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12.3.17

Acrylic Nails - All You Need To Know

Hi everyone,

I have been having my nails done with acrylics, on and off, for about 7 years now and if you have read my blog for a while you may have noticed I like to write a fair few Nails Of The Day (NOTD) posts and I have also recently started a nail polish collection series (here). I think it was always inevitable that I would develop a love for a good manicure after going to the salon with my mum from a young age and sitting with her while she got her nails done. I loved everything about it and found it mesmerising to watch her nails being transformed.

The lovely Shireen from Reflection of Sanity (check her blog out here, it's amazing and she is so funny and gives really great, honest reviews) suggested I write a post all about my experience with acrylic nails and hopefully try to answer any questions you guys might have, so that's what I am going to do today.


There are many options when it comes to choosing the type of nail you want to go for but I have always had acrylic and then usually a gel polish in between when I want to give my nails a rest. I'd say finding a great nail technician is really important when it comes to having  acrylic nails as someone that doesn't know what they are doing can really make a mess of your natural nail and I have certainly had my fair share of bad experiences! I have been going to the same Nail Technician more or less from the beginning and have followed her round when she has moved salons as I know she will go a good job and her prices are reasonable.


When it comes to style and shape, I like to mix it up and that's one great thing about acrylic nails, if you don't like them you can just change them! I have had square, oval, ballerina and most recently pointy shapes and I vary the length depending on how I'm feeling and what I have got coming up. Longer nails can make every day tasks such as fastening your buttons or putting on earrings a real challenge so if you have a very hands on job for example, it might be best to have them a little shorter!

I used to have my infills done every two weeks but these days I get them done every three and I think that is about right for me. In terms of getting a new set I tend to just play it by ear. If they are starting to look a bit rough round the edges or they are breaking more often because they are getting weak then I know it's time to start a fresh. With acrylics, it is important to get them soaked off properly if you want a new set or you want to give your nails a break. I have tried to pick mine off in the past and let me tell you, it is both painful and really bad for your naturals nails! Go to a salon and get them soaked off properly with acetone! If I am leaving them off I get a manicure as well to help with the condition of my own nails and make them look and feel better.

One question that everyone always asks me is do acrylics damage your natural nails? and the answer is yes. When I take my acrylic nails off I absolutely hate the feel of my natural ones. They are weak and bendy and sometimes have ridges in them where the acrylic has been. I have been having acrylic nails for a long time and I am bad at giving them a break so mine are in worse condition than they would be if I just had them done once or twice a year for example. If you want them done for a special occasion or a holiday and you have them soaked off properly then the damage will be minimal and you will able to get them back into shape. However, if you are like me and get them done constantly then be prepared for the damage to your natural nails to be more significant.


When I do give my natural nails a break I try to look after them by keeping them hydrated with a nail creams and cuticle oils. I also tend to keep them short and apply a nail treatment like OPI Nail Envy to help build their strength up again. If you can leave nail polish off for a while and let them breathe then I think that's good too but I am terrible at doing this and always end up applying gel which is not the best idea as you are essentially just covering them up again and not letting the air to them.

If you are thinking about getting acrylic nails then there are pros and cons to weigh up. On the plus side, they look great and I think a good manicure makes you look polished and can elongate your fingers which I think looks really elegant. You can also play around with design, shape and nail art much more easily and switch things up when you get bored and fancy a change. I also really enjoy going to get my nails done and having a little pamper time every few weeks.

For me, I would say the main negative is the damage to your natural nails. I wish I had given my nails a breather more often and if I could go back in time I probably wouldn't have had them done as much as I have. There is also the cost to think about. The Nail Technician that I go to is really reasonable and I pay £15 for my infills and £25 for a soak off and new set but you can pay way more than that at some salons. 


I love having acrlyic nails but if you have nice natural nails I would say to only have them for special occasions and to make sure you look after your natural nails when you have had them removed. It is really easy to keep thinking 'oh I'll just have them done once more' and then before you know it 7 years have passed!!

I hope you have found this useful if you have been thinking of having acrylic nails but if I have missed anything or you have any questions please let me know in the comments and I will try my best to answer :)

Thanks for reading,

Hannah xx


41 comments:

  1. This was an interesting, I have acrylic nails too and never give my nails a break, I know its damaging but I hate the look of my nails when their off!! I have mine quite long too and can be so annoying when doing buttons up for work in the morning ha I love the first glittery nails you have they are amazing x

    S x | SHELISES WORLD

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    1. I just prefer the look of my nails with acrylics too and you get so used to having them on! I think I'm going to have to have them a little shorter next time as it was a nightmare the other morning trying to do the buttons up on my shirt! I do love the glittery nails too, the more glitter the better if you ask me :) x

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  2. I too love getting my nails done and think the same,if you look after them right then the damage really is minimal x

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    1. It definitely pays to try and look after them. I've known people that bite their acrylic nails off all the time and it can really cause a lot of damage to your natural nails. I tried it once myself and it was so painful too! x

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  3. Very interesting post. I've never had acrylics nails before. I have actually never had any other nails on other than my own natural nails. I usually just paint my own nails at home or when I go to the salon, I just do a shellac or something else on my own nails. Thanks for sharing this info though. xx

    Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com

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    1. I think it's great to only have your natural nails too and it can be really nice to have a pamper session and give yourself a manicure and paint your nails :) x

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  4. Wow lovely purpurine details :) Nails are shinning amazing!!
    xx
    Mónica Sors
    MES VOYAGES À PARIS
    NEW POST: MOOD: EMBROIDERED JACKET
    DON'T MISS: PFW STREET STYLE MARCH 2017 (II)

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  5. I've never had acrylics so this was really interesting. I do love a flawless manicure and my favourite shape is almond, and not too long. My natural nails are quite wide, which makes it difficult to get a nice shape so I just usually keep them neat and short. Maybe I should give acrylics a whirl! x

    Kate Louise Blogs

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    1. I do love an almond shaped manicure too and think it can really elongate your fingers and make them look so elegant :) You will have to let me know how you get on if you do decide to give acrylics a try! x

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  6. For some reason my nails have always been strong and grown long, however if they didn't, I would definitely look into acrylics as they just look SO perfect! I adore your acrylic choices - both in shape and colour. My favourite (as I mentioned on Instagram) is definitely the classy, pointed nudes (top photo, bottom right).

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice | Worldwide Hotel Chocolat Giveaway x

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    1. I think if you have nice natural nails then it's best to stay away from acrylics and just manicure your own. There's no point in spending tons of money on them if they are nice to begin with :) I have to agree, the pointed nudes that I had are some of my favourite and I'll definitely be recreating the look again soon! x

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  7. Great post! All these nails look so pretty.

    Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

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  8. I think Shireen suggested you a great topic, I really like Shireen very much! I didn't know you wore acrylic nails, I never did, but I found that they look very good! I liked that you can change the shape of them! Loved all the pictures! I have nails that break after some weeks, but when they are OK, they are good, so I read carefully about the damage to the real nails... and for the time being I think they are still OK, but I am open to wearing them one day! Hope you have a nice week!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Thank you so much Denise :) Shireen definitely did give me a good idea here! Yes if you are happy with your natural nails then I think it's best to think carefully about whether or not acrylics are for you. If you do decide to go for them I would really recommend them mainly for special occasions and to make sure you have the removed properly to avoid too much damage. x

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  9. Your nails are always so gorgeous and I love the fact that you switch up your design and shape often, it keeps it interesting! I used to get acrylic nails done years ago and would do exactly what you don't suggest, pick them off myself at home, haha! Yup, it was painful and it ruined my nails. I haven't gotten them in about 10 years now, since my preference has since changed; I like them really short now. But, I always admire nails like yours that are long and have beautiful designs and colors! Thanks for sharing, beauty, and I hope you're having a great start to your week so far!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    www.thestylecontour.com

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    1. Aw thank you Jalisa :) I do like to keep switching things up so that I don't get bored and that's one thing that I really like about acrylics as it's so easy to make those changes. Oh no, I know how painful it can be to pick them off but it does get really tempting, especially if you have a chipped or broken one! My mum always picks hers off whenever she has acrylic nails on and I don't know how she keeps doing it! I hope you're having a fab week too :) x

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  10. Thank you so much for taking the time and writing such an in-depth post about this, Hannah. Honestly this is one of the best post I've read about acrylic nails and it's very informative for anyone who is on the fence about getting them done. I have strong nails but I get so tired trying to do them myself all the time hence I thought it would be nice to try acrylic nails but you're right, I will leave it for special occasions.

    Shireen⎜Reflection of Sanity

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    1. I'm so glad you found it helpful Shireen :) I think you are right, if you have strong nails then I would save acrylics for special occasions so as not to ruin your natural ones. If you think of anything else you would like to know please let me know and I will try my best to help. x

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  11. Beautiful! I love those pink shades <3
    Trend-Mae

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    1. Thank you :) Pink is always my go-to colour. x

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  12. Pretty Nailsss <3
    I've alwats dream to having colorful and pretty nails everyday, but in my proffesion now its not allowed to having them :(

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    1. That's a shame but at least you are saving money by not having them done and also it won't ruin your natural nails :) x

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  13. Great rundown, lady- I love the look of acrylics but definitely haaaate the way they ravage my natural nails. I try to spread out my acrylic manicures- but it's tough to resist!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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    1. It really is tough to resist! I was only supposed to have them as a one off but I kept thinking just once more and before you know it a few years have passed! x

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  14. I never could get into acrylic nails.. they scare me!! lol! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. Haha they aren't for everyone I suppose :) x

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  15. They look lovely, I just hate what they do to my natural nails x
    A Blushing Beauty Blog

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    1. I know, I do wish they didn't cause so much damage! x

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  16. Your nails always look so on-point babe! I think that having lovely nails always makes you look and feel amazing. I like the pointy ones the best- Jake calls them talons :P

    I have the same problem with weak nails after acrylics and my technician suggested I go for gel acrylic, as it helps your natural nail to breathe. I find that my nails are far less damaged after gel rather than acrylic :)

    Rachel xx
    http://www.thedailyluxe.net

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    1. Aww thank you :) I totally agree, I always feel good when I have had my nails done and I think the pointy ones are my favourites too. I just have to be careful not to have them too long and pointy or I start putting holes in things! I haven't tried gel before as the Nail Technician I go to doesn't do them. I might give them a try though as I'm all for anything that will help my natural nails :) Thanks for the tip! x

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  17. I rarely get them (nanny here), but I do love them! I grew up in my Grandmother's salon, so I used to get my nails done all the time. It was a fun way to grow up!

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    1. Aw I bet :) I used to love going to the salon with my mum so I bet it was so much fun if your Grandmother owned one! x

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  18. I love a great gel nail, as pretty as acrylics are it's hard on my nails! But I'm so pumped for all the spring manicure colors ;)

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    1. Me too, I have just had mine done a nice nude shade as I was after something lighter now spring is on its way :) x

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  19. Beautiful colors,I love these navy blue nails! <3

    MERI WILD BLOG

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    1. Ooh I don't usually wear blue shades on my nails but I do like the sound of navy for a change :) x

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  20. I feel like the whole damaging your natural nails has always been very off putting for me which is a shame because oh gosh, how beautiful are acrylic nails?! This is a really comprehensive blog post covering everything we might need to know!

    Musings & More

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    1. It is a major downside of having them done and I think I would have thought twice about going for acrylics if I had known just how bad the damage would be. On the plus side they do look nice though so I guess swings and roundabouts haha. x

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