What do Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa, and Sydney Sweeney all have in common? They’re all diehard fans of acrylic nails. The idea of faux acrylic nails isn’t new to the scene. It has been there for decades going on and off the trends. But in 2024, acrylic manicures are gaining popularity again after these celebs have started flaunting them.
Nail-fluencers have always loved acrylics for taking their glam game to the next level. And, the reason acrylic nail extensions have gained so much love over the years is their versatility. Whether you have brittle or bitten nails, or you just want to experiment with different nail shapes, styles, and art, these dope extensions give you the freedom for everything.
Though nail technicians and nail lovers all across the globe have a love-hate relationship with acrylic manicures, there still isn’t much awareness about the concept. Today, The Nails Girl is here with a detailed guide on what is an acrylic manicure: how to apply, remove, and DIY.
What is an Acrylic Manicure? How to Apply, Remove, and DIY
Thinking of trying out acrylic nails but are scared and confused? Let’s understand how acrylic manicures work.
Often utilized for longer nail shapes such as coffins and stilettos, acrylic manicures help add structure and longevity to any nail look by creating a faux canvas above the natural nail surface. Acrylic manicures are great for those looking to add length and strength to their otherwise weak or not-so-perfect natural nails. Besides, acrylics can also help create a larger and evenly shaped canvas for those who love intricate nail art.
Now, let’s straight up help you with everything you need to know about acrylic manis.
An acrylic manicure, also known as acrylic nails, fake nails, or simply acrylics, can be understood as a combination of liquid and powder used to form a concoction that can harden when air-dried. Acrylic manis can be done using a combination of a powder polymer and a liquid monomer to form a paste, which is then bonded to the natural nails to sculpt into the desired shape.
Acrylic manicures are either done on the natural nail keeping the length the same as the base, or lengthening enhancements are glued to the tip and the manicure is done on top of that. These acrylic nail enhancements are artificial nail extensions composed of acrylic plastic material and add fake length to the base before sculpting the entire nail.
An acrylic brush is dipped in liquid monomer and mixed with powder polymer to form a mouldable acrylic ‘bead’ which is then spread onto the nail surface starting from the nail bed across the plastic tip. As per your requirement, the manicurist will use any of the clear, pink, white, or nude polymer powders for your enhancements. Since this liquid + powder mixture is to be air-dried, the nail tech will sculpt your nail in a dabbing motion forming an apex in the middle and blended edges before the product hardens.
The technique strengthens and often lengthens the natural nail and once dried, the product is filed off to achieve the perfect shape and durability before going ahead with a gel manicure to add color to your fake nail enhancements.
How to DIY Acrylic Nails at Home?
Ideally, it is recommended that you get your acrylic manicures at professional nail salons. This is because this type of manicure involves using strong chemicals, UV lights, and tools that may cause harm to the natural nails if not handled properly. Improper use of any of these may even cause permanent damage and deformities to the nail base and root and can sometimes result in dangerous infections. We aren’t scaring you; we are just warning you of the strong implications of the products and machines used in the manicures.
However, if you are still confident that you have it in yourself to carry out your acrylic manicures at home, it is better that you learn the procedure and the dos and don’ts before proceeding. Even if you have done it in the past on your own, it is always good to brush up on your skills rather than risk your poor nails.
Here are some DIY acrylic application tips you should follow to achieve a salon-like acrylic manicure at home:
Tools needed:
- Nail clippers
- Orangewood stick or cuticle pusher
- 100/180 grit nail file
- Nail buffer
- UV or LED lamp
- Acrylic nail dehydrator
- Acrylic nail primer
- Acrylic nail tips
- Liquid nail glue
- Acrylic brush
- Polymer powder in any color
- Liquid monomer
- Mixing bowl/dish
These are the tools that are a bare minimum requirement if you are planning to have a DIY acrylic manicure kit to use at home. Do your research and select the proper tools and products before investing. You may consult a professional nail expert or Google it for yourself and make the right choices before jumping on to the manicure procedure.
Procedure
1) Nail Prep
Just as you would with any manicure, start by prepping your natural nail base for acrylic application. Clean the nail surface to remove old nail polish, trim and file your nails to the desired shape, push and clean your cuticles, buff the nail surface to remove any ridges or debris, and dust the nails to get rid of the residue and other powdery deposits.
2) Tip Sizing, Application, and Prep
Press-on nails aren’t the only fake nail extensions that offer various shapes, lengths, and sizes to choose from. Even fake acrylic nail tips are available in the market in all different shapes, sizes, lengths, and even colors so you can choose the ones as per your preference.
Once you decide the shape you want, size the nail tips correctly and choose the one closest to your natural nail width. File off the extra from a size bigger if you can’t find an exact match.
For sticking the fake tip, use liquid nail glue and just apply a dot of glue per nail. Put the glue on the indent given on the inside of the tip and affix it in a way that the free edge of your natural nail fits right underneath. Make sure the bottom edge of the fake nail tip is centered about 1/3rd of the way down your nail so that it remains sturdy as your nails begin to grow out. Gently press the nail for 5 to 10 seconds to ensure it is secure and firmly adhered.
Once you stick the fake nail tips across all your nails, trim down the length using nail clippers, and shape and file them according to your requirements. Now you will see a noticeable line where the tip is applied on the natural nail. This ‘separation’ has to be cleared before putting on any product. Don’t think it can only be blurred with an e-file used by professional nail technicians. You can use the same nail file and carefully blur out the line without over-filing the nearby natural nail. Make sure the fake nail tip is flushed with the natural base before proceeding.
3) Dehydrating and Priming the Base
Any moisture on your natural nails doesn’t allow the acrylic mixture to stick properly. So you need to dehydrate the part of your natural nail that is exposed. Follow up with applying a primer to the entire nail covering the natural base and the adhered fake tip. This will prep the entire base for proper and longer-lasting acrylic application. Allow both the dehydrator and primer to air-dry before proceeding.
4) Bead Formation and Placement
To begin with the acrylic mixture, first, you need to ensure that you work in a well-lit and ventilated space as strong fumes can be emitted from the chemicals. Now, pour the liquid monomer into the mixing dish. Dip your acrylic brush into the liquid and tap to remove excess product avoiding oversaturation. Now, dip the damp brush into the acrylic (polymer) powder to form a bead-like structure. The bead shouldn’t be too dry or runny or you won’t be able to control the application.
Once you have the correct size and consistency of the bead, place it on the nail surface starting just beyond the cuticle. In a dabbing motion, keep extending the mixture all the way to the end of the fake tip. Try to use the bead size that can cover your entire nail but if the product seems thinning, add some more mixture before it dries out. When applying, be sure to smooth out to the edges of your nails and wipe your brush off on a paper towel between each stroke to avoid clumps. Repeat for each nail.
5) Acrylic Drying and Shaping
Remember, acrylics are temperature-sensitive and they air dry at room temperature. So, the higher the room temperature, the quicker your acrylics will set. The trick is, if you’re a beginner or need some time to perfect your acrylics before they dry, choose to work at a cooler room temperature. Contrarily, if you are a pro in DIY manicures, prefer working at a slightly higher room temperature for quick drying to save time.
After a few minutes of application, check whether your acrylics are dry by gently tapping them. If they make a clicking sound, you can go ahead with your shaping and sculpting as they are already dry. And when we say ‘sculpting’, you only need to touch up the edges keeping the apex intact. Simply file along the edges and tip for a picture-perfect acrylic mani look.
6) Gel Manicure and Finishing
Once you are happy with the acrylic look, you can go ahead with DIYing your gel manicure to coat it in the color and art of your choice. Cure between coats under a UV/LED lamp and seal everything with a high-shine top coat. Finish off with a good cuticle oil and you’re good to go.
Remember, the acrylic application procedure is a time-consuming process especially when you DIY it. So have some time at hand before you begin and don’t rush any of the steps or you will ruin your manicure or your natural nail health or both.
How Long Do Acrylic Manicures Last?
Acrylic manicures give one of the hardest nail enhancements when done correctly and carefully. If you get your acrylics done by a professional nail technician who follows the correct procedures and uses the right tools, your acrylic manicure can last for up to 4-5 weeks or even more. And, a good DIY acrylic manicure will also last for at least 2-3 weeks if you are not harsh with them and protect them from peeling or popping off.
Besides, depending on your nail growth and maintenance, you can even pull off your acrylics for about 6-8 weeks getting a refill done every 2-3 weeks. Refills prevent your acrylics from lifting by doing a ‘touchup’ between the bottom of the nail and the cuticle. You can make them last this long with the right care and attention that help extend the life of your manicure in the long run.
How Much Do Acrylic Manicures Cost?
The cost of getting an acrylic manicure at a professional nail salon depends on the location of the salon and the skill and experience of the manicurist. However, the average cost of acrylic manicures falls somewhere between $30 and $60 depending on the complexity of the design and the number of colors used. Nail professionals usually charge more for longer acrylic nails than shorter ones. The cost increases by $25 or more on top of the base rate.
How to Remove Acrylic Nails?
There are many ways to remove acrylic nails, the most popular being soaking or filing off or a combination of both. When you get your removals done by a professional at a salon, they may choose whatever procedure suits you best and will charge you for the same. If you want to carry out the removals at home, you should ideally follow this step-by-step procedure for the best results and the least harm to your natural nails:
1) Start by removing the nail embellishments and 3D nail art, if any. You may use a nail clipper to ‘pluck’ them out but make sure you don’t pull your acrylic nails off.
2) Also clip off the unwanted free edge till the length you aim to continue with. Thus you will have less acrylic to file off and it is safer to work on shorter lengths to prevent chipping or cracking your natural nails underneath.
3) Use an e-file or a manual file to file off the product carefully, leaving a thin layer at the end. Avoid going too close to the natural nail surface or you may harm the nail plate.
4) Once the thick top layer of the product is filed off, soak your fingers in an acetone wrap for about 10 minutes. For this, soak a cotton ball in pure acetone and wrap it around your nail with a piece of foil.
5) After unwrapping you will see the remaining product lifting from the nail plate. Use an orangewood stick to scrape this off gently.
6) Repeat as needed until most or all of the product is removed.
7) Acrylics and acetone tend to dry out the nails and cuticles. So, rehydrate your nails and the surrounding skin using cuticle oil and hand cream. Preferably, give your nails a few days’ break before layering them with nail polish or the next acrylic manicure particularly when you DIY it.
Are They Safe? Does Acrylic Damage Your Nails?
Acrylics are safe if the application, removal, and nail care are given proper attention. The chemicals used in acrylic manicures usually tend to harm the natural nails and cuticles no matter how carefully and properly you work with them. To minimize this damage, it is advisable that you get your acrylic nail enhancements done at a professional nail salon and preferably avoid DIYing it. When choosing a salon, make sure the ambiance is well-ventilated and the artist has expertise working with these chemicals.
If you notice your nails thinning or feeling brittle when you get regular acrylics done, know that it is time you give your natural nails a rejuvenation break from all the strong chemicals. It is also not recommended for babes with sensitive or allergy-prone nails and skin to opt for acrylics. Besides, if not cleaned and maintained properly, acrylics also have a higher chance of developing fungal infections which again isn’t a good thing for sensitivity-prone nail lovers.
Apart from the chemicals, poor nail habits like picking at your nails or purposefully peeling the lifting product layer can cause harm to your nail beds. This usually happens when the fake nails start to grow out and you don’t protect them like not covering your nails with gloves when doing chores, etc.
Wrapping Up
An acrylic manicure offers a durable and glamorous option for nail enthusiasts looking to enhance the beauty of their hands. Whether you choose to visit a salon or try the DIY approach, understanding the process of application, maintenance, and removal is crucial for achieving the best results. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can enjoy beautiful acrylic nails that last for weeks. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t flawless. With patience and perseverance, you can master the art of acrylic nails and elevate your nail game to new heights.
So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to unleash your creativity and experiment with stunning acrylic manicures that reflect your unique style and personality. Whether you prefer classic small tips or a bold and colorful design, acrylic nail enhancements offer endless possibilities for expressing yourself through your fingertips.
