by 4 people |
Learn how to apply your own acrylic nails.
A step by step guide and helpful hints and tricks to applying your own acrylic nails.
Great for those of us who like the look of acrylic nails but hate to spent the expensive price going to the salon every 2 weeks.
Do it yourself and save money during this economic pinch.
This application should hold for 5 to 10 days depending on how fast your natural nails grow and what sort of condition you are putting your nails through.
Like all things, applying your own acrylics does take a little practice. My first time wasnt bad, but it also wasnt the best, my second time doing it came out much better and I can only see it getting better and better each time I do it.
Great for those of us who like the look of acrylic nails but hate to spent the expensive price going to the salon every 2 weeks.
Do it yourself and save money during this economic pinch.
This application should hold for 5 to 10 days depending on how fast your natural nails grow and what sort of condition you are putting your nails through.
Like all things, applying your own acrylics does take a little practice. My first time wasnt bad, but it also wasnt the best, my second time doing it came out much better and I can only see it getting better and better each time I do it.
Table of Contents
Supplies List
Here's the basics of what you need to begin Acrylic Nail Application.
To make life easier, you can pick up a pre-made kit that includes all of these supplies or save some money and just purchase a few things at a time. These tend to be a bit on the cheaper side (quality wise) but are great for quick acrylic nails.
Professional supplies can be bought online or at a store with a cosmetologists' license.
Professional supplies can be bought online or at a store with a cosmetologists' license.
- Nail Files & Buffers - Grab 2 or three different grits. Get a 4 sided buffer block as well.
- Nail prep/Primer - This draws all the oils/moisture off your natural nail so the acrylic adheres.
- Brushes - Small ones are a little easier to control. Grab what you feel most comfortable with.
- Liquid Acrylic - There is actually a primerless acrylic, I haven't tried it yet.
- Tips - There is a huge selection here, pick the ones that you like. I go for the semi opaque nude ones.
- Powdered Acrylic - This matters. The cheaper powders turn yellow with age and with UV light exposure. This means tanning beds or natural sunlight. There is more 'lifting' when a cheaper powder is used.
- Polish - A base coat, a color, and a top coat - More will be written about FINISHING YOUR NAILS soon.
Purchase Your Supplies Off Ebay
A great way to save a couple of dollars.
There are tons of great listings on ebay. You can pick up the basics or find polish, glitter, rhinestones, and various other items to enhance you arylic nails.
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Instructions
With supplies in hand...lets begin
- Wash your hands.
- Trim and file your nails short.
- Use a soft/fine nail file to remove the shine off your nails - don't go too hard - this is just to scuff up the surface so everything can adhere to the nail surface.
- Gently push back your cuticles - you may want to soak your nails in soapy warm water to make them softer and easier to push back.
- Apply nail prep - this is a brush on solution this removes the moisture and oil from your natural nail.
- Apply nail tips that fit each nail with adhesive. Super glue is generally provided in kits with the acrylic tips.
- Clip the acrylic tip to your desired length and file the edges smooth.
- Reapply another coat of nail prep - this will again dry out the nail to allow for better adhesion.
- Dip your brush in monomer; drag along the side of the container to remove excess liquid. Now drag a line through the acrylic powder and a ball will form. Watch this ball as the liquid soaks up into the powder. Once a jelly like substance has formed, place that on the line where the acrylic tip and natural nail meet. This will deposit the thickest coat and now you can push the acrylic up to the cuticle and nail tip. Smooth it as best you can, use light delicate strokes. Multiple layers can be applied to achieve smoothness. Also note - this step doesn't have to be perfect as we will file the acrylic down to shape.
- Acrylic dries fairly quickly. Once you have applied all the desired coats, file down the top of the nail smooth. Use a coarser grit to start and then work your way down to a very fine grit. This remove scratches in the acrylic and make the nail appear smooth once polish is applied.
- Trim and file your nails short.
- Use a soft/fine nail file to remove the shine off your nails - don't go too hard - this is just to scuff up the surface so everything can adhere to the nail surface.
- Gently push back your cuticles - you may want to soak your nails in soapy warm water to make them softer and easier to push back.
- Apply nail prep - this is a brush on solution this removes the moisture and oil from your natural nail.
- Apply nail tips that fit each nail with adhesive. Super glue is generally provided in kits with the acrylic tips.
- Clip the acrylic tip to your desired length and file the edges smooth.
- Reapply another coat of nail prep - this will again dry out the nail to allow for better adhesion.
- Dip your brush in monomer; drag along the side of the container to remove excess liquid. Now drag a line through the acrylic powder and a ball will form. Watch this ball as the liquid soaks up into the powder. Once a jelly like substance has formed, place that on the line where the acrylic tip and natural nail meet. This will deposit the thickest coat and now you can push the acrylic up to the cuticle and nail tip. Smooth it as best you can, use light delicate strokes. Multiple layers can be applied to achieve smoothness. Also note - this step doesn't have to be perfect as we will file the acrylic down to shape.
- Acrylic dries fairly quickly. Once you have applied all the desired coats, file down the top of the nail smooth. Use a coarser grit to start and then work your way down to a very fine grit. This remove scratches in the acrylic and make the nail appear smooth once polish is applied.
Now its time to Decorate!
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Drop me a line...
Let me know what you thought.
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Reply
- alteredkat alteredkat Apr 3, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
- 5*...you make it look so easy! & DIY is definately more economical!
Great job on your 1st lens...welcome to Squidoo.
I look forward to learning more from you!
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Reply
- Pmona Pmona Apr 2, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
- I like your lens, and I've always wanted to try this myself. Hhmmm..... maybe soon.
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Reply
- jura jura Apr 2, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
- Great advice.
How To Paint Your Nails
If polishing your nails seems like a mundane task, you're right; it can be. And yet many women feel it is an indispensable part of your overall image, whether for professional or casual dress. Here are some tips that can help you do a better job in accenting those lovely tips of your hands and feet. Your friends may beg for the name of your new nail salon!
1. Prepare your nails first. Trim, file, and remove the cuticles of both fingernails and toenails that will be polished. Wash with soap and water, then allow to air dry for a few minutes. Buff your feet with a coarse towel to remove dead skin and restore circulation. Rub lotion on your hands, avoiding the nail areas. Your appendages will look and feel better. Now you're ready to begin.
2. Set out your supplies in a protected area. Avoid a high-traffic room where conversation, bumps, and noises might distract from this cosmetic chore. Get everything you need in advance so you don't need to jump up and look for cotton balls or polish remover in case of a spill. You'll probably need manicure tools, polish and remover, cotton swabs or tissue paper, and any nail decorations like tattoos or appliqué that will go on over the polish. Work in a well-lighted, well-ventilated area where odors won't bother you or others.
3. Take the lids of the polish and the polish remover in case you need the latter quickly. Dipping the brush into your selected polish, wipe excess on the inside lip of the bottle and then brush each fingernail tip on both sides to strengthen these areas first. Next, re-dip the brush for more polish, again removing excess before painting. Then polish the entire nail of each finger on both hands. Wait a few minutes for these to air dry.
4. Next, do your toenails. You need not apply a double coat to the tips as you did for fingernails. Instead, polish the entire nail of each toe right away. Let these also air dry for a minute or so. Turn your feet slightly to different angles to find any uneven or missed spots, and polish these as needed.
5. Now give your fingernails another coat of polish. Make sure the first coat has dried completely first. Apply the second coat smoothly over the first, taking care not to smudge the sides or tip of your finger. If you do spill a drop or leave a slight smudge, remove it gently with a bit of polish remover on some tissue paper or a cotton swab. Check to be sure each fingernail boasts an even coat of color.
6. Now give your toes a second coat. Brush each one thoroughly, taking time to avoid smearing the polish and to extend the color to the entire nail. Allow a few more minutes for the second coat to air dry.
Put away your supplies, throw away the paper towel or napkin, along with cotton swabs, that were used, and enjoy your coordinated fresh color!
Found on: http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/howpaintyourn_sdqa.htm
1. Prepare your nails first. Trim, file, and remove the cuticles of both fingernails and toenails that will be polished. Wash with soap and water, then allow to air dry for a few minutes. Buff your feet with a coarse towel to remove dead skin and restore circulation. Rub lotion on your hands, avoiding the nail areas. Your appendages will look and feel better. Now you're ready to begin.
2. Set out your supplies in a protected area. Avoid a high-traffic room where conversation, bumps, and noises might distract from this cosmetic chore. Get everything you need in advance so you don't need to jump up and look for cotton balls or polish remover in case of a spill. You'll probably need manicure tools, polish and remover, cotton swabs or tissue paper, and any nail decorations like tattoos or appliqué that will go on over the polish. Work in a well-lighted, well-ventilated area where odors won't bother you or others.
3. Take the lids of the polish and the polish remover in case you need the latter quickly. Dipping the brush into your selected polish, wipe excess on the inside lip of the bottle and then brush each fingernail tip on both sides to strengthen these areas first. Next, re-dip the brush for more polish, again removing excess before painting. Then polish the entire nail of each finger on both hands. Wait a few minutes for these to air dry.
4. Next, do your toenails. You need not apply a double coat to the tips as you did for fingernails. Instead, polish the entire nail of each toe right away. Let these also air dry for a minute or so. Turn your feet slightly to different angles to find any uneven or missed spots, and polish these as needed.
5. Now give your fingernails another coat of polish. Make sure the first coat has dried completely first. Apply the second coat smoothly over the first, taking care not to smudge the sides or tip of your finger. If you do spill a drop or leave a slight smudge, remove it gently with a bit of polish remover on some tissue paper or a cotton swab. Check to be sure each fingernail boasts an even coat of color.
6. Now give your toes a second coat. Brush each one thoroughly, taking time to avoid smearing the polish and to extend the color to the entire nail. Allow a few more minutes for the second coat to air dry.
Put away your supplies, throw away the paper towel or napkin, along with cotton swabs, that were used, and enjoy your coordinated fresh color!
Found on: http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/howpaintyourn_sdqa.htm
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