How to Fix Acrylic Nails

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Breaking a nail can be frustrating, especially if it is one of your acrylics. If you do not want to pay to have the nail fixed at the salon, then you can always do a home acrylic nail repair. The easiest way to do this is to buy a home acrylic nail kit. Then, you can use the kit to fix the broken nail and make it look like new again.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Attaching and Shaping the Acrylic Nail

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  1. A home acrylic nail kit will have everything that you need to repair a broken acrylic. You can purchase a home acrylic nail kit or purchase the materials you will need individually. You will need: [1]
    • Brush on gel
    • Acrylic powder
    • Setting spray
    • Nails
    • Cuticle stick
    • Nail file
  2. If you purchase a kit, then it is important to read and follow the instructions that are included with it. Make sure that you work in a well-ventilated area as well and follow any other safety precautions that are included with your product.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    Use the buffing edge of a nail file or nail buffer to smooth out the top of the nail you want to repair. This will help to make the surface even for when you apply the new nail. Then, use the file to even out the end of the nail and smooth out any rough or jagged edges. Make sure that you brush away any dust from the nail after you finish buffing and filing. [2]
    • You can also trim the nail if it is really uneven or if it has a tear in it.
    • If the acrylic is still partly on, then you will need to remove it the rest of the way before you can buff and file the nail. If it is loose enough, then you might be able to just pull it off. If the nail is still attached, you can soak the nail in pure acetone to loosen it. [3] Try soaking a cotton ball in acetone and pressing it against the broken nail.
    • It is also best to apply acrylics to nails that are somewhat short, so you may need to trim down the natural nail if it is long. [4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    Sort through the acrylic nail tips to find one that is similar to your natural nail. Try to choose a nail tip that fits well over your natural nail and that is not too wide or too narrow. [5]
    • Clear acrylic nail tips will look more natural than white tips.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    Apply a line of acrylic brush-on gel to the inside of the nail tip. Only apply the gel to the area that fits over your natural nail. Then, place the nail tip over your natural nail and press it into place. [6]
    • Apply firm pressure for about five seconds to ensure that the nail tip is secured in place. [7]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    After the nail is secured, use scissors or nail clippers to trim it down to the same length as your other nails. Try to cut the nail straight across, but don’t worry if it is not perfectly even at the end. [8]
    • Next, file the nail into the same shape as your other nails.
    • Buff the top of the fake nail as well to make it more even with your natural nail.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Using the Gel and Powder

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    After you have filed the nail into the same shape as your other nails, apply a coat of the brush on gel over your natural nail and over the acrylic nail tip. This will help to keep the nail in place. [9]
    • You can apply the brush on gel just like a coat of nail polish. Start near the cuticle and brush the gel out towards the nail tip. Do this a few times to cover the whole nail.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    While the acrylic gel is still wet, dip your nail into the acrylic powder. Make sure that you dip your entire nail into the powder. This powder will bond with the nail and harden it even more. [10]
    • It is okay if you get a little powder on your skin. You can just brush it off with your other fingers.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    After you have coated your entire nail in the acrylic powder, you will need to scrape away the excess gel and powder from the edges of your nail. Use the cuticle stick to clean around the edges of your nail. [11]
    • You can also smooth away some of the excess powder on the nail with your fingertip.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    To ensure that your acrylic will stay in place, you will need to repeat the process of applying gel and dipping the nail in powder two to three times. Make sure that you clean around the nail with the cuticle stick after each application of the powder. [12]
    • Two to three coats of gel and powder should be plenty. Too much gel and powder could cause the nail to seem unnaturally thick.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Finishing the Nail Repair

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    To set the acrylic powder and gel, spray on two sprays of the gel activator. This will set the nail within a few seconds. After your use the spray on activator, the nail will be dry and hard. [13]
    • Spray the gel onto your whole nail, not just on the acrylic. Make sure that the spray covers all of the areas where you applied the gel and powder.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    After your nail is set, you can begin filing and shaping it again. This will allow you to smooth away any rough edges caused by the acrylic gel and powder. Use a fine-edged file to smooth you the edges of your nail. [14]
    • Make sure that you buff the top of the nail where the acrylic tip meets with your natural nail. There will be a slight ridge, so buffing the nail is important to ensure that the nail looks natural.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Acrylic Nails
    After you finish filing and buffing the nail, apply the nail polish of your choice to complete the repair. [15] Choose a nail polish in the same color as the rest of your nails and apply two to three coats for even coverage. [16]
    • Allow the nail polish to dry completely before you touch anything.
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Expert Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I super glue an acrylic nail back on?
    Mia Rubie
    Nail Artist
    Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.
    Mia Rubie
    Nail Artist
    Expert Answer
    I really can't recommend doing this. If you have an acrylic nail fall off and you don't have the tools or time to do it yourself, just go to a nail salon. A professional will do a good job fixing the nail and it won't take super long for them to do it.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
  • Question
    I did my own acrylic nails at home with the stuff that you can buy from the store and they are not clear and shimmery, how can I fix that?
    Community Answer
    Some good advice would be to put it in nail polish removal that has gelatin in it. This is because this will make the nail translucent (clear). Along with that, put the nail in honey or anything of that consistency. Let them completely dry. When done drying it will be clear and shimmery/shiny, but also be used as a clear base coat which makes the colored nail polish you put over it last longer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I finish my nail after filing?
    Community Answer
    Wash your hands to remove dust. Then paint your nails with a base coat, color, and a top coat, letting each coat dry thoroughly before moving to the next step.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Things You’ll Need

      • A home acrylic nail kit
      • Nail files and buffing pads
      • Nail scissors or clippers
      • Nail polish

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRnuMAeqG8
      2. ↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
      3. ↑ http://www.allure.com/story/acrylic-nails-removal
      4. ↑ http://www.hooked-on-nails.com/artificialnails.html
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRnuMAeqG8
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRnuMAeqG8
      7. ↑ http://www.hooked-on-nails.com/artificialnails.html
      8. ↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRnuMAeqG8
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRnuMAeqG8
      2. ↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRnuMAeqG8
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRnuMAeqG8
      5. ↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
      6. ↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sRnuMAeqG8
      8. Videos provided by LeSassafras

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Breaking an acrylic nail can be frustrating, but you can replace it at home with an acrylic nail kit. If your broken acrylic nail is still partially on your finger, remove it by soaking it in acetone. To attach your new acrylic nail, first buff and file your natural nail, then attach the replacement nail with adhesive gel. Cut and file it down to match your other nails, apply a coat of brush-on gel, then dip your nail into the acrylic powder. To make sure your acrylic will stay in place, repeat the process of applying gel and dipping the nail in powder 2-3 times. Use a cuticle stick to clean around the edges of the nail after each application so you don’t get acrylic on your skin. Finally, spray on the gel activator from your kit, then file and shape your nail one last time. For more tips, including how to paint your acrylic nail, read on!

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