Help me understand nail extension options- clueless

[Cremolafoam]

I had my nails done for my wedding about 13 years ago in Australia and since then due to gardening have kept them short and shoddy
I'd really like to glam them up but do not want plastic talons or glitter- short , reasonably practical - maybe a French polish . Trying to up my grooming stakes a bit.

What are my options?
What's the best for staying power?
Treat me like a novice. I know nothing of this stuff....
Tia

Most obvious choices would be acrylic or gel extensions, although some places offer fibreglass or silk as well.
Process and removal vary slightly depending on which you go for - gels need to be cured using a UV light but often need to be filed/buffed to be removed properly. Acrylic don't need to be cured and can often be soaked off which is easier. Gel looks a bit more natural than acrylic but if you are going for French manicure then either will probably be ok. A lot of people believe that acrylic last longer than gel but I struggle to keep either so can't really comment. Either should last for a few weeks without lifting.
Depending on length of your natural nails, you could consider shellac or gelish which is similar to gel but is painted on like polish then cured in UV lamp. Should last 2 weeks without chipping. Ultimately though, depends how good your nail tech is and n the condition of your own nails (if they are weak or damaged you will likely experience lifting earlier).
For more natural looking nails my advice would be to get extensions that are not more than a third of the length of your nail bed, and not to get them too square.

Oh, gelish/shellac are applied to the natural nail, you don't have to have extensions for these, and is soaked off using acetone.

Oh thank you .
It's very confusing if you don't know what things are called .!
I think I'm going for gel extensions rather than acrylic . Is bio sculpture just a trade name for this or another kind of top coat.?
Most of the nail bar menus seem to assume your know what everything is.
My nails are short but even with extensions I would want them to be small natural and neat

Extensions don't ever really look natural IMO, even if they're short. I'd get a shellac (or equivalent) manicure with a natural-looking colour. Much less faff, much less maintenance, much easier to change.

i've just started using the red carpet diy gel nail stuff. it's lasted a week so far and they do french manicure, natural clear polish etc. on qvc would recommend and i have bendy shite nails so am so far pleased with result

\link{http://www.qvcuk.com/qvc.product.400430.html?sc=Froogle&ref=fgl&source=froogle&cm_mmc=PPCSHOPPING--Google--Shopping--Fashion&utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=base&cm_mmc=PPC-PRODUCT_FEED--UK_Desk_Goo_Product_Feed%20Search%20Ads-_-All%20Product_Feed&gclid=CMiwiqKXsbkCFa7JtAod92kA7A\here}

Eek have made an appointment .
Thanks for all tips so far( no pun intended )

Yeah, bio-sculpture is a brand name but a very good one. Just ask if you don't understand, if they can't be arsed to explain and be nice about it then they don't deserve your money :)