“The acrylic powder is a special, finely ground acrylic that is mixed with a liquid shortly before modeling and combines with it to form a modelable acrylic mass,” explains our nail designer Stefanie. A liquid monomer (liquid) and a fine powdery polymer are the two components that, as soon as they come into contact with one another, develop into an acrylic gel through an activator and are summarized under the term acrylic modeling.
Brilliant colors & flawless durability: Which acrylic powder is good?
There is a wide range of different acrylic powders that offer everything you need for an attractive and individual nail design, from trend colors to classics to effective beauties. “A good acrylic powder, in combination with the right liquid , forms a uniformly colored modeling ball on the tip of your brush, which can be easily modeled on the nail thanks to its pleasant viscosity,” reveals our expert. She relies on very fine acrylic color powders where the pigments cannot be seen after mixing - so in combination with the liquid it is possible to achieve a homogeneous mass for a particularly even surface. The particles can only be easily recognized with effect powders such as mica or glitter . High-quality acrylic powder should dry evenly on your nail and show no color changes if you can't work in one go and have to follow up with a new acrylic ball. Furthermore, a perfect acrylic model can be filed comfortably and flexibly and does not splinter. “You sometimes only notice the quality of an acrylic powder over time, because a good powder retains its brilliant color and does not yellow,” explains our nail designer.
- Uniformly colored modeling ball
- Pleasant viscosity – easy to model
- Fine color powder for even surfaces
- Dries evenly
- No color changes during rework
- Flexible when filing – no splinters
- Long-lasting color brilliance
7 benefits of working with acrylic powder
The classic powder-liquid system cures itself in the air when modeling on the nail; a UV or LED lamp is not required. However, there are now also innovative acrylic gel systems that are light-curing. A special feature of the acrylic material is its excellent hardness, which makes it possible to model the nail surface very thinly and yet extremely durable and resistant - when carried out by experienced professionals, they can hardly be distinguished from natural nails with varnish. Nail modeling with acrylic powder and liquid is often used in the studio when classic nail polish or gel modeling cannot hold on problem nails, explains our expert. The acrylic can also be easily and quickly removed from the nail using a solvent.
- Self-curing
- UV lamp is not required
- Excellent hardness
- Thin modeling
- Durable & resistant
- Suitable for problem nails
- Quick & easy removal
5 steps Mix acrylic powder and liquid
In order to mix the fine acrylic powder and the liquid liquid for acrylic modeling, certain acrylic brushes are required that are characterized by dense, fine hairs and are dimensionally stable despite their elasticity. They are used to absorb the liquid - this means that the brush is dipped into the liquid in the first step. Here it absorbs the liquid, but is carefully wiped off so that it no longer drips. The brush moistened with the liquid is now briefly dipped into the acrylic powder. At its tip, the two components mix together and a ball of acrylic material is created, which can be applied directly to the nail and modeled into shape.
- Choose special acrylic brushes
- Take up liquid with the brush and wipe it off
- Dip a damp brush into the powder
- Model acrylic material directly onto the nail
- Allow to air dry
Tips for working with acrylic
The correct dosage and the appropriate ratio of liquid to powder for best results and long shelf life are the difficulties with this system, which for this reason requires some practice. Our expert advises you to choose liquid and powder from a manufacturer's line or special acrylic sets so that the individual components complement each other optimally. Since the products are self-curing, it is important to work quickly and precisely - corrections are only possible within a short time frame. The acrylic material quickly hardens in the brush and is then no longer paintable. Practice this technique on practice nails, for example, to increase your speed and find out the right dosage.
Removing acrylic powder: Simple & uncomplicated
One advantage of acrylic modeling is that it can be removed quickly and easily, as the nail design can be easily removed with a solvent containing acetone - it destroys the connection between the individual components and ensures that the modeling separates again into its components, separates from one another and liquefies . The acrylic prepared in this way can be wiped with a cellette. If necessary, stubborn residues can also be removed with a rosewood stick and gentle filing is also possible. In general, however, the acrylic modeling is not milled or filed down, so there is less risk of the nail being injured. The solvent acetone dries out the skin and your nails because it has a strong degreasing effect. That's why our nail designer recommends that you protect your skin around the nail with nail oil or a greasy cream like Vaseline. After using the acetone-containing solvent, you should care for your hands and nails well with a rich cream if you do not plan to apply a new acrylic model immediately afterwards.
- Use solvents containing acetone
- Acrylic modeling becomes soft and fluid
- Rub off dissolved acrylic with cellulose
- If necessary, remove or file with rosewood
- Don't forget nail care
Important information: You can paint your nails with acrylic modeling as normal with a classic nail polish if you feel like changing your nail color before the next renewal. If you remove this nail polish again, be sure to use an acetone-free nail polish remover. Otherwise, the solvent can damage your acrylic nails and destroy their substance!
Acrylic discovery: Dentist develops nail modeling
Working with acrylic powder for beautiful nails has a long and interesting history. The artificial nails were developed by Chicago dentist and chemist Fred Slack, who originally wanted to repair a split nail in 1954 using materials from his dental laboratory. He was so enthusiastic about the results of his work and the regeneration that his natural nail had experienced under the protective dental plastic that he developed nail modeling materials with acrylic. Together with the members of his family, the dentist further developed the material and thus created the basis for today's acrylic products.