and cowlings for
model aircraft. Your standard hair dryer puts out enough heat to easily
soften and form this stuff into the shape you desire so there are no
additional tools to buy.
To use this plastic as a nail, first determine the correct “curvature”
of the nail and find a form that closely matches this. It might sound a
little surprising, but a cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels or
bathroom tissue is often about the correct size. If it isn’t you can
use anything else that meets the requirements such as small glass
bottles, broom handles, plastic pipe, anything that will withstand the
momentary slight heat of a hair dryer without changing shapes from the
heat.
Cut a strip of the plastic sufficiently wide enough to cover the
natural nail and lay it lengthwise onto the form you have selected.
Apply heat from the hair dryer carefully to the plastic and it will
soon soften and take the shape of the form you have it laying on. When
it cools it will re-harden and you can then cut and shape the nails you
need from it and proceed from there.
Now that we have THAT problem solved, the next step is to select the
proper size for each individual finger. Start with the little finger
and work inwardly towards the thumbs laying each nail aside in the
order they will go on the fingers. Note that the middle finger usually
has the largest nail (not counting the thumb) and the fingers to each
side of it are the same size as a rule. When all. The correct sizes
have been selected and arranged in the order they are to be attached,
trim and file them to the desired length and shape one at a time and
place them back in the same order you had them. Note: Be sure that you
smooth all the rough edges and snags off of the nails as they can
quickly ruin a new pair of stockings by snagging on them!
Next find a wire coat hanger that has the cardboard tube at the bottom
and wrap duct tape (in ‘guy mode’ we use this stuff to fix just about
anything from severed fingers to leaky roofs so you’ve probably got
several rolls of it available) or electrical tape onto the length of
the cardboard tube. Wrap it on with the STICKY SIDE OUT. When you’ve
done that, press the nails (bottom of nail against the tape) onto the
tube and it will hold them firmly in place for polishing. Neat, huh!!
If you’ll place them on the tube in order with the small fingers at
each end work towards the middle it will keep them in the proper order.
Once these are all in place we’re ready to put on the polish!
Now apply as many coats of your favorite polish as desired letting each
coat dry before applying the next one. It’s best to do this a day or
two in advance of wearing the nails since it gives the polish time to
actually harden (as opposed to simply drying) and makes it less likely
to get mussed when you put the nails on your fingers. You can afford to
be as messy as you like since these are not on your fingers and you can
be assured of getting the polish all the way out to the edges and over
the tips without having to worry about correcting mistakes. In fact,
you can make several sets at once in different colors so you’ll be
ready for any outfit or style you may be planning to wear.
APPLYING THE NAILS
The nail glue found in the cosmetics sections of local department
stores such as Wal-Mart, K-mart, etc., is nothing more or less than
super glue and should be afforded the same precautions when using it.
It is sufficiently strong enough to secure acrylic nails to your
natural ones and if used properly will permit the nails to be easily
removed when the time comes to do so.
Begin by arranging the nails in the order in which they go on to your
fingers. Make sure your natural nails are clean and dry and begin with
the outside finger (little finger) on one hand or the other.
Right-handed people may find it easier to do the left hand first and
visa-versa for left handed people. Remove the cap from the nail glue
and position the tip of the inverted bottle just above the approximate
center of the natural nail to which the acrylic nail is about to be
attached. DO NOT SQUEEZE THE BOTTLE! Also, don’t touch the nail with
the tip of the bottle. A drop of glue will gradually form at the tip
and drop off onto the waiting nail. DON’T USE MORE THAN A SINGLE DROP.
Put the bottle down and pick up the acrylic nail. At about a 45 degree
angle place it over the natural nail with the back edge touching the
cuticle of the natural nail then lower the front down onto the nail.
Using the thumb and forefinger of your opposite hand squeeze the new
nail down onto the natural nail and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds. The
glue will adhere very quickly and hold the new nail firmly in place. If
the polish on the acrylic nail wasn’t sufficiently hard, there is a
possibility that you might leave a fingerprint on the surface of the
new nail or dull the glossy finish. One way to prevent this is to put a
piece of paper (a waxed bubble gum wrapper or equivalent is handy for
this) between the nail surface and the finger/thumb you are pressing
with. If you do happen to mess up the finish, apply another coat of
polish to correct the error after you’ve attached all the nails.
Continue this procedure until all the nails are attached. HINT: Leave the thumbs until last.
Put the cap back on the glue and drop the bottle in your purse just in
case you should lose a nail before you intend to take them off
REMOVING THE NAILS
If you were careful when you put the nails on, removal is pretty easy.
Slide a flat, blunt object (such as the tip of a common table knife)
under the side of the nail you’re trying to remove and gently press
toward the center of the nail. Sometimes a very slight twist will help
and the nail will pop off. If it doesn’t come off easily, repeat this
from the opposite side of the nail. I have yet to see a nail that
wouldn’t readily come off this way IF they were put on per the
instructions given here. In addition, these same nails can be used
several times before being discarded if they are put on correctly. Not
that they’re expensive, but you’ll save yourself the trouble of having
to make up a set so often.
If you used too much glue and the nails won’t come off easily, don’t
panic. Soaking them in common acetone based nail polish remover for 10
or 15 minutes will dissolve them. If this is necessary just remember it
the next time and don’t use so much glue.
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