Gel Nails vs. Acrylic Nails (2024)

Experimenting with false nails can be a very fun process that offers a unique outlet for self-expression.

Although most of us picture the Kardashian/Jenner style claws when discussing the best gel nail polish and acrylic nail polish, neither of these manicure options actually require extensions.

Both gel and acrylic can be applied directly to your existing, natural nail in order to provide a polish that lasts far longer than a regular manicure.

Where Do Gel Nails and Acrylic Nails Come From?

Many of today’s best gel nail polish colors are ones that you can buy and apply at home, but the birth of the gel nail concept has an unexpected beginning that is rather entangled with the acrylic nail. The substance that creates both of these nail types was actually borrowed from the dental industry and modified for manicures.

Now, if you’ve ever painted your nails or had them painted, you likely know that the polish tends to chip within the first seven days or so. Even with a top coat, nail polish alone can be easily ruined — especially if you use your hands a lot for your job or general lifestyle.

Another contributing factor to a traditional manicure’s success is your own genetics, as nail strength plays a significant role in breakage.

In order to preserve the longevity of the manicure for anyone and everyone, the technology of the acrylic substances being utilized to make caps and crowns in the dental field crossed over into the beauty industry, providing significantly stronger nails than what we were born with. The acrylic-based formulas create both “gel nails” and “acrylic nails,” et voilà! Two options for far longer-lasting, beautiful manicures.

The Process of Gel Nail Manicures

The process of getting a “gel nail manicure” consists of a nail technician shaping your natural nails to your liking and then painting an acrylic-based, viscous gel directly on top.

This substance is often in a tiny pot akin to brow pomade. As the technician lays down each layer of the gel, the receiver will stick their hand into a UV light machine, which will cure the gel (harden it).

The nails will have to be exposed to the UV light for different intervals of time in order to harden properly, but the wait is substantially shorter than any other polish process. Once the nails are hardened and the shape is set to your liking, you can walk away and live your life immediately without having to be extra cautious of ruining what you just paid for.

The most ingenious thing about the best gel nail polishes on the market is that they, too, dry quickly, but without the need for any UV light. As a result, you can give yourself a manicure that will look fantastic and last longer — all while you watch Netflix.

Acrylic Nails

When it comes to acrylic nails, the process unfolds in such a way that self-application is unlikely to be an option for the masses. Unlike the gel, which is already mixed, making an acrylic nail come to fruition requires a certified nail technician to scoop an appropriate amount of a liquid chemical, dipped into powder, onto a teeny tiny brush.

The paste that this combination forms is then applied to your natural nails with tiny strokes and little pressing motions made with the brush.

Typically, though, those who opt for acrylic nails will want an extension (tips or forms) put onto their own nail to lengthen it. This is where we end up with oversized nails of all sorts that afford both shapes and designs galore.

The Process of Acrylic Nail Manicures

The process of getting an acrylic nail manicure with extensions includes first shaving down the natural nail with a file or small, specially made drill bit and gluing on the extension. This part is crucially important because it has a 100 percent chance of ruining the integrity of natural nails already, so a certified and well-vetted nail technician is a must.

After the extension is added, the nail is painted, shaped, and set. These nails dry in the same fashion as a traditional manicure – by fan.

Due to the way these nails are applied, they can be soaked off in nail polish remover, which salon-done gel nails cannot. Many of the best gel nail polishes that you can buy to use in your own home, however, also offer the ability to soak off, which is a huge perk!

Should You Choose Gel Nails or Acrylic Nails?

Ultimately, this will depend on your lifestyle and your nail goals. Gel nails are hard and won’t be as easy to stain; they are also less likely to break, and they conform to the natural nail more closely than acrylics. Gel nails do tend to be more expensive when applied at a salon.

Acrylic nails have a very strong smell during application (ventilation is important!), and they are harder than gel nails, but this actually makes them more prone to breakage. Furthermore, acrylic nails should not rise comically high from your natural nail, but they will be noticeably thicker no matter what.

Neither gel nor acrylic nails are “healthier” for your natural nails, so the points previously mentioned are the most pertinent things to consider when making your choice.

Resources— Allure, Vox