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Tips for Colored Acrylic Nails

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By Samantha Cabrera
eHow Contributing Writer
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Acrylic nails hold color far longer than natural nails.
Acrylic nails hold color far longer than natural nails.

Acrylic nails hold color better than natural nails, so they're a great pick if you love experimenting with polishes and designs. In this process, acrylic is placed over the nail bed every couple of weeks, which can cause nails to be brittle and soft. So give your nails a break every six months or so by removing the acrylics for a couple of weeks to keep your natural nails in healthy condition.

    Maintaining Acrylic Nails

  1. Do not go too long between appointments, as the longer you wait the more your nails will grow, which makes them more likely to break and pop off. Nothing is more unsightly than a hand full of perfect nails with one missing. As nails grow out, the nail ridge will also become very apparent as color moves away from the cuticle. Avoid losing the color from this area by maintaining your acrylic nails on a regular basis. Most nail technicians recommend getting acrylic nails refilled every two weeks, while three weeks is the maximum time that should be allowed without expecting a nail to break.
    You can remove acrylic nails at home by soaking them in acetone nail polish remover for 20 minutes, or until the acrylic becomes soft. Then gently pull them off in a peeling motion. This will take some time, but it achieves the same results as paying to have it done at a nail salon.
  2. Use a Base and Top Coat

  3. Just as with natural nails, base and top coats will prolong the color on acrylic nails. Be sure your nail technician uses a base coat, especially when using very bright or dark polishes, which can stain nails and leave them yellow after prolonged use. A top coat should be applied after the last coat of colored nail polish to create a barrier between the color and everyday wear and tear.
    Touch up the top coat a few days after you get your nails done, but apply it only to the tips (where most chipping occurs).
  4. Choose Bold Colors

  5. The beauty of having acrylic nails is that chipping and color mishaps are far less likely than with natural nails. Instead of going for a nude, soft pink or French manicure, experiment with bold colors and fun designs. A new twist is a colored version of a French manicure, using coordinating hues. If you decide to change polish colors at home, be sure to use a non-acetone nail polish remover to avoid damaging the acrylic.
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eHow Article: Tips for Colored Acrylic Nails

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