Everything You Need To Know About Nail Extensions And Nail Overlays
Being new to the world of nails can be quite overwhelming, especially when it comes to nail extensions and nail overlays. To keep it short, nail extensions can be added by either applying nail tips to the actual nail bed, or by building the tip entirely with UV gel builder or acrylic.
Overlays are the actual product used on the nails to make them thicker, longer and stronger. Besides UV gel, there are acrylic overlays and dipping powder overlays. All of which require exposure to UV light to cure and harden, except acrylics, unless gel polish (shellac) is applied on top.
Fake nails allow natural nails to grow longer, until no nail tips are required under the overlays. Manicures can also be performed along with these services in order to clean out the cuticles and hangnails around the bottom of the nails.
Acrylics
Acrylic nails are created by combining liquid monomer and a powdery substance. Acrylic can be applied on natural nails as a protective overlay and over a nail tip for extra length. There are different powder colours that can be applied on the nails from clear, pink, white, bright colours, and glitter powder. Acrylics are the strongest overlay out of the three. However, they can feel quite tight on the nail beds.
Dipping Powder
Dipping powder nails are made of a powdery substance in which fingers are dipped for it to adhere to the nail beds or to the nail tips. This application is the lightest option out of the three. It feels more natural, while still providing extra strength to the nails.
UV Gel (Also Called « Bio Gel »)
UV Gel builder is an overlay consisting of a thick glue-like substance which is lighter in form and gives a more natural feeling and appearance to the nails while remaining stronger than dipping powder. It can go over natural nails or over nail tips for extra length, it can also be built as a nail tip in itself.
The latter usually costs more, as it requires additional work and can only be performed by technicians with a particular skillset. Unlike acrylics, there is no odour when applying gel nails.
What to ask for when booking my nail appointment?
Full sets
For people with bare nails, getting overlays means a new set is required. When booking an appointment, someone in this situation would ask for a full set of the desired overlay (i.e. : Dipping powder full set).
Most salons use a colored substance of the client’s choice to build overlays. At Sway Nails & Spa, whichever overlay you select, we use colorless products and cover the overlay with gel polish (shellac) for the color aspect. Here’s why :
Fills
Treating ourselves with a full set of overlay is a commitment. Due to the impact of the products on natural nails, doing a full set as a « one time thing » isn’t usually recommended. The proper way to maintain our nails after such treatment is to go in for a fill when our nails grow out, which depending on the individual, is a timeframe that ranges between 2.5 to 5 weeks. These fills can generally be performed up to 4 times before the original layer of overlays starts losing strength and a new set becomes required. When booking an appointment, someone in this situation would ask for a fill of the desired overlay (i.e. : Dipping powder fill).
In the scenario where a new set of overlays was done using a colored substance, the customer is stuck with this one color for the following fills until time comes to get a brand new set. This is because a colored overlay cannot be filled in with a different color, as the original color will be visible underneath the new layer.
Building overlays with clear product and using gel polish (shellac) for the color allows for a change of color every time a fill is required. Rather than having to soak it all off every few weeks, which is damaging for the nail beds. Change is always a good thing and helps to bring this feeling of freshness to your hands. The option to bounce between different colors, patterns and designs every few weeks rather than being stuck with 1 color for months on end is usually highly appreciated.
Recap
To sum it up, overlays allows you to grow out your natural nails by providing an extra layer of protection. A layer which strength, weight and appearance varies depending on the type of overlay. A layer with which you can also have fun experimenting with different colors, patterns and designs every time you get your nails filled in, assuming you get them done in a reputable salon. The world of nails can be quite overwhelming but once you become more familiar with it, it becomes one of the most rewarding self-care treats you can offer yourself!
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