Acrylic Nails Ideas 2024: Stunning Styles for Long-Lasting Glamour

Whether you’re considering which acrylic nail shapes you’d like to try next in your nail salon, or getting ready to try an at-home manicure, our fabulous and chic acrylic nail ideas guide can help.

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1. What Are Acrylic Nails?
2. What’s the Difference Between Acrylic and Gel Nails
3. How to Do Your Acrylic Nails At Home
4. Acrylic Nail Ideas For Your Inspiration
5. How To Remove Acrylic Nails
6. Conclusion

What Are Acrylic Nails?

One of the oldest and most popular types of manicures for stylish, long-lasting nails, acrylics are applied over your natural nails by a professional manicurist who brushes acrylic powder along with a liquid acrylic mixture onto the nail bed. They then gently push the paste into shape with a brush.

Acrylic materials can be used to harden your own nails or extend the entire nail to your preferred length by adding more acrylic paste on top of an artificial “tip.” The manicurist then lets the acrylic dry before filing and shaping it.

You’ll need to get an acrylic manicure “filled in” every 2-3 weeks as your nails grow, and most manicurists recommend reapplying acrylic nails every 6-8 weeks. An acrylic application takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, and it’s essential to have it done in a well-ventilated area. For guidance on salon practices, check out our article on key factors to consider when choosing a nail salon.

What’s the Difference Between Acrylic and Gel Nails

Both acrylics and gel nails can be used to extend your natural nails, but they use different techniques and materials. If you’re unsure which style to choose, our in-depth comparison of dip vs gel nails may help you decide on the perfect manicure type.

Acrylics use a mixture of an acrylic liquid and powder monomer on the nail bed, while gel nails use a layered application of gel polish that is hardened under UV light for a smooth finish.

Gel nails are applied and hardened in multiple stages, building up to a top layer, while acrylics are a single layer that the nail technician can brush flat or shape. For a sleek, lasting shine on acrylic nails, consider reading up on various types of nail polish finishes to enhance your acrylic manicure.

Gel nails are naturally shiny, whereas acrylics require a top coat of nail polish to achieve the same shine.

The gel that’s used is hardened using a UV light, not air-dried like acrylics, so while it’s possible to do your nails at home using acrylic kits, it’s much harder to do your own gel manicure. For those considering professional services, our guide on finding a reliable nail technician can be helpful.

Finally, gel nails need to be properly removed by a nail tech, whereas you won’t need to have a professional remove your acrylics — you can do it at home with acetone (be careful, as pure acetone is a strong solvent). For a thorough step-by-step, follow our guide on safely removing acrylic nails at home.

How to Do Your Acrylic Nails At Home

If you’re feeling ready to try applying acrylic nails, there are some things you’ll need to know to help avoid damaging your natural nail beds and get good results. Remember: this is a skill that takes practice, so take your time and start with manageable lengths. If you’re a beginner, consider starting with tips on making manicures last longer to ensure lasting results.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do your own acrylic nails at home.

• Gather your supplies: You can either buy an acrylic nail kit with everything you need (along with detailed instructions), or you can get each item individually. For comprehensive guidance, refer to our post on different types of manicures and supplies.

  You’ll need:

  • A cuticle pusher
  • Nail tips
  • Nail primer
  • Nail glue
  • A nail file
  • Nail clippers
  • Acrylic powder
  • Liquid monomer
  • An acrylic brush
  • Mixing bowls (have an acrylic dish for powder and one for liquid)

• Prep your nails: Remove any old polish, soak your hands in warm water, and then push back your cuticles. Next, trim each nail tip to just above the smile line (the end of each nail), dry them, and buff with a soft file. To keep your nail beds healthy, check our guide on pedicure risks and aftercare tips.

• Select and apply each acrylic tip: these will give you the long nails you’re looking for. Just like with press-on nails, you’ll select and glue on each one. They’ll have a 2-3 mm lip on the bottom edge where your own nail will sit.

  Don’t be afraid to trim and file them before gluing for a perfect fit. Finally, gently trim and file the very tip of each nail to get the basic shape you want.

• Use a nail primer: This will help the acrylics adhere to your natural nail and the tip evenly. Make sure to open a window or turn on ventilation to ensure a safe environment while applying chemicals. For more on safe manicure practices, consider reading important tips on reducing manicure risks.

• Apply the acrylic mixture: Make sure that your liquid monomer and powder are each in a separate dish, dip your brush into the monomer, then gently tap it to remove excess liquid, then into the powder. This will create a small ball you can spread onto the nail.

  Make sure to apply smoothly in the same direction, using even strokes. Wipe any excess on a paper towel and start again on the next nail.

• Let them dry: Once you’ve coated and shaped each nail, it’s time to let your acrylics dry. The hotter it is, the faster this will happen, so it’s best for beginners to work in a cool room as they apply the mixture. If you’re looking to enhance your drying technique, read our tips on quick drying methods for nail polish and acrylics.

• Add your finishing touches: Gently file along the edges to shape and smooth out any imperfections, then brush on nail polish and enjoy the results. For added design inspiration, check out our modern French manicure ideas.

If this is your first time, choose a nail tip that’s a manageable length to start out. You don’t want to risk snagging or pulling off your new acrylics and having to redo everything. For helpful beginner advice, see our guide on how long manicures last and tips for durability.

How To Remove Acrylic Nails

People often ask how to get acrylic nails off, and the good news is that it’s easy, especially if you go to a professional.

But if you’re wondering how to remove acrylic nails at home, the first step is to gather a few basic supplies. You’ll want to get:

• Acetone
• A small bowl
• Nail clippers
• A nail file
• A cuticle stick
• Cotton balls
• Tinfoil

Start by trimming down the entire nail as much as possible (leave about 2 centimeters above the natural nail bed for safety), then file the tops of each acrylic down (but don’t be too rough) to reduce the thickness.

Next, soak cotton balls in acetone, then set one on top of each nail and wrap it in foil. Leave these on for 10-20 minutes. For a detailed process, read our guide on removing false nails safely at home.

Finally, gently push each acrylic off using a cuticle stick. Wash your hands and apply some cuticle oil to hydrate your nails.

Acrylic Nail Ideas For Your Inspiration

If you’re looking for a new creative ombre acrylic nail design to spark your creativity, then check these out.

Here are some of our favorite acrylic nail designs and shapes:

French Tip Acrylic Nails

This is one of our favorite summer acrylic nail ideas because it’s so clean and classic. French acrylic nails can be done with white tips, or you can mix it up and add a burst of bright color like orange or yellow. Get more ideas from our stylish summer nail inspirations.

White Acrylic Nails

If you’re not satisfied with white tip acrylic nails, why not go for a striking full-white manicure? You can add a stripe of contrasting color or one or two “accent” nails in a different shade to make it pop.

Reverse French Tips

These look great on short acrylic nails because you don’t need much length for the colored tip. Simply brush a half-moon shape at the base in a different color for a chic reverse French manicure style that stands out beautifully.

Nude Acrylic Nails

Acrylic powder comes in various shades, so you can achieve a “natural” nude look with a high-shine topcoat or subtle accent nail art. This timeless style looks amazing on nails of any length.

Pink Acrylic Nails

Pink acrylic nails are a classic, but they can also be bold! Choose an oval shape with soft pink for a subtle look, or go brighter and pointier for a fun and lively vibe. Explore more in our pink nail design inspirations.

Black Acrylic Nails

Whether it’s a sleek matte black nail or a black ballerina nail with gold glitter accents, black acrylics always make a statement. Combine different shapes and shades to create a dramatic, standout look.

Ombre Acrylic Nails

Also called a French ombre manicure, these gradually fade from pink to white tips. Perfect for short acrylic nails, this style creates an illusion of longer nails and adds a soft, elegant touch.

Coffin Acrylic Nails

If you’re looking for something unique, coffin-shaped acrylic nails offer a modern twist with a squared-off tip. This shape is perfect for showcasing bold colors or intricate designs, giving your manicure a trendy, standout look.

Recommendations

Getting a kit for acrylic nails can be a fun way to change up your look, but it’s important to do your research and practice if you want great results.

We’ve tried our best to cover as much as possible in this acrylic nails guide, but we know that there are so many options out there to choose from that it would be impossible to go over everything. We’re always excited to hear your ideas, so why not reach out and let us know?

Citations

Nail anatomy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/

Finger nail plate shape and size for personal identification – a possible low technology method for the developing world - Preliminary report
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhs/article/view/30795

Physics of nail conditions: why do ingrown nails always happen in the big toes?
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/