Keeping your nails trim and tidy is a sign of good grooming, but nail art takes it to a whole new level. If you want to tie your look together and look polished from head to toe, acrylic nails are a great way to do it!
In this guide, you’ll learn all about this hot new nail trend and have your most important questions answered, such as: how long do acrylic nails last for? How many days should you go before a fill? And what can you do to make your fake nails last longer?
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How Long Do Acrylic Nails Last?
Acrylics can last anywhere from one to three weeks without needing a touch-up, depending on a lot of factors. Where you get your nails done, who your nail artist is, and how well you take care of your fake nails all impact your acrylics’ durability.
How Acrylics, Press-On Nails, And Extensions Work
Acrylic nails are ‘fake’ nails that you can use to enhance and decorate your natural fingernails. With acrylics, you can choose the length, style, and shape of your tips. It also ‘protects’ your nails from cracking, or chipping, which results in stronger nails in the long run. This makes it an incredibly popular choice for women who have weak, bitten, or broken nails.
These ‘nails’ are made by combining liquid acrylic and acrylic powder, which dries much quicker compared to regular nail polish or gel nails. A nail technician will usually clean, soak, and paint (or ‘fill) your nails before adding on your acrylics using glue or another type of adhesive.
How Much Do Acrylic Nails Cost?
A set of sculptured acrylic nails can cost as low as $AUD 20 for a DIY home kit. Going to the salon will often double, or triple that price – some extremely skilled nail technicians will even charge as much as $AUD 100 for a custom set.
How Long Are Acrylic Nails Supposed To Last?
Generally, good acrylic nails done by a professional will last around two to three weeks before they need to be filled and around six to eight weeks before they need to be removed or replaced. But this can vary depending on multiple factors.
Expensive doesn’t always mean high-quality, but most skilled nail techs charge a premium for their expertise. Cheap acrylic jobs are usually from amateur nail artists or DIY kits, so you can’t expect salon-level durability from those. Also, if you use your hands a lot (like if you do manual labour), your nails will wear out or break a lot quicker.
The Risks Of Not Removing Acrylic Nails On Time
Acrylic nails are generally safe, but there are some risks associated with keeping a set on for longer than recommended.
First is that the components used to create and apply acrylic nails can be harmful to your health, especially with prolonged exposure. These chemicals can actually destroy your natural nail beds. Plus, having acrylic nails ‘dry out’ the natural oils of your nails, which encourages nail loss, breakage, and infection.
Second, due to the super-strong adhesive nail techs use, breaking your acrylic nails can result in breaking off your actual nail.
Can You Remove Acrylic Nails Safely At Home, Or Do You Need To Go To A Professional?
Removing your acrylic nails is a delicate process, so if you have any doubts at all about how to do it, we still recommend going to a salon, nail technician, or other professional.
But if you really want to remove acrylic nails on your own, there are dozens of tutorials and resources online that can help you do it while minimising the damage to your real nails. Most of these instructions involve filing and soaking off your acrylic nails, then applying a nail-protecting cuticle oil.
How To Make Acrylic Nails Last Longer
Acrylic nails, or at least the good ones, don’t come cheap. So if you want to make the most out of your manicure, follow these tips to help your fake nails last longer:
- Find the right nail tech. The quality of your acrylics and the skill of the person applying them are the two biggest factors that contribute to your nails’ longevity.
- Get your nails filled regularly (once every two to three weeks) to maintain a polished look and nip any issues in the bud.
- Keep your hands clean and moisturised as much as possible. Wash your hands frequently, and use lotion or hand moisturiser to keep your nails healthy. Consider investing in a cuticle oil or another nail-specific product.
Perfect, On-Fleek Nails For Weeks
Acrylic extensions are a great way to rock the gorgeous long-nail trend that’s been sweeping Instagram for the last year. To keep it fun and risk-free, just make sure you choose the right nail tech and take care of your acrylics!
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