Gel nails can be very practical in everyday life, because your own natural nails are subject to a lot of wear and tear. Whether it is cleaning, carrying things or gardening, the nails suffer and this often leads to problem nails that are very thin and soft or even constantly breaking off so that they hardly grow back. At the same time, gel nails are also a good method to combat nail biting because you don't damage your own nails by biting and you also get used to it because you don't like biting the gel. There are two well-known options for nail enhancement or nail extensions: gel modeling or acrylic nails. This blog post is about gel nails, where the advantages and disadvantages are also listed. However, a blog post about acrylic nails will follow.
The structure of gel nails
The first step, of course, is to prepare the nails properly, which is a very important step because otherwise the gel nails would not hold as well. The nails are filed down a bit to make them a little rougher on the surface and the cuticles are also pushed back to help the gel stick to the nails.
Now you have the option of extending your natural nails with a tip (a plastic nail that is glued on as a tip) or a template (which is placed around the nail so that gel can be applied over it to extend the nails), but this is up to you. You can also just strengthen your natural nails, which is especially good for people who like to bite their nails, as this way they can avoid damaging their own natural nails and at the same time break this bad habit.
A primer, usually a liquid or in rare cases a special gel, is then applied to the nails to ensure that the gel adheres to the nails.
Next, a build-up gel is used to strengthen the nails a bit so that they can be filed into the desired shape.
Next comes the design, which can be very different: either you choose a color, which you can also decorate with glitter stones, a pattern or something similar. There are also French nails, where the front tip of the nail is white, or you can choose a natural color that looks similar to your own natural nails, so it ends up looking very natural.
Finally, the layers are sealed with a sealing gel to give it a little more shine, or if you prefer a matte finish, you can go for that option as well.
The cost
The cost of a new manicure is between 45-60€, depending on the complexity, extension and design. Filling the nails costs 25-45€, again depending on the individual. However, you will need to have your nails replenished every three to five weeks as they grow out with the natural nail. You should make sure that the gel nail does not grow out more than half of the nail, otherwise your own nail could be overstressed.
Time needed
Depending on the desired change and the design, you should allow two to three hours for a new modelling. Filling does not take quite as long, but you should still plan on one and a half to two and a half hours.
Pros and cons of gel nails
+Natural nails are protected and can continue to grow in peace
By reinforcing the gel, the nails underneath can continue to grow in peace and are protected from external influences such as everyday housework.
+Long lasting design
Nail polish often flakes off after a few days and you have to reapply it. With gel nails, the design lasts until the nails grow out too much.
+Beneficial for problem nails
If you have thin, soft nails that may not grow back very much, gel nails give you the opportunity to get stronger and longer nails.
+Against nail biting
As already mentioned, gel nails will help you to stop biting your nails, as it is not nice to chew on the gel and at the same time the natural nails underneath are protected from biting.
+Creative possibilities
With gel nails, you can really get creative with design and shape. There are lots of great options that you can't do with a regular manicure.
-Nails can break painfully
Especially if the gel nails have grown out a lot, the natural nails are often overstressed and a gel nail can break off, so you should make sure that the refill appointment is not too far away from the previous appointment.
-Cost
Of course, a homemade manicure is much cheaper, just like nail polish is much cheaper.
-Time needed
It does take some time, but you should take some time off.
-Not allowed in all workplaces
Unfortunately, gel nails are not allowed in all workplaces because they can be annoying and some workplaces require nails to be kept short for hygienic reasons.
Nail Shapes
There are many different nail shapes, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. However, this is more a matter of personal taste, as you can let your imagination run wild. Whether natural or completely unnatural, short or long, there are many options when it comes to choosing the shape of your fingernails. The following sketch shows most of the shapes that are available and gives you an idea of how you would like your nails to look.
If you prefer to paint your natural nails with nail polish, check out our blog post on how to get the perfect manicure. It's full of tips and tricks on how to give your own nails the perfect manicure at home to make them look like they've been done by a professional.
