Surprisingly girly question.

[saffronhare]

No, it doesn't involve menstruation.

I'm wondering about the differences between UV nails, gel nails, wrapped nails, acrylic nails, etc. Don't be alarmed; I just wonder if anyone could educate me about the relative pros and cons of today's manicure technology. These things change so fast...a girl's gotta work hard to keep up.

Comments

[jaiwitchy.livejournal.com]

OK I'll be the girly girl here...

Arcrylic= is the value nail, tough, good looking,but can be brutal on your natural nails when removed
Gel= more clear and natural looking, don't yellow as easily, pricing is usually decent, but are not as strong, bad for people that typae alot of work with thier hands at all.
Silk wraps=Strong, they are part acrylic but on al overlay of acctuall silk fabric, which protects the natural nail, and makes false nail stronger, yet can be pricey if done well, and fills are expencive, and need to replace complete set every 3-4 fills.
UV nails--- umm...never heard of them, would have to say that's new(last 2 1/2 years?) since my days of working PT in the shop

Hope that helps

J

[kcwitch.livejournal.com]

i wish i could answer this for you but i only know half the answers to your questions and i don't want to give you a half assed question. i could ask friends who do nails if you like.

[lightonthesill.livejournal.com]

In this girly subject I am no help. : ( But I know someone who works a bjin who could probably tell you.
~ C

Further findings.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Okay, armed with what jaiwitchy said (thanks!), I did a google search on UV nails and here's what I found:

1. UV light treatment ... sets Rio UV gel for strong, beautiful, natural looking extensions which last and last, allowing your nails to grow freely underneath. UV gel can also be used without extension tips to strengthen your own natural nails, promoting longer, stronger nails which don’t split or peel.

2. Uses UV technology normally only available in a professional salon. Rio UV gel reacts with UV light to create very strong, natural-looking nail extensions allowing your natural nail to grow freely underneath.

So, it seems like this is a special kind of gel (used by snazzy Brazilian women, as a complement to their most excellent wax jobs, perhaps) that overcomes the weaknesses of "simple" gel nails by baking one's nails under UV light -- like a tooth-whitening treatment. Very interesting stuff.

Thank you for participating in this expansion of worldly knowledge.

I think I can comment on this

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

Last summer when we were in Boston, kittenpants needed her Extendo-Nails™ redone; so we ventured forth for a local shop, and lo, one was found up on Newbury Street.

She described the same process you're talking about; they actually paint the nail on with a gel substance, then stick it under a UV lamp and it hardens before your eyes. She could probably explain a little better than I could, being a primary source and all...

Re: Further findings.

[lightonthesill.livejournal.com]

deskdiva on my friend's list...she's your hook up... She knows all...
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