Acrylic or gel nails?

The nail styling market keeps coming up with new products faster and faster which gets harder to follow. New technologies, products, methods, it can cause a headache especially for a beginner stylist.

Before you start following the new, hot trends it is important to consolidate the knowledge and discover facts about the basic methods. This is to make sure that you know how each method works to make a conscious decision.

The choice of a manicure should be based on a number of different factors – the most important of course is our client's nails. With time and experience, you'll be able to assess the state of the nails and offer the right nail-care treatment and the right method of completeing a manicure.

The difference between acrylic and gel nails

The basic difference between gel and acrylic nails lies in the method of curing: acrylic nails cure on their own in a matter of minutes, gel needs to be cured in a special nail UV or LED lamp. Gel nails look more natural and their structure is more springy. Acrylic is a „heavier calibre” material which makes nails resistant to hard conditions. The choice of either method should be based on the client's wants and needs after a thorough interview about the way her nails react to either method. Such choice is often influenced by an individual preference and the „behaviour” of the nails after creating the manicure is completed.

Remember that now clients are more conscious and demanding than ever and you need to be the source of expertise for them and provide a high-quality service according to the latest trends in nail styling. That's why it is a good idea to take part in running an Indigo brand nail salon which clients associate with a broad offer of high-quality services. The knowledge that will let you meet the standards of the most demanding clients can be acquired at brand training courses.

More about training courses HERE
Can your nail salon become an INDIGO brand salon? CHECK HERE

Gel nails

Gel nails are more popular than acrylic nails, they take their name from the gel-like consistency of the product.

The applied product needs to be cured in a nail lamp – depending on the type of lamp it can take from 30 seconds up to 2 minutes. Once cured the nails are ready to be shaped and filed. 

Using a gel, you can either just strengthen the nail or strengthen and add extreme length to the nails. The ready nail can be covered with colour gel or a gel polish. They last 4 to 6 weeks

What else should you know about gel nails?

Indigo offers three-phase gels – they require a base coat, gel and top coat... and also offers transparent gels, semi-transparent nails and camouflages.
Gels can have a different consistency ranging from semi-thick, which can level themselves, to thick gels which level only slightly. 

Check out Indigo products for gel method

Acrylic nails

Acrylic nails are created by combining the acrylic powder with a monomer (the advocates of gel method often mention the specific smell of this substance but the fans of acrylic method always brush this off as a minor detail). As we mentioned before the acrylic cures on its own in a matter of minutes. Then the curved surface can be processed and filed into the desired shape.

Nails created with an acrylic method are known for its durability, which comes from the strong adhesion of the product to the plate and the hardness of the created nails. The fans of this method appreciate the plasticity which makes the work quick and comfortable. An acrylic manicure is way faster than the gel method.

What else should I know about acrylic nails?

Monomers have different speeds at which they bind the acrylic powder.
Acrylic powders have different levels of opacities (from transparent to completely opaque, available in several shades) and different curing time. 

Check out Indigo products for acrylic nails>>>

Summary