How to Apply a Top Coat to Acrylic Nails

Acrylic nails can be great looking and keep your polish lasting longer. As with real nails, you have to paint your acrylic nails to keep them looking nice. This includes applying a top coat after you're finished with the polish which leaves them looking shiny and prevents chipping and peeling of the polish.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Select the top coat polish that you will be using. It should be clear in color. Try to find one that is made specifically for acrylic nails if you can, but it's not necessary.

2. Choose a top coat designed to help polish not chip and helps the color to last. There are many versions of top coat made for strengthening or lengthening nails which is not necessary when you are painting acrylic nails.

3. Begin with nails that have a fresh coat of polish. Ideally, you should have applied a base coat and two layers of colored polish.

4. Let the previous coats of polish dry completely or almost completely before applying the top coat. You can use a nail dryer, UV light, cool air, run them under a light stream of cool water or just let them sit.

5. Apply the top coat you selected by starting at the bottom of the nail and swiping upwards in thin layers. Use light strokes and continue until the entire nail is covered. Only apply one layer of top coat on each of the nails to finish.

Tips & Warnings

• Only apply polish and top coat to the acrylic part of the nails. When acrylic grows out some of your natural nail will show at the bottom, but your polish does not look as good if it displays the difference between the two.
• Apply another light layer of top coat after a few days to keep your polish lasting longer. Keep this layer thin and smooth as well.
• Don't do anything that could smudge your polish for at least 30 minutes after you apply the top coat because the top coat takes longer to fully dry. Even lightly brushing against something can damage the polish on the nail.

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