Acrylic Nails – How to Apply, Remove, Do Designs, Art, Tips, Cons, Kits, Pictures, Best Fake Nails, Gel

Acrylic nails and gel nails are both a staple in manicure fashion and designs. Knowing how to apply fake nails at home, remove and even care for artificial nails is very important. In this article, we’ll guide you on the application, removal, tips, care, side effects and even the best kits of acrylic false fingernails. At the end of it all, you will be able to do and remove false nails at home.

What are Acrylic Nails?

Acrylics are nail extensions or enhancement that are put up on the natural nail. This is achieved by mixing a powder and a liquid to create a pliable plastic blob, which is then shaped into an extension of the nail, and sets to become a very strong plastic.

They are a type of fake/false/artificial nails, nail enhancements or extensions or artificial nails. When worn, acrylics do not replace natural nails but work as extensions of natural nails. There are two types of fake nails: tips and forms.

Tips are lightweight plastic plates in the shape of the tip of fingernails. You wear them by gluing the plastics to the tips of your natural fingernails and then apply acrylic over the entire nail. Fake nail tips come in different designs and colors such as animal prints, flamboyant, blue, metallic colors and any type you can imagine of.

Form acrylic nails are fitted over natural fingernails and then the artificial nail is molded out of the acrylic. The form is then removed and properly shaped and well buffed to make the desired shine.

What are Acrylic Nails, Fake Nails — acrylic nails

Types of Acrylics

There are two types of acrylic nails. These are pink and white acrylic nails, and normal acrylic nails.

Pink and white acrylic nails look almost like natural nails. They are translucent pink and have a white tip. They are normally polished to high gloss.

Normal acrylic fake nails are finished with a coat of nail polish and use acrylic powder.

How to Apply Acrylic Nails – Steps

You have two options here: going to a professional nail salon or doing them yourself. The cheap fake nails option is to do it yourself (fake fingernails DIY). If you have prior experience doing different types of nail polishes, then you will not find it a problem working on acrylic nails. In order to do artificial nails, collect the following. These are normally found in acrylic nail kits:

Artificial nail tips
Nail oil, powdered acrylic or liquid acrylic
Non-acetone nail polish remover
Nail file
Nail brush
A nail nipper
A small acrylic brush and a working dish
Nail filing block

Steps/Instructions to Apply Acrylic Nails

Do some manicure first: remove dead skin and smooth out rough edges. If you have another type of nail polish on, use a non-acetone nail polish remover to get rid of it. Roughen the surface of your nail plate and cut all your nails down to the skin level.
Apply the false nail tips on each of your nails, fitting them with adhesive/glue and reaching from the bottom of the nail to the edge that will fit with your nail.
After ensuring your fingernails are clipped to the desired length, apply liquid acrylic. (See tips below for precautions.) Paint the beds smooth using the liquid. This will avoid bumps forming where the edge of the false nails will rest on your natural fingernails.
Apply acrylic powder and liquid until you achieve the normal curve of your fingernails.
Allow about 10 minutes for the finger-nails to dry and set. Use a grit nail file to shape your nails after the artificial nails dry.

How to Remove/ Take Off Acrylic Nails – Tutorial

You can take off acrylic nails using various methods. People who have tried at-home acrylic nail removal use different ways such as dental floss, hot water, rubbing alcohol, or even acetone. Each of these is considered a home remedy. You can follow the steps listed below to remove false nails easily and safely.

Clip the artificial fingernails to make them as short as you can.
File off the top gel or the glossy part as you normally do with gel nail polish.
Apply a thin coat of jelly on the skin around your fingernails.
Fill up a small container with acetone nail polish remover.
Dip your fingernails in acetone. Acetone is a solvent. It will weaken the artificial false nails glue in about 15 to 20 minutes.
Once the glue is cleared, remove the acrylic nails carefully and delicately.
Clean the fingernails using an orange-wood stick.
Wash your hands thoroughly. Buff off any glue that may remain stubborn on your natural finger-nails.
Dry and massage your hands using drops of moisturizing lotion such as olive oil. Moisturizer will counter the drying effect of acetone nail polish remover.

Tips for Acrylic Fingernails

When choosing false nail tips, ensure you select tips that are of the same size as your fingernails. If not, be prepared to file them down to fit your own fingernails.
Always level your natural fingernails with your skin before applying false nails. This will prevent them from breaking in case the acrylics break.
Another important tip on how to do acrylic fingernails is to have water ready for soaking your nails in. In case the artificial nails become crooked, soak them immediately to remove them.
Use liquid acrylic in a ventilated area because inhaling lots of it can be harmful.
To paint your nails with acrylic, dip the acrylic brush into the liquid acrylic and then into the acrylic powder. This will create a small ball of thickened acrylic on your nail brush. Paint smooth the fake nail tips.
Use the normal tips for applying nail polish to remove any excess acrylic paint.
Avoid applying acrylic onto your cuticles. This encourages fungus and mold to grow under your nails and can cause nail infections.

Side Effects/Risks of Acrylic Nails – Can they Cause Nail Infection?

Acrylic nails are not harmful in any way. However, there is a risk of developing an infection when you wear them without precaution. If a gap develops between your natural nails and the nail extensions, a moist and warm environment may form and encourage bacteria and even fungus to flourish.

If you apply acrylic nails using tools that are not sterilized, nail infections are likely to occur. Allergic reactions can also develop if you are reactive to the composition of the fake fingernails or the adhesives you use to apply them. This may lead to swelling, redness, and pain around your fingernails. In addition, infected fingernails due to the use of acrylic nails leads to thick, discolored and ragged natural nails.

Acrylic Nail Designs and Art Tips

Designs are not just for crème nail polishes such as matte, crackle, magnetic or glitter nails. They also spread to fake nails. False nail designs can be trendy and very chic. Designs and nail art for acrylics keep on changing, so it is up to you to see what is fashionable and at what time. When spring comes, there will be new acrylic nail designs for spring. Soon there will be new artificial nail art tips for summer, for autumn and even winter. Like hairstyle trends, nail fashion art and design keeps on changing. See acrylic nail pictures for a taste of what you like. Suggestions and ideas could also help you choose the best artificial nail design and art tips to choose from.

Acrylic Nails vs. Gel Nails – Difference, Comparison, Pros, Cons

Both these types of fingernails provide a canvas for applying nail designs and art. However, they are different in the way they are applied. See how gel fingernails are done. Acrylic nails, on the other hand, are done as explained above. Both the types have their own pros and cons. For instance, gel fingernails cure faster, are more environmentally friendly and look more natural compared to acrylic nails. On the other hand, acrylic nails have pros in easy fixing when broken, simple removal, strength and are cheaper nails.

When it comes to cons of acrylic artificial nails, they can damage nail beds easily, use strong chemicals that fume when applying, and look less natural. On the contrary, gel fingernails do not last long, require UV light to cure and are hard to do at home, cannot be fixed at home when they break and may need salon attention to remove. See further differences between acrylic fakes and gel fakes.

Best Acrylic Nail Kits – Top Brands

You can buy cheap acrylic nail kits at the nearest drugstore. But are they the best acrylic nail kits? Here is a list of some of the best acrylic nail kits according to user reviews.

Professional DIY (Do it Yourself) Acrylic Nail Kit with Full Tools
Kiss Nail French Acrylic Sculpture Kit
Star Nail Odorless Beginners Acrylic Nail Kit
ASP Try Me Acrylic Nail Kit
Nail Essential IBD Professional Gel Nail Kit
Kiss Lightning Speed Salon Dip Powder Manicure Kit (best drugstore acrylic false nail kit)
Kiss Complete Salon Acrylic Kit (best acrylic nail kit in drugstores)
Nailene Ultra Quick Brush-On Gel Kit (another of the best acrylic nails in drugstores)

What is your experience with acrylic false nails? Have you tried them? Comment below. Please tweet the article 🙂

Originally posted 2021-01-02 17:42:00.