NAIL TERMS

Acrylic Nails

Acrylic nails are a more common form of artificial nails. They have been around for much longer and are better known with the public. There are two main types of acrylics, tips and forms. Tips are light, plastic plates that are glued on the end of the real nail. After the tip is applied, an acrylic solution is then coated over the entire nail. The second type is the form, which is fitted over the whole nail. Then, an artificial nail is made out of acrylic and the form is taken off to correctly shape and buff it. Both types of acrylic nails harden on their own without the aid of a UV light.

Tips are now available in many different colors and designs, ranging from simple colors such as yellow or blue to flamboyant designs such as animal prints and mixed metallic colors.

Acrylics help conceal or fix broken, damaged, short, or bad nails. It also helps prevent people from biting their nails, breakage of nails, and protect splits. However they usually make natural nails weak, thin, and breakable when removed.

Nail Wraps

A popular alternative to acrylic or gel preparations are fiberglass or silk wraps. Pieces of actual fiberglass or silk fabric are cut to fit on the surface of the nail or tip and then sealed down with a resin or glue. These sort of treatments are commonly used to protect the nails if they have been broken. The silk or fiberglass overlay acts as a false layer of nail and thus protects to nail plate from splitting or becoming damaged any further.

Gel Varnish

Gel nail polish is a long-lasting type of nail polish. It is painted on the nail like a regular polish, and does not dry until it is "set" under an ultraviolet or LED lamp.

While regular nail polish formulas typically last 2-7 days before chipping, gel polish lasts around two weeks on most. Gel polish is more difficult to remove than regular nail polish; it is usually scraped off after soaking the nails in acetone for 5-10 minutes.

Gel Nails

Gel nails are a type of artificial nails that most closely resemble the natural nail. They are similar to acrylic nails, but still different. Gel nails are formed by a combination of monomer liquid and polymer powder. The monomer liquid reacts with the polymer powder when put together which, in turn, forms long polymer strands. After being cured under a UV light and LED light they dry and harden to form a resin that looks like a real fingernail. Gel nails can come in any color and can include many different patterns and designs.

Gel nails are glossier, aren't meant to chip and last for a longer period of time than other artificial nails and polishes. However, they are not as durable as acrylic nails. They are much easier to remove though, only requiring warm soapy water and nail varnish remover.

Shellac

Shellac nail polish is a polish that lasts weeks without chipping. The shellac is applied like a normal manicure. Shellac offers a more nail-friendly solution by taking gel to the next level; no sculpting or filing, which is harmful to nails just thin coats of polish on your natural nail, with a brief time for curing under a UV lamp between every coat.

Base Coat

This type of nail polish is a clear or milky colored polish formula that is used specifically before applying nail polish to the nail. The purpose of it is to strengthen nails, restore moisture to the nail, and/or help polish adhere to the nail. Some base coats are marketed as "ridge fillers" and, by creating a smooth surface, reduce the appearance the ridges that can appear on unhealthy nails or due to aging. Base coat may also help prevent staining on then nail, though this heavily depends on the thickness of the base coat and the colour strength of the main coat.

Top Coat

This type of nail polish is a clear colored polish formula that is used specifically after applying nail polish to the nail. It forms a hardened barrier for the nail to prevent chipping, scratching and peeling. Many top coats are marketed as "quick-drying" and, in addition to drying quickly, may also help the underlying colored polish dry quickly such as Seche Vite.

Stamping

Nail stamping is the process of transfering a design from an engraved metal plate onto your nail using a stamping tool. To achieve this you would need a nail stamping plate from brands such as Konad, Monster Bundle, Cheeky or GALS. Thicker consistency/special stamping nail varnish is used on the plate design, scraped off with the special scraper and then picked up from the plate with the stamper. The stamper is then rolled over the nail in the desired place to transfer the design. Starter nail stamping kits which contain the essentials can be purchased from Amazon or eBay for around £10-£15.

Ombré/Gradient Nails

Ombre nails are a type of manicure in which a gradient effect is created. A light color on the bottom of the nail gradually blends into a darker color toward the tip.

Foils

Nail foils can be purchased either on a roll or pre-cut in the shape of the nail. They are the texture of, yes, foil and come in huge variety of patterns and textures! The pre-cut foils are like stickers and can be carefully applied over 1-2 coats of dry base coat. Once the foil is securely in place you can gently pull away any excess. Roll foil is similar however, it requires a foil adhesive followed by the application of the foil.

Text source: Mostly http://en.wikipedia.org with modifications from me.