Ever since acrylics have stepped into the nail industry, there is absolutely no going back. From manicures and nail extensions to carving 3D nail art, acrylics are everywhere and we are not surprised. Acrylics are such a versatile nail product and they have taken the nail industry with a spin!
Whether you’re a fan of professional nail extensions or love getting manicures done regularly, we’re sure you may have heard of acrylic manicures or acrylic extensions in your life. We are here to guide you today on what is acrylic nail powder and a complete guide on everything you need to know about the product.
What is Acrylic Powder? Types, Benefits, and How to Use, Apply, & DIY
Acrylic manicures are impossible without an acrylic kit and an acrylic kit is impossible without acrylic powder. It is one of the most essential products used for curating acrylic manicures, extensions, art, etc. Let’s take a deep dive into the definition, types, and benefits of acrylic nail powders, along with understanding how to use them in DIY manicures.
What is Acrylic Powder?
Acrylic powder is the simplest nail product used for making nail extensions and nail sculptures. Also known as acrylic nail powder, nail polymer, crystal powder, nail powder, etc., it is an air-dry product that dries to harden in a plastic-like material. With the use of this acrylic polymer powder mixed with liquid monomer, fake acrylic nails can be sculpted.
Acrylic nail extensions require fake nail tips (or forms) and nail glue as well along with acrylic powder and monomer. However, acrylic manicures are done by mixing the acrylic nail powder of your choice with the liquid to form a dough-like substance called a ‘bead’. An acrylic bead can be easily manipulated to sculpt the desired structure out of it using an acrylic brush before it air-dries to become solid (imagine a clay pot).
Chemically, acrylic powders are made of polymerized monomers. When this chemical is mixed with a liquid, suspension polymerization is the process that occurs resulting in the solidification of the molded shape. The acrylic bead is spreadable and moldable which makes it the best choice for sculpting fake nails and 3D nail designs. As the ‘bead’ dries and sets, the acrylic powder in it becomes rigid and hence keeps the shape and structure intact.
Types of Acrylic Nail Powders
Acrylic powders are primarily nail cover powders used for forming a layer on top of your natural as well as fake nails to add structure and strength and increase the lifespan of a manicure. Besides, they can be used for sculpting 3D nail art structures and even as a nail color replacement. Hence, acrylic nail powders are available in various colors and formulas:
1) Clear:
This is a crystal-clear acrylic powder that has a translucent formula. It is generally used for building acrylic extensions using nail forms and they give a glassy finish when dried.
2) Nude:
This is one of the most used colors. The nude acrylic powder has a brownish undertone and suits most nail and skin colors. It is available in both translucent and opaque formulas depending on the brand and the category you choose. It is multifunctional as the color can be used for acrylic overlays on natural nails, extensions using fake nail tips, nail art structures, encapsulation, etc.
3) White
This is a fine nail cover powder that gives a soft touch and a velvety matte look because of its milky white finish. The white acrylic nail powder works best with milky white base nails along with ombre and encapsulated nail art. It is also popular for sculpting French tip nails in an acrylic system.
4) Pink
A pink acrylic powder is pretty similar to a nude one and is available in both opaque and translucent formulas. Besides adding a pretty extension color, it also works pretty well for 3D floral nail art and even for mixing glitter. It is the base color for acrylic French manicures complimented with the white powder for sculpting the tip.
5) Colored
All the above acrylic powders need to be covered in a gel polish to complete the look except the Frenchies. But colored acrylic powders are the only ones that can be used as a color replacement. These have an opaque formula and can be used as a standalone product to build extensions in solid colors. They can even be mixed for nail designs such as the marbling effect.
Benefits of Using Acrylic Powders
Acrylic nail extensions are one of the oldest, most popular, and most commonly done among all others in the industry. From professional manicurists to their clients, everyone prefers acrylics in some form for their manicures, fake nails, and nail designs. Here’s why acrylic powder is the go-to element for nail pros whenever it comes to doing a manicure or nail art:
1) It gives a natural and flushed look to your manicures. Any color of acrylic powder, be it clear, nude, pink, or even white, looks natural and versatile on your natural nails.
2) It works on both natural as well as fake nail tips. They can also be used with nail forms to sculpt nails without attaching a false tip.
3) It is air-dry and takes less time to dry out – even less than a nail polish.
4) It is a strong and sturdy chemical and a single thin coat can last longer than most nail products. This makes it the most preferred means of adding strength to weak nails.
5) The texture of acrylic powder is naturally matte and velvety. So it feels delicate and classy to touch.
6) It comes in a tub-like container packaging that becomes sufficient for at least 40-50 clients when used on both hands’ fingernails. This makes it an economical buy.
How to Use, Apply, and DIY
Acrylic manicure application is done in some detailed steps of which acrylic powder is a part. Besides it can be used for 3D nail art as well. Here’s a brief explanation of how you can use acrylic nail powders for all these purposes:
1) The first step is to always have a well-prepped canvas. Clean and prep your natural nail beds properly before going ahead with any product application. This holds true for both professional and DIY manicures.
2) After filing and buffing, apply a nail dehydrator and a primer for better adhesion.
3) Choose the appropriate type and color of acrylic nail powder as per your manicure requirements. Have the entire acrylic kit ready before you even begin.
On natural nails:
1) Pick an acrylic bead by dipping your brush in the monomer and gathering enough powder directly from the container. Place the bead on the natural nail surface and with gentle tapping, spread the acrylic dough on the entire nail. Aim for a smooth application with a bulging apex in the middle.
2) This is how you do acrylic overlays. It is best suited if you have some grown-out length on your natural nails.
With acrylic tips:
1) Properly size the half-moon-shaped fake nail tips at the ends of your natural nails. Stick them using a liquid nail glue to make them last longer with acrylic overlays.
2) After adhering the tips, shape and file down the line of attachment to form a smooth surface flushed well into the natural nail bed.
3) Once done for all fingernails, apply the acrylic nail bead same as discussed above, and make sure there is enough product to cover the entire nail.
With nail forms:
1) Use a nail form when you want acrylic extensions without using fake nail tips. Fit the form onto the free edge of the nail molding it in the shape of an artificial nail.
2) Sculpt the nail with an acrylic bead. Make sure you have a thick layer and cover the edges properly. Once the acrylic is completely dry, remove the nail form underneath.
After the acrylic application on all nails, allow the product to dry completely. Once the acrylic has hardened, file the side walls and smoothen the top to form a gently curving apex. You may use hand files and buffers or an e-file for this. Follow up with nail painting, and nail art, and finish with a top coat. Cure between coats in case of nail gels.
Wrapping Up Acrylic Powders
Now that you know the ins and outs of acrylic powders, you’re ready to take your acrylic manicure game to the next level. Whether you’re aiming for salon-quality nail extensions at home or experimenting with your artistic flair, acrylic powder is a versatile and essential tool in any manicure enthusiast’s kit. From its various types to its numerous benefits, and the step-by-step guide to application, this holy grail product allows you to achieve long-lasting, stylish nails without the professional price tag.
So go ahead and create those stunning nail designs, and let your fingertips be the canvas for endless creativity. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with acrylic powder, the possibilities are limitless!
