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Are Acrylic Nails Vegan [& How To Get Vegan Friendly Acrylics]

Are Acrylic Nails Vegan? [How To Get Vegan-Friendly Acrylics]

Jemma Almond Nails
Written By: Jemma Wilson
Published Date:

Acrylic Nails are an excellent way to apply style, length, and design to any nail. But are they suitable for vegans? Here is what you need to know.

So, are acrylic nails vegan? Acrylic nails can be vegan, if vegan-friendly products are purchased and used. By default, a salon acrylic nail manicure and standard acrylic products will not be vegan, unless they clearly state otherwise.

The good news is that if you are a vegan, you can still get acrylics!

You just need to do some research ahead of time and use the right products.

Thankfully, I’ve put in the research for you; so be sure to keep on reading to find out exactly how to get vegan acrylics!

Are Acrylic Nails Vegan?

There is not really a definitive answer for this question because there are a lot of factors involved than can affect the outcome.

The truth is, if your are not sure whether acrylics are vegan then it is fair and always best to assume that they are not by default.

If you attend a Salon you’re not going to be able to confirm whether their products involve animal ingredients or have been tested on animals as part of the research/manufacturing process.

I am yet to see or find Salons that advertise as Vegan friendly but I am sure they do exist!

You could always ask at your salon, but bear in mind you’ll need to ask about each individual products that goes into the process (and there’s quite a lot as you can imagine). You’ll need to ask about the:

  • Acrylic Powders
  • Acrylic Tips,
  • Brushes
  • Nail Polishers
  • Removers
  • etc

Chances are, they’re not going to know if their products are vegan friendly off the top of their head. They’re going to need to research themselves.

To find out if a product is vegan friendly, unless it is stated specifically, you’ll need to check all of the ingredients, and check the individual company out to see their policies and attitudes towards animals.

Plus, there’s no guarantee that a Salon is not using multiple brands, or may change brands from time to time.

So, what may start out as a Vegan-friendly acrylic manicure, may evolve into something quite the opposite. And vice versa.

Or some of your manicure will be vegan and the other half is not.

If you’re a Vegan then getting your nails done at the Salon is more hassle and drama than it is worth.

Thankfully, there is good news.

If you use the products and follow the steps recommended below you’ll have a vegan-friendly mani in no time!

How to Get Vegan Cruelty-Free Acrylic Nails

The following quick tutorial will teach you how to create vegan cruelty-free acrylic nails.

You can also take these products to your salon and have them apply them for you as well!

The products recommended are certified by PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Logical Harmony.

I’ve actually spent a long time researching the market and there are not many vegan and animal cruelty-free products out there which is a real shame.

These products from Dimension Nails, on the other hand, fit the bill (and very well might I add!)

Besides, this is a company dedicated to putting animals first. They’re entire brand is to support animal welfare.

Products Recommended:

Here are the four products for the tutorial. If you use my exclusive coupon code (thealmondnails20) you’ll get 20% off your entire order!

The Steps

For this tutorial, we will be using the Day Slayer Sequel Gel to build nail extensions.

It can be used for building strong nail extensions and is technically a cross between hard gel and acrylic – the best.

This thick gel will hold its shape and will not move until you begin to shape it.

Now you can use use tips, forms or you can do an overlay on your natural nails – it is totally up to you but for this tutorial we are going to be using a tip.

So first apply your apply your tip and shape it to your desired shape (e.g. Round).

Take a buffing block and buff all of the shine off of your natural nail and the tip.

Next you’re going to need the Base Coat and you need to apply this onto your whole entire nail. Do not skip this step – the Day Slayer Sequel Gel will not adhere to the nail properly without it!

Next you’re going to need a paper towel, a brush and a scraper tool, the Day Slayer Sequel Gel and some Rubbing Alcohol.

You’re going to need to squeeze a little of the Sequel Gel product out of the tube and then take the scraping tool and scrape a bead off. It should be quite a thick blob.

Now depending on the length of your nail you may need more or less so consider this as you apply.

Now you want to scrape the bead down onto the nail and then clean off your tool with a little Rubbing Alcohol.

Its advised to have a small dish of Rubbing Alcohol and a paper towel beside you during the application.

With your brush dip it in your Rubbing Alcohol and then use the paper towel to absorb most of the alcohol off of it. You don’t want a saturated brush.

Now with the brush, what you’re trying to do is shape the bead without it sticking to the brush.

The rubbing alcohol prevents this from happening. So you don’t want to over-saturate the brush with alcohol you just want enough to make sure the product is not sticking to your brush.

Next thing you’re going to do is work the Day Slayer Sequel product around the nail.

The great thing about how this product works is that you can take your brush and push it any direction you want and the gel will stay in exactly the same position.

So you have plenty of time to work this product around the nail and get it into the shape that you like.

Once you have completed the entire application process and ensured that you have spread the Day Slayer product evenly its time for the next part.

If you notice you have any excess at the tip, move your nail over on top of the paper towel that is a little wet with rubbing alcohol, slightly wet your brush and wipe it down onto the paper towel.

This will remove that excess but be sure to be gentle and not to try to take too much off at a time.

You can then use your brush to kind of cut that last remaining excess off and smooth it out with some more rubbing alcohol and your brush.

If you have a lamp at home, or if you are heading to the Salon, you can always do a flash cure.

Three seconds under the lamp, pull it out for five seconds and then back under the lamp to cure for the remaining time works well.

Now depending on your lamp this could be anywhere from ten seconds to one minute – so be sure to consider this.

If you don’t have a lamp you can either buy one, or simply wait for them to dry but you may need to be a little bit more patient!

Now, it’s time to file your nails.

For me and my personal preference, I like to file hard on the sides because I like my nails a little bit more narrow.

I then file at the cuticle so it gives me a nice smooth transition down to the natural nail.

Then for the sides, you always want to file in one direction, one smooth direction is going to help give you a better-rounded edge.

Do not file back-and-forth – focus on just one direction and just file away until those edges smooth.

Next you want to round off your tip or file off your tip depending on what shape you have. Again focus in one direction.

You’re going to file towards the cuticle to make sure that’s not too thick on the tip.

With a buffing block complete a final buff and add on some cuticle oil and that’s it for building out your acrylics!

Now you’re all finished, and your nails are nice and smooth, be sure to wash your hands, and then you can apply any type of vegan-friendly polish you want.

Once you’ve applied your polish you are done!

Final Words

Not all acrylic nails are vegan by default.

In fact, many are not.

The best way to ensure that you get Acrylic Nails that are completely animal-cruelty save is to buy from a brand that ensures this as standard.

One that has undertaken the certifications from the likes of PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Logical Harmony.

If you want Acrylic Nails as a Vegan then I would thoroughly recommend heading over to Dimension Nails and getting the Day Slayer Sequel Gel, The Polish, The Vegan Brush and the Nail Scraper.

And don’t forget to use my discount coupon code thealmondnails20 at checkout for 20% off!

Wondering what other manicures are vegan? Check out my guides below: