A cover powder is pre-pigmented, so it hides the nail bed and evens out the colour of the extension. Mia Secret cover shades run from semi-opaque to opaque, in tones such as Almond, Natural, Peach and Porcelain, and are used for pink and white work, sculpted sets and overlays. Clear powder is used where you want to see through, such as encapsulated designs.
Use a liquid monomer made for the powder's brand whenever you can. Mia Secret sells its own Liquid Monomer in several sizes, and each brand tunes its liquid to its powder for set speed and working time. Mixing brands can change how the bead behaves, so test on a practice tip first if you have to mix.
Prep the nail, push back the cuticle, remove the shine and dehydrate, then apply a primer suited to your prep. Dip the brush in liquid, press out the excess, pick up a bead of powder and place it, then press and shape it while it is still workable. Keep product off the skin. Acrylic sets in the air, so it needs no lamp.
Wipe the brush on a lint-free towel between beads and clean it in the same liquid monomer you work with. Do not soak a natural-hair brush in acetone, which dries the hair. Reshape the tip, then store the brush lying flat or with the hair pointing down and covered, so the tip keeps its shape between services.
Keep jars tightly closed, dry and away from heat and direct sunlight. Wipe the thread before closing so the lid seals, and keep liquid and dust out of the powder. Pour what you need into a dappen dish rather than working straight from the jar, which keeps the main jar clean and the powder easy to pick up. Close the jar as soon as you finish the set.