Love that shiny, sturdy end of a gel manicure, however hate the effort? I hear ya. Each time I get a gel manicure, I’m like, wow, my nails look superb. However two weeks later, I’m over it. I begin to choose at my nails till the gel polish comes off, one piece at a time.
Thankfully, gel polish doesn’t have a lock on that clean, chip-resistant end. Beneath is a debrief on eight widespread alternate options to the gel manicure. Every overview contains the professionals and cons, nail well being penalties, and upkeep and prices.
1. Acrylic nails
Acrylic manicures use an acrylic powder and a liquid monomer so as to add a sturdy layer excessive of your pure nail. The substance is thick and onerous sufficient so as to add size and form to your pure nail. Common polish then goes on easily for a gel-like end.
The acrylic course of is mostly achieved by a nail technician. You would purchase the tools and try and do it at dwelling, however I don’t advocate it. Acrylic nails are very difficult to DIY. Plus, improper software can result in painful damaged nails.
From my perspective, acrylic nails work greatest for women who need an ideal end, need longer nails, and have the money and time for normal nail upkeep. It’s additionally helpful if you happen to don’t kind for a residing or play contact sports activities.
Professionals of acrylic nails
- Acrylic nails are robust.
- Polish goes on easily and dries to a pleasant shine.
- The acrylic course of can lengthen your nails and reshape them.
Cons of acrylic nails
- Acrylic nails have to be stuffed each two weeks or so.
- As nails develop out, the acrylic extension is extra vulnerable to breakage or separation out of your pure nail.
- Acrylic nails don’t look pure. They’re thick and the bottom of the acrylic overlay stands out extra as your pure nails develop.
- Acrylic nails aren’t sensible for lively existence, except you retain them very brief.
Nail well being
I’ve had acrylic manicures a couple of occasions in my life, so I can inform you: They’re tough in your pure nail. The difficulty is, you gained’t discover how dangerous your nails are till you cease getting acrylics. Your pure nails will probably be weak and brittle for a while after you may have the acrylic eliminated.
One other subject I confronted with acrylics is the potential for an infection. As soon as I by accident snagged the top of a nail on one thing, and it pulled my pure nail away from the nail mattress. That was tremendous painful. However then I needed to handle an an infection beneath my nail — which was gross.
Upkeep and value
Preliminary software of acrylic nails can value $50 to $100, relying on the place you reside. The method can take about two hours.
After the primary software, you’ll want “fills” or “infills” each two to 3 weeks. You’ll spend $15-25 plus 45 minutes of your time on these. If any of your nails have come off, the fill course of will take longer and value extra.
2. Silk wrap nails
Silk wrap nails have been widespread again within the ’80s, earlier than acrylic nails turned the usual. The silk wrap course of entails making use of a chunk of silk or fiberglass to the nail with resin. The appliance strengthens the nail and prevents breakage. Silk wrap therapies can lengthen nails, too, however they’re not as thick or as robust as acrylics.
As with acrylic nails, you should purchase the supplies to do your personal silk wrap manicure — however you’ll get higher outcomes from an skilled nail tech.
Silk wrap nails are a very good match for you if you happen to want a natural-looking manicure that helps stop breakage. In addition they last more after they’re saved considerably brief.
Professionals of silk wrap nails
- Silk wrap nails look extra pure than acrylics.
- The silk wrap therapy strengthens your pure nail.
- You should use silk wraps to restore nail cracks. Contemplate them a extra concerned different to the tea bag nail repair.
- These are a very good different for ladies with chemical allergic reactions who can not tolerate acrylics or gels.
Cons of silk wrap nails
- Silk wrap therapies aren’t a everlasting resolution. Preserve them on persistently they usually might injury your pure nail.
- This therapy may be tough to do your self.
- Silk wrap nails aren’t as onerous as acrylics or gel manicures.
- Silk wrap nails require fills each two weeks.
- Your silk wraps might come off, particularly in case your nails are uncovered to plenty of water.
Nail well being
Silk nail wrap therapies are much less damaging than different therapies. Nevertheless, it’s essential to observe correct procedures for removing — soak your nails reasonably than pulling them off, for instance. As nicely, don’t maintain your silk wraps on completely. Give your nails a break from therapies often to allow them to breathe.
Upkeep and value
Silk wrap manicures are comparable in value to acrylics. You’ll possible pay $50 or $100 for the preliminary therapy. Fills will probably be $25 to $50, relying on the place you reside and if the fill-in is with powder or overwrap.
3. Dip powder manicure
Dip powder manicures use a base coat, adopted by a coloured acrylic powder. An activator resolution goes excessive to harden and seal the coloured powder. The dip manicure course of is comparatively fast and doesn’t require UV gentle.
You may get a dip manicure at a salon or spend money on a DIY dip starter equipment for at-home use.
Dip powder nails are a very good choice if you’d like realistic-looking nails with a sturdy shade coat. The polish can final three to 4 weeks.
Professionals of dip powder nails
- Dip manicures look extra pure than acrylic nails.
- Dip powder polish is long-lasting.
- You may DIY your dip manicure.
- No UV lights are required.
Cons of dip powder nails
- Repeated dip manicures can weaken your pure nail.
- There are hygiene issues once you’re getting the manicure achieved on the salon. True story: My daughter bought nicked on her cuticle with a file and the technician dunked her bleeding finger into the bathtub of powder. Be aware that the bathtub is sort of a bottle of polish; it will get reused for everybody. So…yuck.
- The dips might embody irritating elements.
Nail well being
The most important threat to your nail well being with a dip manicure is the repeated submitting and lack of air provide to your pure nail. With repeated therapies, your nail can grow to be weak and brittle.
Upkeep and prices
Dip manicures are similar to gel manicures with respect to value and upkeep. Every therapy will most likely value you $50 to $75. Alternatively, you should purchase a DIY starter equipment for $15 to $35.
To take away dip powder polish, it’s important to soak your nails in polish remover and gently scrub away the colour.
4. Builder gel nails
Builder gels are light-weight, brush-on merchandise that mimic the look of gel manicures and dip nails, however are much less damaging. You may see them known as BIAB, which stands for builder in a bottle. These merchandise usually require a base coat first and curing with a UV gentle. You should use builder gels to increase and reshape nails, which is a bonus over normal gel manicures.
You can even purchase BIAB nail kits to make use of at dwelling. Be aware that lengthening your personal nails with a builder gel will possible be difficult. It’s far simpler to make use of builder gel to strengthen your pure nails with out including size.
Professionals of builder gels
- Builder gel manicures, utilized correctly, are extra sturdy than gel manicures. Your nails might cross the three-week mark with out chipping.
- Builder gels can lengthen or reshape your pure nail.
- Builder gel nails are stronger and lighter vs. gel manicures.
Cons of builder gels
- The gel will be an irritant to ladies with allergic reactions.
- A UV gentle is required for curing.
- Improper software or removing of the builder gel can injury your nails.
Nail well being
The gel substance itself usually isn’t caustic to your pure nail. However like different manicure varieties, there’s threat of harm within the software and removing processes. To take away builder gel, it’s important to minimize off any prolonged size and file down the thickness earlier than soaking your nails in an acetone nail polish remover.
Upkeep and prices
Builder gel manicures value $50 to $100, with fills carrying a cheaper price tag. You can even purchase starter kits with UV lamps for about $20 to $30 on Amazon.
5. Press-on nails
Press-on nails are pre-polished, synthetic nails that connect over your pure nail with an adhesive. They’re available at Walmart and sweetness provide shops. Press-on nails are available kits with quite a lot of sizes to suit all 10 of your fingers. You can even purchase press-on toenails.
I like press-on nails as a result of they’re cheap and low-commitment. I discover they’re vulnerable to popping off if you happen to use your fingers so much, although. However if you happen to want a fast nail overhaul for an evening out or for a calming seashore weekend, these match the invoice for a low price ticket.
Professionals
- Press-on nails can be found in lots of shapes and nail artwork designs.
- You may file press-on nails to customise the look.
- Press-on nails are straightforward to use.
Cons
- Press-on nails aren’t as sturdy as different choices. They’ll snag on issues and pull proper off your nail.
- Press-on nails might look much less life like than different kinds of manicures.
- If a press-on nail is unfastened, it might encourage you to choose at it till it comes off. That may trigger injury to your nail beneath.
Nail well being
Press-on nails gained’t destroy the well being of your nails on their very own. You do threat nail injury if you happen to choose at leftover adhesive or yank the nails off with out soaking them first.
Upkeep and prices
Press-on nails are upkeep free. When you’re achieved with them, soak them in polish remover, take them off, and throw them away. If you wish to maintain your fairly nails, merely purchase one other equipment for $10 or much less.
6. Common manicure
Common nail polish utilized at dwelling with a sturdy high coat and base coat is a cheap different to a gel manicure. The draw back is that common polish tends to chip quicker than gel polish.
I’ve discovered an inexpensive center floor with the DIY gel-like polishes that don’t require UV curing. I’ve had good luck with Revlon Colorstay. For greatest outcomes, use the road’s base coat and high coat and apply a number of shade coats.
Professionals
- Common nail polish is cheap and available.
- Your choices embody mainstream manufacturers plus indie manufacturers that always use vegan elements and fewer chemical compounds.
- Eradicating common nail polish is straightforward.
- Most common nail polishes, used correctly, doesn’t trigger injury to the pure nail.
Cons
- Cheaper polishes can chip simply.
- Most traditional polishes have little strengthening energy.
Nail well being
A conventional manicure involving a cuticle therapy can enhance the well being of your nails. As with different manicures, selecting at your nails or polish will be harmful to your nails. For extra info, see my publish: What manicure is greatest on your nail well being.
Upkeep and prices
You may get a primary salon manicure for $20 to $40. You can even spend that a lot on high-quality polish, base coat, and high coat — plus a very good bottle of nail polish remover.
Upkeep is minimal. Swipe away your shade coat when it begins to look haggard. And, maintain your nails filed to an inexpensive size to reduce breakage.
Branded gel nail merchandise
There are additionally a couple of branded merchandise that place themselves as gel manicure alternate options. These embody:
- Polygel is a model of builder gel made by Gelish.
- Shellac is a branded gel system made by Inventive Nail Design (CND). Shellac doesn’t require you to buff away your pure nail earlier than software, which is a plus.
- Plexigel is a gel-based product made by OPI
- IBX is a nail therapy that strengthens nails. It’s usually used beneath a gel manicure.
- Bio Sculpture is a branded conventional gel system that guarantees higher nail well being.
Your greatest manicure
The most effective gel different for you is dependent upon what you need. When you prioritize a end that lasts with out chipping, strive a dip manicure. Or, if you happen to want to not decide to a sure form or shade, press-on nails are the reply. No matter nail technique you are taking, observe the product’s directions for software, care, and removing in order that your pure nails stay as wholesome as doable.