Acrylic vs Gel Nails: Which is Best for You? (2024)

FAQs

Acrylic vs Gel Nails: Which is Best for You? ›

However, if you crave a more natural look and prioritize nail health, then a gel manicure might be better. Gel polish offers a high-shine finish and may be less damaging, but it can sometimes chip more easily than acrylics. Consider your lifestyle and nail goals to make the best pick. Ultimately, you can try them both.

Acrylics tend to be more damaging because they're hard and inflexible, which makes them more likely to catch on surfaces and chip or break. Additionally, acrylic nails are more difficult to remove than gel nails, which means that they may be more likely to damage the natural nails.

Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails.

This means your own nails are less likely to crack. You'll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.

Acrylics start to cure when they come into contact with air, and usually completely dry in about 10-15 minutes. A UV light is not needed for acrylics, and is actually not recommended — it doesn't speed up the curing process like it does for gel nails.

Acrylic nails are definitely the most popular type of fake nails used today. Acrylic nails are made from a liquid and a powder that combine to form a hard protective layer over your natural nails. They are strong, durable, and can be shaped into any style you want.

They're also more flexible than acrylic nails, so if you have weak or brittle nails, gel is a good choice. However, gel nails can be more expensive than acrylics, and they require special UV light to cure. Acrylic nails are a more affordable option, and they're great if you want a durable nail that won't chip easily.

Gel nails are less likely to cause damage to natural nails than acrylic nails. They are less harsh on the natural nails during the application and removal process, which can be beneficial for people with weaker nails.

Overall, Dip Powder Manicures are a great way to get a healthy manicure that will protect and strengthen your nails without causing any damage. Just like any nail treatment, you do have to make sure you properly remove it to keep your nails safe and healthy – Don't pick at your manicure!

For starters, BIAB is a professional-only soak-off soft-gel “specifically formulated to be used as an overlay on the natural nail,” explains Giorgia. It's gentler than acrylic, but thicker than regular nail polish and gel polish.

Squoval. "To get this shape, trim nails [with nail clippers] to the length you want in a square shape, and then use a nail file to round the corners," adds King. This shape is flattering on every finger type because it's the most natural, but it looks best on nails that are not longer than the fingertip.

Are gel nails more expensive than acrylic? ›

Gel is a thick, nail-polish type product, and while gel nails are strong, they're not thick. Acrylic nail application usually costs less than gel nail application.

Short, well-manicured nails with or without polish is the best way to go. Your nails contain bacteria that they naturally pick up as you move through your day. The longer the nails, the harder it is to clean them.

The Russian manicure technique removes as much skin as possible from the nail area, which leaves more room for polish. This results in a “cleaner”-looking finish and helps to extend the length of time between appointments, as the skin and nail take longer to grow back than with regular manicures.

Best overall: Olive & June

They offer a whopping 41 nails in 21 sizes, the largest range on the market by a longshot. These nails are incredibly thick and durable, had no chipping, and stayed put for 18 days — the longest amount of time press-ons have ever lasted on me.

The common misconception of a gel manicure is that it weakens and damages the nail, nail bed, and hardness of the nail. However, it has nothing to do with how often you do gel polish, but how it is removed. Typically, gel polish doesn't chip so much as peel from the nail after the initial first week.

Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.

Gel nail extensions are lighter and healthier for your natural nails. They are also safer because they do not use so many harsh chemicals. They are highly durable and long-lasting. They won't lift and fade quickly.

Watch out, gel and shellac, because there's a new, extremely durable manicure option that doesn't do as much damage to your healthy nails: BIAB nails. We've long loved manicures with gel or shellac because they have so many advantages over regular nail polish, but they have a few catches.