The Different Types of Artificial Nails
Artificial nails have come a long way since their first invention.
They have expanded to include a surprising array of different options, each of which has different benefits worth considering.
The following artificial nails are the most common on the market today.
When reading through this list, you’ll learn about how they are made and what benefits and drawbacks they provide.
Acrylic Nails – A Popular Option
When you go to a nail salon, you are most likely going to get acrylic nails.
That’s because these are the most popular and widely used options on the market today.
Usually, they require the use of a chemical to roughen up the surface of the nail.
Then, a liquid compound and a powder are applied to help create a large nail that is attractive and stylish.
Typically, these nails have many benefits that make them worth your choice.
They are widely available and very durable – some may last as long as two weeks.
They are also surprisingly affordable for most people.
That said, they can be damaged if not properly managed and can get yellow if you don’t properly maintain them.
Therefore, they require a lot of skill and care to properly manage.
Gel Nails – A Natural Alternative
Gel nails are an alternative to acrylic that have become increasingly popular over the years.
They consist of a liquid chemical gel that is attached and shaped to the nail.
Then, the nail is placed under a UV lamp to dry it out properly.
Some gels do not use UV rays, though, but require a chemical activator.
When finished, they usually look more natural than acrylic nails and have fewer problems.
This natural look is just one of the benefits of gel nails.
Typically, they do not require as much work or chemicals as acrylic nails, making them less difficult to install.
They also don’t damage the natural nail nearly as much and almost never yellow.
That said, they are also more expensive to install and maintain and cannot be removed chemically.
Consider this option if you have a little money to spend.
Wraps – Minimize Damage Problems
Many types of artificial nails cause damage to the underlying natural nail that can be quite frustrating to fix.
Thankfully, wraps are nowhere near as damaging as other types.
Some might even use wraps and not experience any nail damage.
As a result, they are often used to repair broken fingernails or tips and can be used to strengthen nails and extend them.
Typically, they consist of fine layers of various tissues shaped to fit the nail.
These benefits also make them quite easy to maintain and inexpensive to install.
However, you’re going to find that these nails wear down much more quickly than other types.
And some of the wraps used have a fairly artificial appearance that makes them very obvious to careful observers.
Removal also requires waiting for nail growth, which can be frustrating if you want a quick style change.
Press-Ons – Quick and Easy
Those who don’t have a lot of money may want to use press-on nails to create a unique artificial nail style.
You can find these nails in multiple types of stores and in many different colors.
Each uses two-sided tape that holds them to your artificial nail.
As a result, they are usually among the easiest types to remove and almost never cause damage to the hand, as long as you remove them very carefully.
The best thing about these nails is that they are quite inexpensive – usually, you don’t have to spend much money at all on them.
And they are the types of nails that you can easily install at home, which is good because most salons don’t use them.
That’s because they can’t withstand much pressure and are very artificial-looking.
Making a Choice
When picking your nails, you need to balance quality with your finances.
For example, you need to make sure that they are strong enough to withstand your day-to-day use of them.
Press-ons may be the least useful for an active person because they are the most likely to crack under pressure.
That said, they are a great choice if you don’t have a lot of money to spend.
Remember – all these nails will cost a surprising amount of money to install.
Therefore, you need to make sure that you have the extra money to pay for the nails that you want.
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