When it comes to fake nails, you have three basic types to choose from and all of them belong to the acrylic family of plastics. Acrylic nails are the most popular choice today. However, others are still confused about its differences from gel manicures. If this is you and you want to know more about these two, their differences, and differentiating which is better for you, then you have come to the right place. This article will give you all of the information that you need about gel and acrylic nails.
All About Acrylic Nails
This is the liquid and powder monomer mixture. They are combined and formed like a dough, shaped onto your nail using a brush, then air-dried. Unlike gels, acrylic nails do not need a lamp to cure. According to nail technicians, acrylic nails are perfect for those who want to change the shape of their nails or extend them.
- If you are getting a full acrylics set, the technician will put tips or will use nail forms in order to achieve a more natural look on your nails. Each of the acrylics will be shaped depending on how you want it to look. It will be painted, then polished. There is no limit to how often you can get acrylics done. You can get them whenever you want to. Once the acrylic nails are in place, you can use a gel manicure or an Esmalteuñassemipermanente polish or permanent enamel to apply over them.
- Is Acrylic Nails High Maintenance? Yes, they are high-maintenance. In fact, some would come to the salon and get their acrylics filled every two to three weeks. But once it is filled in, your acrylic set can be work for up to eight weeks until you need to get them redone.
All About The Gel Manicure
The reason why many are opting for gel manicures is that they are virtually indestructible! Also, they are glossy and are mostly offered by nail salons these days. It is not difficult to find a nail technician who can do a gel manicure for you. Why should you get one? Well just think about having zero risks in chipping for weeks. The gel polishes are made of stronger ingredients that adhere to the nails tighter compared to traditional nail polish. In fact, they are strong enough to stand through daily wear and tear.
- Before application, you have to make sure that your nails are clean. Once your nails and nail beds are properly prepped, you can start applying a thin layer of gel polish base coat. Then, you have to cure it under the UV lamp for one minute. Then apply the gel polish color and cure under the UV light for three more minutes. Once you are happy with the coats, apply a thin layer of gel polish top coat and again, cure your nails under the UV lamp for two minutes.
- Is Gel Manicure High Maintenance? The best reason why you should prefer gel manicure is that it can last longer without the need for touch-ups. If you have a lot of events coming up and you do not have the time to go to the salon, then gel manicure is the best option for you. It can last for two full weeks without chipping, and up to four if you are really careful with it.
Now that you know the difference between the two, which do you think is the best option for you – acrylic nails or gel manicure? Each of them has its own advantage, so you have to know your reasons why you need one and find out which is the most suitable for your lifestyle.