Are you a fan of beautifully manicured acrylic nails? Have you ever watched a skilled nail technician and wondered if you could achieve that salon-worthy look yourself? Well, the good news is that you absolutely can! While it may seem like a daunting task, applying acrylic nails at home is a skill that can be mastered with practice. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of applying acrylic nails, providing you with all the essential information and product recommendations you need to get started.
Preparing Your Nails
Before you dive into the world of acrylic nails, it’s crucial to prepare your natural nails properly. This preparation ensures a strong and long-lasting bond between your natural nails and the acrylic. Here’s how you do it:
1. Pushing Back the Cuticles
- Begin by gently pushing back your cuticles using a cuticle pusher. Make sure no cuticle residue remains on your nail bed, as acrylic won’t adhere well to it.
2. Removing Shine
- Use a buffing block to eliminate any shine on your natural nails. Gently swipe the block left and right across the entire nail bed.
3. Dust Removal
- Remove any dust from your nails either by using a manicure brush or wiping them with acetone on a lint-free pad.
Optional Step: Applying Nail Tips
If you prefer to use nail tips to achieve the desired length and shape for your acrylic nails, follow these steps:
1. Selecting the Right Tips
- Choose nail tips that fit your natural nails snugly. Lay them out for easy access.
2. Applying Nail Glue
- Apply a small amount of nail glue to the area where the tip will meet your natural nail bed.
3. Securing the Tips
- Press and hold the nail tip with glue firmly to your natural nail for about 10 seconds or until it firmly adheres. Use a pinching tool if necessary to hold the wings down.
4. Shaping the Tips
- Use nail tip cutters or nail scissors to cut the tip to your desired length. File the tip to achieve the shape you want, whether it’s almond, square, coffin, or any other style.
5. Blending the Tips
- If there’s a noticeable ridge where the tip meets your natural nail, gently buff over the join with a soft file. Then, apply a small amount of pure acetone to a lint-free pad and wipe it side to side over the join to blend the tip seamlessly with your natural nail.
6. Nail Prep and Primer
- Ensure that no dust remains from filing the tip. Apply nail prep/dehydrator to the entire nail bed. This should quickly air dry, leaving the nail with a slightly white/matte finish.
7. Applying Acid-Free Nail Primer
- Finally, apply acid-free nail primer to the entire nail bed.
Applying the Acrylic
With your natural nails prepped and, if desired, nail tips in place, it’s time to apply the acrylic:
1. Preparing the Acrylic
- Pour your acrylic liquid into a dappen dish.
- Dip your acrylic brush into the dish and push the brush tip to the bottom to remove air bubbles.
- Swipe the brush on the edge of the dish to remove excess liquid.
2. Creating Acrylic Balls
- Dip the brush tip into the acrylic powder and stroke it through the powder until you create a small acrylic ball, resembling a tiny golf ball.
3. Applying the Acrylic
- Press the brush, with the acrylic ball on it, at the top of the nail (near the cuticle) and bring it down to the very tip. Tilt the nail down as you do this to prevent the acrylic from flooding the cuticles.
4. Sculpting the Acrylic
- Sculpt the acrylic by pressing the brush flat against your nail and gently moving the acrylic to smooth out any bumps and spread it evenly. Ensure to keep your brush clean by dipping it into the acrylic liquid while sculpting.
5. Adding More Acrylic
- If necessary, repeat steps 2-4 until you’re satisfied with the coverage of the nail.
Optional Step: Using a Pinching Tool
For those looking to enhance the strength and curvature of the nail, a pinching tool can be used:
- While the acrylic is still drying (but not tacky), place the pinching tool on the nail like a clamp. Adjust the tool’s position to achieve the desired level of pinching.
- Leave the tool on for about 3 minutes. Check if the nail makes a ‘ting’ sound when tapped. If not, leave it on a bit longer, and then remove the tool by squeezing the sides apart.
Final Steps
- Wait for the acrylic to dry, which should take a little over 2 minutes. It should make a ‘ting’ sound when tapped, indicating it’s dry.
- File the entire nail to create a smooth surface on top and around the edges, defining the shape. The higher the grit count on the nail file, the smoother the file, so opt for a 240/240 grit for a smoother finish.
- Seal the acrylic with a top coat to add shine and protection.
If You Don’t Have a Lamp:
- Apply an Air Dry Top Coat to your entire nail and let it dry for about 2 minutes.
If You Have a Lamp:
- Apply Urban Graffiti Top Coat, Mega Gloss, or Matte Top Coat, depending on your preferred finish.
- Place your hand under a UV lamp and leave it to cure for 2 minutes (1 minute for an LED lamp).
- Remove your hand when the time is up.
- Complete your manicure by applying a stroke of cuticle oil to the cuticle area of each nail and massage it in with your fingers.
Congratulations, you’ve successfully applied acrylic nails at home! Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t flawless. With time and dedication, you’ll soon be a pro at creating stunning acrylic nails.
And now that you know how to apply acrylic nails, it’s also a good idea to learn how to safely remove them after 2-4 weeks. You can find all the steps you need for this in our blog post on How to Safely Remove Acrylic Nails.
For all your acrylic nail needs, explore the full range of products available at Naio Nails. Get started on your journey to fabulous acrylic nails today!
Remember, practice and patience are key, and soon, you’ll be creating stunning acrylic nails like a seasoned professional!
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