Why get acrylic nails rebuilt in a beauty salon when we can reproduce the process at home for half? All we need is a few products purchased in perfumery and a little patience. Read on to give your hands a truly enviable look.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Purchase the Necessary Equipment
Step 1. Consider purchasing a special acrylic nail reconstruction kit
If this is your first experience, it might be a really good idea. The kits contain everything you need and are accompanied by detailed instructions that will help you achieve the desired result.
Step 2. Decide to make separate purchases
To have more control over the final look of your acrylic nails, you may want to purchase the material separately. This way you will be ready to reapply the acrylic on your grown nails. Go to a well-stocked perfumery and purchase the following products:
- Acrylic tips and respective glue. The tips are usually quite long, allowing you to cut and file them and shape them as you wish.
- Nail clipper and acrylic nail file. Regular nail clippers and regular files are not effective on acrylic nails.
- Liquid and powder acrylic. These substances will be mixed to create acrylic nails.
- Bowl and brush for mixing and applying acrylic.
- Fingers or fake hands for practice. You're definitely looking forward to getting your nails done, but you probably need to practice to avoid harm to yourself or someone else. Remember that you will be dealing with chemicals that, if not used carefully, can cause allergies. Make your first attempts on a fake hand. Once you get through the whole process without errors you can try a real hand. Allergies can create persistent damage, so if you're unsure, avoid doing it on yourself or anyone else.
Part 2 of 4: Prepare the Nails
Step 1. Remove the old nail polish
Acrylic should be applied to clean nails, so remove all traces of old nail polish before starting. Use an acetone-based solvent. If you need to remove acrylic or gel nails, soak them in pure acetone.
Step 2. Trim your nails
To create a good base for acrylic, trim your natural nails with a nail clipper or scissors. Cut them short and evenly and use a file to finish them off.
Step 3. Smooth the surface of the nails
With a soft file, scrub the surface of the nails to make them slightly rougher and less shiny. You will get a base on which the acrylic will adhere more easily.
Step 4. Push the cuticles back
You want the acrylic to adhere to your natural nails and not your skin. Push them back or cut them to keep them out of your manicure.
- If you don't have a wooden or metal cuticle stick, use a popsicle stick carefully.
- If you wish, before pushing the cuticles, immerse your fingers in hot water for a few minutes; when they are softened and moistened they will be more easily modeled.
Step 5. Apply primer
The primer removes the moisture and oils present on the surface of the nails, preparing them for the acrylic. Should the oil remain on the nails, the acrylic will not adhere.
- Use a cotton swab to scrub the surface of the nails carefully applying the primer.
- The primer is based on methacrylic acid, which can cause burns. Be careful not to use excessive amounts of it and not to apply it to the skin.
Part 3 of 4: Apply the Acrylic
Step 1. Apply the tips
Identify the right size for your nails. If the tips do not fit perfectly on your nails, reduce them with a file. Line up the bottom of the acrylic tip with the center of your nail. Pour a drop of glue on the tip and glue it to your natural nail. Hold it in place for five seconds allowing the glue to dry.
- If you accidentally apply the tip incorrectly, soak it in water for a few minutes to remove it. Then dry your nail and repeat the process.
- Make sure your skin doesn't come in contact with the glue.
Step 2. Prepare the acrylic
Pour the liquid acrylic into the bowl, then pour some powdered acrylic into a second container. Acrylic is a very harsh chemical and produces fumes that can be toxic, so be sure to ventilate the room well.
Step 3. Dip the brush in liquid acrylic
Dip it into the bowl to moisten the tip with acrylic. Press it against the sides of the bowl to remove excess liquid. Run the brush through the acrylic powder to allow small, wet balls to form at its tip.
- You may need to make several attempts to get the right proportions of liquid and powder. The small acrylic balls should be moist and spreadable, but not too wet.
- Keep paper towels handy to wipe off any excess liquid.
Step 4. Apply the acrylic mixture on the nails
Start at the bottom of the acrylic tips. Flatten the acrylic ball on the lower end and spread it with the brush to the base of your nail. Apply it quickly, with a continuous movement, smoothing the transition point between your natural nail and the acrylic one. Repeat with the other nine nails.
- Remember to wipe the brush on a paper towel after each stroke. Once you get the hang of it, you won't need to do it that often. This step allows you to prevent the acrylic from sticking to the brush brushes.
- Also remember that the less you use, the better. If you put too much acrylic on your nails, you will then have to file it for a long time. Working with small layers is best, especially if you are not yet practiced.
- For proper application of acrylic, the point where the acrylic nail meets the natural nail should be a gentle curve and not a sharp line. To achieve this you may need to use more than one acrylic ball for each nail.
- Do not apply acrylic to cuticles. Start just above the cuticles to allow the acrylic to adhere to your nails and not your skin.
Step 5. Let the acrylic dry
It should only take about ten minutes, after which the acrylic will have completely solidified. Test it by tapping it on the surface with the brush handle. If you hear a snap, you are ready for the next step.
Part 4 of 4: Complete the Manicure
Step 1. Shape the tips
Now that the acrylic has hardened, you can use the appropriate nail clippers and file to shorten and shape the tips as you wish. With a specific file, it also polishes the surface of the nails.
Step 2. Apply polish
You can use a clear top coat or a colored nail polish. Apply it all over the nail to create a smooth and even surface.
Step 3. Take care of your acrylic nails
After about two weeks, your nails will have grown out. Choose whether to reapply the acrylic or remove it from your nails.
