MIND & BODY by Crysande

Actually, They’re Acrylic!

An offshoot of the dental industry, early acrylic nails were as appealing as an actual trip to the dentist.

They were thick and unnatural-looking with a strong chemical odour. Thanks to improvements in the industry, these problems are a thing of the past. Manufacturers have developed low-odor or odorless products and more colors than ever before – perfect for matching your skin tone or making a bold fashion statement. For that special occasion like a wedding or Christmas party, or just to add some fun to your everyday life, you can go with an acrylic that looks like a natural extension of your own nails.

What To Do For That Special Event

If you are preparing for a special event, you can try a simple press-on nail, which lasts about one week versus the acrylic nails, which last about 2-3 weeks.

The difference between the press-on nail and the acrylic is that the press-on nail involves attaching a nail tip with glue to your nails and then applying a polish. The acrylic application involves using an acrylic liquid and powder to create a gel-like ball, which is then put onto the nail tip to create a new nail surface.

If you have naturally long nails, you do not need to apply any additional tips for length but can put the acrylic on your natural nails to strengthen them in what is called an acrylic overlay.

Some Reasons to Consider Acrylics

They can add strength and flexibility to your nails once properly applied. They can hide imperfections – we once had a groom whose nail on his ring finger had been damaged in an accident and we were able to restore his nail to perfection for the wedding photos of the rings. They can fix the appearance of “ski jump” nails (nails that don’t curve downward). They can make bitten nails beautiful and hopeful deter the nail biter. They can elongate the appearance of a short nail bed or short fingers. acrylics2

Quality Comes Before Quantity

When it comes to acrylic nails quality is more important than quantity. Find a nail technician who will take the time to do a good job. The nail technician needs to have product control so that the acrylic ball will have the perfect consistency. The acrylic application should be thin enough to be looking natural, but not too brittle, and definitely not so thick that it looks false.

Also, be careful of nail technicians who file down your nail plate (the hard surface of your nail) so much that it hurts! This is not necessary and is the number one cause of nail damage.

First Time?

If this is your first foray into extensions, you may want to start off with a natural pink and white and a short length so you can still be comfortable doing your daily activities.

Take into consideration the following when selecting the length and type of nails:

- What do your natural nails look like?

- What are your hobbies? Do you garden or lift weights?

- What kind of work do you do?

Maintenance

If you wish to wear acrylic nails on a regular basis, you will need to have them “filled” every two to three weeks. This involves putting acrylic liquid and powder into the new growth of your natural nail – otherwise there will be a glaring difference between your natural nail plate and the extensions.

If you need to remove the nails, you will have to do a nail soak, which often consist of acetone.

Never, ever snap off the acrylic nails as you may tear away some of your natural nails in the process.

Tags: Beauty Tips