Gels/Acrylics - Do or Dont?

yellowcrayon

Ive just got a new job and feel like treating myself to some new nails.

I usually paint my nails or wear false nails that I do myself at home. Ive heard good and bad things about gels and acrylics and just wondering if people here could give me their opinions and experiences please?

I love the look of them, so just wondering do they damage your nails? Whats the difference between the two? And any recommendations of someone good in cork?

Thanks

The Lovely Muffin

I've had gel nails once and wouldn't get them again. Not for anything.

My own nails were in bits afterwards, so weak and they peeled and broke easily. Took the nearly a year for them to get back to how they were before.

It totally put me off false nails, gel nails, any nails really. Now I just paint my nails as I know the polish won't damage my nails the way the gel nails did.

yellowcrayon

Thanks for the reply. A few people have said that it damages them, and some say they dont. But the amount saying they do seems to be more.

Did you find they left your nails the same way as after false nails? i.e. just a little dry, and you have to file off the bits of glue, or was it worse?

The Lovely Muffin

It was far, far worse than false nails.

My nails were peeling and breaking, they were so so fragile.

The damage left by fails nails is no where near as bad as the damage left by gel nails.

Tabitharose

don't don't don't.... you'll destroy your nails. bio-sculpture gel over lay is the only one I'd ever recommended (and that's me typing as a qualified acrylic nail technician lol) acrylic & gel wreck your nails!!!

yellowcrayon

Thanks for the advice ladies

Id say il steer clear.. Ive already wrecked my hair so dont need to do it to my nails haha

Cupcake_Crisis

Gel nails absolutely destroyed my nails! They were dry, brittle, and really quite sore! You couldn't pay me to get them again!

yellowcrayon

Sounds horrible!! Il definitely be sticking to the false nails so.

Dont think i could cope with them snapping off all the time, wouldnt look too nice id imagine.

I was only tempted to get them because Ive heard a few people telling me of people that are doin it from home for less than 20e.

dellas1979

Eh-snapping? Gel nails dont snap.

I wrote there last week in another thread about gels.

If you have naturally lovely long strong nails, dont get them. Your nail underneath will weaken. If you have such nails, just get them manicured.

If, like me, you have crappy nails that grow, but snag, break etc despite nail hardners and the like, and also it is out of laziness (you dont have to think of your nails for 3 weeks), then gels might suit you.

Ive been getting them for 6 + months now and I love them. I wouldnt have any nails anyways (as per above). The length of the nail is my own/grown, but the layers on top are gel. They dont snap or fall off (unless I imagine there is some mighty force on them). If you have no length on your nails, the technician will glue on tips. These will be filed down/cut each time you go back as your own nail grows.

yellowcrayon

dellas1979 wrote: »

Eh-snapping? Gel nails dont snap. :confused

I meant breaking, as a previous poster said that they can have a tendancy to break and peel.

My own nails are quite strong, and generally long, although in the last 2 or so months ive found myself biting them due to stress in my job.. but since i have a new job i thought id do something to help them look a little better.

Did you find that although your own nails had a chance to grow,that they werent that strong?

The Lovely Muffin

yellowcrayon wrote: »

I meant breaking, as a previous poster said that they can have a tendancy to break and peel.

Did you mean by posts?

If so, I didn't mean that gel nails break and peel, I meant my own natural nails, which is what my natural nails did after the gel nails came off.

yellowcrayon

The Lovely Muffin wrote: »

I didn't mean that gel nails break and peel, I meant my own natural nails, which is what my natural nails did after the gel nails came off.

Oh sorry about that, I just misunderstood. Sorry Lovely Muffin

dellas1979

yellowcrayon wrote: »

Did you find that although your own nails had a chance to grow,that they werent that strong?

My own nails are very weak under them-no question there. But I wouldnt have any nails anyways (as said above snags/biting/not taking care of them enough)-thats why gels suit me. When the gel is on top of my nail, they are as hard as a rock.

If you have naturally stong nails and look after them, would advise to just get a manicure every few weeks-shellac (soft gel) and gels (hard gel)do strong healthy nails no favours and will without doubt make them weak.

The gel if done properly will not come off. I have seen one case (a colleague of mine) who got gels on and they literally peeled off her own nails. She got them done again and same thing happened. She was told she had oily nail beds (not sure if that is a viable excuse or if they just werent put on properly) but Ive never had a problem. The gel is welded to your own nail. They dont snap or break.