Friday, October 23, 2009

Acrylic Nails vs Gel Nails

Acrylic nails vs Gel nails: Which are better to have?

Acrylic nails vs gel nails is always an important topic whenever a woman wants to have artificial nails. There is always a big competition when it comes to choosing between acrylic nails and gel nails, although acrylic nails came before gel nails.

Acrylic nails are more popular than gel nails. They can either be placed on the tips of your fingernails or the whole fingernail itself. Acrylic nails are also the strongest artificial nails among all, mostly when applied correctly and when the correct nail care is practiced, they will last for a long time.



There are two different types of gel nails: light cured and no-light cured. Light cured gel nails are hardened by placing them under a halogen or ultraviolet lamp. No-light cured gel nails are set by spraying or brushing the surface with a gel activator, or dipping the brushed fingernails into water. Light cured nails tend to look more natural and are easier to apply and maintain than no-light cured gel nails. Gel nails are said to be an enhancement because the long-term goal of wearing gel nails is to allow your own nails to grow healthy and beautiful under the gels, so it is as if your gel nails are actually a protective armour for your real nails as they grow again.

There are some various of advantages and disadvantages that might help you decide the right choice of nails for you and if you can't decide it is best that you talk to your nail technician or simply email me and I will help you.

Here are some of the advantages of acrylic nails:

Acrylic nails are easily available than gel nails, so it would be a lot easier for you to have acrylic nails because most of the nail salons offer these over the counter. These nails are commonly preferred by women because they tend to be the strongest, cheapest, and longer lasting than gel nails. Acrylic nails are well known for being more durable than gel nails. Among all artificial nails, these are the ones that last the longest without spending a lot of money and they don't need lots of maintenance. One good thing about having acrylic nails is when it gets damaged or break, you can almost always fix it temporarily and easily by yourself. The process of removing it is more easier, simple, and straightforward if done by a professional nail technician. The nails can be soaked rather than filed off.

Here are some advantages of gel nails:

Gel nails tend to look more natural and glossier than other types of artificial nails. They are better looking on the nail and have a natural feel when wearing them due to their thinness, flexibility, and light weight. Gel nails tend to look natural because of its crystal clear texture that's why it can be mistaken for regular nails. Gel nails are said to be odorless compared to acrylic nails because they don't use offensive smelling chemicals when removing and applying. These strong chemicals used in acrylic nails tend to cause more damage on your own natural nails than the chemicals used in gel nails. The curing time for gel nails is considerably shorter than acrylic nails. When applying the chemical there tends to be less filing involved rather than other artificial nails.

Disadvantages of having acrylic nails:

Acrylic nails can damage your natural nails in a harsher manner than gel nails, since acrylic nails are using stronger chemicals in applying it. When done incorrectly, acrylic nails can look fake instead of natural or can even look worse. Natural nails may have a difficulty in growing under acrylic nails because it tends to be thicker than gel nails.

Disadvantages of having gel nails:

Gel nails don't last long and are less durable than acrylic nails even though they are more expensive. When applying nail polish to the finished gel nails, they don't stick as much and can therefore be removed easier compared to acrylic nail. When damaged or broken, gel nails are more difficult to fix than acrylics because there are not as many salons providing this service and they can't easily be fixed at home because of the gel chemical used. So, when damaged, you need to set an appointment right away with your nail technician. When removing the gel nails, it usually done by filing off not unlike acrylic nails that you can just soak in water.

When looking and deciding for artificial nails that will suit you best, it is always the best way to know the advantages and disadvantages for you to lessen any damage that you will may acquire to your real natural nails. Acrylic nails are always in contrast with gel nails that's why there is always a topic for acrylic nails vs gel nails.


**Thank you so much Rubyran, monibela and quinn.anya for the photos.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Gel Nails

Gel Nails

Gel nails
are the future of the nail industry and are said to be "the nails on the go" when you want beautiful nails that look natural.

Gel nails and acrylic nails are said to have similar results.

Although gel nails and acrylic nails have a lot in common, for example, they can strengthen nails, lengthen short nails, and they can both turn dull and ugly nails to any design to give you the beauty you want.

Gel nails often look more natural and glossy looking than other types of artificial nails. Gel nails are an extremely natural-looking enhancement with thin, clear, flexible, non-yellowing, nonporous, and with resistant lifting characteristics.

Because the technique of applying gel nails is more specialized, there are not as many nail technicians qualified to apply and care for your desired new creations. So while there is a high demand there are relatively fewer salons providing this service and as a result the price does tend to be higher, but when you find a good nail technician keep them as they are worth the wait and searching.

Gel nails are said to be: "easy to learn but so hard to master", and it takes a trained manicurist to know the real art of applying these nails. Do not settle for less than the best as the result will be less than desired and you want to look your best for all occasions.

When wearing any kind of artificial nails, you should see your nail manicurist or nail technician every few weeks for them to maintain your nails in the best condition. Gel nails or any other kind of artificial nail will always damage your natural nail a little if they are not applied or removed correctly. There are some benefits to having gel nails instead of acrylic nails such as: being odorless, natural feeling and looking, thin, flexible, crystal clear, light-weight, and no lifting. Actually, having any form of artificial nails such as gel nails or acrylic nails doesn't really do a lot for your base nail, so once you have had your artificial nails done, you need to have a regular routine to keep them in good health.

Even though gel nails have benefits or advantages, there are also some disadvantages. Gel nails don't typically last that long compared to acrylic nails and gel nails also tend to cost more rather than acrylic nails. There are some nail polishes that are not designed to be applied to gel or acrylic nails and care must be taken to make sure that your polishes are the appropriate ones or damage may occur to the nail. Gel nails when broken shouldn't be repaired at home because it is a skilled technique so you need to contact your nail technician about this. However, acrylic nails are more easy to fix when broken and also, gel nails need to be filed on a regular basis and can't easily be removed by soaking.

When you want to remove the gel nails book an appointment with your nail technician as they will know the correct procedure for removing the artifical nail without damage to your own natural nail.

Being knowledgeable about the advantages and disadvantages of artificial nails will enable you to make enlightened decisions regarding the your real nail care and save your natural nails for damaging and chapping. Gel nails can be nice because they have fewer chemicals applied to your natural nail rather than the acrylic and other kinds of artificial nails, also consider the expenses of gel nails.



**thank you monibela for the picture.