Because of their exceptional capacity to provide the appearance of longer false nails, acrylic nails have successfully dominated the fashion industry. But like other cosmetics, this also needs to be removed after a while.
The use of acetone is clearly, the simplest and fastest removal technique. But acetone can cause skin issues. So what's the answer? The safest method to remove them may be to use simple hot water. So we'll show you how to remove acrylic nails at home with hot or warm water.
What Are Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails have been around for decades and have become increasingly fashionable in recent years due to their customizability and affordability. They are nail extensions made from a combination of liquid monomer and powder polymer. When mixed, these two components form a plastic-like material that is moulded onto your natural nails.
This method works best with Elegant Touch nails, Ardell Nails, or any other false nails at False Eyelashes. With the proper technique and patience, you can easily remove acrylics with hot water. So let's get started…
What You Need To Remove Acrylic Nails With Hot Water?
- Bowl
- Hot /warm water (depending on how much heat you can cope with)
- Soap
- Nail clipper (optional)
- Emery board
- Cuticle oil or cuticle cream
- Cotton balls
- Orange sticks/wooden sticks/toothpicks/tweezers
How To Remove Acrylic Nails With Water: Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Prep Your Nails
Before removing your acrylic nails, it's essential to ensure that the nail area is clean. Start by clipping off any excess length from the acrylics using a nail clipper, and then use an emery board to file away the top coat of the acrylic. Filing will help make them easier to remove later on.
Step 2: Get Ready with the Bowl
Find a bowl that's big enough to fit your hands, and fill it with hot or warm water. Add some soap if desired, but not too much, as this can dry your skin. Carefully submerge your hands into the bowl for 10-15 minutes until the nails become soft and pliable.
Step 3: Soften Nail Glue
Once the acrylics have softened, remove them one by one using tweezers, orange sticks, toothpicks or wooden sticks. Lifting with any of these tools helps to loosen any remaining nail glue so you can easily pull off the extensions without breaking them.
Step 4: Moisturise Your Nails
Once all the acrylics have been completely removed, it's time to clean and moisturise your nails. Dip a cotton ball into cuticle oil or cream and gently massage this into the skin around your nails, then rinse with lukewarm water. Cream or oil will keep your nail beds hydrated and healthy while removing any glue or dirt traces.
Step 5: Finish Up
To finish up, apply a nourishing hand cream onto your fingers and palms for a few minutes. Hand cream will help restore the moisture lost during removal and ensure that your hands stay soft and smooth for days after.
Top Recommendations
Once you have removed your acrylics at home, it's time to choose a new look; with so many styles, here are our top recommendations: acrylic false nails, gel nail sets, and press-on nails. We will also give you a round-up of the best tools you need for the job.
Elegant Touch False Nails
Elegant Touch false nails are perfect for you if you're after quick and easy nails. They come in various colours and styles, with the bonus of being cut into any shape or length. Even better, most last up to 10 days without chipping or splitting.
This pack of 12 French-style false nails are a great way to get the look of acrylic nails without going to the salon. They come in classic clear and white shades, so you can change your nail look as often as you like. Plus, they're lightweight and easy to apply – follow the instructions on the packaging.
These black acrylic nails last up to 10 days and are perfect for a bold manicure. They have a natural square-cut shape that gives you the look of traditional nail extensions. Plus, they're easy to apply thanks to the self-adhesive backing, which sticks firmly onto your natural nails.
Gel Nail Sets
For those wanting a slightly longer-lasting manicure, gel nail sets are the way to go. These sets include everything you need for your favourite look - gel polish to a curing lamp - and can last up to two weeks if applied correctly.
Our favs are as follows.
These gel nail sets come in various colours and styles, so you can easily create your custom look. The kit includes 24 nails with an adhesive backing for easy application and a gel polish that cures in just two minutes under the curing lamp. You'll have gorgeous, long-lasting nails in no time!
- Ardell Nails Gel Delight Kit - Pristine (24 Pack)
This kit has 24 gorgeous nails, a precision file, and a curing lamp. The gel polish cures in just 60 seconds, and the nail glue is strong enough to keep your nails looking perfect for up to two weeks. Plus, it comes in a range of beautiful shades that will make your nails stand out.
Be aware that you can't remove gel nails with hot water, so you'll need to remove them using acetone-based nail polish remover or a UV/LED lamp.
Press-On Nails
For an even quicker fix, press-on nails are the way to go; these come pre-glued and ready for you to peel off and stick on. They're perfect for those who want a quick manicure lasting up to 14 days (with a lot of care).
Here are our top picks:
- Kiss False Nails - Sassy (24 Pack)
These press-on nails come in various colours and styles to create your custom look. The kit includes 24 pre-glued nails with a strong adhesive backing for easy application. Plus, the natural shape of these false nails gives a more realistic look than standard acrylics.
- Ardell Nails – Faux Mink (24 Pack)
This set of Ardell's Faux Mink press-on nails is perfect if you're after a long-lasting manicure but don't have time to apply traditional extensions. The adhesive backing sticks firmly to your natural nails, and the mink-style design gives a softer, more subtle look. Plus, they last up to 14 days with proper care.
Tools for the Job
No matter your false nail style, you'll need some tools to get the job done. Here are our top picks:
Nail Clippers – For trimming your false nails down to size if needed.
Nail HQ Clipper Set offers three pairs of nail clippers in different sizes to suit your needs. The sharp stainless steel blades allow you to trim your false nails for a professional-looking finish easily.
The nail care set includes cuticle clippers, pushers, and a professional filing block for shaping your nails. The filing block has three grits (coarse, medium, and fine) and an ergonomic handle for extra comfort.
Cuticle Pusher: For pushing back cuticles that may have grown over your natural nails.
- Elegant Touch Professional Nail Cleaner And Cuticle Pusher
This cuticle pusher makes it easy to push back and remove excess cuticles. It has a safe angled tip that quickly reaches the tightest areas around your nail bed, while the soft-grip handle gives you maximum control and precision.
Nail Filer: For filing down false nails, they fit comfortably and blend in with your natural nails.
- Elegant Touch Professional Nail Filer
This professional nail file has two sides: one for filing and one for buffing. The medium-grit side is perfect for filing false nails down to size, while the fine-grit side gives a smooth finish.
- Nail HQ Coloured Nail Files (x4)
This set of four files comes in different sizes and colours to match them to your false nails. Plus, they have a soft-grip handle for added comfort.
False Nail Glue: Apply press-on nails and reinforce acrylics and gels for extra hold.
- Kiss False Nails Powerflex Nail Glue - Max Speed (3g)
- Invogue False Nails - Brush on Nail Glue (10ml)
These glues do the job they are supposed to do well. For the entire range of adhesives, click the link. Finally, nail buffers…
File/Buffer – For shaping, buffing and smoothing your false nails before applying a top coat.
- Elegant Touch Professional Nail Buffer
This nail buffer is ideal for evenly shaping and buffing your false nails. It has a soft, ergonomic handle that is comfortable to hold, giving you extra control when filing or buffing. Plus, it comes in three different colours to match your false nails.
Conclusion
There you have it – everything you need to know about removing acrylic nails with hot water. Whether a beginner or an advanced nail tech, this guide will help you get the perfect false nail look. So why not try out one of our top-rated false nails today, knowing you can get them off easily?
