Buying guide for best acrylic nail kits
While there’s nothing like fresh manicures to boost your confidence, it starts to get pricey if you get them often, so why not learn to apply your own nails? With an at-home acrylic nail kit, you can save some money and have some fun at the same time. Whether you’re a beginner or you’ve manicured your own nails for years, there are nearly limitless kits to choose from.
Before deciding which acrylic nail kit to buy, you need to keep a few factors in mind. If you’ve never given yourself an acrylic manicure, look for a set that contains detailed instructions. You should also look at the polish colors, the tools and materials the kit contains (including any storage containers), and the anticipated drying time.
No matter what your manicure criteria are, be sure to do your research before committing to an acrylic nail kit. A good shopping guide and a few recommendations can help.
How to buy the best acrylic nail kit
Kit essentials
Each acrylic nail kit contains different items depending on the manufacturer, but all of them should have a few key items.
Liquid monomers are usually made from ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and bind with powder to make the acrylic nail foundation. Many liquid monomers have a purple undertone. They may also include chemicals to protect the health of the natural nail. (There are also HEMA monomers, which don’t preserve the natural nail as well.)
Acrylic powder can be clear or colored. While the powder binds with the liquid monomers to make a paste to apply to nails, it’s worth mentioning that acrylic powder is a polymer, which means it's made from the same substance as monomers (albeit in a different form). Most acrylic nail kits come with powder in different colors.
Nail brushes are used to mix and apply the acrylic mixture to natural nails or nail tips. Every acrylic nail kit should include at least one, while deluxe versions include multiple brush sizes.
Nail tips are included in some kits, but not all. They attach to the end of the natural nail. Tips are an excellent choice for anyone who isn’t able to grow long nails or simply wants to experiment with different nail shapes and lengths.
Use a liquid monomer without MMA. MMA was used widely in the 1970s, but the harsh chemical has since been found to damage nails, causing soreness, infection, and dermatitis. HEMA, a different chemical used in liquid monomers, is safe in concentrations of 30% or less.
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How to give yourself an acrylic manicure
The directions vary a bit depending on the acrylic nail kit’s contents, but every kit has the same basic instructions.
Prepare the natural nails. This might be obvious, but there shouldn’t be any remnants of nail polish on your nails. If you’re using nail tips, buff your natural nails to remove the gloss. Use a cuticle pusher to push back your cuticles for a neater manicure. This encourages nail growth too.
File natural nails to your desired shape. When in doubt, go for a rounded square or oval shape. If you’re using nail tips, your natural nails should be cut short.
Prepare the nail tips. If you’re using nail tips, you’ll need to prepare and adhere them to your natural nail. A kit with nail tips might include several styles and sizes. Try all of them on your natural nail in order to see which ones fit best. If necessary, have a nail file and nail clippers handy for adjustments.
Glue the nail tips to your nails. When you’ve picked the nail tips that fit, glue them one by one using a dot of acrylic glue per nail. Apply pressure to each nail for 10 to 15 seconds to make sure it sticks properly. Ideally, there should be no noticeable line between the natural nail and the nail tip. If there is, use a nail buffer to smooth it down.
Apply the dehydrating primer. The primer ensures that the nail tips will stick securely. Apply the primer from the base of the exposed natural nail to the end of the nail tip. If you’re not using nail tips, you can use a non-dehydrating primer, which will still extend the life of the manicure.
Brush on the acrylic. Have a paper towel, a small bowl of the liquid monomer, and a separate bowl of the acrylic powder ready and in front of you. Dip the brush into the monomer and remove the excess by pressing the brush on the side of the bowl. Dip the wet brush into the acrylic powder to make the mixture that goes on the nails. Wipe off any excess mixture on the paper towel. Carefully paint the mixture onto the nail tips or your natural nail. Let each nail dry. Finish with a thin topcoat layer.
Let the nails dry. Acrylic nails take about 10 to 15 minutes to fully dry. A nail dryer can accelerate the process. You’ll know your nails are fully dry if they make a light “click” sound when you tap them. Use a nail file to shape the dried nails to perfection.
Acrylic vs. gel nails
An at-home gel nail kit is a common alternative to an acrylic kit.
Acrylic nails are more durable, so they’ll hold up better for day-to-day tasks that require using your hands. Acrylic nail kits are also more affordable than gel kits and require fewer materials. However, some people think acrylic nails have a more artificial appearance.
Gel nails have a shiny gloss to them and appear more natural. They also take significantly less time to dry, though you’ll need a UV lamp to dry them properly. Gel nails don’t have the strong odor that’s associated with acrylics. On the downside, gel nails are more likely to peel at the edges.
Can’t decide between the two? Since acrylic nail kits are less expensive, we recommend trying one of those first before buying a gel nail kit.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can use eyeshadow to add color to clear acrylic powder. All you need is an empty container. Mix equal parts of acrylic powder and eyeshadow pigment in the container and shake it until it’s fully blended.
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Features to look for in acrylic nail kits
Colors
You can get acrylic nails in virtually any color you can think of, though the choice varies depending on the kit. The colors come from the acrylic powder. Some kits include three to five colors, while others include only clear powder, which means it's up to you to add the color.
Press-on nails
If the whole idea of mixing liquid monomer and polymer together to do your nails sounds too time-consuming, a press-on acrylic nail kit might be right for you. Press-on nails are quick, painless, affordable, and can last up to two weeks. They take about 10 to 15 minutes to put on and can be filed and trimmed as needed to better fit the nail.
How much do acrylic nail kits cost?
Inexpensive
Acrylic nail kits vary widely in price, and you get what you pay for. We don’t recommend buying the cheapest kit, since those are more likely to damage your nails or not last as long. At $8 to $15, the least expensive kits are press-on nails or very simple kits containing no more than a small bottle of liquid monomer, polymer, one brush, and possibly a set of nail tips.
Mid-range
You have a lot more choices in the $15 to $30 range, and kits include more colors and extras like cuticle pushers, nail primer, and nail clippers. You’ll also find a better selection of quality press-on nails. Liquid monomers in these nail kits are more likely to be EMA monomers, the safest and best option.
Expensive
If you want to really elevate your DIY manicure abilities, splurge a little bit. Acrylic nail kits priced at $30 and more can include dozens of colors, multiple nail tip sets, primers, nail buffers, nail files, and more.
If you opt for long nail tips, remember to regularly clean the underside of the nails using an old toothbrush.
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Tips
- Patience is key. Acrylic nails (not the press-on type) can take up to a couple hours to apply if you’re just starting out, and 45 minutes if you’re a bit more experienced. Don’t rush the process.
- Let your nails breathe between acrylic manicures. Taking a break between manicures is essential to avoid nail damage. Don’t remove acrylic nails and reapply them immediately. If you do, plan to give your nails a month-long break after the second removal.
- Take the nails off the right way. There are a few ways to remove at-home acrylic nails. For nail tips, first clip them so they’re the same length as the natural nail underneath. Buff the nails so they no longer shine, which will help the acetone work better. Dip your fingertips in a dish of 100% acetone and let them soak for 5 to 20 minutes. Use a cuticle pusher to scrape off the softened nail polish and nail. Repeat as needed.
FAQ
Q. I don’t want to use nail tips with my acrylic nail kit. Can I apply the acrylic directly onto my natural nails?
A. You can absolutely apply an acrylic overlay to natural nails. The steps aren’t too different from applying acrylics using nail tips.
Q. Are acrylic nails bad for natural nails?
A. If applied excessively, acrylic nails will eventually damage natural nails. This is because your natural nails must be filed down before applying the acrylics. If you try to remove the acrylic by peeling it off the natural nail, it’s going to weaken your natural nail and possibly expose it.
