Strengthening nails with acrylic under gel polish. Video, photo, reviews

Acrylic powder has been used in nail design relatively recently and came to this area from the field of dentistry. Manicurists have successfully adapted it to their needs and now it is one of the most commonly used materials in nail design and extension; it is widely used to apply it over shellac to further strengthen the coating. Since applying acrylic powder to gel polish is extremely simple, this can be done at home provided you have a UV lamp, because classic shellac hardens exclusively under the influence of ultraviolet rays.

What does strengthening nails with acrylic powder give?

Acrylic powder
Initially, acrylic was used in nail services only for extensions, since it is quite plastic, but after drying it becomes durable. It is thanks to these qualities that over time it began to be used to repair nail plates, and later to prevent breaking and peeling. The use of such material helps in the following:

nails become stronger
look natural
do not require special care
You can do your own manicure
If part of the coating breaks off, there is no need to redo the entire nail, you can make a correction in the desired area

These are just the main advantages of the procedure, but it is thanks to them that many women regularly do it. This is especially true for thin, constantly breaking nails.

Many manicurists note that some clients can spend several weeks with the design, while others can spend only a couple of days. This is due to many personal properties, but this problem can be solved if you first strengthen your nails with acrylic powder for gel polish. It will fill all the cracks, make the surface smoother, which will improve adhesion to the gel polish.

Nail care

Nail plate care should always be performed, in a salon or at home. Home procedures include the following rules:

Careful and regular cuticle removal;
Once a week, nails are filed or trimmed;
It is important to keep your hands and nails clean. If you neglect this recommendation, you can get a variety of infections and fungi;
Before a manicure, you should take soothing baths to which you can add the following ingredients: citric acid, black tea, vinegar, essential oils, baking soda;
It is necessary to make strengthening and nourishing hand masks;
Massage is important to improve blood circulation. It will increase blood flow and give a lot of pleasant sensations. The skin of your hands will acquire a pleasant color and its tone will increase.

Beauty salons offer not only classic manicures, but also many other services:

Paraffin therapy. Cosmetic paraffin contains a complex of vitamins. The procedure will get rid of cracks in the skin and cuticles and eliminate flaking. It is especially useful in the cold season.
Keratin treatment. The procedure will give brittle and thin nails a healthy look. The essence is to rub medicinal oils into the root of the cuticle. The service will be especially effective after extensions, when the nails need care.
SPA manicure. The duration will be two hours. During this time, the master will perform the following actions: nail treatment, peeling, nourishing masks, paraffin bath with collagen, hand massage to the elbows with moisturizing lotion.
Sealing the nails. Will protect your hands from the negative influence of the environment. The master applies a cream on top of the nails, which is rubbed in with a special nail file. The top layer is leveled, as a result of which the nail is sealed in a unique way. The rubbed cream contains active ingredients that protect the nail.

The nail salon offers a variety of strengthening services.

Hands are a woman’s calling card. For this reason, it is not recommended to neglect the care of the nail plate. It is necessary to visit salons or choose branded stores with quality products (if hand care is done at home).

Pros and cons of using acrylic

Technique for applying acrylic powder
When using acrylic, nails look healthier and more well-groomed . This coating is quite difficult to notice; it looks very natural and helps hide most defects that cannot be removed in any other way. This material itself does not restore the plate , but it becomes more protected from temperature changes, when using household chemicals and water , and, of course, more durable.

This powder is very easily removed with a special solution, and does not require additional cutting of the top layer. Therefore, we can say that acrylic does not have any negative effects. The plate returns to its previous state in the shortest possible time.

If you do not have allergies, then the disadvantages cannot be considered significant, given that acrylic, and in particular powder made from it, is a good nail strengthener, especially when used under gel polish.

Types of powder

Matte and transparent are classic options. This powder consists of the smallest porous particles, allowing you to create a reliable base coat if necessary to strengthen your nails, and gives the most natural effect during extensions. Often used in French manicure, volumetric sculpting, and aquarium extensions.

Colored powder is mainly used in nail design. This lightweight but durable material is quite flexible and does not require additional layers for fixation. A rich palette of shades provides the opportunity to embody the most interesting ideas of the master, draw a pattern, design or make an applique. The manicure turns out original and not at all heavy.

Camouflage powder, as the name suggests, is intended for “cosmetic repair” of nails. Being dense in texture and as close as possible to the natural shade of the nails in color, camouflage powder masks defects, fills cracks, and evens out the tone of the nail plate.

Neon is the raw material for sculptural modeling and bold nail design. This powder can be successfully combined with other materials, is distinguished by bright, rich and unusual shades, and has an opaque base. Neon manicure flickers in ultraviolet light.

Glitter – powder with added glitter. The number one assistant in holiday nail art, but in reasonable quantities it can also be used in everyday life, as a highlight of a simple manicure. Despite the presence of glitter particles in the composition, it stays on the nails no worse than any other acrylic powder.

Properties

Acrylic has such properties as strength, durability, light weight and attractive appearance , among other things, it is also environmentally friendly . Due to the fact that it easily takes on various states of aggregation and can be painted without problems, it is used in many fields of activity.

Acrylic powder, consisting of very small fractions, becomes plastic upon contact with a solvent, and quickly hardens when exposed to air. It is this property that allows this material to be used for manicure purposes, namely for strengthening nails, giving them a certain shape, for extensions or creating an original design. If you apply acrylic powder under the gel polish during a manicure, the nail becomes stronger and protected from various negative factors.

This material came into fashion in beauty salons quite recently, but thanks to all its properties it quickly gained popularity among nail service professionals.

Features of the training course

Nail design courses with gel polishes last for 12 hours. During this course you will learn how to apply various designs in the design style, master painting techniques with brushes, including how to correctly use primary colors without violating the rules of color and creating unique compositions. Nail design courses are conducted in small groups in order to provide an almost individual approach to each student. The lecturers have extensive experience in the field of teaching manicure, pedicure and nail extensions, in particular painting, and personal long-term work experience, so the courses are held in the form of transferring their own knowledge and skills.

Class time varies and is adjusted to the capabilities of all group participants; the course of nail design with varnish and training can be selected individually. By agreement, we can conduct both courses in artistic nail painting and all available courses with a visit to your salon, which can be located in any city in Russia.

What you will need for the strengthening procedure at home

Liquid is a liquid for creating an acrylic ball.
Of course, it’s very easy to go to a beauty salon, where professionals will do an excellent manicure, give your hands a massage, and you will leave there completely satisfied. However, not every girl can afford such trips, so, as an option, carry out a similar procedure at home. To avoid getting bored, call your girlfriends, who, by the way, can practice with.

Strengthening nails with acrylic itself is not difficult to do on your own, which is why an increasing number of women prefer this method. In such a situation, you will not only save your finances, but also time.

To carry out the procedure at a good level, you just need a little diligence and patience. Of course, you will need some special tools and tools, then everything will be done very well.

Remember that in the room you need to open a window or door for ventilation.

What is the price?

The cost of acrylic powder is quite high, sometimes this discourages non-professional buyers from purchasing. But it is worth considering that a small jar is enough for long-term use. Especially if you use powder only at home.

The average price of powder is about 300 rubles. (price for 21 grams)
For beginners, you can buy powder for 140 rubles (which often comes in different colors, but the volume of the jar is very small)
Professional craftsmen most often buy powder that costs 500 rubles or more, since these are usually sold in larger volumes and are of better quality.
The cost of a monomer is on average 1000 rubles
To build and strengthen nails, it is better to purchase more expensive and durable acrylic powder, so that it will not fall off after a few days of wear.
To decorate or create voluminous elements, you can purchase a cheaper powder, since when properly fixed, it adheres well to the nail.

What needs to be done before the procedure

To strengthen your nails with acrylic powder for gel polish, you need to first prepare your nails. Initially, wash your hands thoroughly with soap , then wipe dry .

If there is varnish or other coating , they need to be removed with a special product , preferably if it contains nutrients in its composition. Nails need to be trimmed and treated with a disinfectant to prevent fungal and other diseases. The cuticle needs to be removed and treated with keratolyte , which will remove dead skin cells. Next you will need a sanding file . Choose a file that will not damage the nail plate.

There is always a fatty film ; it must be removed , otherwise the bond with acrylic will be fragile. For this you will need a degreaser. They need to prep their nails and wait until it dries completely. After this, everything is ready for the main procedure, you can begin.

Preparation for the procedure

Before you start painting your nails, you will need to spend some time on the preparatory procedures. Namely:

purchase a UV or LED lamp for drying the coating;
stock up on additional components (a nail file, an orange stick, brushes for drawings, tweezers for applications - depending on the situation);
find ideas for painting with gel polish for step-by-step implementation (masters constantly share new products);
purchase materials for the procedure;
select a comfortable place with good lighting.

First, you need to file your nails and trim the cuticles.
Materials for the procedure mean not only gel polish of the selected shade, but also accompanying mixtures. These include hand and tool sanitizers, degreaser and dehydrator (a popular new product is a combination of both products in one), primer, base/top coat and rub-in (a stick remover). Also, to properly complete the painting you will need cuticle oil.

Strengthening instructions

Technique for applying acrylic powder
When all preparation is completed, you can begin strengthening. The main thing is to follow the correct sequence.

The first thing you will need is a brush to apply acrylic. Take it and dip it in the liquid , then squeeze it out and put a small ball of powder on the very edge . After a couple of seconds, the mixture needs to be quickly applied and leveled along the entire length of the nail , the only thing is that you need to step back 1 mm from the cuticle. Do everything precisely and as clearly as possible, because the mixture hardens quickly.

When the strengthening mixture has been applied, the nails must be dried , this can be done using a UV lamp . If afterwards you find any unevenness on the surface , then do not worry, this can be corrected a regular nail file . When the acrylic has dried, check whether everything is done neatly; if so, then the nails can be varnished .

Methods of use

The technology of working with powder involves following a step-by-step algorithm of the wizard’s actions. Since acrylic powder has several functions - application to strengthen the nail or creation of a specific design when treated with a composition over gel polish - the order of work will be slightly different.

However, these two options are united by the mandatory preparation of the nail plate for coating, which consists of the following steps.

First of all, you need to do a hygienic manicure, which involves removing the cuticle and shaping the nail plate. The next type of work is polishing the nails, which removes the gloss from them and also cleans the surface of dust and other contaminants. The last stage of the master’s actions is the use of an antiseptic for treatment

Such a product is mandatory for application, since it is very important to remove possible pathogenic flora from fingers and nails before working with powder. As a rule, Miramistin or any other disinfectant composition is used for these purposes.

Strengthening nails

Instructions for applying firming acrylic powder consist of the following steps.

Before rubbing the base material into your nails, you need to degrease them.
After that, you need to apply the base. You should try to keep its layer thin and neat; there is no need to dry it under a lamp.
Next, you need to sprinkle the nail with strengthening powder; it is best to arm yourself with a brush and work with each finger over the jar with the composition so that the excess material immediately falls back.
In this form, the nail plate must be dried in a lamp. Then remove any remaining material from your fingers using a brush.
The final, but not obligatory step is to cover the nails with the selected acetone varnish or gel polish according to the standard algorithm for working with such manicure compositions.

Design

A manicure using powder as a decorative material should be done after standard mandatory manipulations with nails. Approximate instructions for work consist of a number of steps, which may vary based on the use in a particular case of one or another method of designing the nail plate. The technology of work looks like this.

First you need to apply primer to your nails. Its main task is to improve the adhesion of applied compounds to the surface of the nails, where the artificial substance and natural keratin will interact. When choosing a base gel coating, it is best to use a thick silicone composition. Today, many manufacturers of manicure products offer such products.
Then comes the turn of using acrylic powder, in this case the product can be either multi-colored or colorless, it all depends on the further composition. The main thing is to make the layer perfectly even and dense during coating, so that there are no even minimal holes or voids in it.
Next, the nails must be dried in an ultraviolet lamp. As a rule, it will take about two to three minutes for the components to set. After the polymerization process is completed, excess acrylic will need to be removed from the nails and fingers with a brush.
In situations where defects were found in the resulting coating - this applies to both grooves and bumps - the plate requires mandatory correction by grinding to an ideal state.
Afterwards, it is coated with top gel polish, which also undergoes mandatory drying in a lamp.
The final step is to apply the color coating as well as the design of the plate using the same acrylic powder before drying it onto a sticky base. All colored layers require mandatory polymerization in a lamp. After which the nail is covered with a final glossy or matte coating, which will give the manicure a finished look.
Completed nail art requires treating the cuticles and skin with nourishing creams or oils.

Strengthening before applying gel polish

After applying acrylic powder, the nails need to be dried with a UV lamp.
If the first option is very similar to extensions, then this one is simpler and does not require special skill. Preparation of nails for any method is the same, and you are already familiar with it. After this, apply a gel primer and a base coat . Without drying, sprinkle with acrylic powder so that there are no loose spots. It is better to do this over a container so that all excess is poured into it.

Now dry in a UV lamp (depending on the power from half a minute to 2 minutes), then go through with a brush, removing all excess . Apply another coat of base and dry again.

When finished, remove the sticky layer with degreaser and polish . Apply a layer of colored gel polish on top of the nail , and acrylic powder applied underneath will be a good way to strengthen it.

Now all you have to do is remember to take care of your nails, and to ensure your manicure always looks fresh, make corrections every few weeks.

Design ideas

Nude shades and velvet texture

Natural colors and shades of nudes are the most popular. This option is suitable for most cases, it looks fresh, neat and gentle. The base is usually muted pastel colors, and the pattern is applied in a slightly brighter color. This is done so that the texture of the acrylic pattern is clearly visible on the light base. This manicure is suitable for lovers of classics, feminine and romantic natures, and office employees with a strict dress code.

Bright nail art with drawings

An option for a more interesting coating than monochrome satin or gloss. The abundance of materials for creativity allows you to play with shades, relief and combination of textures. An acrylic pattern on shiny nails or a voluminous matte pattern on the same surface will look equally beautiful and original.

Focus on one or more nails

Until recently, the most current trend was to focus on the ring finger or several nails at once. The peak of popularity of this manicure has passed, but the idea itself has caught on and similar combinations are still quite common. There are also many worthy options here that you can use as the basis for your own manicure.

Gradient manicure

Drawing smooth transitions from one color to another on your nails has become much easier with the advent of acrylic in powder format. If varnishes are not suitable for implementing this idea, then the dusty texture can be easily shaded and creates the desired effect of a smooth flow of colors. To perform a multi-color manicure, you just need a good brush, a set of acrylic powder in your preferred colors and a base coat - varnish, gel polish or shellac.

Volumetric elements and texture

Acrylic modeling and applying texture is a difficult and time-consuming process that requires special skills and long practice. A decorative element for such a manicure is created directly on the nail or the acrylic ball is given the desired shape using foil or paper. Then the element is carefully glued to the tip of the nail or to the sides, and not to all nails, but only to some, for example, the ring and big ones.

It is recommended to choose light or dark plain coatings as a base for voluminous decor so that the manicure does not look vulgar and heavy. It is better to use it as a holiday or weekend option, rather than as an everyday option.

Strengthening with biogel

In addition to acrylic powder, you can also make your nails more durable with biogel, and you can also do this yourself. You need to start by preparing the necessary tools and materials. So, you will need:

coating used as a base
biogel (colored or transparent, optional)
buff for polishing
top coating
degreaser
nail file
brush with which the biogel will be applied
UV lamp for drying

If you are doing the procedure for the first time, then it is quite possible that it will take quite a lot of time, as soon as you gain experience, everything will work out much faster.

So, you need to start with a manicure: give your nails the desired shape, move the cuticle and remove it. Do everything very carefully so as not to injure yourself, because when applying the biogel you may experience unpleasant sensations.

When finished, wipe your nails with degreaser and wait for it to dry. Now apply the base, stepping back from the cuticle by about 1 mm and dry it in a UV lamp (how long it will take, you can see in the instructions, about 30 seconds to 2 minutes).

The next step is to cover it with the biogel itself. It is laid out in several stages, starting from the tip and moving towards the cuticle. When finished, dry again. If you are applying colored biogel and want a more saturated shade, then you can apply several layers; for transparent one, one is enough.

Many people add decor in the form of drawings, rhinestone stickers or paintings on top of the biogel. It all depends on your skills and flight of fancy.

The last, final stage will be topcoating.

Why do you need to strengthen your nails?

Acrylic powder is a synthetic material that has stable thermoplastic properties.
As a cosmetic product, it is available in the form of powder of varying degrees of grinding. The basis for the manufacture of the material is acrylic acid, which has unique properties - it strengthens any base on top of which it is applied. The material is actually inexpensive and is quite easy to find in any store that sells everything for nail services. At the same time, you can find both colored and colorless options. The product has different names: powdered sugar, velvet sand, velvet coating, acrylic powder. These are all trade names for the same product.

Initially, nail powder was used as a decorative material for manicure. Moreover, both colored and colorless options are used for these purposes. With its help, they made three-dimensional drawings, created a velvet structure of the nail plate, and much more. It all depends on the structure and method of application.

But how to use mirror powder for nails and how beautiful it looks on your nails can be seen here.

To strengthen the nail plate, acrylic powder is used as one of the base materials. After its use, the nail plate becomes strong and dense. Acrylic has the ability to cement the coating. But if, when applied decoratively to the top layer, the material makes the nails strong, then to the bottom layer it also makes the nails thicker. The result is acquired resistance to peeling, breaking, chipping of the nail and manicure.

The video shows how and why acrylic powder is applied:

Despite the advantages, this technique also has its own disadvantages, the main one of which is the removal process. If you have not performed this procedure before, it is better to undergo it in the salon.

You may also be interested in information on how to use an airbrush for nails.

How to properly remove the reinforcing coating

Removing gel polish
Many ladies notice that after strengthening with acrylic powder under gel polish, their nails constantly break, begin to peel, and their general condition worsens. Most of these problems are associated with improper removal of the reinforcing coating. This manicure should be removed according to the following scheme:

remove the top coat (the topmost layer) with a buff or a fine nail file
take a piece of cotton wool or a disk, thoroughly wet it with a special liquid designed for removing gel, and place it on each nail
first cut the foil into small pieces and wrap each of your fingers so that the cotton does not move. In terms of time, focus on 10-15 minutes , but no more, as irritation may occur
After the specified time has passed, carefully remove everything and begin to move the loose gel polish to the edge . You should not rip it off by force; it is precisely such actions that lead to disastrous consequences. It is possible that the coating will not give in immediately, in which case repeat the procedure with foil for another 10 minutes
when all the varnish is removed, additionally pass the plate with a buff to remove all remnants

After everything, cover your nails with some kind of strengthening agent , and then no problems will arise in the future.

Removing acrylic

If the biogel from the nails only needs to be cut off, then the acrylic is removed using a special liquid (remover), in which the nails are immersed for about 15 minutes. With a thick layer, soaking the acrylic may take a little longer. After it has completely softened, it is carefully removed with an orange stick. It is allowed to cut acrylic with a file with a coarse abrasive. However, in this case it is necessary to act extremely carefully, otherwise the native nail plate can be damaged.

Nail with and without powder

Advice! Some people may be allergic to acrylic, so be sure to test it on a small area of the nail.

What are the results of strengthening

Acrylic powder will not only strengthen your nails, it will also promote their growth.
If you use acrylic powder to strengthen your nails under gel polish, you can achieve good results. Nails become much stronger than before. Due to the strengthening layer, they grow longer , because many girls cannot boast of long nails because they break.

Any manicure done lasts longer, which means your fingers will always look beautiful and well-groomed. Plus, even if a small piece of your coating breaks off, you won’t have to remove it and do everything all over again; you can correct this particular area, which means the negative impact on your nails will be minimal.

In general, you can strengthen your nails with acrylic powder for gel polish yourself by purchasing everything you need for this procedure.

Nail shape correction or extensions

If you are not satisfied with the shape of your nails or you decide to lengthen them at home, acrylic powder is mixed not with glue, but with a monomer. This coating is even more durable than gel:

the monomer is mixed with powder directly on the brush, a small ball is formed from the mixture and carefully laid out on the nail plate;
the adjustment layer is carefully leveled;
since acrylic hardens very quickly, you need to work very quickly;
After drying the nails, they can be coated with a base varnish and then with any decorative varnish.

Thin nail plates can also be strengthened with gel. Before applying it, the nails are covered with a layer of rubber or regular base, then treated with a buffer and again with base varnish. In this case, the nails thicken and the gel polish fits perfectly.

If you are not satisfied with the shape of your nails or you decide to lengthen them at home, acrylic powder is mixed not with glue, but with a monomer

Advice! The monomer mixed with acrylic powder has a very pungent chemical odor, so it is better to work in a room equipped with a hood, or even better on a balcony. It is advisable to wear a gauze bandage on your face.

Contraindications and restrictions

Despite the fact that acrylic powder is absolutely safe for nail health and hypoallergenic, nail technicians do not always recommend extensions to prevent damage to the surface.

Contraindications are prescribed in the form of recommendations from cosmetology, so the client himself decides whether to comply with them or not:

Diabetes;
Pregnancy (mostly early stages);
Undergoing chemical therapy;
Taking antibiotics and hormonal drugs;
Allergic reaction to acrylic;
Hormonal imbalances due to stress and depression.

Failure to comply with the master’s restrictions can lead to a premature decline in the effect of manipulation, which is associated with changes in the girl’s hormonal levels

However, keep in mind that the presence of allergies to the products used can affect the client’s health, so it is important to take this parameter into account

You can first test for the presence of acrylic powder by applying it to a sensitive area of the skin for 30 minutes. Despite the hypoallergenic composition, sometimes women experience individual intolerance to it.

However, there are factors that can affect the health of natural nails:

Fungal infections of the plate;
Damaged nails (increased thinness, brittleness);
Damage to the sensitive skin of the fingers under the plate.

If you apply nail extensions or regular decorative coating in the form of gel polish for a long time, the structure of your nails may begin to deteriorate. To prevent this, it is recommended to periodically take a break after the last correction for 1.5-2 months. During this period, the nails will recover and partially grow back.

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