Acrylic, Gel or Shellac Nails?

So getting your nails done is always an exciting thing too do. But now, you're faced with the question of getting acrylic nails, gel nails, shellac nails or even just regular nail polish.

Acrylic Nails is the typical fake nails that are applied on to your real nails after they have been clipped, buffed, and filed down then layers of a liquid and powder formula applied to your nails. 

For gel nails, an extension (tip) is added to the tip of your nails after they have been clipped, buffed and filed down. They then add layers of gel nail polish and then have you cure your nails under the UV lamp. 

Acrylics are cheaper and stronger than gel nails. However, gel nails look more natural. 

Shellac Nails are a newer version of getting your nails done. Instead of having any type of fake nail (extensions, tips) onto your nails, they do whatever colour polish you desire and cure it in between layers. I like Shellac nails better than Acrylic or Gel nails because they look very natural and aren't heavy and are perfect because they are your nails!

Note, if you go to a nail salon, and they claim that they do gel nails but use a powder and liquid formula and then use a gel coat and cure the nails - they are not gel nails, they are acrylic - the salon is ripping you off. 

This is a picture of "gel nails" that I got at a salon - the truth is that I was ripped off because the nail place I went to used a powder and liquid formula at first and then topped it off with a gel coat and cured it after. That process isn't the real or correct process for gel nails and if you happen to observe that your nail salon is doing that, call them out on it. 

You have to keep in mind that gel nails and acrylic nails will absolutely ruin your natural nails - they will make them thin and flimsy, brittle and weak and you'll have to moisturize them and soak them in olive oil daily until they become a bit more stronger.  

The picture above is Shellac nails, Shellac claims to last two weeks but mine pretty much chipped and peeled after around 2 days and then it annoyed me so I took it all off. You can see how natural it looks compared to the gel/acrylic nails.  

Honestly, if you love getting your nails done (especially french tip) I'd suggest that you just do it yourself at home because it's cheaper and there's no point in paying $30 for nails that won't last that long. Acrylic will last the longest out of Shellac and Gel, but it's not worth it if your nails grow really fast because you'll have to go in often to get them filled and it'll ruin your natural nails. Gel isn't really good in contact with water - it isn't as strong and durable as acrylics. Shellac is your best bet, but will probably only last a couple days.