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03Acrylic Nail Designs: How to Choose and Maintain Them
Choosing an acrylic nail design is the fun part, but your lifestyle should help you with your choice. Here are some general guidelines:
Bookmark this guide to uncover everything you need to know about acrylic nails!
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Choosing an acrylic nail design is the fun part, but your lifestyle should help you with your choice. Here are some general guidelines:
Pallavi Mehra is a Mumbai & LA-based writer-editor with 12+ years' experience, featured in Vogue, GQ & Condé Nast Traveller, covering travel, lifestyle & more.
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Acrylic nails have been wildly popular for decades, offering a way to achieve length, strength, and delicate art that natural nails often can't support. However, anyone who has worn them knows that the "fresh salon look" can fade quickly without the correct care. To help you keep your acrylic nails looking fresh, we consulted the experts. Here's you guide to everything from the science of the acrylic bond to the daily habits that will keep your manicure looking flawless for weeks.
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Acrylics are a mix of a liquid monomer and a powder polymer. When these two are combined, they craft a soft bead that a technician molds into shape. Unlike gel, which requires a UV light to harden, acrylics air-cure into a durable, protective layer. The following are the ways in which acrylic nails differ from gel and normal polish:
Durability: Acrylic nails are significantly harder than natural nails or gel polish.
Versatility: They can be used to extend the nail (using tips) or as an overlay to strengthen your natural length.
Repairability: If an acrylic nail cracks, it can typically be fixed without removing the entire set.
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Usually, acrylic nails last between six to eight weeks, but there is a catch: you must visit the salon every two to three weeks for a "fill."
As your natural nail grows, a gap appears at the cuticle. This gap not only looks unpolished but also creates a leverage point that makes the nail more likely to lift or snap. Regular fills reinforce the structure and keep the balance of the nail centered.
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Neutral milky whites, soft pinks, or a classic French tip are timeless and hide regrowth better than dark colours.
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3D art, charms, and or coffin acrylic nails are trending but require more care to ensure pieces don't fall off.
If you pick a light colour, apply a fresh clear top coat every few days at home to prevent staining from makeup, hair dye, or even cooking spices such as turmeric.
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When it comes to acrylic nails, maintenance doesn't stop when you leave the salon chair. Follow these rules to extend the life of your set:
Hydrate the Cuticles: It's crucial that you apply cuticle oil daily. This keeps the skin around the nail supple and prevents the acrylic from lifting at the base.
Wear Gloves: Household chemicals and long exposure to water can weaken the acrylic bond. Always wear rubber gloves when washing dishes or cleaning.
Avoid "Nail Tools": Never use your nails to pry open soda cans or peel off stickers.
Keep Them Dry: After washing your hands, always dry them thoroughly. Trapped moisture between the acrylic and the natural nail can lead to bacterial growth.
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If you can't get to a salon, do not rip them off. This peels away layers of your natural nail, leaving them thin and painful.
Trim: Cut off as much of the acrylic length as possible.
File: Use a coarse nail file to buff away the top shiny layer of the acrylic. This helps the acetone penetrate.
Soak: Place 100% pure acetone in a small glass bowl. Soak your fingertips for 20–30 minutes. (Alternatively, use cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrap them in tin foil).
Gently Scrape: Once the acrylic looks "gummy" or melted, utilise a wooden cuticle pusher to gently scrape it off.
Repeat: If it doesn't come off easily, soak for another 10 minutes.
Nourish: After removal, your nails will be very dry. Apply a heavy dose of moisturiser and nail strengthener.
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When deciding between lengths, short acrylics are the clear winner for longevity and ease of use. Because they do not extend far past the fingertip, they have a much higher resistance to snapping, or lifting during daily activities. They are also significantly more practical for those who type frequently or work with their hands, and the gap created by natural nail growth is far less obvious.
Long acrylics, while offering a more dramatic and glamorous aesthetic, come with a higher risk of breakage. The extra length creates a lever effect. When the tip of the nail hits an object, the force is magnified at the stress point of your natural nail bed.
Furthermore, as your natural nail grows out, the center of gravity shifts toward the tip, making the entire structure unstable. If you prefer long nails, you must be prepared for more frequent maintenance and more careful hand movements. Therefore, short acrylic nails last way longer than long acrylic nails.
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Here are the most common misconceptions about acrylic nails: Acrylics ruin your natural nails: Correct application and, more importantly, proper removal do not ruin nails. Damage usually comes from over-filing the natural nail bed or forcefully removing acrylics.
Nails need to breathe: Nails are made of keratin and don't need to breathe. They get their nutrients and oxygen from the blood supply underneath. However, taking a break every few months is always a good idea as it enables you to check the health of your nail beds.
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Here are some additional expert-approved tips to keep your acrylic nails looking good:
Use a Soft Nail Brush: Once a day, scrub under the tips with a soft brush and soap to remove dirt and bacteria.
The Alcohol Trick: If your nails start to look dull, wipe them with an alcohol prep pad to restore instant shine.
Fix Lifting Early: If you notice a corner lifting, don't glue it back down yourself (this traps bacteria). Visit a salon for a quick repair.
Therefore, acrylic nails are an excellent investment in your personal style, but they are high-maintenance. By keeping them moisturised and treating them well, you can ensure they look salon-fresh until your next appointment.
Here are some frequently asked questions about acrylic nails, answered by the experts:
Yes! You can use regular polish over acrylics. Just use a non-acetone remover when you want to change the colour so you don't melt the acrylic underneath.
Some tightness is normal as the product cures and shrinks slightly on the nail. However, if there is throbbing or sharp pain, the tips could be too tight or the application too thick.
Most salons recommend a fresh set every three to four months to ensure your natural nail underneath is healthy and to remove any old product that may have become brittle.
