All You Need To Know About Trending Acrylic Nail Art

Having been around for decades, acrylic nails or artificial nails have come back with a bang, thanks to the Instagram obsession with this nail trend. The picturesque acrylic nail art designs are further promoted by celebrities everywhere. They look cool, they last for weeks, so what’s the catch? Fake nails are for everyone - for those looking to add length and strength to their nails, for those looking to give their hands a polished look, and for someone who wants to wear them just for fashion.

Are you guilty of scrolling through dozens of acrylic nail ideas daily? In this feature, we have covered everything you need to know about acrylic nails, ways to keep them in tip-top shape, and the good, the bad and the ugly. Also, we have sneaked in some beautiful acrylic nail ideas for you to seek inspiration from.

What are artificial nails?

Artificial nails, also called false nails are made of the acrylic family of plastics. The process of acrylic nails involves putting on acrylic nail extensions over natural nail beds. Widely used to enhance the nail shape and extend the length of nails, acrylic nails are one of the easiest ways to do so.

Acrylics are a favourite among girls who find growing their natural nails difficult but like trying the trendiest acrylic nail designs. With a plethora of nail colour ideas to choose from, you will have a tough time choosing nail design ideas for yourself once you are on the acrylic nail bandwagon.

Are all artificial nails the same?

Acrylic nail paint gives the perfect finishing touch to your overall look and doubles up as a style statement. You shall be spoilt for choices when it comes to keeping up with the current trends in acrylic nail designs and the different nail design ideas aid every look you may need, be it keeping your nails short, long, bold, or just minimalistic. There are three basic kinds of artificial nails. 

Here are some types of artificial nails

1. Acrylic nails

One of the widely favoured options for artificial nails is acrylic nails, which can be used either as a complete nail overlay or as extensions using nail tips. Acrylic nails are made by combining a powdered polymer with a liquid monomer, resulting in a paste-like substance that is applied onto your natural nails. Once applied and allowed to set, acrylic nails harden within a few minutes, allowing for shaping based on your desired length and style.

Compared to other types of artificial nails, acrylic nails are known for their affordability, durability, and thickness. Their resistance to breakage makes them particularly suitable for active individuals.

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2. Gel nails

Gel nails are crafted from gel acrylic, which is hardened using either ultraviolet (UV) curing light or an LED nail lamp. This nail option involves a three-step process: applying a base coat, applying nail polish, and finishing with a top coat on your natural nails or on the extension. After each layer, your nails are exposed to a UV curing light for approximately two minutes to dry and set.

If you engage in activities that involve frequent use of your hands or if you lead an active lifestyle, gel nails may not be the best choice for you, as they are not as durable or resilient as standard acrylic nails.

3. Dip powder nails

Dip powder nails are a popular nail enhancement technique that involves immersing the nail into coloured powder, which is then sealed with a clear sealant. To ensure hygiene, modern salon technicians now utilise a brush to apply the dip powder onto the nail. This style of artificial nails combines the durability of acrylics with the flexibility of gel nail polish extensions. With dip powder nails, you can enjoy a chip-free look for up to four weeks!

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Acrylic nails, gel polish, or dip powder—picking the right one for your nails is all about personal preference. Each of these has one thing in common - the acrylic nails which bring its own set of positives and negatives. We shall be telling you about them so you can choose wisely.

The good

• With a long-lasting power, acrylic nails do not break off and their polish rarely chips off. These can last from about two weeks to a month depending on the care and the quality of acrylic used.
• You have a sea of nail colour ideas and acrylic nail art designs to choose from. That counts as a big positive, right?
• Acrylic nail extensions are a gift from God for women with weak and brittle nails. They provide support and strength to the natural nails making them good for those who wish to flaunt long nails.
• Have a habit of biting your nails? Go to a nail salon and choose some acrylic nail designs for yourself and get rid of your habit. Acrylic nails are hard to bite. Great way to ward off a bad habit while adding beauty to your nails. It's a win-win.

The bad

• If you have naturally oily skin or someone who has a habit of keeping their hands extra moisturised with lotion or putting their hands in water often, the acrylic nails may lift faster, which means you will have to visit your nail salon sooner.
• Acrylic nails cause damage to your natural nail bed. The nails tend to become dry and brittle. So after the acrylic nails are removed, you will have to give your nail bed a lot of moisturization.
• The nail quality tends to deteriorate when you get acrylics done frequently. Hence, it is advisable to take time off in between sessions to give nails some time to breathe.
• The smell of monomers is known to cause nausea in some people. The process of putting on acrylic nails involves applying a lot of chemicals, so remember to choose a well-ventilated nail salon.
• The gel nail polish is removed by buffing and soaking your nails in acetone unlike simply removing regular nail polish with acetone to get the colour off. To completely remove the gel nail paints, you will be asked to soak your fingernails in 100 percent pure acetone for approximately 10 minutes. That's a con for us!
• The nail technician may use a special nail drill to remove the polish off which if not done correctly may affect the natural nail surface.

Strong nails are a wonderful canvas to paint the trendiest acrylic nail designs on. Here are some more acrylic nail designs for you to seek inspiration from. Stay updated with the latest nail trends. If you want to check how the B-girls have been beautifying their nails with the best nail designs, check out some celeb-inspired bright nail art ideas.