A long-lasting acrylic nail manicure looks good, can give you a self-esteem boost & is usually expensive when done at a nail salon … But don´t worry because achieving salon-quality acrylic nails at home is easier than you think! Follow this super easy guide to get stunning nails in no time.

What You’ll Need for Your DIY Acrylic Nails

• Acrylic Nail Kit: Includes acrylic liquid, powder, dappen dish, brush, and tips. Find here some great & complete sets!
• Nail File and Buffer (the nail file shapes your nails, and the buffer smooths out rough spots, ensuring a sleek finish).
• Nail Primer (ensures that the acrylic adheres to your nails properly, preventing lifting and extending the life of your manicure).
• Nail Glue (essential for attaching the nail tips securely to your natural nails).
• Cuticle Pusher (to push back your cuticles to create a clean, smooth canvas for applying acrylic. Proper cuticle care prevents lifting and keeps your nails healthy).
• Nail Clipper (to trim your natural nails and shape the tips to your desired length before applying acrylic).
• Lint-Free Wipes (to wipe away dust and residue without leaving behind pesky lint that could ruin your smooth finish).
• Nail Dehydrator (removes natural oils from your nails, helping the acrylic adhere better and last longer. Bye-bye, lifting)!
• Top Coat and Base Coat (The base coat protects your natural nails and ensures smooth application, while the top coat adds shine and seals in your design for durability).
• Nail Polish/Acrylic Nail Powder (to add a splash of color to your acrylics! Whether bold or subtle, it’s the finishing touch that shows off your style).
• Cuticle Oil (to hydrate your cuticles and keep your nails healthy. It’s the spa treatment your hands deserve).
• Acetone and Cotton Balls (for cleanup; essential for removing old polish and cleaning up any mistakes around the edges).

How to do Acrylic Nails at Home Step-by-Step Instructions:

Ok, now that we have gathered all the materials we need to do acrylic nails at home, let´s start the salon-quality manicure!

How to do Acrylic Nails at Home Step #1: Prepare Your Nails

Remove Old Polish

Use acetone to remove any existing nail polish.

Shape and File

Trim your natural nails and file them to your desired shape. Buff the surface to remove shine. You really have to be careful when buffing your nails; otherwise, you could damage them.

Push Back Cuticles

Use a cuticle pusher to gently push your cuticles back.

Clean and Dehydrate

Use a nail dehydrator to clean and dehydrate your nails. By removing oils, dirt, etc., you´ll make sure the acrylic nails adhere better and last longer.

How to do Acrylic Nails at Home Step #2: Apply Nail Tips

Select Tips

Choose tips that fit your nails. They should cover the nail edge without overlapping the skin.

Glue Tips

Apply a small amount of nail glue to the tip and press it onto your natural nail. Hold for a few seconds until secure.

Trim and Shape

Once all tips are applied, trim them to your desired length and shape them using a nail file.

How to do Acrylic Nails at Home Step #3: Apply Acrylic

Primer

Apply a thin layer of nail primer to the natural nail, avoiding the tips. Let it dry.

Mix Acrylic

Pour acrylic liquid into a dappen dish. Dip your brush into the liquid, then into the acrylic powder to form a bead.

Apply Bead

Place the acrylic bead near the cuticle area and gently pat it down to cover the nail, spreading it evenly. Repeat as necessary to cover the entire nail. Use a small bead for the tip and blend it towards the cuticle.

Shape and Smooth

Work quickly but carefully, smoothing the acrylic with the brush. Shape the nail as you go.

How to do Acrylic Nails at Home Step #4: File and Buff

Refine Shape

Once the acrylic is set, refine the shape with a coarse nail file. Smooth the surface with a finer grit file.

Buff the Surface

Use a buffer to make the nails smooth and ready for polish.

Polish and Finish

Base Coat

Apply a base coat to protect your nails and ensure the polish adheres well.

Color

Apply two thin coats of the colored nail polish, allowing each coat to dry.

Top Coat

Finish with a top coat for added shine and durability.

Clean Up

Use acetone, a brush, or a cotton swab to clean any excess polish around the edges.

How to do Acrylic Nails at Home Step #5: Moisturize

To finish up your acrylic nail manicure, you need to take care of your cuticles.

Cuticle Oil

Apply cuticle oil to nourish and hydrate your cuticles.

Find here the ultimate guide on how to keep your cuticles healthy & strong!

How to do Acrylic Nails at Home Tips for the BEST Results

Here are some hacks that can help you with your DIY acrylic manicure:

• Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes. Place your equipment near a window or do your nails on the porch or balcony.
• Patience: Take your time, especially when applying the acrylic. Rushing can lead to uneven nails.
• Practice: The more you practice, the better your technique will become. The more you do it, the better you will get, and your results will improve.

Troubleshooting Common Acrylic Nails Issues

Some issues are just common when doing acrylic nails. Find here some genius hacks to avoid them:

Lifting: Ensure your nails are clean and dehydrated before applying acrylic to prevent lifting.

Bubbles: Mix acrylic beads properly and apply with even pressure to avoid air bubbles.

Thickness: Apply thin layers to avoid overly thick and unnatural-looking nails. The thicker the coating, the more likely it is to lift or peel off.

Conclusion Acrylic Nails at Home

With practice, you’ll be able to perfect your acrylic nails and enjoy beautiful, long-lasting nails you did yourself for a fraction of the price you would have paid at a salon!