Gel vs Acrylic nails. . . !

Hi Jennifer: That is a fantastic question as I have struggled with this problem for years. I haven't tried gel nails yet but I'm going to this year. I complain abut nail polish every time I put it on because it chips and cracks and I always ask myself why it's not easier.

I've looked into both gel nails and acrylic nails and this is what I found out so far.

Pros of Acrylic Nails

-If you break an acrylic nail you can almost always fix it temporarily and rather easily yourself.
-The removal process is simple and straightforward if done by a professional. The nails can be soaked rather than filed off.
-Acrylics are very strong. When done correctly and good nail care is practiced, they can last a long time. They’re robust!

Pros of Gel Nails

-Gel nails often look more natural and glossy than other types of cosmetic nails.
-The curing time is faster than acrylics, sometimes clocking in at just two minutes when light-curing is done.
-Gel nail mixtures are odorless.
-There is less filing involved during the application process.

Cons of Acrylic Nails

-They can damage your real nails in a harsher manner than gel nails can.
-Acrylics can look fake instead of natural and they can look even worse when done incorrectly.
-It can be hard to grow out acrylic nails.

Cons of Gel Nails

-They don’t last as long and are less durable than acrylic, even though they tend to cost more.
-Gel nails are harder to do yourself if you like to do home manicures.
It’s been noted that nail polish won’t stick to the gel finish as well as it does to an acrylic finish.
-If a gel nail breaks, you may be in for some trouble. It can sometimes be more of a shatter effect than a clean break, so self-fixing a break is not usually an option. You’ll need to make an appointment right away with your manicurist. Sometimes they do break cleanly; basic nail glue could be used in that case.
-Gel nails almost always need to be filed off. You can’t just soak them away.

I hope this helps you and the readers of the friends blog and if you try them and you think they work good, please post a note here and I'll try them too. You're the Guinea Pig! :)

Lynn
Los Angeles, CA

PS
Clare: No way would I forgive her. Move and and kick her out of your friendship circle.