Acrylic Paint VS Nail Polish for Nail Art Details

originally posted : 1/18/16 Updated 3/20/21
Acrylic Paint VS Nail Polish for Nail Art Details 25 Sweetpeas



Hello there and welcome to 25 Sweetpeas! Today we are going to explore whether you should use acrylic paint or nail polish for nail art! I feel like when I first started nail art I thought you could only use nail polish but that is not the case, you can use Acrylic Paint!  So lets chat about that, and answer all of your questions!


Acrylic Paint VS Nail Polish for Nail Art Details 25 Sweetpeas



I started using acrylic paint quite some time into my nail art time, but oh my, once I found out I could use it on my nails it was a game changer. Its so much easier to work with, you can mix and unlimited amount of colors, and its clean up is so easy! So lets get into the why, and all of that!

Acrylic Paint VS Nail Polish for Nail Art Details 25 Sweetpeas



Originally when doing nail art, I would use nail polish for the details, however, When you dab out some polish you end up wasting so much. While you are using it, it just sits there and starts to get goopy, and then when you go back to load your brush again it's too goopy. So you pour more out and that whole cycle just starts over. Squirting out some acrylic paint and having it sit there while you are using it you can actually still go back to load the brush and it will still be useable. Also with acrylic paint if it does start to get goopy you can add water to bring it back to life. Another thing is that if you are using acrylic paint you have more freedom to mix your own colors and or purchase every color imaginable. Another great thing is most often they cost less than a dollar too. Along with that, most craft stores have a coupon you can use as well so it makes it even better!

Acrylic Paint VS Nail Polish for Nail Art Details 25 Sweetpeas

There are so many ways to use acrylic paint. You can use them to mix your own colors on a palette, or you can use them straight out of the bottle. If I am not mixing a color I like to use them straight out of the lid, basically I will open the bottle and just take from what's off the lid! Totally helps in preventing any waste. However I do not mix water into the paint that way, if I want to mix water in then I will put the paint into a palette, and add the water there. 🙂 

Acrylic Paint VS Nail Polish for Nail Art Details 25 Sweetpeas


Tool wise when it comes to using acrylic paint I use paint brushes, nail art brushes, dotting tools, tooth picks, really anything works because it easily cleans up with water!


Now that you all know why acrylic paint is easier to work with hopefully you understand why many nail artist prefect acrylic paint for details! When using acrylic paint at first you may think it looks too textured or the colors don't flow well. So that is when you must put on your top coat. It will smooth the design out and bring things to life. I still do use nail polish for certain details. For example if you are using it with dotting tool that is fine. Plus if you are doing dots that's pretty quick paced so your polish won't dry up. Another design that can easily be done with polish is Cheetah print. Other than that I prefer acrylic paint. I remember when I first started using acrylic paint for details and oh my, I loved it! It seemed like so many more details were possible. I really feel like it opened me to another level of art. So if you haven't tried it, try it! Remember if you ever have any questions or requests let me know below and I will do my best to get back ASAP! :)



FAQ :


Will it come off when I take my nail polish off with nail polish remover?

Yes, absolutely! Not a problem at all!




Do I need to use a top coat?

Yes! Most acrylic paint will wash off so you need a top coat to lock it it!




Do I need a special top coat? 

Nope, not really. I say not really because all top coats are different, so while it doesn't need to be "special" you will dine that the acrylic paint will really absorb some so you may need a few coats, and or some may be more prone to smearing your art! Its always wise to let your art dry and float your top coat to ensure it doesn't smear. 



How come with top coat its a little bumpy?

As I mentioned in the above questions answer, the acrylic paint tends to "absorb" the top coat. Not always but sometimes. So my best advice to this is to top coat more than once. Or use a "glitter top coat". Painted Phalanges has a Glitter Smoother that helps in this where it smooths out bumps and then you put on your fave top coat. Also before those were a thing I likes to just do a shiny top coat that I knew wouldn't smear, let that dry and soak in and then do a matte top coat which matte helps art show better in photos. 🙂



Comments

  1. Good info, thanks.

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    1. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! Glad you liked it! :)

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  2. What is the brand of paint you find works best for you when painting on the nail?

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  3. Have you had any issues with acrylic paint chipping?

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    1. I have not! :) As long as you have a top coat on it will just behave like normal polish and just chip with the normal polish if/when it does. Hope thats helpful!

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  4. Thank u so much for this info :)! Exactly what I was looking for

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  5. Do you think using an acrylic paint varnish would work as well as a topcoat?

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    Replies
    1. I don't know actually. I've not heard of anyone trying that, so sadly I can't say!

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