One of the best things about getting a manicure is that you can create any look you want. The length, shape, and color of your nails are completely up to you. Sometimes, you might create a bright, bold look that turns heads everywhere you go. But on other occasions, you may just want to enjoy a subtle manicure that looks beautiful but natural in your everyday life.
Creating a natural acrylic nail doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take some practice to get it just right. Whether you’re a seasoned nail tech brushing up on your skills or just starting out with your own acrylic nail kit at home, check out these tips and tricks on how to make acrylic nails look natural.
Adequately Prepare for the Manicure
The first step for any manicure is prepping the nails. If you don’t take the time to clean, cut, and prepare your nails, you won’t be able to create a smooth, healthy look. Before you do anything else, wash your hands and trim your nails down. You should also use a cuticle pusher to gently move your cuticles back; this helps create a smooth foundation for your manicure.
Next, you’ll want to use a file to buff your nails and create some texture to help the acrylics adhere. You can also apply Mia Secret’s Nail Prep to dehydrate your nails and remove their natural oil. Following these steps helps you properly prep your nails and give yourself the perfect base for a clean, gorgeous, and long-lasting acrylic manicure.
Make Time for Primer
Nail primer is a crucial part of a great looking nail. Make sure you choose a strong primer that preps your natural nail plates, increases adhesion, and helps your acrylics last longer without burning or damaging your natural nails and cuticles. Mia Secret’s Xtrabond Primer helps improve adhesion and duration for your acrylic nails with a safe, no-burn, acid-free formula that will keep your natural nail beds strong and healthy. Be sure to take your time when applying primer. Coat each nail evenly to create a smooth, seamless base for your manicure.
Apply Your Acrylics Normally
Once it’s time to apply your acrylics, you can do so normally. Don’t overthink this part; you can get to shaping, adding polish, and everything else you need to create a beautiful natural nail later. But before you do that, you need to make sure you apply your acrylic powder and monomer smoothly.
There are a few best practices to keep in mind. Make sure you use the right liquid-to-powder ratio to create a smooth, glossy bead that you can easily apply to your nail. Apply your bead at the base of the nail, then work your way down to the tip so you can sculpt a nail that flows seamlessly and naturally.
File the Nails Carefully
Once your acrylics have dried, you can start creating your natural nail look. The first step in making acrylic nails look natural is filing them down into a more authentic shape, size, and texture. This is particularly important if you’re using nail tips. An acrylic nail that has lumps or looks thick or bulky will seem unnatural no matter what shape or color it is. Carefully smooth down the nails to make them flow more naturally from base to tip. Double-check each nail from the side to get a good view of their shape and thickness and to spot any lumps that might be sticking out around the cuticle.
Choose a Natural Nail Shape
There are plenty of fun shapes to try with your acrylic nails, but not all of them suit a natural look. As bold and eye-catching as stiletto nails are, they don’t work as well when you want a more subtle manicure. Look for shapes that are better suited for a natural nail look instead.
This doesn’t mean you have to stick with a standard round nail—although the simple rounded look is great for creating something beautiful yet understated. You can experiment with more natural shapes like a long but rounded oval or a crisp, sharp square edge. An almond-shaped nail can also work well for a more elegant natural look, especially if you keep it on the shorter side.
Try Beautiful Natural Colors
Finally, finish your nails with a gorgeous natural color. Nude tones are best for a truly authentic look, but they aren’t your only option. You can keep it subtle and authentic with natural skin tones, or polish things up a bit with pale pinks or different tip designs.
Nude or Skin Tone Shades
Choosing a polish that matches your skin tone is perfect for creating a completely natural, bare nail look without actually having bare nails. From paler whites to darker browns, you can find a shade to match your skin tone and create a smooth, seamless, subtle look for your nails.
Pale Pink
Pale or light pink adds a touch of color to your nails without detracting from the natural look you’re going for. This is perfect for a pretty yet understated design that will have you feeling just a little classier everywhere you go.
French Tips
French tips offer a classic manicure look with their natural pink nailbeds and opaque white tips. They’re perfect for mimicking the look of a natural nail while also creating a cleaner, crisper, more elegant design. This is a great way to show off your manicure without straying too far from the natural aesthetic you want.
Natural Ombre
Ombre nails offer a fun twist on the pink nail and white tip of the French manicure. This look blends the pink into the white, creating a gradual, natural-looking transition between the colors. The result is a gentle, understated nail that offers a clean and elegant look. Plus, if you enjoy the natural ombre design, you can try it out with bolder colors later on when you’re not going for a natural design.
Find Your Go-To Acrylic Products at Mia Secret
As with all nail looks, acrylics work best when you have high-quality products in your arsenal. Luckily, you can find everything you need for a gorgeous natural nail look when you shop the acrylic collections at Mia Secret. Explore a wide range of product options, including our innovative odorless or coffee-scented liquid monomers for acrylic nails. Find the tools you need to create your perfect look when you visit Mia Secret online today.
