Acrylic — sculpted, strong, and shaped to your vision.
The original nail extension system: liquid and powder, hand-sculpted on a tip or form to any length and any shape. The most durable enhancement we offer — and the only system that lets us build long stiletto, almond and coffin shapes from scratch.
Inside Burwood One Shopping Centre · Easy from Burwood East, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Box Hill and the wider Melbourne east.
Sculpted to any shape
Round, oval, almond, coffin, stiletto and beyond — sculpted in real-time by hand, not chosen from a tray of pre-shaped tips.
Built to last
Liquid-and-powder chemistry produces our strongest enhancement. Durable enough for nail-biters and demanding hands.
Three to five weeks
One of the longest-wearing systems we offer. Most clients refill every three weeks; careful aftercare can stretch the set to four or five.
Trusted by clients across Melbourne's east.
Over 1,012 reviews across Google, Fresha & Facebook.
“I came in for a long stiletto set for my wedding and they were absolutely perfect. The shape was exactly what I asked for, and they lasted the honeymoon and beyond.”
“Been getting acrylic refills here every three weeks for over a year. The technicians are skilled and the salon is always clean and welcoming.”
“Asked for an extreme coffin shape with chrome — they nailed it (literally). Best acrylic in the east hands down.”
Acrylic — sculpted enhancement.
Liquid and powder, shaped by hand.
Acrylic is the original nail extension system: a liquid monomer mixed with a powder polymer that hardens into a strong, mouldable bead. Applied to a tip or sculpted directly on a form, the bead is shaped by hand into the length and silhouette you want — no pre-cut tips, no size limitations.
The result is the most durable enhancement we offer. Acrylic is firmer than gel systems, lasts longer between refills, and is the only system suited to extreme lengths and bold sculpted shapes. It's the system most often chosen for weddings, special occasions, and long-term wearers who want maximum reliability.
“ Sculpted by hand — to your shape, your length, your vision.
Or call 03 8838 8836 to chat about which system suits you.
Acrylic, Gel X & Builder Gel — three length systems.
If length is what you're after, these are the three options we offer — compared honestly.
| Feature | Acrylic | Gel X | Builder Gel |
|---|---|---|---|
| System | Liquid + powder, sculpted | Soft-gel pre-shaped tips | Brush-on gel, tip optional |
| Length | Any — sculpted to taste | Up to the longest tip in the tray | Short to medium |
| Sculpted shapes | Round, oval, almond, coffin, stiletto, custom | Limited to tip shapes available | Best on natural-shaped sets |
| Wear time | 3–5 weeks (with refills) | 3–5 weeks | 3–5 weeks |
| Strength | Highest | Medium | Medium-light |
| Feel | Firm, structural | Light, smooth | Light, flexible |
| Removal | ~20 min soak-off | ~10 min soak-off | ~10 min soak-off |
| Best for | Long, sculpted shapes | Quick natural-feel sets | Strengthening overlays |
Not sure which suits you? Call 03 8838 8836 or ask in store — a quick chat is usually the fastest way to decide.
Acrylic is a great fit if…
- You want long, sculpted shapes — coffin, almond, stiletto — built to your length
- You have naturally weak nails — and need maximum reinforcement
- A special occasion is coming — wedding, holiday, photoshoot, debut
- You're a nail-biter — acrylic is a long-standing tool to break the habit
- You want a high-impact look — bold colour, French or art on a long canvas
- You value durability — three to five weeks of wear between refills
Looking for something lighter? Builder gel and Gel X sit closer to the natural feel.
How acrylic is built at Adiva
A careful five-step ritual — about 60 minutes for a refill, longer for a sculpted full set.
- 01
Nail prep
Cuticles tidied, the nail surface gently buffed, and a dehydrator plus primer applied so the acrylic bonds cleanly.
- 02
Tip or form
A pre-cut tip is applied and trimmed to length — or a sculpting form is positioned under the nail for a custom build.
- 03
Sculpt
Beads of acrylic are placed along the nail and shaped with a brush — at the apex, the body, and the free edge.
- 04
File & refine
Once cured, the perfect shape is filed by hand — sidewalls straightened, the tip refined, the surface buffed smooth.
- 05
Colour or finish
Your choice of polish, shellac, French, ombre, chrome or freehand art — finished with a glossy top coat and cuticle oil.
From natural to dramatic.
Acrylic gives you control over length — match the day, the season, or the occasion.
Pricing is the same across natural through long; extra-long sculpts incur a small upcharge for additional time.
Acrylic sets from our chair.
Live from Instagram — recent stiletto, almond, coffin and French sculpts from the salon.
Acrylic pricing
Long, coffin, almond and stiletto shapes carry a $5 upcharge for the additional time and skill.
- Natural Overlay with Shellac — strengthening overlay on natural nails, 1 hr $60
- Full Set Extension — Normal Polish — sculpted extension, 45 min $55
- Full Set Extension — Shellac — sculpted extension, 1 hr $65
- Refill — Normal Polish — maintenance, 35 min $50
- Refill — Shellac — maintenance, 45 min $55
- Toes — Acrylic with Shellac — sculpted on toes, 1 hr $80
- Long / Coffin / Almond / Stiletto — shape upcharge for extra time & skill $5
- Manicure (add-on) — soak, cuticles, hand massage $10
- Remove Acrylic — proper soak-off $20
Prices shown are indicative starting points and may vary by length, design, or add-ons. For the latest pricing, see the live menu on Fresha or ask in store. Call 03 8838 8836 for a quote on custom or extreme-length work.
To get the most from your set
Cuticle oil daily
Keeps the seam between acrylic and natural nail flexible — a brittle seam is where lifting starts.
Gloves for cleaning
Acetone, bleach, and harsh detergents will soften any acrylic system over time.
Refill every 3 weeks
Stays ahead of the regrowth area, where lifting and breakage start. Skipping refills shortens the life of the set.
Don't pry off lifted edges
Picking lifts the surface layer of the natural nail. Book a quick fix instead — it takes ten minutes.
Mind impact
Acrylic is durable, not invincible. Use the pad of your finger, not the nail, to open and press.
Questions, answered
Acrylic itself doesn't damage nails — improper application or removal does. The biggest culprits are heavy filing of the natural nail surface and prying off lifted edges. At Adiva we use a gentle prep and proper soak-off, which keeps the natural nail intact underneath. Picking acrylic off yourself is the single most common cause of damage.
A full set lasts as long as you maintain it — most clients refill every three weeks, some stretch to four or five with careful aftercare. Acrylic doesn't need to be redone from scratch each visit; refills add fresh product to the regrowth area.
Acrylic is firmer, longer-wearing, and the only system that lets us sculpt long stiletto, almond and coffin shapes from scratch. Gel systems (Gel X, builder gel, BIAB) feel lighter and more flexible but max out at shorter, more natural lengths. If you want long sculpted shapes or maximum durability — acrylic. If you want a lighter, more natural feel — gel.
There's no hard limit, but most clients stay under 1.5× the natural nail length for daily comfort. We can sculpt longer for occasions; just allow extra time and expect a more delicate handling period for the first 24 hours.
We strongly recommend against it. Proper removal is a 20-minute soak in acetone wraps — peeling, prying, or filing aggressively will lift the surface layer of the natural nail. A removal appointment is $20 and the nails are protected.
Refill if the acrylic is intact, only the regrowth area needs filling, and the colour still suits you. New set if the colour or shape is changing, or there's lifting on multiple nails. As a rule of thumb — refill at three weeks, full new set every three to four refills.
On short-to-medium length sets, no — most clients forget they're wearing them within a day. Long sculpted shapes (stiletto, extra-long coffin) feel weightier at first and take a couple of days to adjust to.
Acrylic is the best canvas there is for nail art — long sculpted shapes give us room for detailed work, French, ombre, chrome, glitter, and freehand designs. Add-ons start from $5; intricate art is quoted on the day.
Book your acrylic appointment in Burwood East.
- Address
- Shop G41, 172–210 Burwood Highway
Burwood East, VIC 3151 - Phone
- 03 8838 8836
- hello@adivabeauty.com.au
- Hours
-
Mon–Fri · 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday · 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday · 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Easy from Burwood, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Vermont, Forest Hill, Ashwood, Blackburn & Doncaster East.