Do you love nail extensions, but don’t feel like your budget stretches to spending hundreds of euros at a nail salon? Then we have fantastic news for you! It’s incredibly easy to sit at home and enjoy creating nail extensions yourself. You’re guaranteed to be surprised by how beautiful the results can be when you create acrylic nails at home. So what are you waiting for? Dive into your new hobby and create stunning acrylic nails. In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at how to do acrylic nails and which tools and products you need to get started. We’ll also share helpful advice, tips and tricks for outstanding results.
You’ll be surprised by how many different methods there are for creating acrylic nails. The nail world is huge, and it’s full of tips and tricks for creating beautiful acrylic nails, BUT we know that many people find it incredibly difficult to get started. That’s why we’ll explain the methods we’re huge fans of and believe are the most manageable and easy to follow. We’ll take an in-depth look at how to do acrylic nails. What do you need to do acrylic nails? First, you need to choose the extension method you want to use, such as tips, forms and dual forms. No matter which extension method you choose, always remember to pamper your nails by prepping them carefully so they’re ready for product application.
Before you dive into your full nail project, we recommend that you always prep your nails thoroughly. This step is super important for preparing your nails before applying other products. It also helps ensure a better and longer-lasting result, as the products can adhere better to the nail plate – a true win-win situation! Here’s how to prep your nails:
- Push back the cuticles on all nails using your cuticle pusher
- Use the other side of your cuticle pusher to remove dead skin from around and under the cuticle
- Carefully trim away any excess cuticle with our cuticle nipper
- Cleanse all nails with lint-free pads and cleanser
- File the nail into your desired shape
- Use our buffer to buff the nail plate and remove shine
- Brush away the dust
- Cleanse all nails again with lint-free pads and cleanser
When applying your tips, it is important that you choose the right fit. That’s why we recommend taking a little extra time to select the tips carefully. A smart trick is to hold the desired tip over the nail plate and check whether it fits. If the tip is too small or too large for your nail plate, choose another tip or file the tip until it fits. Then apply nail glue to the back of the tip and leave it for a moment before pressing the tip onto the nail plate. Once the tips are applied, follow these steps:
- Apply primer to all nails and let it air-dry for 60 seconds.
- Apply an even layer of base coat to all nails and cure in the UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds.
- Apply the desired acrylic gel directly to the nail and use a brush and cleanser to shape the gel into the desired shape. Once you have shaped the nail, cure the product for 60 seconds.
- Remove the sticky layer with cleanser.
- File the acrylic gel to create clean, sharp edges and wipe with cleanser.
- Now the nails are ready for gel polish and top coat.
Acrylic Gel with forms can be a little tricky at first, as the forms can take some practice to apply correctly. So if you’re ready to give forms a try, remember that practice makes perfect — and allow yourself a little extra time in the beginning.
- Place the form just underneath the nail and press the sides together once it sits snugly around your nail.
- Apply a thin, even layer of base coat and cure the product in our UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds.
- Apply your chosen acrylic gel directly onto the natural nail – and don’t worry, the product won’t run, so you have plenty of time to work with it and shape it.
- When shaping your acrylic gel, wet the brush with cleanser whenever the product starts to feel sticky. A good tip: avoid brush strokes by gently dabbing the product into place.
- Once you have achieved the shape you want, cure the nail under UV/LED light for 2 minutes.
- Remove the form and wipe with cleanser to remove the tacky layer.
- File the nails until you achieve the result you want. Remove most of the dust with a dust brush and wipe with cleanser.
- Buff the entire nail plate until the surface is smooth and even. Finish by wiping with cleanser again.
- The nail is now ready for gel polish and top coat.
- Choose the correct size and press the acrylic gel into the dual form.
- Use a brush to shape the acrylic gel. Dip the brush into cleanser to make the product easier to shape.
- Place the dual form close to the cuticle without touching your skin.
- Secure a clip around your finger and turn your hand over to smooth out the underside.
- Remove the clip and cure the product for about 3 minutes.
- Remove the dual form and wipe the nails with cleanser.
- File the nail into the desired shape.
- The nail is now ready for gel polish and top coat.