Tell me about gel nails or similar?

[Artyfarty555]

I have fairly strong nails and often do my own manicure but keeping still for so long while they dry is hard work for me.
I was hoping to do a Christmas nail and would like to have them professionally done but not sure what to ask for, other than an ordinary manicure. I would like the harder, longer lasting false nails but don't want to ruin my own nails...what do l ask for someone mentioned shellac today!? Not sure what the difference is, between these and gel?

I get gels and they are life changingly good! They look like a normal manicure, but they last about 3 weeks and it’s only because they grow out that I need them redone.

Gels seem to last better without cracking or flaking than shellac does

It’s really hit and miss though, I’ve been to once place and they lasted forever without even a crack at the tips and then the next time I had them done one cracked off within 3 days. So go somewhere good, but they are absolutely fab

I do my own - I used to go to a local place, thought it looked fun so did a course at the local college (I teach reception for work but wanted a fall-back for when the teaching gets the better of me!) and it's the best thing I ever did.

Ask on Facebook for local recommendations and check how many (happy) clients the salon has and look closely at pictures of previous client's nails. Anything that doesn't look flawless probably won't make you 100% happy, so be picky.

Thanks , have now asked around and l think shellac seems to be what l need as long as l can swim with them on.
Have had a look at a few local beauty salons that do shellac or similar. Will l be able to have patterns on these, as l fancy small stars on a couple of nails?