Nails are trending. There are many personalities who constantly delight them with new creations on their nails, full of colors and applications, which might seem impossible and out of the earthly world. How do they do it? Very easy, with acrylic nails.
Acrylic nails are extensions that are made on the natural nail, thanks to the combination of an acrylic polymer and a liquid that forms a moldable mass. This technique makes it possible to lengthen the nails, give them the desired shape, embed nail applications and even restructure broken or damaged nails. Actually, acrylic nails allow for endless possibilities, from simple sculpted nails with a basic everyday manicure to the most creative and original manicures with kilometric nails. But how long does it take to do an acrylic manicure? What advantages and disadvantages does it have? How are they made? We tell you!
How are acrylic nails done?
Learning to do acrylic nails requires practice and technique, which is why every day there are more specialized beauty salons. However, the technique is relatively simple and lovers of homemade nail art have learned to do it from their homes. You just need the right materials and a good dose of motivation to learn.
There are two types of techniques to make acrylic: the technique of the tips, also called sculptural nails, and the one that is done with a mold or tip, which are usually called sculpted nails. In some countries, sculptural nails are also called sculpted.
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Acrylic nails with tips or sculptures
Those that are made with tips are considered a true work of art, which is why they are generally applied in specialized salons. It’s important to know how to do them well so that they have the right durability and don’t look too artificial (unless this is the intention when sculpting the nail). The tips are little pieces of paper that are placed on the nail and serve as a guide to place the acrylic. Once the work is finished, they leave. Then, the manicure specialist is in charge of giving the desired length and shape by sculpting the acrylic nail, as well as filing it once it is dry.
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Acrylic nails with mold or tip (sculpted nails)
The other acrylic nail technique is done with molds called tips that are placed on the nail and remain fixed to it. The acrylic is applied over the tip, so the mold remains fixed on the nail until it is completely removed. This technique is the easiest to apply and is the one with which you usually begin to learn. It also has an advantage, and that is that they are more easily removed and affect the nail bed less. This technique allows a multitude of shapes and a fairly wide length; however, very elaborate artistic works require the technique of points.
With acrylic nails you can make many nail shapes: stiletto, oval, round, square, squeal, almond-shaped or coffin-shaped… that is, all the existing shapes in traditional manicure. Plus, sculptural nails allow for any imaginable creation.
Advantages and benefits of acrylic nails
Like any type of false nail, acrylic nails have advantages and disadvantages in their application. Generally, what you want in a false nail is that it is long-lasting, natural-looking, and affects your natural nails as little as possible. Let’s see if acrylic nails fulfill these functions. We show you its advantages:
- They are very durable; they can last up to four weeks, depending on how much your natural nail grows. In addition, they can be maintained every 15 or 20 days, thus allowing a durability of up to 6 months.
- They allow rebuilding broken and bitten nails, so they are a life saver for those who have nail problems.
- If they are performed and removed correctly, they allow the natural nail to be protected from external agents.
- They are very resistant and protect the natural nail, while allowing you to wear long nails, so they are ideal for those who often suffer from weak nails and breakage.
- Done correctly, they are aesthetically very beautiful nails, which will look perfect for a long time.
Most Known Disadvantages of Acrylic Nails
Of course, although acrylic nails have advantages that make us consider them as an option for our manicure, they also have some disadvantages, many related to their proper care:
- It is important that the person applying them has experience and practice to make them look natural.
- Its abuse can affect the natural growth of the nail, so it is recommended to take breaks of one or two weeks between each acrylic position.
- Volatile chemicals are used for its application, so its smell may be a bit unpleasant during the application process. Correct ventilation is important in the place where they are applied.
- The handling of the nails in the application, as well as constant maintenance is essential to avoid the appearance of fungi or infections. The place where it is applied must have all the necessary hygienic measures.
- Removing acrylic nails requires a good professional technique so that natural nails are not damaged.
How long does it take to perform an acrylic manicure?
- We all want to have perfect nails, without spending too much time on it, so the question is understandable: how long does it take to do an acrylic manicure?
- Sculptural or sculpted nails, that is, those with tips, have a longer time to complete and, in general, the process usually lasts between an hour and a half and two hours, depending on the number of applications and artistic work that is carried out. Require to do.
- The second option, those of tips, has a shorter process if they are applied by an experienced professional, approximately between half an hour and an hour. It is important to know that these times are those of a professional. If you are learning how to apply acrylic nails at home, it will probably take much longer for you to gain enough skill and experience.
- If you decide to put on nails, you should keep in mind that these are for a long period, that is, you cannot put them on one day and want to take them off the next day because you will damage your natural nail.
- As we have already mentioned, it is also important to know that they require a filling process every 15 or 20 days, depending on the growth of your natural nail, to prevent the beginning of the nail from being seen, something that does not look good. Also, if it grows too long and is not filled in, the sculpted nail can counterbalance the natural nail and deform it.
- To remove the enamel must be done with the proper technique. There are several, but usually it involves dipping or soaking the nail in nail polish remover for about 20 minutes until the nail softens and can be removed. If the nail has been painted over with nail polish, it can be removed with non-acetone nail polish remover and remove the polish little by little with a cotton pad.
Characteristics and care of acrylic nails that you should know
The main recommendation is to know all the details about acrylic to sculpt them at home. Therefore, we are going to tell you about some care that you should take into account:
- Before beginning an acrylic manicure, it is important to clean and disinfect the nails with alcohol or antiseptic. In addition, the nails must be cut and filed, as well as the cuticles pushed back.
- -You can file the surface of the nail a little to open the pores and allow the acrylic to adhere well. It is essential to remove any dust from the nail before applying the product.
- For the application of you will have to do it with the help of a special brush or brush and always in the correct amount.
- Afterwards, its drying will take approximately 10 minutes.
- On the market there are a large number of colors in acrylic powder, which when mixed with the liquid create the paste that is put on the nail to give it shape. In addition, they can be painted with enamel, like any nail.
- Once in place, you should not forget to maintain it every 15 or 20 days, as it is essential for it to look good and for your natural nails to.
Remember that you can do acrylic manicures at home, but the recommendation is to go to your trusted beauty center so that a professional can do them. In this way, the finish will be much more beautiful and natural. Also keep in mind not to neglect the skin of your hands. It is important to take care of the nails without neglecting the hands and, for this, hand creams and sunscreen should be applied in summer to prevent premature aging.