Many modern women opt to wear acrylic nails because they are stronger, less apt to break and, according to some, easier to care for than natural nails. Whether you have them done at a salon, or do them yourself at home, you'll need to learn how to file acrylic nails correctly in order to maintain them.

• Having acrylic nails applied professionally at a salon can be costly, but you can save some money by learning how to apply your own acrylic nails. If you're not comfortable doing your own nails, you can still save on costs by extending the time between salon visits if you learn to maintain your nails yourself.

• Because acrylic nails are much stronger than natural fingernails, you'll need to use a coarser than average emery board or nail file. If you don't already have one, get a high-grit (100-180 grit) emery board or nail file, and also have a regular grit emery board on hand.

(Creative Commons photo by monibela)

• If you're doing your own acrylic nails at home, you'll find that after you've applied the acrylic, it will be rough and uneven. Therefore, you'll want to file it down to create a smooth, even surface. To do so:

1. Lay your hand on a flat surface
2. Get your high-grit emery board in hand
3. Position the emery board so that it is almost parallel to your finger, but angled slightly downward
4. Using brisk, short strokes, pass the emery board back and forth across the nail
5. Be careful to keep the emery board away from your cuticle to avoid damaging it
6. Pass a finger over the nail periodically to check its smoothness
7. Once the nail is relatively smooth, get your other emery board and follow steps #2 and #3 above to further smooth out the nail

• After smoothing down the nail bed, you'll have to shape the tips. This is also the process you'll follow if you're maintaining your nails between salon visits.

1. Get your high-grit emery board in hand
2. Position the emery board so that it is beneath the nail, but well away from your finger
3. Hold the emery board so that it is nearly perpendicular to the nail, but angled slightly toward the side of your finger
4. Pull the emery board against the nail in a downward and outward motion—do not scrape it back and forth across the nail
5. Repeat the above step until you have removed the desired amount of length from the nail
6. To add a greater curve to the nail, increase the angle of the emery board
7. Repeat the above steps for both sides of each nail
8. Use your lower grit emery board and the same process to further smooth the edges of your nails

• Whether you're doing your own acrylic nails at home or have them done at a salon, you'll need to perfect the proper filing technique in order to create and maintain great looking nails. However, with the proper equipment and some practice, you'll be filing like a professional in no time.

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• Introduction
• What You'll Need
• Doing Your Own Acrylics
• Shaping the Tips
• Conclusion