Acrylic nails - colored acrylic

| July 13, 2010 |

Colored acrylic has been around for many years, but it gained popularity in the ninety’s. Today colored acrylics are used all the time, but not in the way originally intended. Most nail technicians and clients are not interested in having one color acrylic on their entire nail.

Colored acrylic was created to take the place of polish. You can apply the color that your client chooses in the same manner as a clear acrylic. You use all the same techniques that we used when learning to overlay, sculpt and fill, just replace the clear acrylic with color. The theory is that your client will not require polish so she won’t suffer the normal chips and wear and tear that polish usually experiences during a typical 2 week period. Your clients nails will look better longer.

This is a great theory, however the truth of the matter is that people like change. I know my clients do. I have never used colored acrylics for the entire nail. Not for lack of trying, it’s just no on e has ever wanted it. Once you commit to a colored acrylic you are stuck with that color until you remove the enhancements. No matter what they say it’s not an easy task.

I have had success with colored gels. If you’d like to experiment with more permanent color I would recommend trying the colored gel. It’s much easier to get off then acrylic and you can use some that are specifically designed to file off.

I do use colored acrylic when it comes to the tips. Most of my acrylic clients like to get the french look, either white tips or sculpted white. However they do like to experiment a little, especially my younger clients. I’ve got an assortment of colors and glitters and I will collaborate with my client. If they get tired of it before their next appointment they can easily throw a coat of polish over it. It is usually a lot of fun coming up with different tip colors and creations.