How do I know which product is right for my nails?
Way back when, there was only on way to get your nails done….regular nail lacquer. Nowadays there is a different product for every look, rhyme, and reason. At our salon we have 6 different products so how do we choose which one is best for you?
Regular Polish - This is your everyday at home little mani. It involves a base coat, 2-3 coats of colour and a top coat. You just need to make sure to set out 20-30 minutes to dry. This is for someone who…likes to do their nails at home, a quick, easy more affordable salon trip and an easy removal that can be done at home. There is no guarantee on how long this lacquer can last.
Shellac/ Gel Polish - This is a gel lacquer and cures under a UV or LED lamp. It involves the same amount of coats as regular polish but you cure under a lamp after each coat. There is no dry time and it stays shiny and is chip free for at least 2 weeks! It adds a little more strength than what your regular lacquer would while still staying light and flexible. At our salon we use brands such as CND, OPI, DND, THE GEL BOTTLE and so much more. This is for some who…Can’t stand the look of chipped nails, wants a longer lasting manicure with no dry time.
APRES GEL X - This is a full coverage soft gel tip. Think like a press on nail but instead of plastic nails, we use gel nails and instead of glue adhesive we use soft gel to adhere. This is for someone who…is looking to rock a trendy design or is looking to have longer extended nails for a short amount of time for an event or a vacation etc. These look great, feel light and natural and lasts 3+ weeks all while being easy to remove and causing very little to no damage on the nails.
Bio Gel/ Hard Gel - Hard gel is much thicker than a soft gel, and comes in clear, nude and French pink. It uses a base gel and a builder gel both of which are cured under a UV or LED lamp. This is for someone who… anyone looking to add strength to their nails or fill in any ridges or bumps for a more smoother look. It lasts about 3-4 weeks and you get them refilled. The only way to remove hard gel is to completely file them off, they do not melt in acetone. I know this sounds a little scary, but if you go to a professional it can be done with no problems.
Acrylic - This is a combination of a liquid and a powder (monomer and polymer) This combination hardens on its own without the help of a UV or LED light. It dries very hard and is very durable. This is for someone who…wants to achieve a more longer dramatic look. This doesn’t mean that hard gel is NOT hard, it is just has a little more flexibility than acrylic does. If you have weaker more bendy nails and you find it easy to pick hard gel off. I suggest trying acrylic! It has a bad reputation for looking fake and feeling heavy but if you go to the right nail tech than they should be able to make it look just as good as hard gel. It should last 3-4 weeks with refills.
Dip Powder/ SNS - It is actually a type of acrylic powder but used with a resin versus a monomer. This is for someone who…likes shorter nails but deals with a lot of breakage. Great for people who use their hands a lot. It lasts 3-4 weeks and can be soaked off with acetone.
I hope this helped you guys out especially if you’re new to the nail game. Salons will often tell you the most expensive product is the best for your nails, but we believe that every product is great! It just depends on what our client is looking for, and what their nails would need. I hope to see you in the shop soon!
Love,
Kim