Why Should You Use A Nail Primer?

Nail primer is a kind of chemical used with gel or acrylic nails to let them adhere better to your nail plate. It makes the gel nail paint or acrylic nails stick better while preventing lifting or wearing off easily.

Are All Primer Safe For Nails?

No, not all primers are safe for your nails. A low-quality primer or when a primer is used in excessive quantity can damage the nails by thinning the nail plate.

13 Best Primers For Acrylic Nails

1. Best Adhesion – Morovan Nail Prep Dehydrator and Nail Acid-Free Primer Set

The Morovan Nail Prep Dehydrator and Nail Acid-Free Primer Set prepare your nail plate for acrylic nails or gel nail polish. It works by eliminating oil and drying out the cuticle to let the acrylic stick better to your nails. When this dehydrator and acid-free primer is used in a combination, it offers double protection to prevent lifting while increasing the adhesion for more than 30 days. This dehydrator and primer set works with all types of acrylic nails and gel nail paints. It dries in no time without a UV/LED lamp while offering a salon-like finish. Pros

Acid-free primer Quick-drying Double protection against lifting Long-lasting adhesion Less corrosive

Cons

Strong smell Sticky

2. Best Protection – Azure Beauty Nail Prep Dehydrator & Nail Primer

Azure Beauty’s Nail Prep Dehydrator & Nail Primer has a quick-drying and long-staying formula to prevent your acrylic nails from lifting while increasing the stay beyond 14 days. This dehydrator works with gel nail paints, a liquid system, and acrylic powder to offer salon-like results and removes excess oil from the nail plate to provide a clean canvas. The dehydrator prevents warping and extends the nail polish stay. It protects your nails while increasing adhesiveness. The nail primer increases the color life and brightens its tone; it additionally prevents lifting or falling while making it easy to apply nail polish. Pros

Long-lasting Quick-drying Easy to apply Reduces bacteria Improves color saturation

Cons

Strong odor

3. Manicure Enhancer – Born Pretty Nail Prep Dehydrator & Nail Primer

This Nail Prep Dehydrator & Nail Primer from Born Pretty is crafted for gel nail paints and acrylic nails. Its strong adhesion formula offers salon-like results by preparing your nail paint in an optimum way. This high-quality set of a dehydrator and primer increases acrylics life while preventing the lifting of nails. The bond works by removing oil to create a strong acid-free foundation and being compatible with an artificial nail and liquid systems as well. Besides, both the products come with an easy-to-apply applicator and dry quickly without any need for LED or UV lamps. Pros

Long-lasting Safe formula Acid-free Quick-drying Corrosion-free

Cons None

4. Professional Quality – Cacee Acid Free Primer

Prepare your nail plate with this acid-free primer from Cacee! With strong adhesive properties, this primer prevents lifting by adhering to your nail bed’s surface. Compatible with a dehydrator or bonder, it balances the nail’s pH and enhances the life of acrylic nails. This professional quality primer is suitable to be used with gel nail polish, acrylic nails, artificial nails, and liquid systems to get professional quality outcomes. Pros

Highly adhesive Professional quality Vegan No animal testing Mild odor Acid-free No burning

Cons

Small bottle

5. Gentle & Safe – Mia Secret No-Burn Acid-Free Primer Xtra Bond

The Mia Secret No-Burn Acid-Free Primer Xtra Bond is specially crafted to improve the adhesiveness of acrylic nails and gel nail paints. This no-burn formula dehydrates the nail plate to eliminate extra oil and offers a clean surface for acrylic nails, gel systems, and other nail paints. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product. Pros

No burns Acid-free Easy application

Cons

Strong smell

6. Best Overall – Morovan Nail Prep Dehydrator and X-Strength Primer Set

Designed for acrylic nails, gel nail paints, poly gel nails, and builder gel, this Morovan Nail Prep Dehydrator and X-Strength Primer Set prepare your nail plate for professional-quality outcomes. The dehydrator eliminates excess oil and dries up the nail/cuticle to prevent lifting or falling. At the same time, the less corrosive, acid-free primer offers lasting adhesion, just like double-sided tape to keep your acrylic nails intact for more than 30 days. Pros

Less corrosive Quick air dry Acid-free Safe or non-harming

Cons

Sticky

7. Long-wearing – Ejiubas Nail Primer And Dehydrator 

The Ejiubas Nail Primer And Dehydrator dry quickly and provide a long-lasting finish. This travel-friendly and refillable nail primer and dehydrator kit increases the longevity of gel nail paint and acrylic nails while offering a professional finish. Its superior adhesion prevents lifting by thoroughly adhering to the nail bed surface to provide more than 30 days of carefree stay. This fine quality set is compatible with natural nails, gel nail paints, false nails, poly nails, and acrylic nails, including acrylic powder and liquid systems. Pros

Long-lasting Quick-drying Travel-friendly Refillable Sterilizing Acid-free No burning pH balancing Pleasant smell

Cons None

8. Best Effects – Morovan Nail Prep Dehydrator and X-strength Primer

The Nail Prep Dehydrator and X-strength Primer from Morovan offer strong adhesion to keep your gel nail paint and acrylic nails from lifting. Ideal for gel nail paint, poly nails, acrylic powder, and liquid systems, this professional quality dehydrator removes excess oil from the nails bed. It creates a perfect base for gel application. In addition, the acid-free primer is less corrosive and works like double-sided tape to stick nails thoroughly while offering a long-lasting stay of beyond 30 days. Pros

No burning Non-acidic adhesion Long-lasting Sterilization formula Less corrosive

Cons None

9. Best Care – BURANO Nail Prep Dehydrator And Nail Primer

Made from skin-friendly ingredients, this Burano Nail Prep Dehydrator And Nail Primer set prevents lifting of nails due to maximum adhesion. Suitable for all nail systems like liquid, acrylic nails, artificial nails, gel nail paints, etc., this no-burn and acid-free dehydrator and primer offers a long-lasting stay to your gel nail polish or acrylic nails for more than 30 days. In addition, their natural formula dries quickly without UV or LED lamps and prevents any damage to nails. Besides, this kit comes with a cuticle oil pen to protect and moisturize the nails. Pros

Quick-drying Long-lasting effects Easy application Acid-free No burning Powerful cleaning

Cons

Too sticky

10. For All Nail Types – Saviland Nail Prep Dehydrator And Acid-Free Primer

Saviland’s Nail Prep Dehydrator And Acid-Free Primer are crafted for all nail applications like acrylic nails, gel nail paints, false nails, gel nails, liquid systems, etc. its professional formula maximizes adhesion to prevent lifting and enhance longevity of your nail art. Its dehydrator works by removing excess oil from the nails and drying up the area for desired results. The acid-free primer acts like dual-sided tape to keep the nail paint intact. Both the products work in a combination to deliver strong protection and a lasting stay for over 3 weeks. Plus, you don’t need any UV or LED for curing the nails; just air drying is enough. Pros

Acid-free Less corrosive Air drying Long-lasting No harm to nails No lifting Sterilization Improves color saturation

Cons None

11. Modelones Nail Prep Dehydrator & Nail Primer

The Modelones Nail Prep Dehydrator & Nail Primer forms a strong foundation for acrylic nails and gel nail paints by eliminating excess oil and drying the surface. This kit works by maximizing the adhesion and staying without harming your nail bed surface. Crafted for different nail systems such as acrylic nails, false nails, gel nail paint, etc., this nail primer can also be used as a base coat for your nail paint. The effects of this dehydrator and primer stay for 2 to 3 weeks while keeping the nails healthy and protected. Pros

Quick air dry Easy application Sterilization formula Long-lasting No lifting

Cons

Too sticky

12. Kiss Acrylic Primer

For superior durability of acrylic overlays, the Kiss acrylic primer makes the ideal-most choice. Specially designed for bonding, it offers ultimate adhesion to prevent lifting. Its effective formula works by eliminating excess oil and moisture to prepare a clean and dry base for the gel nail paint or acrylic nails. Pros

Maximum adhesion Easy application

Cons

Sticky

13. Modelones Nail Prep Dehydrator

This Nail Prep Dehydrator from Modelones is a professional quality dehydrator that provides strong adhesion to create a foundation for gel nail paint or acrylic nails. It reduces the nail oil and moisture to prevent lifting when applied before using nail polish. Compatible with a wide range of nail systems, it works with artificial nails, gel nail paint, acrylic nails, etc. Pros

Acid-free Prevents bubbles Long-lasting Enhances color Adjusts pH Quick-drying Easy application

Cons None

Why Trust Stylecraze

The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup techniques and writes well-researched product reviews. For this article, she has gone through a wide range of brands offering primers for acrylic nails and screened hundreds of reviews to narrow down on the top-rated products listed above. These primers enhance the adhesion of acrylic nails and prevent them from chipping. They also dry quickly and are easy to apply. What kind of primer do you use for acrylic nails? Apply an acid primer to your nails before putting the acrylic nails on them to improve the adhesion and hydrate your natural nails. The acid primer dries and assumes a chalky, matte look suitable for acrylic adhesion. Do you need a primer for acrylic nails? Yes. A primer removes the excess oils from the nails to improve their adhesive power. In addition, it hydrates the nail bed and prevents the creation of air bubbles. Is nail bonder and primer the same thing? No. A nail bonder effectively balances the nails’ pH level and improves the adhesiveness of gel nails. In contrast, a primer binds the keratin to the nail bed and enhances the adhesion of acrylic nails. What goes first, primer or bonder? Apply a bond enhancer first to balance the ph level of your natural nails and increase their adhesive potency. Then, apply the primer. Is acrylic primer and nail primer the same? No. An acrylic primer is usually acidic that dries into a chalky finish suitable for an acrylic nail look. On the other hand, regular primers are usually non-acidic that offer a glossy finish to the nails. Why are my acrylic nails lifting after one day? Multiple reasons can contribute to lifting your acrylic nails after one day. Using an excessive amount of primer or a significantly less amount of primer can decrease the adhesive power of the nails. Sticking acrylic too close to the cuticle may also wear off the nail quickly. How long should acrylic nails last? Acrylic nails last for two to three weeks with proper maintenance.

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