Nail choices at a salon

[DebbiAnne]

Hi!

Does anyone know what are all the different type of nail Choices & what the procedures are for each? Wraps, gels & such. Thanks!

Debbi

[Rachel M]

I'm not too sure as to the different types, but there is a YahooGroups called "Nails for Males" that has a lot of info on this.

[Jodi]

Why not just go into a salon and ask. The staff will be happy to help you.

Jodi

[Francine]

And at the local mall, there are now two nail salons to choose from!
And I still haven't got the nerve to go in either one of them!

sighhhhh.

Francine

[Jadeanne]

Debbi,

The best place here to get your nail questions answered here is to join the Beauty Club forum, where makeup, nails, etc. are discussed by members who do their own or get them done at salons.

You can request to join by using the group membership options in the user control panel.

Once you have joined, you will find out lots of information there.

I hope to see you posting there soon.

Jadeanne

[DanaJ]

I have a very long and detailed description of each in a thread in the Beauty Club - c'mon in and join! But, I will repost it here:


I get asked questions from time to time about artificial nails, so I thought I would make this list of what I know about artificial nails. I dated a nail tech for a while, and have been going to get my nails done professionally for about 4 or 5 years now.

Artificial nails

Full cover nails: Also known as full-cover tips, these are basically a complete plastic nail that glues (or is stuck on with double-sided tape) over the whole natural nail. They come plain (ready for the polish of your choice) or pre-polished. The glued on nails can be removed with acetone, which will dissolve the plastic and glue. Alternately, some girls remove these nails by carefully prying them off, but great care should be taken to not harm the natural nail surface. I really do not recommend prying at all.

Nail tips: these are plastic tips that only glue to the front edge of your natural nail, and the joint is then sanded (or melted down with a tip blender) to blend in with the natural nails. These are also referred to as "party nails" at nail salons. Again, acetone is used to remove these nails also.

Acrylic nails: this type probably accounts for over 95% of artificial nails done at nail salons. Acrylic nails are created when a brush is dipped into a liquid (monomer) then touched to a powder (polymer), forming a paste which is then spread onto the natural nail or a previously applied nail tip. The acrylic sets up fast into a hard plastic material, which can then be filed, buffed and polished. Although there are "odorless" acrylics, they usually have a strong chemical smell. Acrylic nails are removed by soaking the nails in acetone, which will dissolve them.

Gel nails: a more recent invention, gels are of a thick syrupy consistency (why they are called gels). It is applied by brush to either natural nails or over nail tips. It is then cured to hardness under a UV light. There is no smell associated with gel nails, and they cannot be removed except by completely filing off the gel.

Wraps: no matter what the type (silk, fiberglass, etc) this is basically just a small piece of material which is glued down to your nail (whether natural or tip) and then blended in with resin or more glue. It is then filed and buffed down.
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There are advantages and disadvantages to all artificial nails.

* Full cover nails go on easily, are inexpensive and do not last long. Depending on how well they fit and are glued, they can be easily accidentally knocked off also.

* Nail tips can look natural, but are a bit more difficult to apply. They are not as sturdy as full cover nails.

* Acrylic nails are best done in a salon, and by licensed professionals. They are on the thick side, but very very sturdy. Usually polish must be worn with acrylic nails, as their thickness also makes them more opaque.

* Gel nails are thinner than acrylics, and are clear and naturally very shiny. They are not as sturdy as acrylics, but are more natural looking.

* Wraps add strength to the nails, but the material can be visible upon very close inspection. Generally, wraps are thinner than Acrylics, but not as strong. After a few fills, they wil lbecaome thicker as layers are added.


If anyone has any questions, I can try to answer them, or I can forward them to my current nail tech, who is a Master Tech for Star Nails and Creative Nail Products, and is also an instructor.

[DebbiAnne]

Thanks Dana