What is the Difference between Gel and Acrylic Manicures?

Despite popular perception, gel and acrylic manicures have more in common than you might think. For instance, both types of manicures can lengthen and strengthen short nails while making your fingers appear longer and more slender.

That being said, a number of differences do exist, and each has their own unique selling points. For example, unlike gel manicures, the removal process for artificial acrylic nails is very straightforward. It simply involves soaking the nails in warm water before removing them quite easily. By contrast, the majority of our gel-based nails need to be removed by a professional nail technician.

Similarly, the application process for each type of manicure is different. A gel nail manicure starts with thinning the nail and pushing back the cuticles. The nails are then cured under a custom-made UV lamp. The application of acrylic nails is more straight-forward and doesn’t require the same curing process.

Acrylic nails also tend to be cheaper than gel-based nails. However, gel nails will usually last longer.

What is a Reverse Manicure?

The reverse manicure is simply. a reversed French manicure. If the French manicure’s beauty comes from its simplicity, the reverse manicure is quite the opposite. Instead of covering the nail with a pale pink base and adding a white tip at the top, the reverse manicure covers the nail in a more extravagant color and completes the design by leaving a half moon at the base of the nail in a different, contrasting color. This is why we call it a reverse manicure.

Can Men Get Pedicures?

Pedicures are no longer just for women. Recently, the number of men getting pedicures has exploded. This growth has meant that men are now openly embracing a good pedicure. Pedicures for men often differ slightly as they are not generally focused on nail design. Instead, they usually include a relaxing and rejuvenating soak, and a foot scrub that is followed with an intensive nail care treatment and callus removal.

What are the Disadvantages of a Shellac Manicure?

First of all, like gel nail manicures, the UV lamp required to cure shellac nails has been subject to some criticism. Repeated UV lamp exposure can damage nail cuticles and the surrounding skin. Your nails will need some preparatory work before the UV curing takes place. If this process is repeated too frequently then it can damage your nails making them brittle and weak.

Will Nail Art Work on Short Nails?

Having short nails does not mean that they cannot be designed artistically. In fact, the opposite is the case. Given the correct design and precise nail techniques there is no reason why short nails can’t have the same impact as longer nails. So, as well as being practical, short nails can now also be extremely beautiful and appealing.