Walking into a nail salon and choosing between gel and acrylic can be confusing. Both offer beautiful, long-lasting results, but they're quite different. Here's everything you need to know.
Gel Nails Explained
Gel nails use a gel polish that's cured under UV or LED light. They can be applied directly to your natural nail or over tips/extensions.
Types of Gel:
**Regular Gel Polish** – Lasts 2-3 weeks, applied like regular polish**BIAB (Builder in a Bottle)** – Adds strength and length, lasts 3-4 weeks**Hard Gel** – For extensions, very durablePros:
Natural look and feelFlexible and less likely to crackLess damaging to natural nailsNo strong odours during applicationQuicker application than acrylicsCons:
Not as strong as acrylicCan be harder to remove at homeMay not be ideal for very long extensionsAcrylic Nails Explained
Acrylics are created by mixing a liquid monomer with a powder polymer, which hardens when exposed to air.
Pros:
Very strong and durableEasy to repair if one breaksBetter for very long nail extensionsCan be removed with acetone at homeCons:
Can look less naturalStronger chemical smell during applicationCan damage natural nails if not applied/removed properlyLess flexible, more prone to breaking offOur Recommendation
At Avera Beauty, we specialise in gel treatments because we believe they're kinder to your natural nails. Our most popular options:
**Gel Manicure (£31)** – Perfect lasting colour for 2-3 weeks**BIAB Manicure (£35)** – Strength + length + colour in one**Nail Extensions (£45)** – For those who want extra lengthNail Care Tips
Whichever you choose:
Don't pick or peel your nails offUse cuticle oil dailyGet professional removalGive your nails a break occasionallyWear gloves when cleaningBook your nail appointment at Avera Beauty and let our skilled technicians create your perfect manicure.
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