How to Create Acrylic Nails

Consider purchasing a complete acrylic nail kit. If it's your first time applying acrylic nails, it's recommended to buy a full kit that includes everything you'll need, along with detailed instructions to help you achieve the perfect set. Be sure to check the ingredients to ensure that the monomer doesn't contain MMA. MMA (Methyl methacrylate) is used in dentistry and is too harsh for natural nails. Instead, look for products made with EMA (Ethyl Methacrylate), a safer compound for nails. Seek out brands that professionals recommend, or check online for products with positive reviews from users.

Buy individual supplies. To have better control over the appearance of your nails, it’s best to buy the supplies separately. This way, you can easily add acrylic as your nails grow longer. Visit a beauty supply store to pick up the following items:

• Acrylic nail tips and adhesive. The tips are usually quite long, so you can trim and file them to the desired shape.
• Scissors and acrylic nail files. Regular scissors and files aren't very effective for acrylic nails. You'll need a set of files with grit levels of 180, 240, 1000, and 4000. You might need a coarser 180-grit file if the results are too rough.
• Acrylic liquid and acrylic powder. These two materials need to be mixed to create the acrylic nails. As mentioned, avoid buying MMA monomer; instead, choose EMA (always check the ingredients!).
• Acrylic bowl and brush. These tools are essential for mixing and applying acrylic. A brush size of #8-12 works well.
• A practice finger or hand. While you're eager to create your own acrylic nails, it’s a good idea to practice on something else first to avoid harming yourself. Keep in mind that these chemicals are strong and can cause allergic reactions if mishandled. Practice at least 10 times on the practice finger. Once you're proficient enough that the material doesn't spill over the practice finger, do a few more rounds before attempting real nails. Allergies can be dangerous, so if you're unsure, don’t attempt it on anyone but yourself.

Remove old nail polish. Acrylic should be applied to clean nails, so you need to remove any existing polish before beginning. Use an acetone-based nail polish remover that is oil-free. If you have old acrylic nails or gel polish to remove, soak your nails in pure acetone. DO NOT peel off old nails; soak your nails in acetone until you can gently push them off. Peeling off fake nails can damage your natural nails, making them thinner.

Trim your nails. To create a good base for attaching the acrylic nails, use scissors to trim your natural nails to a short, even length that's easy to apply the fake nails to. Leave a few millimeters of your natural nail to allow space for attaching the acrylic tips. Use a nail file to smooth the tips of your nails for better adhesion.

File the surface of your nails. Use a soft nail buffer to slightly roughen the surface of your natural nails, removing the shine. This texture helps the acrylic adhere better to the natural nail surface.

Push back the cuticles. You need to apply acrylic nails to the nails, not the skin. Gently push back or trim the cuticles to create space for the nails.

• Use a wooden cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles. Metal tools are also effective, but wood is gentler on the nails. If you don’t have a cuticle pusher, you can use a wooden popsicle stick.
• You’ll find it easier to push back the cuticles when they are soft and moist. Soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes before using the tool, and ideally, you should prepare your nails a few days in advance to make them more manageable.

Apply a base coat. A base coat helps remove any remaining moisture and oil from your nails, preparing them for acrylic application. This step is crucial for achieving the best adhesion. If your nails still have oil, the acrylic won’t stick properly.

• Use a cotton ball or lint-free tissue to wipe your nails with acetone.
• The base coat contains methacrylic acid, which is flammable, so be careful not to apply too much or let it touch your skin. If you're concerned, you can purchase a base coat without acid.

Attach the nail tips. Find tips that fit your nails properly. If the tips are too large, file them to fit. A slightly smaller tip is better than one that's too large. Apply a small amount of glue from one side to the other and attach the tip to your natural nail, ensuring that the bottom edge of the acrylic tip is positioned about halfway on your natural nail. Hold for five seconds to allow the glue to dry. Repeat the process on all ten fingers, then trim the nails to your desired length.

• If a tip is misaligned, soak your fingers in water for a few minutes to remove it, dry the tip, and reapply.
• Only use a small amount of glue to avoid it spreading onto your skin.

Prepare your acrylic supplies. Pour the acrylic liquid into one dish and the powder into another. Acrylic is a strong chemical that produces toxic fumes, so be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.

Dip the brush into the acrylic liquid. Submerge the brush fully, ensuring that all air bubbles have escaped. Then, wipe the brush on the edge of the dish to remove any excess liquid. Dip the brush into the acrylic powder so that a small amount of damp powder sticks to the brush.

• You may need to practice a few times to find the right balance between liquid and powder. The mixture on the brush should be damp enough to apply, but not too wet. It should cling to the brush without dripping.
• Keep some tissue handy in case you need to soak up excess liquid or wipe the brush between applications to prevent acrylic from sticking to it.

Apply the acrylic mixture to the nail. Start at the edge of the acrylic tip. Press the acrylic ball onto the tip's edge and gently work it down toward the tip. Be sure to apply evenly and quickly to create a smooth transition between the natural nail and the acrylic. Take a second acrylic ball and place it near the cuticle area, but not too close. Try to build the acrylic near the cuticle without touching it, and blend the acrylic down to create a seamless transition. Repeat this process on all nails.

• Remember to wipe the brush on tissue between each application of acrylic. As you get more experienced, you won’t need to wipe the brush as often. The goal is to prevent acrylic from sticking to the brush. If acrylic remains on the brush, dip it back in the liquid and wipe it again.
• To avoid clumping, apply small streaks and always work in one direction.
• Less is faster! Applying too much acrylic at once will lead to more filing. When you're just starting with acrylic nails, apply small amounts at a time.
• If you apply the acrylic correctly, you should create a slight curve, not a sharp bend, where the acrylic tip meets the natural nail. You may need more than one acrylic ball per nail to achieve this effect.
• Do not apply acrylic to the cuticle area. The acrylic should begin a few millimeters away from the cuticle to ensure it adheres to the nail, not the skin.

Let the acrylic dry. Allow approximately ten minutes for the acrylic to dry completely. Test by tapping the surface of the nail with the handle of the brush. If it makes a clicking sound, the acrylic is ready for the next step.

Shape the tips of the nails. Once the acrylic has dried, use a 180 grit nail file to shape the tips and trim to your desired length. File the surface of the nail using a 240 grit block to remove any scratches left by the 180 grit file. Finish with a 1000 grit file, and if you want a shinier finish, use a 4000 grit file. The 4000 grit file will leave your nails with a glossy, almost polished look!

• Be sure to use a small brush to clean off the dust from filing so it doesn't mix with the nail polish!

Apply Nail Polish. You can choose either clear nail polish or a colored one. Coat the entire nail to create a glossy surface.

Maintain Acrylic Nails. After about two weeks, your nails will have grown out. You will need to either reapply acrylic or remove it from your nails.

• If your nails appear green, yellow, or unhealthy, DO NOT apply acrylic over them. Fungal infections or other nail conditions will not heal under acrylic. The situation may worsen if you place acrylic on top. Fungal infections are highly contagious, so always ensure your tools are sanitized before use on yourself or others.