Acrylic nails are a go-to enhancement for show-stopping nails. You can create incredibly long extensions that stand the test of time. However, altering acrylic nails can take time, effort, and patience, especially if you do so at home.
Not every household will be as equipped to shorten acrylic nails at a salon. Sometimes visiting a salon is inaccessible or costs extra time, money, and resources that leave you to remedy long acrylic nails at home.
It can be pretty intimidating to shorten or alter acrylic nails at home. The wrong removal or maintenance can easily damage your acrylic enhancements and natural nail plates. However, the proper technique can help you care for acrylics.
So how can you shorten acrylic nails at home? You’ll need a few essential manicure tools like nail clippers and a nail file. If you’re looking to invest in your at-home nail kit, opt for an e-file and tip cutter for more efficient results.
The most important thing is to stay patient and take your time. Schedule a manicure day to ensure you have all the time and resources to properly learn how to shorten acrylics so you don’t cause excess damage in the process.
Help, My Acrylic Nails Are Too Long!
Going into a salon and leaving disappointed because you didn’t get what you asked for is a tale as old as time. It can be challenging to speak up at the moment, especially for something as temporary as nails.
However, acrylics can quickly get lengthier than expected if you originally got them done too long or let them grow out. Overly long acrylic nails can even disturb your everyday activities.
Longer Application
Nail techs are encouraged to add their style to each set of nails they create, but sometimes it can miss the mark with the client. For example, you may want a set of acrylic extensions that then quickly turn out longer than expected.
Whether you create your own acrylics or get them done, shortening them can be a tedious process. The health of your nails relies on the proper application, removal, and care of acrylics.
Grown-Out Acrylic
Overly long acrylic nails can also be the culprit of letting them grow out.
Nail enhancements like acrylic should be removed or touched up every 2-3 weeks. It can be more challenging to fix grown-out acrylic due to the weight distribution of the enhancement.
The apex of the nail can grow past its original position and allow most of the acrylic weight on the tips making it more prone to breaking. So, it would be good to shorten them before they grow out too much.
Tools Needed To Shorten Acrylic Nails
Shortening acrylic nails at home can feel like an extreme sport, and it’s not a process you want to rush through. Taking extra time to shorten acrylic nails will ensure you keep your natural nails as healthy as possible.
You will need a few tools to help shorten acrylics like files and clippers.
File
One accessible tool is a nail file (we like this glass one from Amazon). You’ll want to reach for a medium grit file like 100/150 to help shape and shorten acrylic. These files are easy to find, and you most likely already have one in your bathroom.
However, it can be a time-consuming process to file your acrylic at home manually. It’s better to take it slow to achieve your desired length and shape.
Electric File
You can also invest in a nail drill or electric file (check out our list of the best files for acrylic nails). This is an excellent option if you’re looking to build up your at-home setup. Electric files can speed up the filing and shaping process effortlessly, so you can spend less time painstakingly filing.
E-files are quick, efficient, and cut your workload in half. However, they can be much more expensive and inaccessible than a normal file.
Nail Clippers
Nail clippers will be another handy tool for acrylic nails that are too long. Sometimes, filing the nails will be too time-consuming, and if you need a lot of length off, it may be wiser just to cut them.
Because acrylics are a durable and long-lasting enhancement, you’ll need a sturdy nail clipper. It should be large enough to fit your acrylic and strong enough to cut in one go. Toenail clippers may also come in handy.
Tip Cutter
Sometimes a regular nail clipper won’t efficiently cut or trim acrylic. So, it may be beneficial to invest in a tip cutter. A tip cutter is a nail clipper but it’s designed to seamlessly trim and cut durable nail enhancements like acrylic.
Thankfully, tip cutters aren’t much more expensive than regular nail clippers, so it may be worth shelling out a few extra bucks to shorten acrylic nails at home efficiently.
How To Shorten Acrylic Nails
So how can you safely and securely shorten acrylic nails at home? Whether they were too long originally at the salon or you’ve let them grow out, the following instructions will help.
As always, proceed with caution to avoid unnecessarily damaging your nails. You can also consult a nail tech for help. Taking each step slowly will ensure you can successfully shorten acrylic nails without visiting the salon.
Consider Your Natural Nails
First, look underneath your acrylic nails. Where do your natural nails stop? This is crucial for shortening because you want to be aware if you’re shortening just the acrylic or your natural nails too.
You’ll want to keep your natural nails intact to ensure they don’t experience excess trauma. Cutting or shaping a little at a time will ensure you have complete control over your acrylic.
Asses Your Length
Next, it’s time to assess your length. How long have your nails grown out? How much length do you want to remove? This step will help you decide which technique is proper for you; filing, cutting, or both.
Cutting your nails will be beneficial if you remove a lot of excess length. However, if you need a slight bit of length off, it may be better to go in with a file.
Determine Your Shape
Next, it’s time to determine your desired nail shape. Knowing what form you want is crucial because it will determine how you file or cut your nails. For example, if you want them short and square, you can cut the nails in a straight line.
Likewise, if you want an almond shape, you’ll know to perform tapered filing motions to get a beautifully rounded tip.
Cut Nails To Remove Excess Length
First, you’ll want to cut your nails. This will make the filing and shaping process a breeze if you need to eliminate a lot of acrylic. In addition, it can save time cutting length than spending hours gently filing it away.
If you plan only to shape the nails you can skip the trimming step altogether. Filing will be more beneficial if you only have a little acrylic to shorten.
Slowly Shape And File
Now it’s time to shape and file. You’ll also want to execute this step carefully to ensure you achieve your desired shape. Regardless of your nail file type, you’ll want to ensure each nail has an exact shape that matches the rest.
Filing can feel uncomfortable for those with sensory concerns, but it’s well worth the result. Once you’re done filing, you can enjoy your freshly shortened acrylic nails!
Acrylic Nail Tips
What are some tips to keep in mind while shortening acrylic nails at home? A nail mishap can occur right before your eyes, so it’s essential to keep a few things in mind. For example, you’ll want to avoid over-filing and cut the acrylic with care.
Over-filing and improper cutting can lead to damaged nail plates or enhancements.
Avoid Over-Filing
Over-filing can lead to excess trauma, pressure, and friction on the nails. This can promote weakened and brittle nail plates that are prone to cracking. It can also make it challenging for your natural nails to grow or take on another enhancement.
You can easily over-file the nails with a manual and electric file, so always proceed cautiously.
Cut With Care
Likewise, you’ll want to cut the acrylic carefully. Tip cutters make it easy and efficient to trim acrylic, but regular nail clippers can cause some damage. For example, you’ll want to cut from one side of the nail to the other.
Mimicking the effect of a tip cutter and trimming right at the middle of the free edge can damage your acrylic and make it harder to maintain. It may also damage your natural nails.
For a visual tutorial, take a look at this video from YoungNailsInc on YouTube.
The Takeaway
Shortening your acrylics at home doesn’t need to be intimidating as it sounds. All you need is a high-quality file, nail clipper, and some patience. Gently cutting and filing the nails can help eliminate unwanted acrylic length without going to the salon.
You can also invest in an e-file or tip cutter to maximize efficiency and care. Also, taking each step at a time will ensure you preserve your acrylic and your natural nails simultaneously.
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