You should also try to limit yourself to two or three colors as this will help keep costs down as well as cut back on time spent on each nail. Try not to choose colors that will clash with your skin tone or clothing choices too much. The first thing that you need to do when deciding on an acrylic nail overlay is pick out your colors carefully. However, there are some things that you should keep in mind before getting started: 1. It’s not necessary to use any kind of base coat before applying the acrylic overlay itself however, some people prefer using one because it helps keep their natural nails healthy. The basic procedure involves filing down your own natural nails until they are level with the tip of your finger, then applying the acrylic overlay over them. It is usually done by a professional manicurist, but it’s possible to do it at home with some practice and patience. Everything You Need To Know About Acrylic OverlayĪn acrylic overlay is a thin layer of acrylic material which is applied over natural nails to make them look fuller or longer. This means that if you’re interested in having your teeth whitened for a long time, then acrylic is probably a better choice for you. One of the most important differences between the two is that acrylic overlay is more durable than gel overlay.Īcrylic is a hard material that can last for up to 12 weeks, while gel overlays only last for about six weeks. That means that while acrylic overlay can be shaped easily, it doesn’t hold its shape, as well as gel overlay, after being shaped into a new form. The acrylic overlay is more flexible than the gel overlay, but it also makes your nails more brittle and less likely to break if they’re hit by something sharp or heavy. However, it’s also more likely to chip or break than acrylic overlay since it’s more brittle. Gel overlay is a thicker type of acrylic, so it’s easier to shape and reshape than acrylic overlay. Usage recommendationĪnother difference between the two types of overlays is that gel can be used for both natural and artificial nails, while acrylic is not recommended for natural nails. Gel overlay is much faster and has a lower price tag than acrylic. It also requires more time to apply because it needs to be cured by UV light. Priceįor starters, acrylic is usually more expensive than gel. While they have some similarities, it’s important to note that acrylic and gel overlays are also different in a number of ways. Is Shellac Better than Gel? What You Should Know The Differences Between Acrylic and Gel Overlay

Gel overlay nails vs acrylic