Serena Williams once said, “No one likes getting their nails done more than I do.” Plenty of women the world over share this sentiment.
Fashionable nails have been all the rage lately. Gone are the days when a popping shade of nail polish was the only accessory to jazz up your nails. Nowadays, people are going big, and nail extensions are becoming exceedingly popular.
Acrylic nails are a type of artificial nail extensions applied on top of your natural nails. If done correctly they are durable, sturdy and offer protection for brittle, broken and damaged nails. So if you’re one of those girls with weak nails that break or split easily, then acrylic nails might be for you!
Besides these practical benefits, acrylic nails are stunning. They embellish the hands, make the fingers appear longer and give them a gorgeous appearance. Most often they are sold in a long length but can be trimmed and shaped according to your preference.
Acrylic nail supplies are available at many drugstores, beauty supply stores and online. With the right shade of nail polish, a little nail art, and a few hand accessories, acrylic nails accentuate not just your hands but also your overall appearance.
Going to the salon to get your acrylic nails done is an option, albeit a costly and time-consuming one. You can save your time and money as well as get creative and experiment with different designs by applying acrylic nails on your own in the comfort of your home.
Things you’ll need:
- Nail file
- Nail cutter or clipper
- Acrylic nails
- Acrylic nail glue
- Primer pen (optional)
- Nail forms
- Monomer liquid
- Acrylic nail powder
- Small glass bowl
- Brush
- Toothpick
- Top coat
- Nail polish (optional)
- Four-sided buffer block
Contents [show]
STEPS INVOLVED IN APPLYING THE NAILS
Step 1. Remove any old nail polish
Start by removing any nail polish you are wearing on your natural nails using a nail file or nail polish remover.
Step 2. Trim, file, buff
Trim your natural nails to a comfortable length using a nail clipper. Make sure you do not cut them too short.
Next, file your nails and even out the erratic free edges at the tips.
Using the same file swipe the surface of your nails using gentle strokes. Doing this will help rid the natural nails of their shine, allowing the acrylic nails to stick to them more easily.
Make sure your strokes are even and light, as an aggressive, abrasive action against the natural nails can damage them. Focus more on buffing the cuticle area.
Alternatively, you can use a four-sided buffer block instead of a file.
Step 3. Determine the size and fit of the acrylic nail tip
Choose a nail tip from your acrylic nail set that matches the width and shape of your natural nails.
Your acrylic nails may have a translucent marking on the lower end of the inverted side of the nail. The correct way of applying the acrylic nail is by placing the marking point at the beginning of your natural nail.
When the marking point meets the tip of your natural nail, the acrylic nail will adjust itself onto your natural nail accordingly.
Step 4. Trim the bottom of the acrylic nail
After you’ve adjusted your acrylic tip according to the marking, be sure that the base of the tip does not extend beyond the middle of your natural nail. If it reaches too far file the bottom of the acrylic tip so that it meets the center of your natural nail
Step 5. Apply the acrylic nails with glue
Apply glue on the bottom area of the acrylic nail.
Use the clear marking point on the inverted side of the nail tip as a guide for applying the glue. One drop is sufficient for each nail. Once you have placed the glue, adhere the acrylic nail immediately to prevent the adhesive from drying. Next, hold the acrylic nail with the index finger and thumb of your other hand, and apply gentle pressure for 10 seconds on the area where the acrylic nail extends beyond your natural nail. Doing this will help the nail stay firmly in place while the glue is still wet, and allow it to adhere quickly.
Make sure you do not touch the area where your acrylic nail meets your natural nail to prevent your fingers from getting sticky and moving the still-wet nail out of place.
Repeat these steps until you have done all ten nails.
Step 6. Cut the nails
Next, carefully cut the acrylic nails with a nail cutter according to your preferred size and shape.
A nail cutter is strongly recommended for this step, however, in a pinch, you can use a set small household nail clippers.
Step 7. File the base and tips of the acrylic nails
At this point, the acrylic nail will appear slightly raised. The position where the artificial nail ends and the natural nail begins will be quite conspicuous, and the transition will be evident.
To reduce the appearance of the ridge, you can file the base of the acrylic tip to bring it to the level of your natural nail. However, while you are filing, you must be extremely careful not to hit the natural nail itself. Doing so can cause damage to your nail bed.
Once filed the acrylic nail merges with the natural nail and the transition is much less apparent.
One other option is to take a paper towel with acetone-based polish remover and wipe over the ridge several times. Doing this will help merge the two areas.
Next, file the tip of your acrylic nail to eliminate any uneven edges.
Repeat the process on all the acrylic nails.
This picture shows what they should look like after you have finished filing.
APPLYING THE ACRYLIC
STEPS INVOLVED IN APPLYING THE ACRYLIC
There are two ways of applying the acrylic on the nails.
METHOD A
This is an easy and quick method of applying the acrylic to your nails.
Step 1. Prime
Applying a primer is an optional step, but is highly recommended as it strengthens the bond between your natural nail and the acrylic nails.
This bond will ensure the durability and firmness of your acrylic nails.
Step 2. Select nail forms
From the kit, choose nail forms that best fit the size of your natural nails.
Step 3. Create the acrylic mixture
Pour the monomer liquid into a small glass bowl.
Monomer liquid itself has been known to warp some kinds of plastic, so it’s much safer to create the mixture in a glass bowl.
Step 4. Dip and swipe
Dip a brush into the monomer liquid and wipe off any excess liquid onto a paper towel.
Next, dip the brush tip into the Acrylic Powder and stroke the brush through the powder towards you until you create a small ball of acrylic (if the ball is too wet or dry start again).
Step 5. Apply the acrylic mixture on the nail forms
Quickly apply this mixture starting at the base of the chosen nail form all the way to the tip and immediately apply the form onto your nail. Once in position, you may notice some excess acrylic on the sides. Remove this by using a toothpick.
The forms should take 1 to 2 minutes to dry.
Step 6. Remove the excess liquid
When you stick the forms onto your nails, you may notice some excess liquid dripping from the sides. Remove this excess liquid with a toothpick.
Step 7. Remove the forms
After the acrylic mixture has dried, gently twist the forms both ways to remove them.
Step 8. Filing
Once you have removed all of the forms, file any uneven edges on the sides and tips to ensure a smooth surface.
METHOD B
This method could be more time consuming than the previously illustrated method.
Step 1. Apply the acrylic mixture directly on the nails
Dip the brush in the monomer liquid and the powder as done in the previous method, and proceed in applying the mixture directly onto the nails.
Begin in the middle of the nails using a dab and press motion. Slowly dab and press the acrylic from the center to the edges of the nail. Do not use a swiping motion. Repeat this step, gradually adding more acrylic when needed down to the tip of the extension.
Once finished you will then begin again; however, now you will start the application by your cuticle. Continue until you have covered the entire surface with the acrylic mixture. At this point look at your nail to see if the acrylic is applied evenly. You may notice that it is slightly thicker in some areas while flat in others. Do not worry about that now. You will be able to even out the surface while buffing later in the process.
Step 2. Remove the excess liquid
Using a toothpick, remove any excess liquid that may have escaped to the sides of your nails.
Step 3. Buff and file
After the nails have dried, buff the surface with a file or a buffer block to even out any lumps and protrusions. File the nails according to the size and shape you want.
STEPS INVOLVED IN APPLYING THE TOP COAT
Apply the top coat
Apply the top coat onto your nails to give them a smooth, glossy finish. You may purchase and use a specialized acrylic gel top coat in this step.
After the top coat has dried, you may apply some nail polish for added embellishment. Make sure you use non-acetone nail polish, as acetone could compromise the longevity and strength of your acrylic nails.
Additional Tips
- Before beginning your acrylic nail application, thoroughly wash and sanitize your nails and hands with an antibacterial hand sanitizer to prevent infections.
- After washing your hands, apply some cuticle-removing liquid on a cuticle pusher and gently push the cuticles back from the base of your natural nails.
- After you have applied the top coat in the final step of the process, you may apply some cuticle oil to the base of your natural nails to moisturize them.
- Be cautious with your over-sized nails as they may get caught in clothing or other places and break off. Here’s our guide to how to maintain acrylic nail at home.