People keep saying that isolation is a good time for DIY and, seen as salons are shut for the time being, we agree (yes, beauty DIY counts). We’ve already divulged our tips for removing your gel mani at home and next up? Acrylic nails.
By Beth Ludolf
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1 Things you'll need
There’s a few things you need; nail clippers, a good nail file and buffer, a cuticle pusher, a small bowl and some pure acetone. You’ll probably have some bits around the house, others you might have to buy (you can get them all on Amazon).
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2 Cut them short
The first step is to cut your nails down – especially if they’re long. Use nail clippers to cut the acrylic down to the length of your natural nail underneath (flip your hand over, you’ll be able to see where your natural nail ends).
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3 File them down
Grab a nail file (it needs to be a good one, acrylic is tough) and start filing the flat of the nail to thin out the product. The more product you file away, the less time they’ll take to soak off.
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4 Soak them off
Pour the acetone into a bowl and dip your nails in, leaving them to soak until the acrylic fully breaks down. Every 20 minutes take them out the bowl and scrape off the gooey top layer of acrylic with a cuticle pusher – repeat until its all gone. If your skin is sensitive use cotton pads and foils (as if you’re removing gel polish).
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5 Buff them out
Buffing them with a soft buffer will help to remove any stubborn bits of acrylic and smooth out the nail plate. Finish with nail strengthener and some hand cream.
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FAQs
What do you need to remove acrylic nails at home?
You need nail clippers, a nail file, a buffer, a cuticle pusher, a bowl and pure acetone. Some of these items may already be at home, while others can be bought online, such as on Amazon.
How do you safely soak off acrylic nails?
Pour pure acetone into a small bowl and dip your nails in until the acrylic breaks down. Every 20 minutes, remove your fingers and use a cuticle pusher to scrape off the softened acrylic, repeating as needed for full removal.
What is the first step to remove acrylic nails yourself?
The first step is to cut your acrylic nails down to the length of your natural nail underneath using nail clippers. Flipping your hand over makes it easy to see where your natural nail ends.
How do you finish after removing acrylic nails at home?
Buff your nails with a soft buffer to get rid of any leftover acrylic and to smooth the nail plate. Finish by applying nail strengthener and hand cream to help your nails recover.
Can you use cotton pads and foils instead of soaking for sensitive skin?
Yes, if your skin is sensitive, use cotton pads and foils like when removing gel polish. This helps minimise direct contact with acetone and is a gentler removal option.