How To Do Acrylic Nails: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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• Artificial Nails

How to Do Acrylic Nails Download Article Shape, buff, and file your nails for a chic, salon-worthy finish Explore this Article parts 1 Buying Acrylic Nail Supplies 2 Getting Your Nails Ready 3 Applying the Acrylic 4 Finishing the Nails + Show 1 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Marta Nagorska

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Marta Nagorska. Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,309,910 times.

Doing nails at home can be done with practice. Read about the risks that goes with the work, both educated, and especially uneducated before you start. If you're careful and don't go too quickly you can be as good as anyone else. All you need are a few supplies from the drugstore and little bit of patience.

Best Way to Apply Acrylic Nails at Home

• Glue nail tips to each of your nails and trim and file them to the desired length and shape.
• Pour liquid acrylic into a dish and pour acrylic powder into a separate dish. Load a brush with liquid acrylic before dipping into the powder.
• Apply the mixture to your nails, flattening the acrylic and brushing it towards the tip. Let it dry for 10 minutes before polishing.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 4:

Buying Acrylic Nail Supplies

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1. 1 Consider an acrylic nail kit. If this is your first time doing your own acrylic nails, you may want to start with a kit. Kits contain everything you need to get started and come with detailed instructions to help you achieve the look you want. Make sure you read the ingredients so the monomer does NOT contain MMA. MMA (Methyl methacrylate) is a dental acrylic and is too hard for the natural nail.[1] Look for EMA - Ethyl Methacrylate, that is what you want on your nails. Look for brands professional uses or google for something a lot of people recommend.
2. 2 Decide to buy the supplies separately. For greater control over the appearance of your acrylics, you may want to buy the supplies separately. This way you'll also be prepared when it's time to reapply acrylic after your nails grow out. Go to a beauty supply store and buy the following supplies:
   • Acrylic nail tips and nail tip glue. The tips are usually quite long, which allows you to trim and file them down to the shape and size you want.
   • Acrylic nail clippers and files. Regular clippers and files aren't as effective on acrylic nails.180, 240, 1000 & 4000 grit should be enough. You might need an even coarser file than the 180 grit if the end result is very clumpy.
   • Acrylic liquid and acrylic powder. These substances are mixed together to create acrylic nails. As said before, stay away from MMA monomers, go for the EMA (always read what ingredients is used!).
   • Acrylic bowl and acrylic brush. You need these supplies to mix up the acrylic and apply it. Somewhere between size #8-12 might be a good choice.
   • Training fingers or a training hand. You may be very eager to make your first acrylic nails on your own hands - or on someone else. But before that you should, and probably need, to practice on something that won't harm you or anyone else. Remember these are strong chemicals which may cause allergies if you aren't careful. Do your first (at least) 10 tries on a training finger or hand. When you are good enough so the material does not go outside of the practice nail, do a few more and then you can start to think about doing it on a real hand. Allergies are for life, if you are unsure, don't do it on anyone else than on yourself.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 4:

Getting Your Nails Ready

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1. 1 Remove old nail polish.[2] Acrylic should be applied to clean nails, so remove your old polish before getting started.[3] Use an acetone-based, oil-free nail polish remover to take it off. If you have old acrylic nails or gels to remove, soak them in pure acetone to remove them. Do NOT peel them off; soak them until it can be pushed away with ease. Peeling it off will damage your own nail, making it a lot thinner.
2. 2 Trim your nails. To provide a good base for the acrylic, use a nail scissors or nail clippers to trim your natural nails to a short, even, manageable length.[4] A few millimeters is good to have so you can glue the tips at the end where your natural smile line is. Use a nail file to even them out.
3. 3 Buff the surface of your nails. Use a soft nail file to make the surface of your nails slightly rougher and less shiny.[5] This provides a better surface for the acrylic to stick to.
4. 4 Push back your cuticles. You want the acrylic to be adhered to your natural nails, not your skin. Push back your cuticles or trim them to keep them out of the way while you give yourself a manicure.[6]
   • Use a wooden cuticle pusher to push back your cuticles. Metal pushers can be used, but wooden are better for your nails. If you don't have a cuticle pusher, a wooden popsicle stick can be substituted.
   • It's easier to push back cuticles when they're soft and wet, rather than dry. Soak your fingers in warm water for a few minutes before using the cuticle pusher, and preferably work on them a few days before so that they are extra fine for your treatment.
5. 5 Use the nail primer. This removes the remaining moisture and oils from your nails to get them ready for the acrylic.[7] This step is one of the most important for best adhesion. If oil remains on your nails, the acrylic won't stick.
   • Use a cotton ball or preferably a lint-free paper towel to carefully rub the surface of your nails with acetone.
   • Nail primer with acid is made with an methacrylic acid, which can burn. Be careful not to use too much or get it on your skin. There are acid-free primers if you are unsure of the acid ones.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 4:

Applying the Acrylic

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1. 1 Apply the tips. Find the right size tips for your nail. If the tip doesn't fit your nail perfectly, file it down to size. A little too small can often looks better than a little too big. Place a dab of glue on the tip from side to side and apply it to your natural nail so that the bottom edge of the acrylic tip is centered halfway down the surface of your nail. Hold it in place for five seconds to allow the glue to dry.[8] Do that on all 10 nails, then cut the nails to preferred length.
   • If you accidentally apply the nail tip crooked, soak it in water for a few minutes to remove it, they dry your nail and reapply the nail tip.
   • Use only a small amount of glue so that it does not touch your skin.
2. 2 Get the acrylic materials ready. Pour the liquid acrylic into the acrylic dish, and pour some powder into a separate dish. Acrylic is a strong chemical that produces fumes that can be toxic, so make sure you're working in a well-ventilated area.
3. 3 Load the acrylic brush with acrylic. Dip the brush into the acrylic dish. Push it all the way down and make sure all the bubbles goes away. Then brush it against the side of the bowl to remove excess liquid. Run the brush through the acrylic powder so that a small, moist ball collects on the end of the brush.
   • You may have to practice a few times to achieve the correct ratio of liquid to powdered acrylic. The small ball of acrylic mixture should be moist and spreadable, but not too wet. The acrylic should stay on the brush, not drip off of the brush.
   • Have paper towels handy in case you need to brush off extra moisture and to wipe the brush between strokes so the acrylic doesn't stick to the brush.
4. 4 Apply the acrylic mixture to your nails. Start at the "smile line" - the bottom edge of the acrylic tip. Flatten the acrylic ball over the line and brush it down to the tip. Spread it quickly and smoothly so that the transition between your natural nail and the acrylic tip is smooth. Take a second ball of acrylic and place it near your cuticle, but not too close.[9] With small circular movements, try to get the acrylic closer to the cuticle, without touching it, and then brush the acrylic down to make a smooth transition. Repeat the procedure with all ten nails.
   • Remember to wipe your brush on a paper towel between every stroke. When you get the hang of it you won't need to do it as often. This is so the acrylic won't stick to your brush. If it is still on the brush you could dip the brush in the liquid while the acrylic is still wet on the brush, and then wipe it off again.
   • To avoid lumps in the acrylic, be sure to use small single strokes in the same direction
   • Less is more! If you have too much acrylic on your nails, you'll have to file for what feels like an eternity. Working with small beads is easier in the beginning.
   • If you apply the acrylic correctly, there should be a gentle curve, rather than a harsh line, where the acrylic tip meets your natural nail. You may need to use more than one ball of acrylic per nail to achieve this.
   • Don't apply the acrylic to your cuticles. It should start a few millimeters above your cuticle so that it adheres to your nail, not your skin.
5. 5 Let the acrylic dry. It should only take about ten minutes before the acrylic is completely set. Test it by tapping the surface of your nail with the handle of your acrylic brush. If it makes a clicking sound, it's ready for the next step.
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Part 4 Part 4 of 4:

Finishing the Nails

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1. 1 Shape the tips. Now that the acrylic has set, use a coarse nail file (180 grit for example) to shape the tips and file them to the length you want. Use a buffer to buff the surface of the nails, the 240 grit file takes away the scratches from the 180 grit file. Finish with an 1000 grit and after that the 4000 grit for the extra shine. With the 4000 it can be as shiny as a top coat if done correctly![10]
   • Remember use a small brush to dust off the excess nail dust made by the drill, so that it doesnt mix with the nail polish!
2. 2 Paint your nails. You can use a coat of clear polish or choose to paint them with colored nail polish. Apply the polish to the entire nail to create a smooth, even surface.
3. 3 Maintain your acrylic nails. After about two weeks, your nails have grown out. Choose to either reapply acrylic or remove the acrylic from your nails.
   • If your nails are green or yellow or in any other way looks unhealthy, DO NOT apply acrylic on your nails. Fungus and other nail conditions won't go away and need treatment! It will get worse if you apply acrylic nails on it. Nail fungus is highly contagious so don't use un-disinfected tools on you or anybody else.
   • Looking for tips on how to remove acrylic nails? Check out wikiHow’s “Easiest/safest way remove acrylic nails at home?” forum.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question What do I need to do acrylic nails at home? Marta Nagorska Nail Artist Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition. Marta Nagorska Nail Artist Expert Answer You'll need to buff your nails so the acrylic nails adhere better. Otherwise, they may not stick as well. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 46 Helpful 18
• Question What should I look for when getting an acrylic nail kit? Community Answer Look for a kit that contains basic acrylic nail supplies, such as: a nail brush, acrylic liquid, and different types of acrylic powders (ie: clear, pink and white). Some kits may also include a glass to hold the acrylic liquid in, which is even better. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 47 Helpful 254
• Question Can you paint your acrylics with any nail polish, or is there a specific kind? Community Answer You can use normal nail polish, but use a top coat to seal it and make your nails shine. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 30 Helpful 170

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• The best fake nails to use with an acrylic set is nail tips. Generally, acrylic kits come with nail tips. The point of using the acrylic liquid and powder is to adhere it to your natural nail bed, and it's easier with fake tips since you can adjust the length of the nail to your preference. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0

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References

1. ↑ https://www.vox.com/2016/9/7/12631314/gels-acrylics-dip-fake-nails-science
2. ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview
3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/removing-gel-polish
4. ↑ https://www.nailpro.com/technique/article/21156977/technique-how-to-do-basic-pinkandwhite-acrylic-nails
5. ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview
6. ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview
7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXbiy4afrog
8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXbiy4afrog
9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXbiy4afrog

More References (2)

10. ↑ https://www.nailsmag.com/391901/the-ultimate-file-guide
11. Videos provided by Drew Disaster

About This Article

Co-authored by: Marta Nagorska Nail Artist This article was co-authored by Marta Nagorska. Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition. This article has been viewed 3,309,910 times. 143 votes - 87% Co-authors: 56 Updated: June 11, 2025 Views: 3,309,910 Categories: Artificial Nails Article SummaryX

To do acrylic nails at home, you’ll need to start by getting the right supplies. The easiest thing to do is to buy an acrylic nail kit, which should contain everything you’ll need. You can also buy your supplies separately. You’ll need acrylic nail tips and glue, clippers and files designed for use with acrylic, acrylic liquid and powder, and a bowl and brush for mixing and applying the acrylic. You might also want to get a training hand so you can practice making the nails before trying it on your real fingers. When you’re ready to start, use an acetone-based polish remover to clean any old polish off your nails. If you have acrylic nails on already, soak them off in pure acetone. Next, trim your nails using a pair of nail clippers. Leave a few millimeters at the end of each nail beyond the nail bed so you’ll have a good base for attaching the tips. Use a file to even out your nails and smooth down any rough edges. Then, buff your nails gently with a soft file or buffer to help the acrylic stick better, and use a wooden cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles. Finally, apply a nail primer to remove any moisture and oil from your nails, since these could prevent the acrylic from adhering properly. Now it’s time to apply the acrylics. Add a dab of nail glue to each nail tip. Press the tip onto your nail so that the bottom edge is about halfway between the end and base of your natural nail. Hold the tip in place for about 5 seconds to give the glue a chance to set. Then, pour a little of the acrylic liquid and powder into two separate dishes. Be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area, since these chemicals can produce some strong fumes. Dip your acrylic brush into the liquid, then run the brush through the powder to create a small, moist ball of mixed powder and liquid. Apply the mixture to the base of each nail and brush it over the line where your natural nail meets the base of the acrylic tip. Use the brush to smooth out the powder mixture and create a seamless transition between your natural nail and the acrylic tip. Brush the mixture all the way down to the tip of the acrylic nail in smooth strokes. If you need to, dip the brush again and apply a little more of the mixture close to your cuticle line to fill in the gap between the base of the acrylic tip and the base of your natural nail. Use circular motions to bring the mixture as close to your cuticle as possible without actually touching it. Repeat this process on all of your nails, then wait about 10 minutes for the acrylic to dry completely. To finish, shape your nail tips with a file, then paint your new nails however you like. Your acrylic nails should last about 2 weeks. After that, you can remove them by soaking them in acetone. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Marta Nagorska Nail Artist Co-authors: 56 Updated: June 11, 2025 Views: 3,309,910 87% of readers found this article helpful. 143 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote

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