Modern technologies make it possible to build nails that are no different in aesthetics from natural ones. This is a saving straw for those who cannot grow their length or are tired of thin, brittle and dry nails given by nature.
Artificial nails can be worn for 10 to 20 days, depending on the material chosen. Further correction will be required. The extension procedure itself will take from 1 to 3 hours. Popular modern materials for extensions: gel, biogel and acrylic system. Let's consider each of the options in detail.
Extension with acrylic system
Acrylic Powder
The acrylic system is the oldest and most affordable method. It does not require a UV lamp or a milling machine. The system consists of acrylic powder and polymerization liquid, also called liquid or monomer.
When these two components come into contact, the acrylic hardens in air, taking on the desired shape. That is why it must be laid out quickly and carefully. This will require some skill and dexterity. It is better for beginners to practice laying out acrylic forms without their hands in order to master the technological process and the intricacies of working with the material.
The powder comes in basic shades - white, beige or pink. The white powder becomes translucent when cured and is used for the base or base coat. Pink or beige powder, when polymerized, takes on the appropriate shade and is required for the camouflage layer.
The monomer or liquid for the polymerization of acrylic powder has a very strong specific odor, so it is recommended to work with the system in well-ventilated areas or with a special hood. In this regard, acrylic for extensions is not recommended for pregnant women due to the risk of intoxication by vapors.
When wearing socks, it is necessary to avoid contact of acrylic with acetone and other solvents, they can affect the shape and texture. That is why acrylic is not recommended for extensions for those who often come into contact with water, detergents and other chemicals.
Due to the sensitivity of acrylic to acetone and solvents, it may turn yellow when exposed to varnish. Therefore, if you are planning a color design, it is better to make a base from the base. It will protect artificial nails from staining.
Acrylic nails
Overgrown acrylic nails are easy to repair; you do not need to remove all the material if there are no visible detachments. It is enough to cut off the length, thickness, and add a new layer. This significantly saves time and materials during subsequent operation.
Acrylic nails can be removed without filing if the artificial material needs to be completely removed. This is done using acrylic nail remover. The correction procedure takes on average 30-50 minutes.
Often, due to particles of cuticle, pterygium, or as a result of blows, bruises or other unintended stress on the nail plate, the artificial material peels off, and the resulting cracks and grooves can become breeding grounds for fungi or bacteria. That is why it is very important to immediately see a doctor if there is a serious nail injury or go to a specialist for correction in case of minor detachments.
The recommended intensity of corrective modeling is once every 3 weeks. During this time, the length grows so much that the upper highest point, the apex, and the fold zones that require the greatest strengthening shift. Due to the displacement, the nail begins to “peck” and the risk of detachments and injuries increases.
Overall, acrylic is a durable, safe and economical extension material. It can be formed both on forms and on tips, regular and liquid. To summarize:
pros
- Availability of material, cost-effectiveness
- Strength, durability
- Service life – 10-21 days until the next correction
- Possibility of extension without a lamp and a router, unlike gel
- Ease and cost-effectiveness of correction and repair
- Easy to remove, only requires a special solvent
Minuses
- Strong specific odor of monomer
- Fast polymerization, which requires a certain level of beginner skill
- Sensitivity to water, acetone and chemicals. household substances
- Less flexibility of acrylic compared to gel, which leads to detachments and injuries under unexpected loads
- Not recommended for pregnant women and those prone to allergic reactions to household chemicals
- The technology requires the use of an acidic primer, unlike gel technology, where an acid-free option is acceptable
- It is necessary to use special clamps to form the arch, which requires additional skills for beginners
You can read more about modeling nails with acrylic in the material at this link.
Gel extensions
Gel is also a polymer used for extensions. It is considered safer and more environmentally friendly compared to acrylic due to the absence of a strong odor and the possibility of using an acid-free primer in application technology.
Gel nails can be extended by pregnant women.
Manicure and pedicure during pregnancy - do's and don'ts
Gel technology allows you to achieve a more natural appearance of artificial nails. The plate is thinner and more flexible. The consistency of the gel resembles a very thick varnish.
The technology consists of applying the gel with a brush to a special form or tip, attached or glued to the nail. The material is dried in a lamp for 2 minutes or according to the instructions. Next, a second layer is applied, dried, and the shape and thickness are modeled by filing.
Liquid tips
For gel technology, one, two and three-component systems are used:
- The three-component product consists of a base, camouflage colored and finishing transparent gel with additional shine.
- Two-component set - basic translucent and camouflage pink or beige gel.
- One-component – translucent gel that serves as a base and the main camouflage layer.
Camouflage nail gel - let’s figure out what it is and how to use it correctly
For gel extensions, an ultraviolet UV, combined or LED lamp is required. Also, for removal you will need a device with attachments - a milling cutter.
Lamps for manicure, pedicure: types, features, popular brands
Gel nails last 10-20 days, then correction will be required. On average, a manicure lasts 10 days in perfect condition. Some manage to wear it for up to three weeks.
A milling cutter is used to remove and correct the gel. During correction, the material is removed almost completely, with the exception of a thin layer from the base layer, on which a new one is applied.
To adhere the material to a natural surface, you will need an acid-free primer, unlike acrylic, which requires an acidic version.
pros
- Safety, environmental friendliness of the material
- Ease of use, aesthetics
- Strength, durability and comparative flexibility of the artificial plate
- Using a safer acid-free primer as opposed to acrylic ones where an acidic one is required
- The gel is polymerized in a UV or LED lamp, which gives an unlimited amount of time to create the form.
- Less sensitivity to acetone and household chemical products
Minuses
- A lamp is required for extensions.
- To remove or correct, you will need a milling cutter with attachments
- With active use, the service life of nails is 5-7 days shorter than acrylic ones. However, with careful wear, the period can also be extended to three weeks.
Read more about mastering gel extension technology.
Drawings on extended nails
Complex and minimalistic, geometric patterns are in trend this year. Patterns can be drawn using a thin brush or created using thin manicure tape. All kinds of popular cartoon characters, hearts, nature, Aztec patterns, leopard, funny animal faces, etc. are also trending. There are a lot of options for painting on extended nails and drawings, from simple ones that any beginner can draw to real works of art, so choose a subject that interests you and feel free to experiment with your manicure.
Read on topic: Photo of manicure with stripes: 55 cool ideas and lessons for beginners
Building and strengthening with biogel
Biogel is a type of regular extension gel and is a polymer that hardens in a UV or LED lamp. It is impossible for them to grow long nails, as it is flexible and springy. Can be used for extending short nails, strengthening brittle plates, extending and correcting chipped corners.
There is a myth that it is healthy and more environmentally friendly, since it is based on mulberry resin. This is a popular misconception. Biogel is a polymer, the same as acrylic and gel.
Biogel is odorless, non-toxic, suitable for extensions for pregnant women. Masters work with it mainly for short length extensions, for strengthening and leveling the plate after regular extensions, for brittle nails, instead of a base for gel polish or instead of gel polish in general. Biogel is used for biolamination and sealing of ends.
Biogel can be applied without primer and base. Polymerizes in a lamp for an average of 2 minutes. Can be applied to lower forms, used with tips and liquid tips. Removed with a special liquid.
pros
- Safety, environmental friendliness, suitable for pregnant women
- Easy to use
- Possibility of aesthetic correction of thin, brittle and overdried nail plates
- Easily removed with a special liquid
Minuses
- Used with a drying lamp, you will need one
- It is impossible to grow long nails due to the increased flexibility of the material
Biogel and its properties for strengthening, building, health and growth of nails
Winter manicure, trendy new designs
Lovers of moderate exoticism will appreciate such shapes as “ballerina”, “lipstick”, “trapezoid” and “pipe”.
“Moon path” effect with magnetic gel polish
French manicure 2022 fashion trends winter
Here you need to get rid of the prejudice that French is a white stripe on fairly short or not very long nails. These can be stripes of different colors along the edge and even shiny “smiles” on very long nails.
Shiny winter nail designs
It requires an outright icy or metallic sheen. And here you don’t have to be shy: sparkles, kamifubuki, foil, metallic powder for rubbing, glitter and so on.
Notice the marbled and gradient effect. And a type of design called negative space
Matte Winter Nail Design Ideas
Matte manicure is an advantageous backdrop for any design, as well as bold combinations of shades. The colors will not look tacky. But it’s especially good to implement a trend such as a multi-colored manicure or with matte foil in a matte version.
Winter business manicure trends
Here you shouldn’t get carried away with rhinestones and stilettos, as you understand. But nude shades, graphic, geometric decor, light shimmer and bare, transparent, French will be very good.
Extension techniques: forms, tips, liquid tips
All of the above materials are used for extensions in combination with template forms or blanks. You can extend your nails:
- On paper disposable bottom forms
- On tips or top forms
- On liquid tips, reusable
You can read more about extensions using tips by following the link.
The extension procedure is based on gluing artificial material to the natural surface of the nail. To do this, cut the length as much as possible, file the top until the shine is removed, apply an acid or acid-free primer, and then build up the artificial material.
Lower forms
Disposable paper stencils that are attached to the nail from below, and then the shape and length of the selected material are laid out on them. Compared to top tips, it will take longer to build up. It is inconvenient to grow your own nails; it requires some skill.
It is convenient to form an arch on the lower forms using a clip-clamp, which makes them preferable when working with acrylic.
Upper forms
Ready-made stencils, matte or transparent. Selected according to the shape and width of the nail. They are glued with special glue. After gluing, the length is removed and extensions are made with the selected material over the tips. The advantages of working with tips are the speed of the extension procedure, the ease of correcting the shape and structure of the plate.
Extensions on top forms with examples and instructions
Extended French
The most versatile and popular manicure for extended nails, which has long become a classic. This year, the square shape of the French jacket is giving way to the coffin, stiletto and soft oval. And the classic French manicure with a white border on the protruding part of the nail becomes more relevant thanks to multi-colored borders, an additional emphasis on the hole, geometric stripes and other stylish bells and whistles.
Read on topic: French manicure – 60 photos of new products
