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Love that shiny, sturdy end of a gel manicure, however hate the trouble? I hear ya. Each time I get a gel manicure, I’m like, wow, my nails look superb. However two weeks later, I’m over it. I begin to decide at my nails till the gel polish comes off, one piece at a time.
Happily, gel polish doesn’t have a lock on that clean, chip-resistant end. Under is a debrief on eight widespread alternate 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 carried out by a nail technician. You may purchase the tools and try and do it at dwelling, however I don’t advocate it. Acrylic nails are very difficult to DIY. Plus, improper utility can result in painful damaged nails.
From my perspective, acrylic nails work greatest for girls who need an ideal end, need longer nails, and have the money and time for normal nail upkeep. It’s additionally helpful should you don’t kind for a residing or play contact sports activities.
Execs of acrylic nails
- Acrylic nails are powerful.
- Polish goes on easily and dries to a pleasant shine.
- The acrylic course of can prolong your nails and reshape them.
Cons of acrylic nails
- Acrylic nails should 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 life, until you retain them very quick.
Nail well being
I’ve had acrylic manicures a couple of occasions in my life, so I can inform you: 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 can be weak and brittle for a while after you could have the acrylic eliminated.
One other challenge I confronted with acrylics is the potential for an infection. As soon as I unintentionally snagged the tip 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 price $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 a few 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 had been widespread again within the ’80s, earlier than acrylic nails grew to become the usual. The silk wrap course of includes 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 prolong nails, too, however they’re not as thick or as powerful 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 a great match for you should you choose a natural-looking manicure that helps stop breakage. In addition they last more once they’re saved considerably quick.
Execs of silk wrap nails
- Silk wrap nails look extra pure than acrylics.
- The silk wrap remedy strengthens your pure nail.
- You should use silk wraps to restore nail cracks. Contemplate them a extra concerned different to the tea bag nail fix.
- These are a great different for girls with chemical allergic reactions who can’t tolerate acrylics or gels.
Cons of silk wrap nails
- Silk wrap remedies aren’t a everlasting resolution. Preserve them on constantly and so they may injury your pure nail.
- This remedy could be troublesome 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 number of water.
Nail well being
Silk nail wrap remedies are much less damaging than different remedies. Nevertheless, it’s essential to observe correct procedures for removing — soak your nails moderately than pulling them off, for instance. As properly, don’t preserve your silk wraps on completely. Give your nails a break from remedies often to allow them to breathe.
Upkeep and price
Silk wrap manicures are comparable in price to acrylics. You’ll doubtless pay $50 or $100 for the preliminary remedy. Fills can 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 resolution 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 a great possibility if you need realistic-looking nails with a sturdy colour coat. The polish can final three to 4 weeks.
Execs 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 issues if you’re getting the manicure carried out on the salon. True story: My daughter bought nicked on her cuticle with a file and the technician dunked her bleeding finger into the bathtub of powder. Word that the bathtub is sort of a bottle of polish; it will get reused for everybody. So…yuck.
- The dips could embody irritating components.
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 akin to gel manicures with respect to price and upkeep. Every remedy will most likely price 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 would possibly 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 use builder gels to increase and reshape nails, which is a bonus over commonplace gel manicures.
You may also purchase BIAB nail kits to make use of at dwelling. Word that lengthening your personal nails with a builder gel will doubtless be difficult. It’s far simpler to make use of builder gel to strengthen your pure nails with out including size.
Execs of builder gels
- Builder gel manicures, utilized correctly, are extra sturdy than gel manicures. Your nails may move the three-week mark with out chipping.
- Builder gels can prolong or reshape your pure nail.
- Builder gel nails are stronger and lighter vs. gel manicures.
Cons of builder gels
- The gel will be an irritant to ladies with allergic reactions.
- 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 sorts, 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 price $50 to $100, with fills carrying a cheaper price tag. You may also 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 in kits with a wide range of sizes to suit all 10 of your fingers. You may also 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 should you use your palms so much, although. However should you want a fast nail overhaul for an evening out or for a calming seashore weekend, these match the invoice for a low price ticket.
Execs
- 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 will snag on issues and pull proper off your nail.
- Press-on nails could look much less life like than different kinds of manicures.
- If a press-on nail is free, it might probably 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 should you decide 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 carried out 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 dwelling with a sturdy high coat and base coat is a cost-effective different to a gel manicure. The draw back is that common polish tends to chip quicker than gel polish.
I’ve discovered an inexpensive center floor with the DIY gel-like polishes that don’t require UV curing. I’ve had good luck with Revlon Colorstay. For greatest outcomes, use the road’s base coat and high coat and apply a number of colour coats.
Execs
- Common nail polish is cheap and available.
- Your choices embody mainstream manufacturers plus indie manufacturers that usually use vegan components and fewer chemical compounds.
- Eradicating common nail polish is easy.
- 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 will be harmful to your nails. For extra info, see my submit: What manicure is best for your nail health.
Upkeep and prices
You will get a primary salon manicure for $20 to $40. You may also spend that a lot on high-quality polish, base coat, and high coat — plus a great 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 inexpensive size to reduce breakage.
Branded gel nail merchandise
There are additionally a couple of branded merchandise that place themselves as gel manicure alternate 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 usually used beneath a gel manicure.
- Bio Sculpture is a branded conventional gel system that guarantees higher nail well being.
Your greatest manicure
One of the best gel different for you is dependent upon what you need. If you happen to prioritize a end that lasts with out chipping, strive a dip manicure. Or, should you choose to not decide to a sure form or colour, press-on nails are the reply. No matter nail technique you are taking, observe the product’s directions for utility, care, and removing in order that your pure nails stay as wholesome as doable.
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