Things You'll Need:
- Cotton ball
- Rubbing alcohol
- Manicure workstation
- Primer
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Step 1
Get your client to wash her hands thoroughly with soap and water before she sits down. As she does this, prepare your workspace. Remove your implements from the sanitizing solution you've had them soaking in for at least 10 minutes, rinse them and store them in a clean, dry container. Replace your table towels.
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Step 2
Remove the natural nail shine with a 240-grit soft file. File in same direction of the nail growth. You want to avoid disturbing the nail plate layers, which could ultimately cause air to be sealed in the acrylic.
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Step 3
Temporarily dehydrate the nails by applying a nail prep solution to the surface of the nail in a scrubbing motion.
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Step 4
Apply the primer sparingly. A dab in the center of the nail works best. Gently spread the dab towards the edge of the cuticles. Only apply the primer to the natural nail.
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Step 5
Remove any primer on the skin immediately. If you leave it on your client's skin, it could cause a mild chemical burn that's very unpleasant. You can remove the primer using a cotton ball and some water or rubbing alcohol.
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Step 6
Wait for the primer to dry. You'll know it's dry when it turns a chalky white color. Do not apply the acrylic until the primer is completely dry. Wet primer could prevent the acrylic from sticking and compromise the look of the finished nail.
