Step By Step Acrylic Nails

Hello!

Thanks again for clicking and reading. This is my fifth and final blog post for my digital marketing class this semester, it's been so fun writing these over the past few weeks and reflecting on my journey as well as being a little bit creative with coming up with new topics to write about- I have really enjoyed it. This week I thought I could do a step by step tutorial of how I do my own nails, I will also be linking step by step video tutorials by professionals incase anyone would like to find out more information and that is a better way to learn than through pictures.

STEP 1-PREP

This is what my nails look like without any enhancements- absolutely tiny, short and make me feel like I have boy hands- another reason why I am addicted to nail extensions.

I do not have a good picture of this but the most crucial part of the process is the nail prep- you need to ensure the products will adhere to the nail plate effectively by preparing the nail- you need to file it everywhere and ensure the full surface has been buffed or filed in order for the product to stick. Nail beds are naturally oily and this needs to be removed before the process starts as products will not stick to oily surfaces. It is also important to remove/ clean up the cuticle area here and push cuticles back in order for the client to get the most wear out of their enhancements.

STEP 2- FORM/TIP

After you have prepped the nail you can either use a form or a tip in order to create the desired shape. My preferred option in a tip, however I have tried a form before but I find it takes more time and it is more difficult to get the desired shape of the nail. Here I am using nail tips purchased from Amazon which come in 10 different sizes and you can also cut them to shape if necessary. I definitely recommend cutting especially if they do not fit your client well as this ensures everything is personalised and the nails will look more natural on the client. After gluing down the tips onto the nail it is then important to cut them or file them to the desired shape and length. Use nail clippers or scissors for this. Ensure the full nail tip has been filed and has a rough surface as this will ensure adhesion of the acrylic.

STEP 3-ACRYLIC APPLICATION

This step involves the most amount of work and focus. Video tutorials will explain this much better than I am able to in words, however I can give some pointers. The acrylic powder to acrylic liquid/monomer is the most crucial part- you need to ensure it is not too runny or too dry in order to avoid mistakes. You need to sculpt these out with a bit of strength at the apex in order for the nails to stay strong. Here I chose a clear acrylic as I did not know what colour I would go for, however colourful acrylic powders are also available. After the initial application it is essential to file the acrylic to get rid of any bumps and lumps as well as buff them afterwards to ensure a smooth surface.

STEP 4- COLOUR

This step is the most fun as it is entirely up to you- you can be as creative or as basic as you would like here. For this particular set I chose to go basic as this was a set for a ball and I wanted my nails to match my outfit. I love a long sleek looking nail set! This part is also important as you need to ensure the full nail is covered but that there is not overflow onto the cuticle area before putting your nails into the lamp to cure the gel polish. Colourful acrylics can also be used in the before stage in order to get a desired colour- however you will still need to use a top coat and cure the colour under the lamp. After the products have been cured it is essential to wipe over with a nail cleansing solution in order to get rid of the sticky area and add a pop of cuticle oil to the cuticles to keep your nails hydrated!

AND THAT'S IT!

Many thanks for reading- I hope you enjoyed this simple step by step acrylic nails tutorial- I will now link some professional YouTube videos if you are further interested in the subject!