Acrylic nails are applied by mixing a liquid (monomer) and powder (polymer) to create a paste, which is then applied to the natural nails. The mixture is then sculpted and shaped over a form, tip or on the natural nails. The nails are then filed and shaped to the desired length and shape.

A fill for acrylic nails is a procedure that involves filling in the grown-out portion of the nail near the cuticle with acrylic or another product. Fills are usually needed every one to three weeks, depending on how fast your nails grow.

A manicure usually consists of filing and shaping the free edge of nails, pushing and clipping (with a cuticle pusher and cuticle nippers) any nonliving tissue at the cuticle and removing hangnails, treatments with various liquids, massage of the hand, and the application of fingernail polish.