I am incapable of doing my own nails. If I paint my nails it ALWAYS looks like a drunk toddler did them. So I’ve been getting my nails done professionally every 2-3 weeks for the last three years. For those of you who don’t get your nails done consistently, I figured I would do a short review on the best manicure to get.
Acrylic Manicure (Fake Nails):
While acrylic nails are good for an instant long nail, shaped to your desire, they will RUIN your nails. It will take months to recover them, whether or not you get them professionally removed or if you bite them off because of your crippling anxiety… If you don’t get your nails done frequently and you want a quick upgrade for a wedding or event then there’s no problem with getting acrylics if you’re prepared to deal with the consequences or short, torn up, weak nails for the time following their removal. I highly recommend getting a gel polish overlay on your acrylics to increase the strength and the longevity of the color.
- Time: 45min-90min on average
- Cost:$35-$65 on average + tip
- Worth it?: For instant gratification, yes. In the long run, no.
Gel Polish Manicure:
For the last two and a half years, I’ve been getting gel nails done. At first they were very nice, stronger and longer lasting than regular polish, cheap enough to maintain compared to acrylics. I was able to grow my nails out and shape them how I wanted because the gel kept them from breaking…for the most part. Working as a bartender and with horses my nails were under constant strain. There were a couple instances either random and heartbreaking or when I had waited too long to get my gel changed, that my nails (actual nail) would break or the entire nail of polish would pop off. This was frustrating, and if my polish popped off it was only a matter of time until the naked nail broke. Gel might not be as detrimental to the strength of your natural nail when compared to acrylics but they still weaken the nail when it is unpainted.
- Time: 25min-560min on average
- Cost: $20-$35 on average + tip
- Worth it?: Cost, yes. Bu if you work with your hands and want to do less damage to your natural nail, no.
Normal Polish Manicure:
I really dislike normal polish. Maybe it’s just me, but when I get regular polish manicures my nails have chipped before I’ve even left the salon, EVERY time. I can’t stand that they chip, my nails aren’t strong enough to have any length without help so my natural nail will break quickly when I just have on normal polish. If you want length and longevity, DEFINITELY opt out of the normal polish manicure.
- Time: 45min-60min on average
- Cost: $15-$35 on average + tip
- Worth It?: No. When taking in to consideration the quick chipping/breaking it does not make up for the low price, in my opinion.
Dip Polish Manicure:
I recently decided to try dip nails. My nail techs ALWAYS tried to sell me on it but it was more expensive than the gel and I wasn’t unhappy with how gel looked. Finally, though, they got me. I tried the dip under their promise that it would make my nails stronger. My conclusion? Not really. I don’t feel like my nails are any stronger than they were before. However, I will say that I prefer the dip to the gel manicure. I ONLY have issues with chipping, cracking or breaking when I’ve waited way too long to get them changed. The strength WITH the dip on is considerably stronger than the gel. The damage to my nail compared to gel and acrylic is also considerably less.
- Time: 60min-90min on average
- Cost: $30-$50 on average + tip
- Worth It?: Yes, in my opinion considering all the alternatives, Dip polish is the way to go!