Love that shiny, sturdy end of a gel manicure, however hate the effort? I hear ya. Each time I get a gel manicure, I’m like, wow, my nails look wonderful. However two weeks later, I’m over it. I begin to choose at my nails till the gel polish comes off, one piece at a time.
Happily, gel polish doesn’t have a lock on that easy, chip-resistant end. Beneath is a debrief on eight well-liked options to the gel manicure. Every overview consists of the professionals and cons, nail well being penalties, and upkeep and prices.
1. Acrylic nails
Acrylic manicures use an acrylic powder and a liquid monomer so as to add a sturdy layer excessive of your pure nail. The substance is thick and laborious sufficient so as to add size and form to your pure nail. Common polish then goes on easily for a gel-like end.
The acrylic course of is usually executed by a nail technician. You might purchase the tools and try to do it at house, however I don’t suggest it. Acrylic nails are very difficult to DIY. Plus, improper utility can result in painful damaged nails.
From my perspective, acrylic nails work finest for girls who need an ideal end, need longer nails, and have the money and time for normal nail upkeep. It’s additionally helpful for those who don’t sort for a residing or play contact sports activities.
Professionals of acrylic nails
- Acrylic nails are robust.
- Polish goes on easily and dries to a pleasant shine.
- The acrylic course of can lengthen your nails and reshape them.
Cons of acrylic nails
- Acrylic nails have to be crammed each two weeks or so.
- As nails develop out, the acrylic extension is extra susceptible to breakage or separation out of your pure nail.
- Acrylic nails don’t look pure. They’re thick and the bottom of the acrylic overlay stands out extra as your pure nails develop.
- Acrylic nails aren’t sensible for lively existence, until you retain them very quick.
Nail well being
I’ve had acrylic manicures a couple of occasions in my life, so I can let you know: They’re tough in your pure nail. The difficulty is, you received’t discover how unhealthy your nails are till you cease getting acrylics. Your pure nails shall be weak and brittle for a while after you will have the acrylic eliminated.
One other problem I confronted with acrylics is the potential for an infection. As soon as I unintentionally snagged the top of a nail on one thing, and it pulled my pure nail away from the nail mattress. That was tremendous painful. However then I needed to handle an an infection beneath my nail — which was gross.
Upkeep and price
Preliminary utility of acrylic nails can value $50 to $100, relying on the place you reside. The method can take about two hours.
After the primary utility, you’ll want “fills” or “infills” each two to 3 weeks. You’ll spend $15-25 plus 45 minutes of your time on these. If any of your nails have come off, the fill course of will take longer and price extra.
2. Silk wrap nails
Silk wrap nails have been well-liked again within the ’80s, earlier than acrylic nails turned the usual. The silk wrap course of entails making use of a chunk of silk or fiberglass to the nail with resin. The appliance strengthens the nail and prevents breakage. Silk wrap remedies can lengthen nails, too, however they’re not as thick or as robust as acrylics.
As with acrylic nails, you should buy the supplies to do your personal silk wrap manicure — however you’ll get higher outcomes from an skilled nail tech.
Silk wrap nails are an excellent match for you for those who want a natural-looking manicure that helps stop breakage. Additionally they last more once they’re stored considerably quick.
Professionals of silk wrap nails
- Silk wrap nails look extra pure than acrylics.
- The silk wrap remedy strengthens your pure nail.
- You should utilize silk wraps to restore nail cracks. Contemplate them a extra concerned various to the tea bag nail repair.
- These are an excellent various for ladies with chemical allergy symptoms who can’t tolerate acrylics or gels.
Cons of silk wrap nails
- Silk wrap remedies aren’t a everlasting answer. Preserve them on constantly they usually may injury your pure nail.
- This remedy is perhaps tough to do your self.
- Silk wrap nails aren’t as laborious as acrylics or gel manicures.
- Silk wrap nails require fills each two weeks.
- Your silk wraps may come off, particularly in case your nails are uncovered to a whole lot of water.
Nail well being
Silk nail wrap remedies are much less damaging than different remedies. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to comply with correct procedures for removing — soak your nails fairly than pulling them off, for instance. As properly, don’t preserve your silk wraps on completely. Give your nails a break from remedies sometimes to allow them to breathe.
Upkeep and price
Silk wrap manicures are comparable in value to acrylics. You’ll possible pay $50 or $100 for the preliminary remedy. Fills shall be $25 to $50, relying on the place you reside and if the fill-in is with powder or overwrap.
3. Dip powder manicure
Dip powder manicures use a base coat, adopted by a coloured acrylic powder. An activator answer goes excessive to harden and seal the coloured powder. The dip manicure course of is comparatively fast and doesn’t require UV mild.
You will get a dip manicure at a salon or put money into a DIY dip starter equipment for at-home use.
Dip powder nails are an excellent possibility if you’d like realistic-looking nails with a sturdy colour coat. The polish can final three to 4 weeks.
Professionals of dip powder nails
- Dip manicures look extra pure than acrylic nails.
- Dip powder polish is long-lasting.
- You possibly can DIY your dip manicure.
- No UV lights are required.
Cons of dip powder nails
- Repeated dip manicures can weaken your pure nail.
- There are hygiene considerations whenever you’re getting the manicure executed on the salon. True story: My daughter acquired nicked on her cuticle with a file and the technician dunked her bleeding finger into the bathtub of powder. Notice that the bathtub is sort of a bottle of polish; it will get reused for everybody. So…yuck.
- The dips might embody irritating elements.
Nail well being
The largest threat to your nail well being with a dip manicure is the repeated submitting and lack of air provide to your pure nail. With repeated remedies, your nail can turn out to be weak and brittle.
Upkeep and prices
Dip manicures are similar to gel manicures with respect to value and upkeep. Every remedy will most likely value you $50 to $75. Alternatively, you should buy a DIY starter equipment for $15 to $35.
To take away dip powder polish, you must soak your nails in polish remover and gently scrub away the colour.
4. Builder gel nails
Builder gels are light-weight, brush-on merchandise that mimic the look of gel manicures and dip nails, however are much less damaging. You may see them known as BIAB, which stands for builder in a bottle. These merchandise typically require a base coat first and curing with a UV mild. You should utilize builder gels to increase and reshape nails, which is a bonus over normal gel manicures.
You may as well purchase BIAB nail kits to make use of at house. Notice that lengthening your personal nails with a builder gel will possible be difficult. It’s far simpler to make use of builder gel to strengthen your pure nails with out including size.
Professionals of builder gels
- Builder gel manicures, utilized correctly, are extra sturdy than gel manicures. Your nails may cross the three-week mark with out chipping.
- Builder gels can lengthen or reshape your pure nail.
- Builder gel nails are stronger and lighter vs. gel manicures.
Cons of builder gels
- The gel may be an irritant to girls with allergy symptoms.
- A UV mild is required for curing.
- Improper utility or removing of the builder gel can injury your nails.
Nail well being
The gel substance itself usually isn’t caustic to your pure nail. However like different manicure varieties, there’s threat of injury within the utility and removing processes. To take away builder gel, you must lower off any prolonged size and file down the thickness earlier than soaking your nails in an acetone nail polish remover.
Upkeep and prices
Builder gel manicures value $50 to $100, with fills carrying a lower cost tag. You may as well purchase starter kits with UV lamps for about $20 to $30 on Amazon.
5. Press-on nails
Press-on nails are pre-polished, synthetic nails that connect over your pure nail with an adhesive. They’re available at Walmart and sweetness provide shops. Press-on nails are available kits with quite a lot of sizes to suit all 10 of your fingers. You may as well purchase press-on toenails.
I like press-on nails as a result of they’re cheap and low-commitment. I discover they’re susceptible to popping off for those who use your arms lots, although. However for those who want a fast nail overhaul for an evening out or for a calming seashore weekend, these match the invoice for a low price ticket.
Professionals
- Press-on nails can be found in lots of shapes and nail artwork designs.
- You possibly can file press-on nails to customise the look.
- Press-on nails are straightforward to use.
Cons
- Press-on nails aren’t as sturdy as different choices. They’ll snag on issues and pull proper off your nail.
- Press-on nails might look much less reasonable than different forms of manicures.
- If a press-on nail is unfastened, it may possibly encourage you to choose at it till it comes off. That may trigger injury to your nail beneath.
Nail well being
Press-on nails received’t destroy the well being of your nails on their very own. You do threat nail injury for those who choose at leftover adhesive or yank the nails off with out soaking them first.
Upkeep and prices
Press-on nails are upkeep free. When you’re executed with them, soak them in polish remover, take them off, and throw them away. If you wish to preserve your fairly nails, merely purchase one other equipment for $10 or much less.
6. Common manicure
Common nail polish utilized at house with a sturdy high coat and base coat is a cost-effective various to a gel manicure. The draw back is that common polish tends to chip quicker than gel polish.
I’ve discovered an affordable center floor with the DIY gel-like polishes that don’t require UV curing. I’ve had good luck with Revlon Colorstay. For finest outcomes, use the road’s base coat and high coat and apply a number of colour coats.
Professionals
- Common nail polish is cheap and available.
- Your choices embody mainstream manufacturers plus indie manufacturers that always use vegan elements and fewer chemical substances.
- Eradicating common nail polish is straightforward.
- Most common nail polishes, used correctly, doesn’t trigger injury to the pure nail.
Cons
- Cheaper polishes can chip simply.
- Most traditional polishes have little strengthening energy.
Nail well being
A standard manicure involving a cuticle remedy can enhance the well being of your nails. As with different manicures, choosing at your nails or polish may be damaging to your nails. For extra data, see my submit: What manicure is finest on your nail well being.
Upkeep and prices
You will get a primary salon manicure for $20 to $40. You may as well spend that a lot on high-quality polish, base coat, and high coat — plus an excellent bottle of nail polish remover.
Upkeep is minimal. Swipe away your colour coat when it begins to look haggard. And, preserve your nails filed to an affordable size to attenuate breakage.
Branded gel nail merchandise
There are additionally a couple of branded merchandise that place themselves as gel manicure options. These embody:
- Polygel is a model of builder gel made by Gelish.
- Shellac is a branded gel system made by Inventive Nail Design (CND). Shellac doesn’t require you to buff away your pure nail earlier than utility, which is a plus.
- Plexigel is a gel-based product made by OPI
- IBX is a nail remedy that strengthens nails. It’s sometimes used beneath a gel manicure.
- Bio Sculpture is a branded conventional gel system that guarantees higher nail well being.
Your finest manicure
The very best gel various for you relies on what you need. Should you prioritize a end that lasts with out chipping, attempt a dip manicure. Or, for those who want to not decide to a sure form or colour, press-on nails are the reply. No matter nail technique you’re taking, comply with the product’s directions for utility, care, and removing in order that your pure nails stay as wholesome as attainable.
