There are few people with long, perfect nails who aren't using at least a little — and usually a lot — of acrylic nail powder. Acrylic powder is a polymer that, combined with a setting agent, creates a resin with properties similar to your natural nails, except even stronger and more flexible. Which means it's a great way to cover up a myriad of nail issues, and a life-saver even for non-biters and people who've never had a chip. To learn about the best ways to use acrylic for yourself, keep reading.
- Structural support. As your nails get longer, they almost always get thinner, too, and the length increases your risk of cracks and chips. A little dab of acrylic, though, can keep even the most fragile nails together, and protects from breakage.
- To add a little length. You like your nail length for daily wear, but maybe you've got an event coming up where it would be nice to have a little more. Acrylic tips are a good choice because, unlike drugstore glue-on nails, which cover your entire nail, the tips just stick on the end of the nails you already have and look a lot more natural. They also stay on until you get them taken off, not 'til the nail glue wears out.
- To change your nails' shape for fun or after a bad manicure. Ever had a mani where the technician both shortened your nails way too much and left them in a shape that made you want to cry? This is where acrylics can be a life-saver. You can get tips in any shape you like, from square to almond, and they'll stay on until your natural nails have had a chance to grow out.
Photo by Flickr user Joe Shlabotnik
Dries Van Noten
DON'T DO IT!
They cost a fortune and destroy your nails.
1Take pre-natal vitamins, they help a LOT with nail growth (and hair) and get a layer of gel with your next manicure for support and strength.
I had acrylic nails for about 3 months this past summer and my nails are still recovering from them. I had deep ridges in my nails and they were are really weak. They sure looked pretty, but it wasn't worth destroying my natural nails. And, I spent about $30 every two weeks to keep them in good shape. Not worth it!
2i agree with sham & jaclyn, i got acrylics a few years ago and i was horrified by what it did to my real nails. a few of my friends love them, but they've been getting them for so long their natural nails are way too weak to even try to grow them out... so i guess they "love" acrylics like an alcoholic "loves" booze
3I just think shorter nails that are filed are so much nicer looking than longer nails - especially the obvious acrylic nails.
4I had my nails done a couple of yrs. ago,and one day when I was getting into the car,I somehow hit it on the door handle,and popped one of my nails loose,and it took my natural nail with it not all the way,but I could lift it up and see the skin under my nail,and it bleed for about 15 min.and hurt sooooooooooo bad,and then I had to stick my finger in acetone and it burned,and took forever to get them all off,,and I've never had them done again.
5i've also had a horrible experience. they left my natural nails so thin, soft and weak. and all that soaking in acetone trying to remove them can't possibly be good for me. i won't try them again for a long time, if ever.
6OMG. I'm totally having issues with my acrylic nails right now. My natural nail has ridges and they have weakened so much. I just don't think that's healthy. Plus, my nails grow really fast so it's also costly to get 'em done every two weeks. They're pretty but, I think I'll just stick with short but chic nails for now.
7I wore them on and off for about ten years until I had a horrible allergic reaction to the powder. My nail beds were swollen and I had red rashes covering my fingers. Definitely a DON'T!!
8yuck. I've gotten them occasionally since high school, however I've now sworn off. Not only do they kill your nails underneath, I now think they look really trashy. Anyone can tell when you're wearing them. I just think that shorter and well maintained natural nails always look better.
9Acrylic nails suck, but solar nails are amazing! basically solar nails are a different type of powder the nail tech uses, I get mine done every three weeks, and sometimes I fill them at home b/c it's that easy. When you don't want them anymore you have the nail tech file them down, and va la they are gone no acetone required.
10My mother is a nail tech and i have been getting acrylics on and off for about 3 or 4 years and i love them they look great and i don't have the tendency to bite my nails anymore, so it saves my teeth and my nails. I also think if you get them done by a nail tech who has been doing it for as long as my mother than you wont have as damaged nails. I know when she pops them off i get the ridges in my nails but if she takes them off properly with a special chemical she has there is almost no damage to your real nails. On top of that she doesn't use electric drills she does it all by hand filing which is a lot beer for your nails.
11Wow, all the misinformation about acrylic nails is overwhelming! Just a few comments...Solar nails ARE acrylic nails! They are not made from any 'special' powders, its regular acrylic powder. And the last thing you want to do is to let a nail tech file acrylic nails off. The proper way is to soak them in pure acetone. Never let a tech pop them off, pry them off or force them off in any way. This will cause a great deal of damage to your nails not to mention the unnecessary pain that so often goes along with removing acrylic nails improperly.
12Also, it is not acrylic that ruins your nails. Its more often than not the fault of the nail tech due to over filing of your nails before applying the acrylic. This is a sure sign of a bad, or unskilled tech. Always go to salon with licensed, highly skilled, and experienced techs who know the difference between the right and the wrong ways of doing nails. Avoid the typical strip mall walk-in nail salons that charge low prices because as with most things in life - you get what you pay for. If you pay for cheap nails, you will exactly that - cheap nails.
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