Should I go for acrylic/gel/other nails? Looking for some insight into the various options

[MsFogi]

i get shellac (or equivalent) every couple of weeks but the varnish is totally chipped by early in week two. I have always had rubbish nails that break easily. I am not looking to end up with long nails but would like to have nails that are all the same length and neatly polished. Would I have any more success with false nails? Does the varnish last any longer on them? And can anyone help me with which do the least damage to the nails under them or any other insight into them (I was a bit scared to read that some are quite painful to put on due to the filing of the nail under)?

i have an acrylic overlay on my nails just to make them even and to correct a nail which grows
at a strange angle.

I’ve had them for 15 years. Earlier this year I had to soak them off and leave them off for 6 weeks as I couldn’t drive to have another appt. My nails were fine - I was amazed. But I still had a new acrylic coating due to uniformity.

I always rather acrylic they are stronger than gel I also hate the curing process with gel

I have the SNS dipping powder. My nails were the same as yours with gels, OP, but the dipping powder has been a revelation. It lasts for weeks and weeks until I can't stand the regrowth and get them changed.

I don't like the feeling of acrylics, nor the look of them. After years of gels and peeling them off etc, I wish I'd tried SNS sooner.

If your nails are 'rubbish' to start off with, don't put fake nails on top of them. It won't do them any good. Maybe just go for a manicure if you want nails to be the same length and polished?

I am going to try the dipping powder as have seen so many good reviews.

Another option OP is just to file and paint your nails the traditional way every few days? A pale metallic goes on smoother and chips less I think.

BIAB - Builder in a Bottle. It's somewhere between Shellac and gel and rarely chips or breaks. Lasts me a month.

Curious about what BIAB is like - is it true it’s a lot thicker than shellac / gel?

OP, that’s very quick for shellac to be chipping. I have weak nails that break easily (not a huge issue as I keep them short) and my shellac is still ok for 2-3 weeks. Are you looking after them properly or are you doing things like washing up without gloves on?

So curious about why you hate it - it’s just sticking your hand briefly under a lamp!

This.

If my nails are weak and flaky, that's usually a sign I need more protein, more sunshine and more leafy green veg.

Perhaps try to improve your diet first.

I have BIAB. It is a lot thicker, you can kiss goodbye to being able to peel stickers but apart from that it’s just like having gel in terms of feel. I don’t notice it day to day.

Try BIAB OP. I was like you I used to have gel and they constantly chipped or split halfway down the nail. I get nearly 4 weeks out of BIAB. They only need doing because they’re grown out not because they look shabby.

Biab is amazing. Same as the others have said, I get it done every 3-4 weeks, only because it's growing out. It's rock solid, doesn't chip or peel. Shellac is crap in comparison.

@MarshmallowVeronica i had a really bad experience years ago someone used way too much gel and it hurt like a mother when curing horrible pain .

@LizzeyBenett I'm confused- with acrylic you still have the curing process as they put gel polish on top or use the pink and white acrylic stuff that still needs cured under a lamp? Or am I wrong?

Acrylic cures itself there's no lamp needed it's powder mixed with liquid monomer but gel is 'bulder gel' has to cure under a lamp and if too much gel is used it creates more heat on the nail bed and is extremely painful. If you have acrylic and then they say buy shellac on top that's different again

@LizzeyBenett thanks. Any time I've had acrylics I've still had to cure under a lamp so not heard of it the way you've described. That's interesting and yes I can see your point about gel. Thanks for explaining

I had also thought about getting my nails done regularly, but I find this study quite off-putting:

https://www.npr.org/2023/01/26/1151332361/gel-nails-cancer-manicure-safe

I know it's only one study and it obviously has limitations, but I'd just rather not.

Acrylic cures itself there's no lamp needed

I've always had the lamp when I'm getting acrylics. Not for the actual acrylic but for the nail varnish & top coat.

I wouldn't be overly concerned by that. They were exposing the cells to the UV light for 20 mins at a time several times a day for several days in a row

I get my nails done every 3/4 weeks & my hands are under the lamp for 2.5 mins in total each visit.

IBX to improve the condition of your natural nails to the point you're confident with them being bare. It has transformed my nails in 4 treatments. I use normal polish but I enjoy changing the colours frequently.

Shellac chips within a week for me too. I now get BIAB every 4 weeks and it is indestructible.

Had to have it taken off for an operation and my nails are fine underneath.

Same