Acrylic, Solar, Gel... ? Help!

[Janice]

I'm fed up with my natural nails, they're weak and brittle.

I've tried many different things and I'm ready to look at alternatives. I'm pretty active with my hands - typing, gardening, housework and that's my main concern about "fake" nails. Can someone please help me with figuring out which type of nail would be best? I figure if I just keep the nails short I won't have too much discomfort with typing. From my last experience with acrylics several years ago they felt heavy?, are solar or gels different? I don't want them to be thick and obviously fake looking, I'd just like beautiful natural (fake) nails.

I stopped in at several salons near my home tonight to check them out and I found one that offers all 3 services. Any tips that you can give me to find an experienced technician, or what to tell the technician so I be absolutely clear about what I'm looking for? Should I go in for a simple mani first to check the place out?

I'm googling to research, but I would appreciate any help those of you experienced in this arena can provide!!

 

[MiCHiE]

OK. Right off the bat, let's cut down on the confusion. There's Liquid and Powder ("L&P" traditional acrylic) and Gel (sticky goo in a pot). "Solar" is Pink & White acrylic nails with a clear coat or buff. From what I understand, people charge more because the general public doesn't think/know that these are regular acrylics.

You could go with either service, but true gels are more flexbile and "lighter" than L&P acrylics. Just make sure the tech is honest and not giving you liquid and powder but calling it gel (this is common). Make sure the prep (work before the tip or product is placed on your nails) is not overzealous. Your nails are already thin, so this is very important. The tech should only remove the shine (like the first stage of a buff job). Your real nails should not be mangled in the process. If any part of the service hurts or is uncomfortable, let the tech know. Ask a friend whose nails you admire for the name of her tech because you do not want just anyone putting enhancements on you.

 

[Janice]

Thank you so much Michie! It sounds like Gel is what I am looking for then. I would love to ask a GF but unfortunately I don't like most of their nails. They all look thick and that turns me off. Also, thank you for letting me know what to look for while the tech is working on the enhancements (<- I like that word so much better than "fake"

) and to inquire if it is a true gel product or a L&P. I don't mind straight up asking, I've been researching this for a little while and it seems like that is a very prevalent problem. Of course I wouldn't know enough in the end to be sure they're being honest, but hopefully it will discourage them from trying to pull a bait and switch.

 

[Shimmer]

Find someone who can do the whole process by hand, without the dremel. It's likely to be more expensive, but it's worth the money.

 

[Janice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer Find someone who can do the whole process by hand, without the dremel. It's likely to be more expensive, but it's worth the money.

Is this as simple as calling salons and asking if they have a tech who will do the process by hand? Is there slang or a working term for this?

 

[Shimmer]

Ask if the techs use the Dremels, or if they do all of their filing by hand. If they use the Dremel, and you have thin nails etc. already, you could have a lot of damage by a simple slip, so yeah, calling around would be a good idea.
I know that here in Arlington, finding someone to do them by hand means finding a more upscale salon, not one of the 'drive thru' type.

 

[xsnowwhite]

I personally prefer acrylics, but it sounds like with all the things you do, gels would be a better option. Just look around for a nice clean salon and ask about the process they use. You can also ask them what they would reccomend for a thinner fake nail.

 

[xphoxbex]

okay. well this is the difference of all three.
I use to work at a nailshop.

Well. acrylic= liquid and powder. The liquid develops the powder into the acrylic. This is the most common type of artificial nails that people get. (the fumes are really harsh)Its the cheapest, and looks great. But some people, like me, are allergic to it. I get red bumps on my fingers, and it makes me extremely itchy. But other than that, its pretty good.

Solar nails= also a liquid and a powder, but the chemicals are less harsh on your nails. (you will notice that the fumes are less harsh, you can barely smell it) I use solar nails everytime i get artificial nails. Its about 20-30 dollars more expensive than acrylic. I highly recommend it.

Gel= ftl. i hate it. it takes too long to apply, takes too long to dry. it comes off your nails so easily. I really don't recommend it. Many of my clients complain about gel nails. Its not popular at the shop.

I hope this helps you!

 

[MiCHiE]

Wow. You "worked" at a nail shop or you're a nail tech? If you're paying more money for "Solar", you're getting jipped. They're most likely giving you an odorless system with a gel top coat or buff and charging you more. Actually, all enhancements are some kind of 'acrylic'. I'm talking about wraps, gels, and liq. & powder. Your whole description (opinion) of gels is incorrect. They are actually faster to apply if you're a skilled tech. And unlike L&P, they are 'set' as soon as you walk out of the salon, for they are UV cured. True gels also cannot be soaked off in acetone like tradition liq. & powder.

 

[Jacq-i]

I've gotten "Pink + White Solars" at Avalon at La Cantera... Nice place, pricey, but clean... But the nail techs I've been assigned all used drills and there was a definite language barrier.

The nails were beautiful, but my actual nails were damaged.

When I graduate and start working again, I'll probably go back and ask for a new nail tech, that speaks english! I'd love to get my nails done now, but my summer savings are paying for my new computer and MAC, haha.

---------edit-------

Gah. After reading MiCHiE's post I realized that I was jipped. Over there they charge $35 for acrylics, and $45 for a solar. Then the lady put a uv gel on top and charged me an extra $5 because it is a 'deluxe' solar.

 

[Janice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacq-i I've gotten "Pink + White Solars" ...

I saw this on a salons services sheet, what does pink + white mean exactly?

 

[MiCHiE]

French. A pink powder is used on your nailbeds and white on your free edge, or tip.

 

[MiCHiE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacq-i ---------edit------- Gah. After reading MiCHiE's post I realized that I was jipped. Over there they charge $35 for acrylics, and $45 for a solar. Then the lady put a uv gel on top and charged me an extra $5 because it is a 'deluxe' solar.

Don't feel bad. It happens EVERYDAY. I look at the salon advertisements and shake my head. It's not uncommon for techs to charge more for P&Ws or French, but I'm almost tempted to tell people, "If you see 'Solar' on the menu, RUN!". It's a damn good play on unsuspecting clients. All of the reputable techs I know don't use the term "SolarNails"---unless they're speaking of Creative's Powder, like so:

Anything else is a straight, up & down lie to get money. In the nail biz, we call our P&Ws "Pink & Whites", not "Solar".

 

[xphoxbex]

wow you're really smart. do u do nails too?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ♥MiCHiE♥ Wow. You "worked" at a nail shop or you're a nail tech? If you're paying more money for "Solar", you're getting jipped. They're most likely giving you an odorless system with a gel top coat or buff and charging you more. Actually, all enhancements are some kind of 'acrylic'. I'm talking about wraps, gels, and liq. & powder. Your whole description (opinion) of gels is incorrect. They are actually faster to apply if you're a skilled tech. And unlike L&P, they are 'set' as soon as you walk out of the salon, for they are UV cured. True gels also cannot be soaked off in acetone like tradition liq. & powder.

 

[MiCHiE]

I've been a nail tech for 7 years.

 

[lethaldesign]

I personally prefer Pink & White acryllic w/ a UV gel coat over the top. But I won't go just anywhere to get this done... it takes me years to find a great nail tech who will do them how I want them (thin & short, with a good curve in the white tip). And somehow, I ALWAYS end up moving a few months after I've found them!

I like p&w because I feel they look more natural than just getting white tips put on. Also, easier/less expensive to get fills in the future. I get the UV gel coat over them because it makes them more sturdy, keeps them shiney, &they don't yellow this way. BUT... you have to be careful with this because many nail techs either put too thick of a coat of gel on OR they don't let it set long enough.

My best advice would be to research the salons in your area, go in to check it out to see how sanitary they are, and when you make an appointment, be sure to tell the receptionist you want a nail tech who specializes in whatever kind of acryllic you plan on getting. Then when you get there for your appointment, be very specific in what you want done. If they are too long, tell them to cut them shorter! If they are too thick, tell them you want them thinner! If you want them more square or round, have them re-file. I've realized that if you aren't adamant about exactly what you want through the whole process, they will just do their own thing. Many of the nail techs I have encountered don't like to cut them so short "because its pointless to get nails." But they are MY nails. If I didn't like how they did them, I try another tech or another salon.

The one I found recently (after a couple of years searching again...), the guy does a wonderful job. I pay about $45 for a full set; however, they last me for 3-4 weeks before I need a fill so its well worth it. Sure there is nail growth, but he does them so good that its hard to see where my nail stops & the acryllic begins!

 

[gypsiebabie]

i usually get really short, thin acrylic nails with the really pink powder. it looks really pink the first day, but fades to almost a natural color after and nobody thinks that they aren't my real nails...i had to call around to see if anyone would use just the pink powder and not give me a pink and white, but even then, i had ask to see the powder first before i'd let them work on my nails...like everyone's already stated in this post, you have to be really adamant in what you want because if you don't, you'll probably walk out with something you don't want that you paid too much money for...hth!!! =)

 

[ductapemyheartt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ♥MiCHiE♥ Don't feel bad. It happens EVERYDAY. I look at the salon advertisements and shake my head. It's not uncommon for techs to charge more for P&Ws or French, but I'm almost tempted to tell people, "If you see 'Solar' on the menu, RUN!". It's a damn good play on unsuspecting clients. All of the reputable techs I know don't use the term "SolarNails"---unless they're speaking of Creative's Powder, like so: Anything else is a straight, up & down lie to get money. In the nail biz, we call our P&Ws "Pink & Whites", not "Solar".

i work in a nail salon too and we use that kind of powder for pink and whites, but we call it pink and white, not solar.