How to Do Pink and White Nails

Last Updated: February 10, 2023 References

Pink and white acrylic nail manicure is a classic and popular nail look. If you are just getting started with nail design or looking to improve your skills, then you may want to learn how to perform a pink and white nail manicure. You will just need some special materials to get started.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Creating the Pink and White Acrylics

1
Gather your materials. Doing pink and white nails requires some special materials and knowledge. However, it is easy to learn how to do them. Before you get started, you will need:^{[1]
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- nail polish remover
- nail file, preferably glass^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Lindsay Yoshitomi
  Nail Artist
  Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.}
- cuticle pusher
- acrylic liquid
- pink and white acrylic powders
- acrylic nail brush
- acrylic nail forms
- clear topcoat
- paper towels
2
Prepare your nails. Before you start doing a pink and white manicure, make sure that the nails are ready to go. To prepare your nails for a pink and white manicure, you will need to:^{[3]
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- Wash your hands.
- Remove any old nail polish.
- File and buff the nails.
- Push back the cuticles.
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3
Put on the nail forms. Nail forms fit over the finger tip and natural nails. The forms make it possible to easily create natural looking nail tips with the acrylic powder and liquid. Place a nail form on each of the nails before you get started.^{[5]
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- The open portions of the nail forms go over the tops of the nails.
- The nail forms have adhesive that will help to hold them in place.
4
Create a ball of acrylic liquid and powder. To create your nail tips, you will need to create small balls made up of acrylic liquid and powder. Start by taking your brush and dipping it into the acrylic liquid. Then, dip the brush into the acrylic powder.^{[6]
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- You should now have a small ball of acrylic on your brush. Take the ball and place it on your nail form near the tip
- Wipe your brush on a paper towel after you place the ball on the nail form.
5
Form the ball into a nail tip. Use your brush to start shaping the ball of acrylic into a nail tip on the nail form. Create a rounded line where the nail tip will meet with the natural nail and round out the tip of the nail as well. This rounded area is known as the smile line and it is crucial for a quality pink and white manicure.^{[7]
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- Start shaping the smile line so that the edge of it begins at about the middle of the nail bed.^{[8]
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  Research source} The center of the smile line should be further away from the cuticle and closer to the tip of the nail.
- You can use the natural nail as your guide. Follow the curve of the nail to help you create the smile line. The nail form can also help you to get the right shape.
- After you finish shaping the smile line, straighten out the sides of the tip. These are known as the sidewalls.^{[9]
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  Research source} They should appear to extend straight out from the nail bed.
- Finish shaping the nail tip by creating a flat edge along the tip of the nail.
6
Make the pink part of the nail. Next, you will need to use the acrylic liquid and pink acrylic powder to make the pink part of the pink and white nails. Dip your brush into the acrylic liquid and then dip it into the pink acrylic powder. Then, take this pink acrylic ball and place it right next to the edge of the white acrylic nail tip you have created.^{[10]
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- Place the pink ball in the area that will overlap the natural nail. The pink acrylic should be flush against the smile line of the white acrylic.
- You may need to create multiple pink acrylic balls to fill in the area that will overlap the natural nail.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Finishing the Look

1
Remove the nail forms. After you have finished creating all of the pink and white nails and they have had a chance to dry, you can remove the nail forms. The acrylic dries quickly, so most of the nails should be dry by the time you finish your set.^{[11]
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- You can remove the nail forms by sliding each one forward and sliding the nail through the opening on the top of each form.
2
File the nail tips. Next, you will need to file the tips to make them all uniform. Start by filing along one edge of each of the nails. File so that the sidewalls are extending straight out from the natural nail.^{[12]
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Research source} Then, repeat this for each of the nails on the other side. After that you can begin to shape the nails.^{[13]
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- Remember to check the nail bed to determine what type of nail shape will look best. If the nail bed is curved along the cuticle, then an oval tip might look best. If the nail bed is square along the cuticle, then a square tipped nail might look best.
3
Apply a topcoat. After you have filed the nails into a pleasing shape, you can apply a clear topcoat to each of the nails. This will help to protect the nails and give them a pleasing shine. Apply two or three layers for maximum shine and protection.^{[14]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Nails Looking Great

1
Make sure that your nails are healthy enough for acrylics. People who have dry brittle nails may want to wait a while before getting acrylics done. If you have dry, brittle nails or if the person who you are giving acrylics to has dry brittle nails, then waiting until the nails improve might be a good idea.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- Try waiting a few days for the nails to repair themselves. During this time, do not apply any polish to the nails. Allow them to breathe and grow.
2
Get fills done every two to three weeks. Acrylic nails require regular upkeep to continue looking great and to keep your nails healthy. Try not to go too long without getting a fill or you may end up with separated nails or even an infection.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- For best results, go for a fill once every two to three weeks.
3
Clean your nails with a nail brush. Acrylic nails can get dirty more easily than short nails, so you will need to make sure that you clean them daily. Wash your hands with a nails brush once per day or any time they get dirty.^{[17]
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- To use a nail brush, apply a bit of soap and warm water to your hands. Then, use the nail brush to clean around the edges of your nails and under the tips.
- Dry your hands and nails thoroughly after you wash them.^{[18]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- Inspect all of the nails daily as well to check for any signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or puffiness.
4
Wear gloves to protect your nails. Whenever you have to do something that might damage your nails or expose them to excess water or dirt, put on a pair of vinyl or latex gloves. This will help to protect the nails from damage.^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Avoiding putting unnecessary stress on your nails so they don't break.^{[20]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Lindsay Yoshitomi
  Nail Artist
  Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.}

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I keep my nails healthy?

Lindsay Yoshitomi
Nail Artist
Lindsay Yoshitomi is the nail artist behind the blog, Lacquered Lawyer. She was featured as one of Nail It! magazine’s “Bloggers You Should Know,” and has been on the cover of Nail Art Gallery Magazine. She has been practicing nail art for over 15 years.

Lindsay Yoshitomi

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

After your manicure, apply cuticle oil around the edge of your nail to keep the skin healthy and hydrated. Additionally, minimize stress on your nails and protect them to prevent breakage.