With frequent practice, you can do nail care yourself at home. However, find out the risks first and learn the techniques well before starting. If you do it carefully and not in a hurry, the result can be like a professional treatment! You just need some equipment from the convenience store and a little patience.
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Method 1 of 4: Buying the Equipment
Step 1. Consider purchasing an acrylic nail kit
If it's your first time, then you might want to use this plan. Packages sold in the market include everything you need and detailed instructions to help you get the nail look you want. Research the composition of the ingredients and make sure the product you buy does not contain MMA. MMA or methyl methacrylate is dental acrylic that is too hard for natural nails. Look for an EMA or ethyl methacrylate that is suitable for your nails. Look for professional brands or browse the internet for products that are recommended by many.
Step 2. Be sure to purchase the kit separately
To give you more control over the appearance of your acrylic nails, it's best if you buy the kit separately. This way you will be ready to apply the acrylic once your nails have grown. Go to the nearest beauty shop and buy these items:
- Acrylic nail tips and glue. This end is usually quite long, so you can cut it to the size and shape you want.
- Acrylic nail clipper and file. Ordinary nail clippers and files will not work for acrylic nails. A file of 180, 240, 1000, and 4000 should suffice. However, you may need a file that is coarser than number 180 if the end result is very clumpy.
- Acrylic liquid and powder. These two ingredients will be mixed together to make acrylic nails. As explained earlier, avoid MMA ingredients, and choose EMA ingredients (be sure to always read the ingredients in the product!).
- Acrylic bowl and brush. You will need this kit to mix and apply the acrylics. Sizes 8-12 will be suitable for use.
- Prosthetic fingers and hands for practice. We know you are passionate about decorating your own or someone else's fingernails. However, beforehand, it's a good idea to practice on another surface so you don't injure yourself or anyone else. Keep in mind that you will be using harsh chemicals that may cause allergies if you are not careful. So, practice first on (at least) 10 prosthetic fingers. Once you're good enough and the acrylic material doesn't overflow over the fake nails, you can try it on real fingernails. Allergies will last a lifetime. Therefore, when in doubt, don't make acrylic nails on other people's fingers.
Method 2 of 4: Preparing Your Nails
Step 1. Remove the old nail polish
Acrylic should be applied to clean nails, so remove your old nail polish before starting. Use an acetone-based nail polish remover to do this. If you want to remove acrylic or gel paint, soak it in pure acetone. Don't peel off nail polish. Just soak your fingers until the old paint can be pushed off easily. Peeling off the nail polish will damage the surface of the nail and make it thinner.
Step 2. Trim the nails
To provide a suitable surface for the acrylic, use nail clippers and trim your nails short, even, and just enough. Use a nail file to flatten it out.
Step 3. File your nail surface
Use a soft file to roughen the surface of your nails and make them less glossy. This kind of surface is better for acrylic to stick to.
Step 4. Push the nail cuticle
The acrylic will set on your natural nails, not your skin. Push or trim the nail cuticle so it doesn't get in the way of the manicure treatment.
- Use a wooden pusher to push the cuticles. Metal pushers may also be used. However, a wooden pusher would be better for nails. If you don't have a cuticle pusher, an ice cream stick can be used instead.
- The cuticles of the nails are easier to push when they are wet and soft, than when they are dry. Soak your fingers in warm water for a few minutes before using a cuticle pusher and it's best to do this a few days before your nail treatment for better results.
Step 5. Use a base polish
The base polish will remove any remaining oil and moisture from your nails and prepare them for acrylic application. If the oil stays on your nails, the acrylic won't stick.
- Use a cotton ball or lint-free tissue to rub the acetone onto the nail.
- Base polish is made of methacrylic acid which can burn your skin. Be careful not to use too much or get it on your skin. There are also basic, non-acidic nail polish products if you're unsure about using an acid-containing product.
Method 3 of 4: Smearing Acrylic
Step 1. Start with the ends
Find the tip that is the right size for your nails. If the tip doesn't fit your nail, adjust the size accordingly. Apply glue to this tip and attach it to your natural nail so that the acrylic bottom sits in the middle of your nail. Hold for five seconds to dry the glue.
- If you put it wrong, soak it in water for a few minutes, remove it, then dry it and put it back on.
- Use a little glue so it doesn't stick to the skin.
Step 2. Prepare the acrylic materials
Pour the acrylic liquid into an acrylic bowl, and pour the acrylic powder in a different container. Acrylic is a strong chemical that produces toxic fumes, so do this in a well-ventilated area.
Step 3. Use a brush
Dip the brush into the acrylic bowl to soften it. Rub against one side of the bowl to remove excess liquid. Apply the brush to the acrylic powder so that a small wet ball is created at the tip of the brush.
- You may have to practice a few times until you find the right ratio between liquid and powder acrylic. The small acrylic ball created should be damp but not dense and too wet.
- Have a tissue ready to remove any excess liquid and clean the brush between uses to prevent the acrylic from sticking there.
Step 4. Apply the acrylic mixture on the nails
Start at the "smile line," at the base of the acrylic nail tip. Flatten the acrylic ball over this area and rub it all the way to the end. Spread it quickly and evenly so your natural nail transitions and acrylic tips look neat. Repeat for all ten of your nails.
- Remember to clean the brush with a tissue after every application of the acrylic. Once you get used to it, you won't have to clean your brushes too often. This is necessary to prevent the acrylic from sticking to the brush. If the acrylic is still on the brush, dip the brush in the liquid while the acrylic is still wet and then wipe again with a paper towel.
- To prevent the acrylic from clumping, be sure to run the brush in the same direction in short strokes.
- Less is better! If there is too much acrylic on your nails, it will take a long time to file it. Using a little bit of acrylic will be easier to start with.
- If you do this correctly, you should see a smooth curve, not a sharp line, where the tip of the acrylic nail meets your natural nail. You may have to use more than one acrylic ball per nail to achieve this.
- Do not apply acrylic to your cuticles. Applying should start a few millimeters above your cuticles so that the acrylic is applied to your nails and not your skin.
Step 5. Dry the acrylic
This process will take about ten minutes before the acrylic is said to be ready. Test the dryness by tapping the surface of your nail against the handle of the acrylic brush. If you hear a knock, it means you are ready to move on to the next stage.
Method 4 of 4: Finishing the Process
Step 1. Shape the ends
Now that your acrylic is in place, use an acrylic nail cutter and file to shape and trim the ends so they fit exactly how you want them. Use a file to shape the surface of your nail. File number 240 can remove scratches caused by file number 180. Finish with file number 1000 and after that number 4000 to polish nails. If used properly, a 4000 number file can make your nails shiny like using clear nail polish.
Use a small brush to clean off the remaining nail chips after filing so they don't mix with the paint
Step 2. Paint your nails
You can use a transparent layer or color it with nail polish. Apply and apply all over the nail surface to create a smooth and even finish.
Step 3. Treat the acrylic nails
After about 2 weeks, your nails will grow in length. Decide whether to re-attach the acrylic or remove it.
