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Original poster

Please educate me about nails...

58 replies

TheLeigh · 22/01/2022 15:35

My hands have been neglected for years.
I plan to start having regular manicures at a local salon in addition to caring for them better at home.

What is the difference between gel nails and acrylics? How long do they last, and do they damage my natural nail?
Can you recommend me some good products for weak nails, also looking for hand cream recs.

OP posts:
Ohmycron · 22/01/2022 15:52

They do make your nails weaker but who cares if you were always got them on

Original poster
TheLeigh · 22/01/2022 16:01

@Ohmycron

They do make your nails weaker but who cares if you were always got them on
Is that the gels or acrylic or both?I don't know the difference, when I contacted my local salons for their treatment lists two of them said they don't do the acrylics any more.
OP posts:
itwasntaparty · 22/01/2022 16:03

Vaseline pink tube hand and nail cream. If you commit to getting your nails done you keep getting them done, it will damage your nails. I'd go for gels over acrylics, they look really old fashioned.

Bagelsandbrie · 22/01/2022 16:05

Gel can just be painted over the top of your natural nails. Like a shiny hard plastic coating.

Acrylics can be used to make your nails longer. Like false nails. You can then have gel on top. Or normal nail polish.

Both types will weaken your nails though. In my experience anyway….

shash1982 · 22/01/2022 16:22

Or there is SNS. Your nails are dipped in a powder then you can have a gel colour put on top (or an SNS colour but personally I think that looks too thick.)
It doesn't add any length as its over your natural nail but it does act as a strengthening bond.
Had it done for ages and once I had it removed my nails didn't seem as weak as when I'd had acrylic years ago.
Would never have acrylic again.

Ohmycron · 22/01/2022 18:07

I have the powder and it’s all my own nails because they grow underneath.

It really hard and lasts a long time. Occasionally if one of my nails are shorter they had a fake nail on but you can’t tell. The other option is fake nails if you want length and then you have shellac on top. That’s dried with UV Ask at the salon.

Allaboutthebooks · 22/01/2022 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DaveGahansRealWife · 22/01/2022 19:47

Acrylic is really outdated . A gel layer as someone has mentioned is what I have ? Ruin your nails ? Not too bad but not as bad as the mess I can make of them picking and biting . The powder stuff is hideous and gives big fat nails.

CheshireChat · 22/01/2022 19:55

Gel is closer to regular nail polish, just longer lasting and shinier. With acrylics, you can actually extend the nail- and if you have really soft nails like me it's the only way to have a longer nail (though I'm using polygel).

So if you like the shape and length of your nail use gel and if you want them longer or harder, then get an extension of one kind or another.

MsMiaWallace · 22/01/2022 19:59

Are acrylics outdated?
Everyone still seems to be getting them done.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 22/01/2022 20:13

I paint my own, as they grow really fast, gels look scruffy after a week. I think they are appalling for your natural nails, but others don't agree

RaininSummer · 22/01/2022 20:40

Don't join the treadmill of getting nails done. Look after your hands and keep them clean and shaped.

RufustheFloralmissingreindeer · 22/01/2022 20:58

My friend swears by this

IBX Repair & Strengthening Manicure
Professional nail treatment system designed to penetrate the nail plate to repair and strengthen week and peeling nails and encourage healthy growth (includes optional polish)

So it might be an idea if you want to strengthen your nails and make them look good before you go down the gel/acrylic route

DeoForty · 22/01/2022 21:08

I think there is a resurgence in the popularity of overly fake looking very long acrylic nails, even in otherwise 'ordinary' women. They aren't to my taste. I like the look of gel nails, and they last really well, but they seem to leave my nails in a terrible state. Maybe not an issue if you plan on having gels reapplied constantly and are careful with removal. Although now 'done' nails are everywhere, I've become contrary and keep mine short, natural and bare.

Redglitter · 22/01/2022 21:12

I get acrylic but they're a natural looking length. I love them

blippishutup · 22/01/2022 21:13

I've had gel done many times at different nail salon and after a few days it starts to peel. Is there something wrong with me or are the nail salons missing some vital coating?

Ohmycron · 22/01/2022 21:56

@BatshitCrazyWoman

I paint my own, as they grow really fast, gels look scruffy after a week. I think they are appalling for your natural nails, but others don't agree
Who cares about your nails underneath if you’ve got polish on
Wiennetta · 22/01/2022 22:05

@RaininSummer

Don't join the treadmill of getting nails done. Look after your hands and keep them clean and shaped.
I was going to say this. I’d start with good hand cream, nail oil and a simple nail polish - like OPI Nail Envy, or Dior Nail Glow. Then see how you go.

Gels, dipping powder and acrylic tend to damage your nails - I know some people have them regularly and don’t find that but most people I know do find the nails get trashed. If you start having them you can feel like you have to continue as the nails don’t look great without and start feeling weak.

TeamBlondie · 22/01/2022 22:08

All of them destroy your nails. I have naturally great nails and as soon as I ‘treat’ myself to any of the above, I regret it because they get destroyed. It takes a good 3 months getting then back to good health again.

cpjoli · 22/01/2022 22:12

Going against Pp, I've been having shellac gel for 3 years and my nails are stronger than they've ever been. I love that my nails are always neat and polishes. Have them done every 3 weeks at a cheap place. I can't imagine not having them done now.

bonfireheart · 22/01/2022 22:16

What nail varnish would people recommend?

Shortandsweet20 · 22/01/2022 22:16

Gels won't destroy your nails as long as you do not peel them off. I've had gels for the last 2 years, my nails are healthy and strong.

The newest thing is biab/builder gels which is incredible. A lot of nail techs are moving away from acrylics because BIAB is better and healthier for your nails.

Practise good hand care, oil your cuticles at least once a day, don't submerge your nails in hot water for 24 hours after, do not pick them, wear gloves for cleaning etc and your gel manicure should last 2 weeks minimum

flowery · 22/01/2022 22:20

I have gel overlays, have done consistently for years, until the salon had to close over lockdown. Lo and behold, years of gel hadn’t damaged my nails at all.

Sarahlou63 · 22/01/2022 22:25

Dunno if this is relevant but one of the surprise side effects of stopping smoking has been amazing nails!

MsMiaWallace · 22/01/2022 22:32

I have breaks from getting my nails done. Get them nice after about 2-3 months then cave & get acrylics done again!

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