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DIY Perfect Acrylic Nails at Home

Learn how to easily do your own acrylic nails at home.

By Raeanna GallowayPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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Nails I’ve done on myself at home. 

Hello, my name is Raeanna Galloway. I am a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Florida and I am going to give you a step-by-step guide in perfecting your at home manicure.

Products needed (you can get a whole kit at Walmart for less than $20):

  • Nail primer
  • Medium/coarse grit nail file
  • A four-way buffer block
  • Nail tips
  • Nail glue
  • Base/top coat
  • Polish of your choice
  • Acrylic monomer liquid*
  • Acrylic polymer powder*
  • Non acetone nail polish remover (Acetone dries out your cuticles)
  • Nail tip cutters
  • A nonmetallic shot glass or plastic dappen dish
  • Q-tips to clean up any polish mistakes
  • No.8 oval nail brush/medium oval paint brush
*According to Florida state laws and the safety of your own nail, avoid any products that use MMA. That is the same glue that is used for dentures. That bonding agent is good for your teeth, but is damaging to your nail plate. MMA for nail use is also illegal, so make sure you use Ethyl (EMA) based nail acrylic products.

Step 1: Nail Shape

Different nail shapes

Have a specific goal in mind on how you want your nails too look. Do you want a stiletto shape? Almond? Square? What colors do you want to use? Are you going to use gel polish or regular?

The possibilities are endless.

Step 2: Fitting for a Nail Tip

Different types of nail tips

Buff your natural nail plate gently with a nail file until the nail looks a bit more dull than usual, and gently push back your cuticle. Please try not to over-file or rip off your cuticle.

Once you decide on your nail shape, color, and design, it’s time to find the right sized nail tip. Find one that fits from sidewall to sidewall on your nail. The well (most transparent part) of the nail tip must lay flat with no gaps on top of your nail for a good fit.

You can always carefully file the nail tip to make a better fit.

It is also better to have a tip slightly bigger than your nail, but not too big.

Apply a little bit of nail glue to the edge of the nail tip's well. Place the nail tip at the edge of the smile line (white part of natural nail) where it meets the nail plate (pink part).

Use the Stop, Rock, and Hold* method to properly apply the tips. You can now cut, file, or shape as you desire.

*Stop, Rock, and Hold method is most widely used by nail professionals. Hold the nail in place, Rock the tip onto the smile line, flat with no air bubbles and hold for three to ten seconds.

Step 3: Priming Your Nails

Kiss Acrylic Nail Primer. This comes in a kit you can purchase at Walmart for less than $20

Now that your nail tips are attached to your nail, it’s time to prime the natural nail where you buffed earlier. Apply a small dab, and try not to make contact with the skin. Apply to all nails and allow to dry for five to ten seconds.

Step 4: Applying the Acrylic

Apply a small bead to begin with

Now it is time to apply the acrylic. Please do this part in a well ventilated area or outside to prevent fumes from making you sick.

Take your brush and lightly dip it into the nail monomer liquid and slowly drag brush into acrylic powder. It should form a bead of product like the image above. It’s important to not sop up too much liquid or too much powder or the acrylic will end up too paste-like or too runny. You want it to look like it’s squishy when you press the product down on the nail.

Start at the smile line and work your way to the cuticle area. Do not get any product on the cuticle or the skin.

You then want to dab, not swipe, the product. Pushing the product around will help it level out more evenly, where swiping it like polish will leave you uneven spots. Don’t be afraid to add more or scoop off less.

The center of your nail, called the apex, should arch up slightly.

Allow the acrylic to dry. This should take anywhere from three to five minutes. You know it’s dry when you take your brush and tap the nail and the nail makes a clicking noise.

Step 5: Buff and Polish

I accidentally smudged my polish on some of my fingers.

Buffer, block, and polish!

Use your four-way buffer block to shape, polish, shine, and buff the acrylics.

Then you can add any polish of your choice and top it off with a glossy top coat or a gel top coat, and voilá! Perfect at-home manicure!

nails
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About the Creator

Raeanna Galloway

I’m a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Florida and I enjoy everything from hair, fashion, music, crafts, art, DIYs, and animals ❤️

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