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Acrylic Nails - A step-by-step guide to do it yourself

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Do It Yourself Acrylic Nails



Do you want beautiful acrylic nails without the expensive cost?

Many years ago, I wanted to save money by doing my own acrylic nails. At that time, acrylic nail kits were scarce and you practically needed a beauty license to buy the products individually. Well, I did find and buy a nail kit, and it even came with a VHS tutorial video! Talk about back-in-the-day.. I got pretty good at doing my own nails and saved some money. I eventually started going back to the salon because I was a new mommy and didn't have as much time or the inclination to do my own nails.

Fast forward to now and I'm looking for ways to cut costs again. I recently went to a local beauty supply shop and was excited to find a lot of choices in products for doing your own acrylic nails. I decided to create this do-it-yourself step-by-step guide with easy to understand steps to explain how to get that salon look without the salon price. Just like when you learned to paint your own nails - with a little practice it will get easier and easier.

Table of Contents

Items You Will Need

- Cotton Balls
- Non-acetone Nail Polish Remover
- Paper Towels
- Nail Scrub Brush
- Nail File
- Acrylic Nail Clipper/Cutter
- Artificial Nail Tips (Optional)
- Nail Glue (If applying tips)
- Dappen Dish
- Acrylic Liquid
- Acrylic Powder
- Acrylic Brush (Sable recommended)
- Filing Block (4-sided, fine grit)
- Cuticle Oil

Let's Get Started


  1. Remove any existing nail polish with a non-acetone nail polish remover.

    2. Don't use an acetone remover because it will dissolve artificial nail tips and acrylic.

  2. Trim and file your nails.


    3. Prepare your nails by giving them a really neat manicure to remove all the dead skin and to smooth out rough edges. Trim nails back short almost to the skin, not too far though. The reason for cutting your nail back short is that if the tip of your acrylic nail breaks, it won't take half of your natural nail off with it.

  3. Use a soft file to remove the natural nail shine (the top layer of the nail).


    4. File in one direction only rather than back and forth to help prevent weakening the nail.

  4. Gently push back your cuticles.


    5. Use an orange stick or other cuticle tool. You may want to soak your nails first to make the cuticles softer. Gently brush off dust with a dry nail brush.

Nail Scrub Brushes

I prefer plastic nail brushes over the wooden ones because the wooden ones will eventually break down and get water absorbed into them, which can cause the wood to deteriorate and hold bacteria.
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  1. Prep the nail plate by applying nail prep to remove moisture and oils from the nail.


  2. Apply nail tips if you wish to extend the length.


    3. Find a size that fits your nail, if this is not possible find one that is closest and file it down. Apply just a drop of glue on the tip. Hold the tip in place for about 5 seconds. If you apply the acrylic nail wrong you can quickly remove it by soaking it in water.

Artificial Nail Tips

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  1. Clip the tip to the desired length and file it to the shape you want.


    2. Adjust the acrylic nail's length to suit your needs, using either an artificial nail tip cutter or toenail clippers. File down the rough edges as well, and compare them with the rest of your nails, making sure they're even .

Nail File

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Acrylic Nail Tip Clipper

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  1. Apply primer to the natural nails only (not the artificial tip) and allow it to dry to a chalky white. A small amount goes a long way.

Nail Primer

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  1. Pour some acrylic liquid into your dappen dish.


    2. The liquid may have a strong smell so work in a ventilated area. Dip your brush in the nail liquid and wipe the brush against the inside of the dish as you would with nail polish to remove excess liquid. Then wipe both sides of the brush on a paper towel and flatten the brush to shape it and remove any remaining excess liquid.

Acrylic Liquid

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Dappen Dishes

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  1. Dip the tip of the brush into the powder, or draw a line through the powder with the tip of the brush, to collect a small moist ball.


    2. It should be damp, but not too wet. Apply this ball on the edge of the acrylic tip where it meets your natural nail. Starting in the center of the nail at the smile line, flatten the bead and brush to the tip. Flatten each side and brush to the tip. Quickly spread it out and smooth it in, but be careful not to flatten it too much as you will want it to have a natural curve towards the middle. Wipe your brush to remove excess product

    Then repeat with the acrylic liquid and powder to build and copy the natural curve of your nail, apply a coat to the tip as well, just not as thick. However be careful NOT to apply any acrylic onto the cuticle area! This could cause lifting and you could develop a mold or fungus under the nail if it lifts.

Nail Brushes

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Acrylic Powder

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  1. Repeat on all your nails, then let dry (less than 10 minutes).


    2. File the sides of the nail and close to the cuticle with a nail file (I like to use 180 grit), then shape the nail to look natural. Then smooth with a fine grit nail filing block and scrub them with soapy water and a nailbrush to remove any dust and filings.

  2. Apply cuticle oil.


    3. Remember to apply some cuticle oil on your cuticles as you just exposed them to chemicals and buffering and they will need to retain their moisture.

Cuticle Oil

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  1. Now, you can apply your favorite polish and you are set to go. Or, you can file with a super fine grit file until they are as shiny as glass.


    2. Approximately every two weeks you will need to reapply some acrylic to your nails as your nail will grow and move the acrylic nail up.



    Update - I have experienced that some products will actually turn into a yellowish color when it should be clear or white. I would love to hear your comments below if you have experienced which products do or do not seem to turn a yellowish color. I will be updating this with my own experiences too so this can turn into a great reference guide for the best acrylic nail products.

    Electric Files and Drill Attachments

    If you want to speed up your finishing time, try out an electric nail file.
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    New Guestbook Comments

    • myamya May 14, 2012 @ 6:26 am | delete
      Very nice lens! thumbs up for you!
    • onlinemum Apr 26, 2012 @ 6:03 pm | delete
      Thanks for a great step by step guide.
    • LubosLabik Apr 26, 2012 @ 12:19 pm | delete
      Great lens. Great acrylic nails :)
    • Mehshme Apr 10, 2012 @ 8:41 pm | delete
      This is a great step by step guide, but the step u made about spreading the powder was a bit confusing.. other than that it was really good :) Cant wait to try this!!
    • Thrinsdream Mar 6, 2012 @ 4:54 pm | delete
      Great step by step guide. With thanks and appreciation. Cathi x
    • CosmeticMom Jan 23, 2012 @ 3:30 pm | delete
      You have done a great tutor for applying acrylic nails!
    • sheezie77 Jan 9, 2012 @ 3:45 pm | delete
      Great lens keep up the good work!
    • ScottiesRock Dec 3, 2011 @ 8:49 pm | delete
      They look beautiful. I do not think I am that skilled to be able to do this myself. However, what a savings it would be. Great Lens.
    • Tipi Nov 22, 2011 @ 10:25 pm | delete
      I've never had acrylic nails but sure do enjoy seeing them on others.
    • laurenrose Nov 11, 2011 @ 10:22 am | delete
      I went to a salon to get my nails done and this was a big mistake! Definately going to do them myself from now on.

      Ill leave a link to my lens incase you want to read about what happened and if you have any tips to leave that would be great.

      Thanks for your helpful lens

      http://www.squidoo.com/beauty-treatments-at-home
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    I hope you find this information helpful. Just remember to practice and you will get the hang of it. If you have any suggestions or comments, please... more »

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