Nail primer – Prepares the natural nail for acrylic application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHaving these tools on hand will allow you to file, shape and blend the fixed nail so that it looks natural. Be sure to prep the nail with primer first so the fresh acrylic adheres properly.<\/p>\n
With the right combination of supplies – nail glue, acrylic powder and liquid, files, buffers, and primer – you can fix minor and major breaks in acrylic nails yourself. Keep them stocked in your manicure kit for easy repairs anytime. Your nails will look salon-perfect once again.<\/p>\n
Clean and Shape the Nail<\/h2>\nFile away any jagged edges<\/h3>\n
If your acrylic nail has broken, the first step is to file away any jagged or rough edges. Use a coarse nail file and gently file in one direction<\/b>, avoiding back and forth motions which can further damage the nail.<\/p>\n
Lightly file just enough to smooth the edge – don’t file too much or you could weaken the remaining attached acrylic. Filing will help remove any snag-prone bits and create a clean surface for reshaping the tip.<\/p>\n
Shape and taper the free edge<\/h3>\n
After filing, it’s time to reshape and taper the free edge of the nail. Use a medium grit nail file in gentle, one-direction strokes to create a uniform shape and arched tip. Angle the sides of the nail so they perfectly align with the sidewalls of your natural nail – this tapered look is key for a natural shape.<\/p>\n
Avoid filing too thin at the tip, as this can lead to cracks and breaks. The taper should follow the natural width of your nail bed<\/b> for optimal strength and beauty. Go slowly and check the shape often as you file. Use a nail buffer to further smooth and shape the edge.<\/p>\n
Reshaping and tapering the broken nail is essential not just for appearance, but for preventing further cracking. Blunt, square tips with thick edges put extra stress on the nail and can lead to breaks. By tapering and thinning the free edge, you distribute force evenly across the nail.<\/p>\n
This helps the acrylic reinforcement last longer. However, be careful not to over-file or create weakness with an overly thinned tip.<\/p>\n
These filing and shaping steps will leave you with a smooth, balanced nail that flows seamlessly into the natural nail. It takes precision and patience, but it’s worth it for long-lasting and natural looking acrylics.<\/p>\n
Don’t be afraid to take your time and double check the shape as you file – rushing this process can lead to uneven shaping and stressed areas on the nail. With the proper taper and thickness, your reinforced nail will be ready to polish and show off!<\/p>\n
Apply Repair Products<\/h2>\nUse nail glue for quick fix of small cracks<\/h3>\n
If you have a small crack or chip in your acrylic nail, using some nail glue can provide a quick and easy fix. When applying nail glue, it’s important to only use a tiny amount – too much can make a mess. Gently brush or dab on the glue over the cracked area using a thin nail art brush.<\/p>\n
Hold firmly for 30 seconds to a minute to allow it to dry. The nail glue will act as a sealant and should repair cracks up to about 1mm in size. This can buy you some extra time before your next full acrylic nail fill appointment.<\/p>\n
Apply new acrylic bead to fill in larger gaps<\/h3>\n
For larger cracks or chunks missing from your acrylic nail, you’ll need more than just nail glue to fix it. In this case, apply a small bead of new acrylic right over the damaged area using a nail form. Shape and blend it into the surrounding nail using a fine file or buffer.<\/p>\n
Let it fully harden and cure for at least 24 hours before filing and shaping the nail surface smooth. This acrylic application will fill in gaps up to several millimeters in size. It creates a permanent fix, just like getting a partial fill at the salon.<\/p>\n
Hold in place until fully dry<\/h3>\n
No matter which acrylic repair method you use, it’s crucial to hold the nail firmly in place until the product is completely dry and hardened. If applying nail glue, press down for 30-60 seconds. If using new acrylic, you’ll need to hold for at least 2-3 minutes.<\/p>\n
Trying to removal your finger too soon can undo the repair job. Acrylic nail products work by forming strong bonds as they harden and cure. Prematurely disturbing the nail interrupts this process. Be patient and let the repair fully set before resuming normal use of your hands.<\/p>\n
The fixed nail will be just as strong and lasting as a professional repair.<\/p>\n
Blend and Finish<\/h2>\nGently file and shape the repaired nail<\/h3>\n
After the acrylic repair has dried and hardened, it’s time to blend it into the natural nail. Using a fine grit nail file, gently file the surface of the repaired nail to smooth it out and shape it. File in one direction, using light pressure.<\/p>\n
Work the nail file from side to side to taper the free edge into a uniform point or round shape, matching the shape of your other nails. Be careful not to file too aggressively or you could thin out the acrylic repair. The goal is to get a smooth, even surface and contour.<\/p>\n
Use buffer to smooth acrylic<\/h3>\n
Next, use a nail buffer block to further smooth and refine the nail surface. Buffers help blend the natural nail and acrylic so there is no obvious ridge or transition line. Work the buffer back and forth over the entire surface of the nail tip.<\/p>\n
Go gently and avoid applying too much pressure to prevent heat damage. Buffing refines the shine of the acrylic and blends everything together into a flawless, glossy finish.<\/p>\n
Apply primer<\/h3>\n
To help nail polish adhere to the repaired acrylic nail, apply a thin layer of nail primer. Primers act like glue between the nail and polish. Brush a small amount evenly over the entire nail. Let it dry completely before moving on. This helps prevent chipping and peeling.<\/p>\n
Using primer leads to a more durable manicure that lasts.<\/p>\n
Paint nail polish to match other hand<\/h3>\n
The final step is to paint the repaired nail with colored nail polish to match the other hand. Apply two coats of polish for full, even coverage and maximum color intensity. Make sure to cap the nail tip with each stroke. Let the first coat dry then follow with the second.<\/p>\n
Apply a top coat for extra glossy shine and protection. This seals the manicure and prevents smudging and chips. Your fixed acrylic nail will look and feel amazing!<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
Dealing with a broken acrylic nail can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to ruin your day. With the right products and techniques, you can easily repair cracks and breaks at home. Just assess the damage, gather supplies, clean and shape the nail, make repairs with glue or new acrylic as needed, then blend and finish with filing, buffing, and polish.<\/p>\n
Your fixed nail will look good as new in no time. Just be patient during the process and avoid snagging the nail before it fully dries. With this guide, you can fix your broken acrylics and go back to rocking your perfect manicure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Oh no! Nothing ruins a perfect manicure faster than a broken acrylic nail. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re dealing with the aftermath of a broken acrylic and need to fix it fast. Don’t worry – with the right products and techniques, you can repair a broken acrylic nail in no time. If you’re…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":351,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"Nail Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-fix-a-broken-acrylic-nail-1024x614.webp",1024,614,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/author\/chris\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"Nail Guide","slug":"nail-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1279,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":1279,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nail Guide","category_nicename":"nail-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-fix-a-broken-acrylic-nail.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}