Chipped broken nails are not cute at all. We all love neat and healthy looking nails. Although it’s quite unfortunate that some of us can’t grow out our nails without breaking at least two of them along the way. But thank God for acrylics because we get to enjoy the long, perfect, almond or square-shaped nails without much effort. This faux nail method is ideal for anyone who wants long nails but can’t get or maintain their ideal nail length or shape on their own.

However, they are not exactly as effortless as they sound. I mean, the upkeep is minimal, but still necessary, especially if you want your manicure to last and your nails underneath to stay healthy. Acrylic nails are also quite pricey and can damage your natural nails if they are not done correctly. These are just a handful of facts you need to consider before booking your nail appointment and that is why we are here with more facts. So read on;

1. Prep your nails

Acrylic nails might seriously cause damage to your natural nails if they are not well prepared before application. If you have weak and brittle nails, you need to ensure you get them to the optimal health before going anywhere near acrylics. You might want to try nail strengtheners such as jojoba oil which is a natural nail strengthener.

2. Do research

There are several alternatives to acrylic nails which are just as good or even better option. We have powder dips, gel acrylics, sculptured nails among others which will probably be included in the salon’s menu. So ensure you do your research so you are sure on exactly what best works for you. You may also need to do research on the different salons and best nail techs around you so that you ensure your nails are handled by professionals.

3. Decide on shape and length

Honestly one of the most fun things about your appointment besides the final results meeting your expectations of course. This is when you get to choose the exact shape, length and colour according to your preference. There are variety shapes, my personal favourite being tapered square and coffin shaped nails. For newbies I would recommend the oval shape or almond shape since they are somehow low maintenance and easier to handle. As for the length, you will probably be tempted to go long but trust me the shorter the better especially if it’s your first time. So just start shorter and then as you gt used to them you might opt to go longer.

4. Take care of your nails

Considering the amount of time and money that goes into getting that perfect set, the last thing you want is for them to get wrecked. Therefore you are going to have to change the way you do a few things like washing dishes, cleaning and showering. Whenever you are using any cleaning products, especially the ones that contains bleach, make sure you wear gloves to help prevent the chemicals from messing with our nails. Also avoid using your nails as tools to open or remove stuck things.

Another way to care for your nails is moisturizing them after any contact with water. Cuticle oil should be your best friend as it will help keep your nails strong and the skin around them as healthy as possible.

5. Proper removal of acrylics 

As I mentioned before, acrylic nails can cause immense damage to your actual nails. Most of the damage associated with them usually happen due to improper removal. The method that is most popular and used by many salons is the use of drill to file off the acrylic. But this is not completely safe as it might remove some layers of your natural nails. The best way is to soak each nail in acetone for about 30 minutes since this breaks down the acrylic so that it can be removed without causing long-term damage to your actual nails.