Acrylic nails or gel polish? What to book for the look you want
One adds length and strength, the other adds colour that lasts. Knowing the difference saves you money and broken nails.
People often ask for "gel nails" when they mean extensions, or ask for acrylics when all they need is polish that will not chip. The two services do different jobs, and picking the right one is the difference between nails you love for weeks and nails you fight with.
Gel polish: colour that stays put
Gel polish is about colour and shine, not length. Each coat is cured under an LED lamp and sealed with a high-shine top coat, so it stays glossy and chip-free for two to three weeks. A session takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
The step that decides how well it lasts is preparation. Proper nail prep is what stops gel from peeling, and it is the step cheaper services skip. Never peel gel off yourself. Come in for a proper soak-off, because peeling takes layers of your natural nail with it.
Acrylic extensions: length, shape and strength
Acrylic is a powder-and-liquid build that cures very hard, so it holds sharp shapes and dramatic length that softer systems cannot. If you want a stiletto, coffin or long almond that actually stays put, or your natural nails are weak and keep breaking, acrylic is the sturdier answer.
Each set is sculpted by hand to suit your hands, which takes around 90 to 120 minutes. Refilled on time, an acrylic set protects your natural nail rather than harming it.
How to decide
- Your nails are healthy but polish chips within days: gel polish
- You want a bit more length and a specific shape: acrylic extensions
- Your nails are short or weak and break easily: acrylic extensions
- You want to keep your natural length and just change colour often: gel polish
Making either one last
Acrylic needs infills every two to three weeks as your natural nail grows out. Do not use your nails as tools, since opening cans and peeling labels is how lifting starts. Cuticle oil daily keeps the natural nail underneath healthy and the seal looking fresh. With gel, wear gloves for cleaning and oil your cuticles so nails stay flexible.
If you are still unsure, show your stylist how you use your hands day to day. Typing, cooking and gym habits all change what will work best for you.
Ready for a set that lasts?
Tell us the length and shape you like and we will build it to suit your hands.
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