Nails Guide

One may be driven to get solar nails done due to their superior quality and advantages that they bring along with them. Solar nails are basically a variant of acrylic nails but of upgraded quality. They are very similar to French manicured nails and are pink and white just like them. The white tip provides durability and the topcoat of gel when cured under UV lamp gives a luster that does not fade. They are extremely durable and do not become yellow.

Solar nails are not mere extensions as they are literally placed on the natural nails keeping their luster intact. They are attached in two stages:-

1) The natural nail plate is first made ready by cleaning and filing it and only then is the white part placed on the nail and stuck to it using nail glue applying it from end to end. Though the process of attaching solar nails takes time it is worth it because they are not brittle and delicate and do not break easily.

2) After this the pink part of the solar nail is placed slowly on the bed of the nail. It is acrylic and though artificial it looks very real.

After the above two steps are followed properly half the battle of doing solar nails is won. After the glue is fully dried the nails should be cut to the desired length. The best thing about them is that even when exposed to the sun’s ultra-violet rays they do not turn yellow. After they are cut to the desired length a primer is applied to the entire nail width and the excess is cleaned. After this coat dries a filer has to be used to shape them. A buffer can also be used to give them a instant shine.

Just knowing how to do solar nails is not enough. It is necessary to know how to remove them when need be. It is advisable to get them removed professionally from the parlor but if you are running short of time it is possible to remove them at home though this needs to be done carefully and with a lot of patience.

First the nails have to be soaked in acetone for half an hour at least. Then they have to be slowly scraped from the edges till they come off. Being too hard can damage your own nails. Doing solar nails is economical and convenient if done patiently.

Gel nails vs. acrylic nails, what exactly is the difference between the two? Well they are as different as chalk and cheese. Acrylic nails came into origin much before gel nails making them easily available as compared to the latter. The basic composition of these two also varies drastically. Acrylic nails comprise of a liquid and a powder like substance (ethyl methacrylate), which is expensive but less harmful. On the other hand gel nails are made of clear gel that is sticky like honey making them softer and more flexible than the hard, durable acrylic nails which comprise of monomers and polymers.

Artificial nails always get with them the risk of chipping. The characteristics of each in the gel nails vs. acrylic nails battle is starkly different. Acrylic nails if broken are easy to maintain and can be fixed at home which is not the case with gel nails. The wonderful varieties and shades of nail polish available in the market last longer on acrylic nails than gel nails. Gel nails need to be filed regularly whereas acrylic nails do not get damaged even if they come in contact with acetone. If we differentiate between the two on the basis of luster and shine, gel nails emerge as a clear winner. Acrylic nails on the other hand need to be buffed and polished.

Beauticians in spas and salons are exposed to the gel nails vs. acrylic nail debate regularly but they claim to have more expertise in the application and removal of acrylic nails due to their existence much before gel nails. From the aesthetic point of view gel nails look more natural and appealing than acrylic nails which look synthetic on closer viewing. Gel nails have no odor, unlike the odor that strong chemicals impart to the acrylic nails. The curing time for gel nails is much lesser than acrylic nails when exposed to UV light. The strong chemicals used in the acrylic nails are harmful and may cause damage to the nails and their cuticles in the long run.

Being a relatively new concept gel nails are expensive an affair as compared to their acrylic counter-parts. Therefore as is obvious both have their set own set of advantages and limitations. One needs to consider many factors like individual taste, aesthetic appeal, time in hand and the budget before narrowing down on either one of these options. However with the growing priority given to external appearances, nails are not behind in this league anymore. Ultimately in this gel nails vs. acrylic nail debate who would miss a pair of well-manicured hands?

Acrylic nails are artificial nails that when attached to your own nails give it the desired length and shape. They are very durable and relatively easy to fix and remove. By knowing to do acrylic nails yourself you will save a lot of time and money and with practice they will look professionally done too. Here are some of the things that are needed to do acrylic nails by you.

· Nail polish remover
· Nail filer
· Nail trimmer
· Artificial nail tips (suitable size for your nails)
· Acrylic powder
· Liquid acrylic (ethyl methacrylate)
· Brush
· Nail oil

Before starting off the do it yourself acrylic nails exercise it is necessary to cut nails short so that if the acrylic nail chips off it will not cause the natural nail to break with it. Then the excess oil and dirt have to be removed by cleaning the nails with a nail polish remover. After that a cuticle pusher has to be used to push the cuticles gently inwards without hurting yourself.

File the nails and roughen them in their corners followed by which start sticking the nails with glue from the tips. These nails are originally very long, therefore after the glue dries cut them to the desired length with a nail trimmer. After this is done pour liquid acrylic and the powder acrylic in two separate bowls. Dip the brush in the liquid acrylic and then in the powder. Automatically a lump will form on the brush. Ensure that it is not too watery and also ensure that the room in which you are doing the do it yourself acrylic exercise is well ventilated, because the strong chemicals used in the acrylic liquid can cause headaches.

The brush containing this mixture is then supposed to be run along the entire length of the acrylic tip and your own nail in an even, thin layer. Do not apply the mixture on the cuticles as it may result in an infection. It will take about ten minutes for this layer to dry. Only after it dries should you file the nails and shape them to look natural. Wash your hands with soap water to remove any dust. It is necessary to apply nail oil to the cuticle to regain its lost moisture. Remember this do it yourself acrylic nail exercise is not over just yet because once every two weeks an acrylic layer needs to be re-applied.

Keratin is a hard protein that makes up the nails. Proteins are one of the building blocks that form the body. Proper nail care helps protect the ends of the fingers and toes from any types of trauma or injury. Proper nail care is important because we do most of our activities in daily living using our hands. It is through the hands that we demonstrate care and compassion, love and acceptance, trust, forgiveness and gratitude. It is also through the hands that we transmit all kinds of bacteria and infectious organisms that are bad for the health.

Over the past few years, the nails have become more significant for cosmetic rather than for health reasons. Manicuring is the term used to define the care for the hands and nails. A person should do basic manicuring at least once a week. It is advisable to seek the help of a professional manicurist every four to six weeks. It is the job of a professional manicurist to keep your nails healthy and looking beautiful.

When it comes to personal grooming, nail care is so important. What impression would a woman make on you if she has done everything to make herself presentable except that she has been careless about her nails? Nail care is so easy to do that if you cannot afford to visit the manicurist, you can always do it yourself. Here are some easy tips to keep your nails healthy and looking perfect.

1. For grimy nails, just give your hands a scrub with a mild soap and warm water before and after doing something. Using a nailbrush and an orange stick, remove the gunges from under your nails.
2. Prevent infections such as nail fungus by regularly cleaning your nails. If infection such as nail fungus does occur, do not hesitate to seek professional help. Most often, an anti-fungal paint is prescribed to get rid of it. Some of the outward signs of nail fungus are whitish or yellowish discolorations, crumbliness and a slight separation from the nail bed. You can also trim off loose skin down the side of your nails or hangnails with nail cutters. Skin tearing increases the risk of infections. You should never consider using a pair of scissors to cut your nails.
3. Do basic nail care by washing your hands with a mild, hypoallergenic soap. Lather and gently scrub the nails with a nailbrush. To soften the cuticles, soak the hands in lukewarm water for five to fifteen minutes. For cuticles that are long and ragged, push them back very gently. To avoid scratching yourself, trim your nails to the desired length and file the edges to even out the spiky tips. Hand creams help in moisturizing your hands if you have dry skin.
4. Never bite your nails. Nail biting is a habit that implies insecurity. A person often bites his or her nails when tensed, anxious, embarrassed, afraid, or troubled. If nail biting is a habit you want to stop, try using anti-biting nail paint. Anti-biting nail paint tastes so disgusting that no one can stand it.
5. If you can afford to have artificial nails, make sure that they are applied by a good technician. Artificial nails need manicuring or refilling every two to three weeks. If however you decide to remove them, use the prescribed solution. Natural nails remain healthy and in good condition even when the artificial nails are removed.
6. Nail tip designs are so tempting. Nail tip designing may be so fashionable but nail tip designs that are put into place with glue is bad. Glue damages the nails even when they are applied on the polished layers. You can do nail tip designs by experimenting on different layers of nail polish color. Make sure that the last polished layer is already dry before the next layer is applied.
7. Acrylic nails should be kept polished. Do not thicken the polish too much because it causes bubbling. Nails should first be cleaned before the application of an acrylic layer. A base coat should be applied first to protect the nails and help the acrylic layer stick the proper way. For excess acrylic on the sides of the fingernail, use a nail stick to trace the borders. To camouflage bubbles or streaks and add shine to the nails, the polish is sealed with a top coat.

Proper hygiene is so important that you can actually judge a person’s character by how he or she takes care of herself. Nail care might be too petty that you can hardly notice nor remember it. What you actually do not realize is that 90% of the people you acquaint yourself with assess and evaluate your overall persona through the appearance of your nails.