As someone who can't grow out their nails without breaking at Panailsnspa Nails in Malton least two of them along the way, I get jealous whenever I notice someone's long, perfect, almond or square-shaped nails.
While some people are blessed with naturally strong nails, the ones I long for are often credited to the magic of acrylics. This faux nail method is ideal for those of us who want long nails, but can't or maintain their ideal nail length or shape on their own. However, they're not exactly effortless: Getting acrylic nails comes with a price tag, and the upkeep does, too. Additionally, acrylics can damage your nails if they're done wrong.
All of this considered, it's important to have all the info before you visit the salon, and InStyle has you covered. Whether you're tired of having nails that are too short for fancy nail art or you want your nails to look as dramatic as Kylie Jenner's claws do on Instagram, see what a professional manicurist has to say about the process of getting acrylic nails.
To put it most simply, acrylic nails are are a mix of powder and liquid monomer that's combined into a blob of dough, shaped onto your nails with a brush, and then air-dried. "Acrylics do not require a lamp to cure, and they're great for changing the shape or extending your nails," says Ariela Zuniga, director of operations at Vanity Projects, a nail salon with locations in New York and Miami. According to Zuniga, acrylics are ideal for people looking to change the shape of their nails or want more length.