During the application of a pink and white sculptured nail, if the acrylic bead on the free edge is not holding form, what should the practitioner do?

When the acrylic bead on the free edge of a pink and white sculptured nail is not holding its form, the most effective action is to remove the bead and apply a new one. This option is correct because acrylic needs to be applied in the right consistency and shape to ensure proper adhesion and to achieve the desired nail structure. If the bead isn't holding form, it signifies that it may not be properly mixed or applied, which can lead to an undesirable outcome or structural weaknesses in the nail enhancement.

By removing the improperly formed bead, the technician ensures that they can start fresh with a new bead that can be shaped correctly. Proper acrylic application techniques involve ensuring that the bead has the right moisture content and is adequately shaped before it starts to cure. Hence, applying a new bead allows for better control over the application and the final look of the sculpted nail.

Leaving it to dry would result in an unshapely nail that would likely need to be completely filed down later, which can be more time-consuming. Applying more pressure to shape it could lead to further issues with the acrylic not curing properly, and using a buffer to reshape might not address the initial problem effectively. Therefore, removing the bead is the most suitable and effective solution in this scenario