DIY Manicure For Fall

Happy Tuesday!!! Today we are tackling my favorite DIY for fall: DIY acrylic nail manicure! I know that it isn’t always easy (or possible) to get your nails professionally done every couple of weeks. Luckily, there is a super inexpensive way to fake acrylic nails that last. I am a lover of talons and clicky nails, and now I can do them whenever I need to and I don’t have to schedule an appointment! THE BEST PART THOUGH: they won’t ruin your nails like real acrylics. Let’s dive into this.

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DIY Manicure For Fall

Before you start painting your nails, you want to make sure you have a clean canvas! Grab some nail polish remover and a cotton ball and run it over your bare nails. This will make sure you don’t have any oils or residue on your nails that will make your nail polish chip or peel sooner than it needs to.

STEP ONE: CHOOSE YOUR NAIL STYLE

I am obsessed with coffin nails and pointed nails. They remind me of vampire nails and I love how clicky they are. You can choose whichever style of nail you like best. There are all kinds of options. Whichever nail style you choose, just remember you want the brand KISS. In my opinion, the glue holds the best and lasts the longest of the diy nail kits. Also, they’re only $4.89 and you get at least two sets of nails out of one box.

When you open your nail box, there will be several sizes inside. You need to choose the sizes that best fit each of your nails. I go throw and test the size on each nail to make sure I have the right one before super gluing them to my hands. You want to place the glue on the back of the false nail and on your actual nail. Then press the nail onto your real nail and hold for 15 seconds. Wipe off any extra glue that comes out of the sides of the nail with a Q-tip and some acetone.

STEP TWO: CHOOSE YOUR POLISH

I love Essie polish. I think it holds up the best, they have amazing color options and they aren’t super expensive. I went with the wild nude shade. It’s a cool toned nude that matches my skin nicely. I prefer to wear natural or nude shades on my fingers because there isn’t anything I hate more than nails that don’t match my outfit. If I don’t do a nude shade, I do a french manicure. That way I can be sure I’m not clashing.

If you are opting to do an accent nail (like I did), you want to make sure you are choosing a chunky glitter. You are going to be packing it on in a thick layer so it’s opaque glitter instead of a sheer top coat, so the bigger the glitter pieces the easier it will be to pack it on without doing too many layers.

Start with one stripe of polish down the center of the nail and then swipe up on either sides. I do two coats to be safe. For the glitter polish, dip a q-tip in the polish and dab onto the nail. Make sure it is opaque and evenly covers your entire nail.

STEP THREE: CHOOSE YOUR TOP FINISH

I usually like high shine finished, but I wanted to try this matte top coat this time around. TBH, I’m still on the fence about it. It is kinda matte, but not as matte as I wanted it to be. It’s almost just like dull-shiny? It’s fine and I’ll leave it but I wasn’t obsessed with it.

I used a high shine gel finish for the glitter to seal it so that the glitter wasn’t scratchy. This is my favorite top coat. It makes my nail polish last FOREVER. 100% would recommend.

Do the same process as you did with the regular nail polish here. Wait 30 seconds before applying another coat. Let dry completely before moving your fingers and using your hands.

PIN THIS FOR LATER:

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Your nails don’t have to be done professionally to look beautiful. I think they can be stunning right at home! Give your nails the refresher they desperately need this fall with this cheap and easy DIY manicure!

Let me know your thoughts on this manicure in the comments below!!