-by Jackie Edwards-

Too busy for an appointment at the salon? Don’t want to spend $40 on your nails? No problem. If you can apply a fresh coat of polish with ease, perhaps it’s time to consider applying acrylic nails at home.

Acrylic nails are a type of artificial extensions applied to your natural nails. Not only are they sturdy and durable, they will keep the polish fresh longer than your average manicure. In fact, statistics show that acrylic nails take over 57% of salon services due to the quality and long-lasting results it provides. While the process might sound complicated, you can apply false nails successfully with a few simple steps. Check out this fail-proof way to apply acrylic nails like a pro.

Things You Will Need:

• Nail file
• Nail clipper
• Acrylic powder
• Acrylic nails
• Acrylic glue
• Nail forms
• Monomer liquid
• Small glass bowl for liquid
• Nail brush
• Colored polish of your choice

Step-By-Step Acrylic Nail Application Procedure

Step 1: Prep the Nail

Always clean the nails before you start your application. Apply cuticle remover to the cuticle area and use a pusher to ensure that the nail bed is free of extra skin. This will prevent the acrylic from sticking to it.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size Nails

Pick the false nails that fit your natural form. Once you have laid them out, apply a small amount of glue to the tip when it meets your natural nail. Press down and hold the tip for 10 seconds or until completely dried. Use your nail cutter to trim the tip according to your desired length and file the nail top down to the ideal shape. If the nail tip isn’t blended with the natural nail, use the buffer to fail the nail down and blend in.

Step 3: Prepare the Acrylic

Pour the acrylic liquid into the glass bowl. Dip the acrylic brush into the dish and push the tip to the bottom. This will help release the air bubbles and prevent your nails from getting uneven. Swipe the brush tip into the acrylic powder and brush through the powder until a small ball of acrylic is achieved. If the ball is too wet or too dry, start over. Set the acrylic by gently pressing  the brush on your nail to flatten and spread the acrylic evenly. If the nail is thin or uneven, you will need to apply more acrylic to the nail.  Repeat this step until you achieve desired results

Step 4: Apply the Polish 

Wait for at least 2 minutes for the acrylic nails to dry. File the entire nail until smooth and achieve the ideal shape. Be sure to keep all nails even and file out any rough spots. Once you’ve achieved your acrylic nails, now’s the time to add a top coat  and seal in the acrylic. You can air-dry the top coat to your entire nail for 2 minutes before applying your favorite shade of color.

Keep Your Acrylic Nails Fresh

Acrylic nails will last around two to three weeks, depending on your daily habits and how well you manage them. Once you start to see them grow out, you can repeat the process and fill the open nail with acrylic. Just be sure to keep it even and well balanced with the rest of the nail.