Skip to main content

DIY Acrylic Dip Nails

This is my product review for an acrylic dip nail kit that I bought at Sally's Beauty Supply. I wasn't necessarily looking to do my own acrylic nails, but while shopping for a new nail file, I came across this kit and it seemed too good to be true.
Here is what the kit looks like:
The directions were VERY easy to understand and the process was pretty simple as well, but I found that there were a couple of items that were not included in the kit that (thankfully) I had.... because they were needed! The items that I used that were not included are shown here to the left of the kit.

I used the yellow buffer block for two things. First, to remove the shine from my nail before I started and to buff the finished acrylic nail when I was done. The included nail file is just entirely too course to use on my real nail before gluing the french white tip on. I tried it and the included file really tore up my nail. And being that it is the only file that comes with the kit, it's also too rough to get a smooth finish on the acrylic when you're done applying. The orange buffer block is even finer than the yellow one and gave the acrylic a very nice shine. The final thing that I found that was missing from this kit was an orange stick, or something to clean around the edge of the nail. I had already completed one hand without this nifty tool. The hand the got its benefit, looks much nicer (that hand was used for my "finished" photo...hahahaha!). Here's what they look like:

Now, let me start by saying that I have NEVER done my own acrylic nails before. And while these are not the prettiest nails that I've ever had, I can honestly say that I HAVE paid people who made my nails look exactly like this (even cutting my middle finger filing! Ouch, it's still red and hurts.). So I'm convinced that if I were to continue using this product, my technique would get better and, therefore, my nails would look amazing! If you click on the pic above, the picture will be enlarged in a new screen showing the "bubbles" inside the acrylic. After I was done, I reread the instructions and realized that I hadn't waited the directed amount of time between dips.... I think that might be the cause of the bubbles. Beyond that I'm VERY impressed with this product. You literally glue on the french white tip, brush glue over entire nail, dip into acrylic and spritz on the activator (which hardens and cures the acrylic).... file, buff and you're done. The finished product this first time around also turned out a little flat, so if I ever do attempt this again, I think that I will do two "dips" and then apply the brush on glue only where the natural arch goes and then dip a third time. That will require more filing though, so I would probably pick up some extra files as well. Yah, this product gets a high five, I just wish that everything I needed was included.
Oh, and one last mention. This kit cost me about $13 and for that money included enough product for two full white french tip sets as well as enough acrylic, glue and curing solution to do another 4 or 5 sets without tips beyond that. So for the money... yah, this is a really good deal and really easy to do!

Comments

Mary Ann said…
they look very nice.
Mary Ann said…
they look very nice.

Past 7 Days....

Gorgous Leaves Bundle Revisited

Yestday's Freebie Friday on a Monday projects were so fun and this set is SO BEAUTIFUL in it's simplicity!  It reminds me of a long-retired stamp set from Stampin Up!.  I was inspired to re-create the projects that I made with it once upon a time.  So here we go.... SIMPLE projects when you need a quick "hello" or an even quicker heartfelt sympathy card: I was DEFINITELY on a Bumblebee and Cajun Craze kick yesterday!  I can't stop/won't stop!  LOL!  To be fair... I had extra leaves die cut and didn't want anything to go to waste!  A quick speckle backdrop in Bumblebee then a quick "hello" greeting from the Biggest Wish in Cajun Craze with the Cajun Craze leaf popped up on a Basic White cardbase.  PERFECTION! Okay, as with yesterday's projects, the sentiment is from the recently retired SAB Delicate Dahlia's set, but you could use ANY sympathy sentiment you have in your stash.  Unlike in the past when I had to mask off the center rectangle...

WHAT!?! The Starter Kit Is Discounted?!?!

  The Starter Kit is always a great deal, right? For just $99, you get to pick out $125 in product of your choice, then enjoy a 20% + discount on all your other purchases. But,  beginning November 4, 2021, the Starter Kit is $75!!  You still pick out $125 in product, but you only pay $75! (And free shipping!) You will then not only get a discount and make 20% of purchases your friends and family make, but, you’ll also get to be a part of this incredible team and share in all the fun!  There are so many reasons to buy the Starter Kit! I welcome all kinds of people to my team- you can be your one and only customer, you can sell products to just a few friends and family, or, you can be a business builder. Everyone is welcome and I never pressure anyone to make more of their Starter Kit than they want to. Did you know that when you purchase the Starter Kit, you actually earn a 20% discount off EVERY purchase for the next 3 months? In fact, it’s actually longer than ...

BACK To Halloween.... WHEW!

Okay... BACK to Halloween gifting this week!  We're makin more goody boxes using The Cutest Halloween Bundle again this week, we are also featuring the tags and labels dies from the July - December 2021 Mini Catalog (lovingly dubbed "the holiday mini").  I've got to admit, this bundle really is the cutest and I'm having SOOOO much fun playing with it simply because of how easy it is to work with.  The fact that the punch ALSO punches out the images from the DSP makes this one a super-huge winner for me.  I mean.... three goody projects in under an hour!?!  That's right!  This week's Freebie Friday On A Monday was actually recorded in under 40 minutes!  SO DOABLE to get ready for Halloween gifting!  As always, the link to the free PDF with supplies used and measurements is below the last pic and if you place a $35 or more from my online store (click "Shop With Me" in the banner at the top of this blog) using this week's Host/Hostess code  GHRG...