Acrylic or gel?

[leah82]

Hi all!!

Ok whats the real difference between acrylic & gel? I'm going to hopefully start my course really soon enqiuring today about dates!!! But can't decide which i should do? I noticed you don't need a uv lamp for acrylic which again baffles me as my nail tech uses one on my acrylic sculpts for the top coat. Guess thats optional? But every tech i've had has done the same? Which do clients most ask for? And which is more profitable? I've been told acrylic is harder and can last longer here's a quote i found on the net: "HI, GELS ARE ACRYLICS, JUST IN A GEL FORM. YOU MUST GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCEDURES TO GET TO THE FINAL PRODUCT,EXCEPT YOU MUST CURE UNDER A LIGHT WITH GELS.
MOST TECHNICIANS KEEP THEY'RE GEL CLIENTS AT SHORTER LENGHTHS, GELS TEND NOT TO HOLD UP AT LONGER LENGTHS.
POWDER-LIQUID ACRYLICS ARE WHAT MOST PEOPLE WEAR.
I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU". I also found this site which makes acrylics sound bad and that gels are better? I'm getting comflicting info? http://www.pur-nb.co.uk/lcn_nails.htm The other thing is the gel course is more expensive about £50 more so really could do with help as don't want to spend more money if i'm doing the wrong thing!!!!

Look forward to hearing from you all!!!

Leah82

 

[ValencianNails]

this should help you... http://www.thenailgeek.com/showthread.php?t=15482

xx

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Ok whats the real difference between acrylic & gel? These days not a lot, All systems have come on so much lately that technological advances mean that the benefits of one over the other are few and far between. The main difference is gel is premixed so it takes all the guess work out of your L&P ratio mix and is odourless and I think easier to master. But they are very different application techniques! Strength and durability varies from brand to brandI noticed you don't need a uv lamp for acrylic which again baffles me as my nail tech uses one on my acrylic sculpts for the top coat. Guess thats optional? yup, she probably applies a layer of uv gel to give it the lovely permanent shine that are associated with gels.
Which do clients most ask for? acrylics, because they don't know any different And which is more profitable? there is no difference in my prices (I do gel and Fabric#) I've been told acrylic is harder and can last longer here's a quote i found on the net: It depends on the brand you use, some gels are definitely not as hard wearing as L&P (aka acrylic) and some most definiely are, gels are slightly more flexible and my clients love this feel,most actually say they find it stronger than l&P, but a lot also comes down to the skill of the technician applying a correctly balanced enhancement."I also found this site which makes acrylics sound bad and that gels are better? http://www.pur-nb.co.uk/lcn_nails.htm LCN unfortunately are rather short sighted in their opinion of L&P, I have had to sit on countless courses with them where they slag it off to the hilt - damaging, acid primers etc etc. Damage is ONLY done when they are applied or removed incorrectly.

A lot of what is on that particuar site is true, a lot are myths - and as for cuticle oil stopping breakages (bah humbug), how will it do that? Especially as LCN gels are non porous so the oil won't make a blind bit of difference to the product - having them too long is the MAIN cause for breaks.The other thing is the gel course is more expensive about £50 more so really could do with help as don't want to spend more money if i'm doing the wrong thing!!!! I'm a gel girl through and through, so I would say gel all the way - I could never get my bead ratio right, drove me mad!!

 

[Fingertips ND]

Gel is my fave!

That is prob because i'm **** at acrylic!

 

[Trinity]

And just to give you a full and rounded reply - I loath gel and love L&P :lol:

I can never get my gel right - it's either too thick or too thin (usually too thin) and I'm really hard on my nails so need something that won't break (when they are in my mouth usually :lol: )

PS - All enhancements are acrylic - try to get in to the habit of using the term 'Liquid & powder' rather than acrylic, you can then better educate your clients about what is best for their needs and sound professional.

HTH
Trin
xx

 

[Bryony]

I trained using L&P, and although I haven't done my gel conversion yet (hopefully when I go on maternity leave!), I have got my kit and have had a play using my practise hand and I have to say - L&P is miles easier!

L&P was very awkward to begin with, and I had to spend ages filing to get a nice shape, but since mastering my mix ratio it's gotten a miilion times easier. I find gel difficult to use as it stays 'moveable' until you cure it, so you can spend ages trying to get it into the right place. It's also more difficult to create the apex, as it sinks into itself.

As Sassy says, you charge the same and there is probably minimal difference in the cost of product. Gel courses do tend to be more expensive if they include a full kit, as it has to account for the additonal cost of the lamp that don't need with L&P ( you can get shine using a buffer, then you don't need a lamp, but many find a layer of UV gel topcoat/gloss over the L&P has a shinier shine that lasts longer).

Professional nails is coming up in London in September & there is G-Mex in Manchester in October, why not pop along to one of them? (do a search on here for ticket info, it's free if you register in advance) Get a couple of nails done with L&P and a couple with gel so you can experience first hand the different techniques and feel of each product.

 

[leah82]

Hi all thanks for replying, just want to make sure you didn't think i was ignoring your replies!! I'm going to have a good read through of them all again as it was very late when i first read them and then i'll let you know what i decide!! I'm hoping to go on an open day for a course on Monday so i'll see then hopefully which is for me, plus sounds a good idea about having a look at the g-mex when i go in October as that when the next available course start dates are for me so would be ideal!!! Think at mo i'm swaying towards acrylic l&p??


Thanks again Leah82