Do-It-Yourself Acrylic Nails

Acrylic nails with French tips are beautiful and elongate and beautify the hands and fingers. The cost of this service can be prohibitive, depending on where you live. In addition, some nail techs can be rough and damage your nails, even without meaning to. If you desire the beauty of acrylic nails but want to apply them yourself, this is a simple process.

Supplies

You'll need to purchase supplies if you don't already have them on hand. A nail file and buffer block, nail polish remover and clear coat protective nail polish are all necessary for this project. In addition, you will need an acrylic nail kit. You can find these for $10-$20 at your local drug store or beauty supply store. You may also wish to buy a manicure set, similar to the Dremel buffer used in nail salons. You can find these at your local drugstore or beauty supply store as well, for around $10. The product includes interchangeable attachments for filing, buffing and smoothing. You'll also need plenty of paper towels, and a couple of plastic, throw-away food storage containers.

Preparation

First, prepare your natural nails. Remove any nail polish and file any sharp edges. Buff the tops of your nails lightly to rough them up just a little bit. If your nail beds are smooth and polished, the acrylic powder won't adhere well, and your nails will pop off in a day or two.

Nail Application

Select nail tips out of the acrylic kit. Size them to the tips of your own finger nails, ensuring that they are just the right size. If they are too small, discard and find a better size. If the nail tips are too big and you can't find a size that works, you can trim them down. Apply the nail tips to your natural nails with the glue included in the kit. Give the tips proper time to set and dry before moving to the next step.

Acrylic Application

Put down a hand towel to work on and protect your table, and keep plenty of paper towels nearby. Put a small amount of acrylic powder in a small dish - a small, discardable plastic storage container works well for this purpose. In another dish, place a small amount of acrylic liquid. Using the brush provided in the kit, dip into the acrylic liquid and wet the brush. Then, dip the wet brush into the acrylic powder until a ball forms on the end of the brush. Apply the ball of acrylic to your nail and smooth it over the surface in a uniform manner. You can then move on and complete the rest of your nails.

Finish

After you have applied acrylic to all your nails, buff the sides and tips. You may also wish to buff the tops to a sheen. Then apply a thin coat of protective clear coat nail polish to protect your work.

It may take a few times to get perfect nails, but once you get the hang of it, the process becomes quick and painless. It's also a lot healthier for your natural nails, as they aren't being subjected to the abuse from the professional-grade tools that are used at nail salons. Just make sure you use high-quality products and apply your nails in a clean work area.