Are there any nail techs on here that I could ask a question to please?

[blackbirdsinginginthenight]

I've been having acrylics on my nails for a while as struggle to grow my own nails. When they take the acrylics off to put on a new set, my natural nails have grown a lovely length. They cut them down and then put a new set on.

Is there something else I could do for my nails, once they've grown under acrylics? If I just have the acrylics off I'm awful at paining my own nails and the nail varnish doesn't last/ chips easily. Also after acrylics my nails feel a bit soft, so nail varnish itself isn't strong enough.

Thank you in advance! I'd ask at my nail salon except there's a real language barrier. Thank you

Biab Nails

So have acrylics taken off and Biab applied?

Not a nail tech but had my nails done professionally for years and now do my own.

They don't have to cut your natural nails for acrylics but it tends to reduce risk of lifting which is probably why your nail tech does it. Your nails will be incredibly soft when they remove the acrylics so you can't just apply nail polish as your nails would break without any help.

BIAB is just gel and instead of it being in a pot that you apply with a brush it is in a nail varnish bottle with the usual brush. It is a structure gel which allows you to build layers but is definitely something you could do at home. Removal/filling is the same as acrylics, the difference being acrylics set with time and gel sets with UV light. Gel removal is done with acetone.

You can improve your nail polish application skills by watching videos and with practise. The good thing about gel polish is it will not set until you expose it to UV so you can wipe it off and start again. There are videos on youtube showing all of this, I follow actual nail techs rather than some random doing their own nails.

Talk to your nail tech, they do your nails and will be able to advise you on changing over to gel, you could change over and then try to do yours at home to save money.

Are you having the full acrylic off and new tips added each time? That feels excessive. I have infills where they sand off any colour and excess and go over it.

I haven't seen my natural nails for years but I know they're weak as sin under there. I don't mind tho as the acrylics look fresh and clean and mean I don't have to give it a second thought until I get them done and choose a colour.

If you're concerned about strength and health, I'd get just gels or biab. I find gel comes off after a few days so isn't worth it for me but a lot of people swear by it.