How to Sculpt Acrylic Nails | Back To Basics Tutorial

Welcome Back
Lots of people want to know how to do the salon style acrylic nails so we’re going to do that with Andrea right now.
We’re going to start with applying forms and then we’re using A&A Acrylic Powder, we decided on Cover Me Up and we’ll use their system. Start with dehydrator and then 2 coats of acid free primer. I’m going to start with my fast bead at the free edge, connecting to the natural nail, I’m then going to do my middle bead, and finish with that last bead at the cuticle area making sure I’ve got a flush cuticle area and a nice apex to give the nail strength.
I’l move onto my second nail and keep going back to that first nail to check fit’s ready to pinch, you want the acrylic to not be sticky or too bouncy, but still a little bit of flex in it. You can always test pinch before applying the pinching tool. I’ll do all of the nails including the thumb and then I’ll file.
I’m going to use a 150 grit file on the side walls and then a 240 grit file on the cuticle area. I then do the side of the top of the nail, the free edge and then go across the top to marry the sides together before filing the Apex last. I’ll finish with my buffer and then wipe over to remove the dust.
I’m going to do this design in a different video but now’s the time to top coat your nails or add a design. I’m just going to pop some cuticle oil on for now.
I hope you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, comment and all that shebang.
T’rah duck
XOXO
💅💋💅 MY PRODUCTS 💅💋💅
Forms - bit.ly/37eEMaL
Brush - No Longer Available
Centre Board - bit.ly/2S5ozAj
150 Grit File Sticker - bit.ly/2TMLKR6
240 Grit File Sticker - bit.ly/3kzBEh5
150 Grit Buffer - bit.ly/3wkM5Yp
Clean Up Solution - bit.ly/3klcdOV
🛍️Products that I used in this video🛍️
A&A - aandaglitter.com/
Dehydrator
Acid Primer
Monomer
Cover Me Up
Naf! Stuff - www.nafstuff.com/
Cuticle Oil
💵Discount Codes💵
Nailchemy - kirsty - 5% off Everything
Nail Gaga - kmpromo - 10% off Everything but Brushes and Files
Navy Tools - meakin10 - 10% off Everything & Hygiene kit free with the Samantha tool
Lacente - kirsty10 - 10% off Everything
Nailed by Lucie - kirsty5 - 5% off Everything
The Nail Boxes - kirsty 5 - 5% off The Bling Box Only
A&A Glitter LTD - kirsty5 - 5% off Everything
Gelica - kirsty15 - 15% off Everything
📱Social Media📱
Facebook - / kirstymeakinnailartist
Instagram - / kirstymeakin
TikTok - / kirsty_meakin
Website - www.kirstymeakin.com/

[@krisamontoya]

I have been doing nails for 30 years and it is always good to go back to basics.

[@Thewatcher10000]

You mist know and have seen a thing or to 😊

[@singinme103]

I *have* been missing your acrylic nail videos. I look forward to a flood of them when (😉) you release your own line of acrylics under the Kristy Meakin brand.

[@traceys9124]

I don't do nails but I have been watching you for a long time, Facebook, KZbin and tiktok. Love your videos. BTW in Canada we call it squash and racquetball. Keep up the great work.

[@waistedwitch3334]

Your eyes look sooooooo freakin good, love love love the makeup look!!!!!!

[@lumanaughty1025]

I could watch you do the cuticle areas all day

[@jennyprorock]

Just have to say how cool Adam's preview looked and Kirstys claws. Awesome job guys.

[@KirstyMeakin]

Thanks so much! x

[@thequeerrunner5745]

Aaaaah I’ve missed seeing you build acrylics! I love it

[@ladyessexlioness]

Thanks I’m saving this as I need extra help with acrylics 🥰🥰🥰💕💕💕💅🏻❤️

[@lynnetteramsay9387]

Yaaay! It's been soo long since we've seen a new acrylic video!! I would love to see more product reviews too!!! ☺️

[@MarieBSleepin]

The sculpting is my favorite to watch

[@susanafduarte]

You make look effortless. I hope I get this good soon

[@MsIrisharcher]

Thank you for back to basics videos. They are so helpful.

[@haleyyarynn]

Hey Kristy you look so beautiful today!! Like usual!! 😍 I hope you have an amazing day!!!!

[@heathermacfadgen7137]

I'm dying for a long glitter-full Fay kinda set💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💯🔥💅 long time no see!!!

[@thegreenlandfamily517]

😂 words ….they escape me 😂 love that! I get fibro fog and always forgetting what I’m talking about so I’m going to use that saying from now on 🤪 You make me laugh I love watching your videos and those metal file plates are really good when in use they just give you more stability when filing ….I think that’s the word I’m looking for 😂

[@nellie12783]

So happy watching this video, I’ve been watching you for sooo many years, I’m live in the US and you’ve changed my nail game. ❤️

[@kerrywood407]

Thank you Kirsty even tho I’ve been qualified a long time I still learnt something new but I truly believe you never stop learning in this industry. You look lovely by the way. X

[@jessijacobs8]

Yes!!!! Liking this video before I even see it!!❤😍❤😍❤

[@noemiarredondo3953]

Your eyes look amazing girlfriend!!!! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! LOVE YOU from Dallas, Texas!!!

[@katjabelling8895]

I love your work

[@sheadorris]

Thank you for going through this in great detail!!!

[@SandyMergui]

Your surgeon did a great job. You look great! 💜

[@marinasusigan6841]

Omg you make it look soooo easy love your work 💕

[@wavescrashing]

I watch your videos every night before bed. They make the day's stress melt away. I don't know what I'm going to do when I've run out! How about you do some nature/wiccan designs? It's December for me now so maybe something Yule inspired?

[@lisawood4903]

Love you and your videos!!

[@JonalynH]

Love you guys 💕

[@pa_mountaingirl]

Love this video as a refresher!

[@barbaramatthews4735]

Thank you for sharing. I learned a lot watching your videos. I learned how to sculpt nails in 1988. I went to beauty school in Tennessee, USA. It's been a long time ago. Recently I am relearning with new techniques. Back in my time we had mostly square shapes and a few oval (mostly older people wore oval) I took a career break for about 16 years for military (naval) service. I learned health care and assisted doctors and nurses with patient care. Nowadays I'm not wanting to do that anymore and return to cosmetology. I would love to be a manicurist but I need my license reinstated. It's a matter of taking an exam and paying license fees. In the United States each state has different licensing requirements. Just about all of them require a license in either cosmetology (hair, skin, nails) or manicurist license (nails only) I am working with the full cosmetology license. I like nails better than hair, but I can do both. Watching your videos motivates me to get on and get my license reinstated. In my state, Tennessee, I need to retest. My school credit is still valid. I am sure I'll do well on my exams because I remember a lot and watching good educational videos is a great way to refresh my skills.

[@jwiki1]

Kirsty it’s so lovely to see your beautiful face so often lately! Yours is one of my favorite channels and I always look forward to watching you. It’s great that you are going back to basics. I need all the instruction I can get for school. I am not quite to doing my practicals on acrylic yet but I’m practicing anyway. I want to be good at both gel and acrylic when I graduate. Thanks for this!! Lots of hugs and Aloha to you all!! 😘💞

[@cynthiahazebroek4281]

Yes, I like this video. This is what I needed to practice modern almond nails. I’m so in love with this shape. I need it on my nails.

[@tarablackwell232]

That burp at the end killed me 🤣🤣👉 I do that at my kids all the time xx

[@chippy9822]

Fantastic explanation of using acrylic. I started using acrylic in 1984 so I can relate to the prehistoric tools we used in the salon but I’ve switched to gel many years ago now I’m tempted to try acrylic again

[@cakehungrygirl]

I love learning from you Kristy! I’m still struggling with not making that hook under the nails at the sidewalls. Do you have any tips on how to avoid that? It gets worse when the nail grows out😭 Thank you🥰

[@jodiwolford6398]

Young nails has a great video out about sidewalls and how to avoid that little lip I hope kirsty puts a video out about sidewall shaping

[@lindseybotelho]

You make it look so easy

[@susanhoch2677]

This reminds me of a tutorial you did several years ago about how to make different size beads. It was great, very technical and precise in how you explained it. Especially how to wipe the brush between application to get rid of excess. That helped me so much!

[@MM_NailArtist]

Dear kirsty its so lovely watching your channel , i love your work 🤩🤩👌🏼👌🏼so nice and amazing ❤️❤️

[@cat9lives999]

I loved that “edgeletto” nail you did on another channel.

[@tinalink8022]

Love the video. I use gel but watching you do acrylic nails is so comforting. Your eyes look amazing! There is just NO stopping you! You're such an inspiration!

[@michellebramble7678]

Yes it's a new set of acrylic nails.😍 I love watching you make a new set I learn something everytime. Thank you for sharing all that you do. The burp was a good one 😂 it feels better out than in. 😂 🥰💖

[@haileysorrells551]

I would LOVE to know what Kirsty’s favorite acrylic brushes are!!! Also where to buy one to try out??!! 😁

[@haleyyarynn]

Lol I agree!! I’m an acrylic kinda girl!! I can use everything but acrylic is my FAVORITE 😍

[@thegreenlandfamily517]

😮🫢 that burp at the end brilliant 🤩 🤣

[@luzvinaromero]

Wow nice..

[@lumanaughty1025]

Ahh, I just love ya Kirsty!

[@fluffthecake]

Gosh Kirsty you make it look so easy! I'm in nail tech school right now, and just in utter awe of your application skills!(though I know that's because of all your years in the industry!) Congratulations on starting out on your own, and I'm happy to have followed you here!

[@beverleyr2625]

Kirsty ay up me duck! I am from Derbyshire but I know in Stoke, and other parts of Staffordshire like Burton-on-Trent, you call people duck and duckie, just like us lot in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire - as you said "Ta-ta duck" at the end of this video. Anyway, enough waffle and on to the acrylics you've just done - fabulous! I'm not a nail tech just an enthusiast and so far have only done gel and then more recently liquid builder gel with forms, but I've got the acrylic powder I just need to be brave and have a go. Thanks for the demo Kirsty - I will watch it over and over and give it a go! Ta-ra for now duck!

[@karine-njoy247]

Ive just ordered my first set of an acrylic system (that is most availible in my country), and watching your videos helps and inspires me SO MUCH!!! I’m only a self trained/youtube educated hobby nail tech, but ive learned tons from you and your videos, so I’m super excited to start working with the acrylic! Much love from Norway! Xxx

[@normacamargo1986]

Thank you so much i have been needing this

[@kheilawarheart]

Excellent video thank you Kirsty!

[@kheilawarheart]

And Adam! 😁

[@melaniemacrae]

In Canada it’s Squash as well . Thank you for this video. Been doing gel for so long , this is like a refresher for me. You look great Btw.

[@melaniemacrae]

Thanks for this refresher video, been doing gels for so long , You look amazing Btw.

[@karenorsi4109]

I reckon I’m gonna give it a go with the acrylic. Never done it before but have some bits. 🤞🏼🥴 thanks Kirsty xx

[@amandaterrio4823]

I’ve never done an almond shape. I never liked it. I always do a square or tapered square. I only do them on myself and my daughters. This video has made me want to try them. I guess the shape is growing on me.

[@tinytaz6668]

You make that look soooo easy!! I’m gonna buy those forms, way better than the cheap ones that wont stay on I got from Amazon, just saying 😜

[@FREAKOUT123ism]

nice nails

[@pamelarenee5294]

Your eyes look amazing!

[@Miapetdragon69]

Yes we have squash here in America and racket Ball

[@kimberlydawn9912]

Beautiful !!! Do you have any suggestions about what you can use if you don’t have a pinching tool yet ?

[@meridithderaps3362]

I’m really starting to like the almond look! Thank you for this step by step instruction for acrylic almond nails!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@fozzeeroo]

I’m loving the acrylic application on forms! That’s what I’m teaching myself, so this video is fantastic! Thank you so much for posting it! Love learning from the professional you are!

[@jessijacobs8]

🤣🤣 Adam please make a meme of the few seconds when Kirsty is tossing away that sculpting form and it goes flying in the background 🙏🙏

[@NanaNan1]

Just learned to.sculpt acrylic nails today for 8 hours ...I hope to only use tiips for dip.powder

[@normacamargo1986]

You are my idol ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@wonderwonder30]

Can you do a basics video about hybrid gel? I have learned so much, thank you!

[@strawhat6363]

😍😍😍😍

[@peterjenisch9336]

Hi Kristi..... I love you videos and I want to look on the website i want to all the first time from Naio nails Want to Order a Starter Set and I want those Coverpinks...... Greetings from Vienna Austria!!!!

[@jackiec9062]

Really interesting, would it take longer for nails to dry if you suffer with circulation disorder. Luv from UK 🇬🇧

[@kathyannhinds2599]

Morning Kirsty how are you doing. Love your vidoes

[@Sabyscorpioncina]

i would do half and half, both powders mixed together

[@martineleygue249]

bravo super magnifique Kirsty gros bisous de la France bisous Martine 👍👍👋👋💅💅😘♥️👄🥀🌷🌹♥️👄🌹🇨🇵🇨🇵

[@laurenkay4776]

How do you keep your natural nails healthy I've just started gel and mine are ruined x

[@Kristina-sq5pu]

I currently learning with tips, before sculpted do you have any tip videos?

[@isobellehaynes5801]

Hey Kirsty! So I know you haven’t worked with Naio Nails for months now (maybe even a year?!) but when I use some of their coloured powders I find the pigment is really separated from the acrylic and they marble quite a lot, any idea why this happens? Xx

[@titch_can_i_nail_it3847]

Whats that brush ur using kirsty? I'm looking for a good pinched brush that has a more firmness in the body of it, as I've noticed the ones I have are very soft and can be fiddly to work with, what acrylic brush would u recommend, please read my comment out I don't mind thanks.

[@debraward3796]

Your eyes look beautiful 😍

[@nadiaedrees3199]

Why the dehydrator is important❤

[@KirstyMeakin]

the nails need to be free from any oil or grease to ensure a good base to apply products and ensures longevity of the nails or gel colour 🥰

[@rhodalee7503]

Pink powder

[@lindseywalker2302]

I know kirsty doesn't always read her comments but if you are reading this Adam! Cam you tell kirsty I an so happy with how her career has progressed and because of her I enrolled on a level 3 nail technology course last Wednesday as she is so inspirational. Watched for years on naio nails and the new host they have just doesn't feel right without kirsty , loving kirstys content now and product reviews...also when are the acrylic bushes that she uses coming in stock 💅 xxx

[@Rose_from_UK]

I feel so disheartened, I got susies no odour starter set, and I cannot make it work. Nails are sticky and I can’t seem to file them, colour is uneven, the white is a lumpy nightmare. I am fine with builder and polygel, but I can’t seem to do acrylic

[@alexmorris1488]

What arm rest do you have?

[@LuxeNailsbyJen]

Squash in America is a very rich white man game lol

[@titch_can_i_nail_it3847]

You really need to get that brush back instock 😪

[@gloriaromeroescrich4360]

SUBTITULAR EN ESPAÑOL.PLIS

[@chrisbreton6257]

Please please more art work less slap of glitter on, your art work is amazing please let’s see more

[@jop3312]

Loving the "basics" videos. Better without the background music though 😞

[@thetattooedmermaidyolanda7299]

Omg kirsty please do some nail art on a set of nails, with will Smith smacking Chris rock. PPPPPLLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSSSE

[@FREAKOUT123ism]

Adam' your husband marrird to him

[@KirstyMeakin]

No Hannah, Adam is not my husband 😂 he Is married to the lovely Hayley thanks x

[@lindseywalker2302]

Adams her work husband

[@ammagato]

Come fai a lavarti intimamente con quelle unghie? Dimenticavo che voi non usate il bidet, pardon...