Acrylic vs Gel Nails

[annasmum]

I am a total newbie to acrylic/gel nails. I am about to start a course for acrylic nails. Are gel nails totally different to acrylic nails? I have used LCN a long time ago to repair a fungal nail. Is it the same principle for gel nails? Do you normally get taught both in the acrylic courses, i.e. acrylic and gel (if there is a difference)? These are probably really stupid questions but as you can see from my other post I am a total newbie to this and eager to learn. Have been looking at all your great designs and think I might like this nail art stuff. Would certainly satisfy my creative and crafter side of me. Are acrylics the plastic tips you can buy and glue on? What makes are the best to use?

Thanks for your help and patience.

 

[user 25446]

Acrylic (more correctly called Liquid and Powder) and Gel are different formats of the same material (on is liquid and powder, the other gel) ;-)

Both use different application techniques and so are not usually taught together. So after your acrylic course, you might want to then take a gel course once you have mastered your acrylic technique.

Both materials have pro's and cons. Do a search on the forum and you will find many posts that explain the differences. Ideally you should aim to be competent in both and be able to advise each client which is best depending on their lifestyle.

Again, you can use tips with either material or you can totally sculpt the nail. You should learn both techniques to be competent.

Until you have good acrylic and gel skills, I'd recommend that you don't attempt nail art (and I say this as a publisher of a nail art magazine!). At this stage in your development it is a distraction that you don't need. Focus on developing the skills that will make you the most money. When you have your customer base and making a steady income, then by all means take a good nail art class.

 

[blondie80]

Hiya

Acrylic and Gel are completely different altogether. You can use both on top of clear or white tips but gel is a sticky liquid that you then put under a uv light to cure, where as Acrylic is done by using Liquid & powder and applied to the nail.

They both have there good qualitites about them so prob best to have a good read up on both types but im sure Geeg can give you a better answer than me, Im not very good at explaining things.

Jo