Gel or acrylic nails

[ragingchocoholic]

So I've decided to treat myself to getting my nails done for the 1st time and want a small extension so which are better, gel or acrylics? Which lasy longer, look more natural?

I'm completely clueless with this stuff so any advice is appreciated. Thanks xx

Anyone?

Acrylics are for weak, thin nails, gel are for brittle nails.

What are your plans for removal?.

I've always found acrylic to ruin my natural nails. I only ever have gel on now.

I used to get acrylics done then changed to gel extensions because i changed to a different beautician. I prefer gel extensions personally - when i had acrylics the grown out part at the base of the nail would be 'infilled' and the whole nail extension removed and replaced periodically. With the gel extensions i have the whole extension replaced each time i go.

If you want your nails to last make sure you use gloves to wash up. Also removing acrylics or gel extensions is easy but time consuming. Definitely easier to get them soaked off at the salon if you can afford the extra £5

One final tip- find a nail salon where they don't use drills and hand file your nails instead

Gels made of acrylic, everything’s acrylic in nail products.

It depends on what your nails are normally like. If I need an extension, I have acrylic as it tends to last long enough for my natural nail to grow out. But normally I have gel every three weeks. We tried gel for extensions on mine and it just didn't last. But I am hard on my nails.

Gel seems to have a little bit of give in it whereas acrylic is very hard. When I tried acrylic I broke a nail just by hitting it on my steering wheel accidentally (it hurt a lot).

Naturally my nails grow well and are strong, even having regular gel nails for over a year hasn't changed that. The only time I had problems it turned out I had a vitamin e deficiency. Now that's treated my nails are back to their normal selves instead of flaking or breaking off in my sleep!

My nail tech does use a drill but she also takes her time and is very careful. Her colleagues often get 2-3 sets done in the time I am with her.

I've had acrylics since last year. Started off having tips put on to even out the length of my own nails but now I just have infills every 4weeks (they are desperate by then but I'm too tight to have them done more frequently).
The nail place I use only applies limited acrylic so they don't become too thick at the tips (other places I've used they become way too thick).
I have shellac top coat-a few pounds more but the colour (normal OPI polish-stays on for the whole 4 wks).
£25 for complete new set, £15 for infills.

Gel nails do t make your nails any longer as far as I know, it just goes over natural nails, acrylics are used for extensions and you can have the gel polish on top so the colour lasts longer. They’re ok for your nails as long as you have a break Inbetween sets.

Should say that I keep my nails short-just over the end of my finger, they seem to be more durable.

I'm a nail tech and do gel extensions. They tend to have a little more flex in them than acrylics and as you've had neither before I'd recommend you start with gel extensions - any colour of gel polish can go over the top.
If your nails are already quite long then just go for a gel polish and if your nails are weak and prone to breaking then ask wherever you go if they can do a thin gel overlay for an added bit of strength or if they have a flexible base coat.
Finally when choosing a nail technician/salon do your research, get recommendations from friends and check some of their work on Facebook.

Good luck and enjoy your nails if and when you get them done
Any other questions feel free to ask xx

Gel I was told was best, I've had them for 3 years. Be aware you need to go every 2-3 weeks to have them filled but regular nail varnish is fine (they try to upsell to shellac polish but I find regular polish lasts 2 weeks and I can change it half way if I feel like it)

Gel every time