Want to learn how to do acrylic nails at home? It looks simple when a trained nail technician does it, but it takes time and patience to learn. With some practice, you can do it yourself.
This step by step guide and video tutorial cover all the products and information you’ll need.
Video Tutorial: The Basics of Acrylic Application
This step by step guide and video tutorial cover all the products and information you’ll need.
What You Need to Do Acrylic Nails
- Cuticle pusher
- Nail file and buffing block
- Nail prep/dehydrator
- Acid-free nail primer
- Dappen dish
- Acrylic nail brush
- Lint-free wipes
- Acrylic powder
- Acrylic liquid (we recommend medium speed for beginners, as it has a slower drying time)
- Top coat (air dry, Mega Gloss or matte)
Optional
How to Do Acrylic Nails Step by Step
Step 1: Prep the Nail
Gently push the cuticle back with your cuticle pusher. Make sure no cuticle is left on the nail bed, as the acrylic won’t stick to it. Buff the entire nail bed with a buffing block, softly swiping left and right until all the shine is gone. Remove the dust with your manicure brush, or wipe over the nail with acetone on a lint-free pad.
Step 2: Apply Nail Tips (Optional)
If you’re not using nail tips, skip to step 3. Pick out tips that fit your nails snugly and lay them out ready. Apply a small amount of nail glue to the tip where it will meet your natural nail, then press and hold it firmly for about 10 seconds, or until you can feel it has stuck. If it lifts at the sides, gently hold the wings down with your pinching tool or angled tweezers.
Cut the tip to your desired length with nail tip cutters or nail scissors (scissors are trickier to use), then file it to your chosen shape. If you can feel a ridge where the tip meets your natural nail, gently buff over the join with a soft file. Then wipe a lint-free pad with a little pure acetone from side to side over the join to blend it in.
Step 3: Dehydrate and Prime
Make sure no filing dust is left on the nail. Apply nail prep/dehydrator to the entire nail bed. It air dries quickly and leaves the nail with a slightly white, matte finish. Then apply acid-free nail primer to the entire nail bed.
Step 4: Apply the Acrylic
Pour your acrylic liquid into your dappen dish. Dip your acrylic brush in and push the brush tip to the bottom of the dish to get the air bubbles out. Swipe the brush once on the edge of the dish to remove the excess liquid.
Dip the brush tip into the acrylic powder and stroke it through the powder towards you until you create a ball of acrylic. It should look like a tiny golf ball. If the ball is too wet or too dry, start again. Press the brush onto a lint-free pad to drain off the excess liquid.
Place the ball of acrylic at the top of the nail, near the cuticle, and bring the bead down to the very tip. Tilt the nail down as you do this to stop the acrylic flooding the cuticles. Sculpt the acrylic by pressing the brush flat to the nail and gently moving it to smooth out bumps and spread it evenly, dipping your brush into the acrylic liquid to keep it clean. If you need more acrylic to cover the nail, repeat this step until you’re happy with the coverage.
Step 5: Use a Pinching Tool (Optional)
Once you’ve practised for a while or are confident doing basic acrylics, you can use a pinching tool to make the nail longer and more slender, and to create a stronger C curve, which makes the nail stronger. If you’re not using a pinching tool, move on to step 6.
While the acrylic is still drying but no longer feels tacky, place the pinching tool on the nail like a clamp. If it’s pinching too hard, move it further down the nail. For a really narrow pinch, use the bottom end of the tool. Leave it on for about 3 minutes, then tap the nail. If it makes a “ting” sound, remove the tool by squeezing the sides apart. If not, leave it on a little longer.
Step 6: Let the Acrylic Dry
Wait a little over 2 minutes for the acrylic to dry. It should “ting” when you tap it. If it sounds hollow, it isn’t dry yet.
Step 7: File and Shape
File the entire nail until it’s smooth on top and around the edges, and the shape is more defined.
Step 8: Seal With a Top Coat
Add a top coat to seal in the acrylic.
If you don’t have a lamp, apply Air Dry Top Coat to the entire nail and leave it to dry for about 2 minutes.
If you do have a lamp, apply Urban Graffiti Top Coat, Mega Gloss or Matte Top Coat, depending on the finish you want. Put your hand under the lamp, turn it on and leave to cure for 2 minutes under a UV lamp or 1 minute under an LED lamp.
Step 9: Finish With Cuticle Oil
Finish off the look with a stroke of cuticle oil on the cuticle area of each nail, and rub it in with your fingers.
Shaping Acrylic Nails
When shaping acrylic nails, file the entire nail until it’s smooth on top and around the edges and your shape is defined, whether that’s almond, square, coffin or another shape. The higher the grit count on a nail file, the smoother it is, so a 240/240 file is smoother than an 80/80 file. If you’re using nail tips, don’t file upwards from underneath the tip, as this can make it pop off. Support the top of the nail while you file to help prevent this.
Tips for Beginners
- Use a medium speed acrylic liquid, as it has a slower drying time.
- If your ball of acrylic is too wet or too dry, start again.
- Tilt the nail down as you apply the acrylic to stop it flooding the cuticles.
- Keep your brush clean by dipping it into the acrylic liquid as you work.
- It may take a few tries to get your nails perfect, but with some practice you’ll soon be applying acrylic nails at home like a pro.
Acrylic Nails FAQs
How long does it take to do acrylic nails?
Each nail needs a little over 2 minutes for the acrylic to dry. Allow about 3 minutes more if you’re using a pinching tool, and up to 2 minutes for your top coat to dry or cure.
Can you do acrylic nails at home?
Yes. It takes time and patience to learn, but with some practice you can apply acrylic nails yourself at home.
Do you need a lamp for acrylic nails?
No. If you don’t have a lamp, seal your acrylic with an air dry top coat, which dries in about 2 minutes.
Do you need nail tips for acrylic nails?
No, nail tips are optional.
When should you remove acrylic nails?
After 2 to 4 weeks. You can find all the steps in our guide on how to remove acrylic nails safely (add removal guide link).
Shop Acrylic Nail Supplies
Shop the full acrylic range at Naio Nails today.
