Long acrylic nails are great for special occasions, but they can be tricky if they're too long and you have a hard time using your hands! Fortunately, you can shorten the tips of your nails at home with nail clippers and a fine nail file. Before you start trimming, make sure you protect your nails by washing your hands and using the right tools.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Trimming Acrylic Nail Tips
Step 1. Wash your hands to get rid of dirt under the nails
It's easy to get infected if you accidentally cut yourself while trimming your nails. Before you start, clean your hands and fingernails thoroughly to remove bacteria and dirt that can lead to serious infections.
Some experts recommend that you use a nail brush to remove all the dirt and dust that has accumulated under the nail crevices
Step 2. Pat your nails with a towel until they are completely dry
Warm water can soften your nails, causing painful sores. Use a clean towel to dry your hands and nails thoroughly while patting the surface of the nail and under the nail to make sure the area is completely dry.
- If possible, use a towel made of microfiber cloth that uses fine fibers so that it feels soft when applied to sensitive areas, such as hair and nails.
- Wait 5 minutes after washing your hands to allow any unabsorbed liquid to evaporate if you have sensitive skin.
Step 3. Don't cut the tip of the nail with gel polish
Most false nail tips are “sealed” with a clear layer that protects the nail and polish surface. When you cut your nails, you're breaking the seal, allowing water and other debris to get between the nail and the polish, causing the fake nails to peel off. You cannot reseal gel nail polish without a UV lamp.
If the gel in your nail polish breaks or your nails grow too long, visit a nail specialist immediately to remove the coat and trim your nails
Step 4. Cut the side of the nail towards the center to form a sharp part of the nail
Since the center of the nail is the most vulnerable area, start cutting off the sides with a nail clipper. Cut forward in an arc to the tip of the nail so that there is a sharp part at the tip of the nail.
- If you plan to square your nails, try cutting the arch shorter to make the ends more blunt. This will make it easier for you to shape and file your nails.
- To create a sharper nail, like a dagger, you can make a sharper cut on the side of the nail toward the tip of the nail.
Step 5. Use your fingers to pull the cut acrylic nail
Cut acrylic nails don't come off right after they're cut. Gently pull and bend the clipped part of the nail until it comes off.
- You may need to re-cut the acrylic nails to make sure the clippers cover all the thick areas.
- If you feel your nails are starting to crack vertically all the way to the surface, stop trimming them and go to a nail stylist to have them fixed.
Step 6. Trim the tip of the nail to make an even or round shape
Use nail clippers to cut the pointy part of the nail straight up. If the nail doesn't cut right away, use your fingers to gently bend and pull it.
If you want to make a rounded shape of the nail, trim the section near the tip. This will leave a small portion of the nail that can be trimmed with a file later
Method 2 of 3: Filing and Shaping the Nails
Step 1. Use a 240 grit or higher nail file to prevent split nails
Acrylic nails are very strong, but they can break and crack when smoothed with a rough nail file. Choose a file with a grit level of 240, 280, or even 320 for the smoothest results without chipping or cracking your nails.
- You can buy fine files at most beauty supply stores in the nail care section, or at some supermarkets.
- For information, a lower number indicates a higher level of roughness. Files under 240 are not good for shortening acrylic nail tips.
Step 2. Smooth the tips of the nails with a file to get rid of cracks and untidy parts
Start at the side of the nail, then run the file along the tip of the nail in one motion starting at the tip to smooth out any uneven areas. Focus on untidy areas, then pull the file in one direction to smooth it out.
- If your nails are going to be rounded or squared, be sure to smooth the top of the nail while pulling the file in one direction to tidy up any mess after trimming.
- When smoothing nails, never rub the file back and forth. This can cause "small cracks" in the nail that can break.
Step 3. Continue to file nails to smooth the edges
Once you've removed any uneven areas, file your nails in long, repetitive motions to get the desired shape and length. For example, if you want a mother shape, try moving the file from one side of the nail to the other in a curved motion.
- If you want to get pointed nails, such as daggers, file and shape the sides only. As much as possible do not file the tip of the nail.
- Be patient while shaping your nails. Nails must be filed repeatedly to get the desired shape.
Step 4. Use nail polisher to smooth and shine your nails
Rub the nail polisher on each nail 2-3 times to smooth the surface and edges. It also helps you prepare the surface of your nails so you can add nail polish or an extra layer of protection.
Don't over-smooth your nails, as this can change their shape
Method 3 of 3: Protecting Your Nails
Step 1. Rinse and dry your hands to remove any remaining acrylic dust
Wash your hands in warm water for at least 30 seconds while rubbing them with your fingers to get rid of white powder or acrylic dust. After that, pat your nails dry with a clean towel to remove any excess water.
- It's important to make sure your nails are clean and dry before applying nail polish or a transparent protective liquid. This will prevent the nail polish from chipping or peeling.
- Allow any remaining liquid to evaporate for 5 minutes after you wash your hands.
Step 2. Apply 1 coat of polish of the same color as your nail polish or a coat of transparent polish to protect your nails
If you have a nail polish of the same color, apply once evenly over the entire surface of the nail, as well as on the edges of the nail tips to "seale" your nails. If the colors don't match, apply a coat of transparent paint to seal your nails.
This coat of polish will help strengthen your nails after you've trimmed them, as well as hide any unkempt spots after filing or trimming your nails
Step 3. Wait for 20 minutes for the nail polish to dry and absorb
Do not use your nails for any purpose during this time as the paint will crack or peel very easily. If you want to speed up the drying process, place your hands in front of a fan or soak your nails in ice water for 2 minutes.
