All About Acrylic

Acrylic nails are perfect for anyone who loves a stronger, more durable nail enhancement, whether you prefer to keep your nails at their natural length or fancy adding some extra length with extensions. Acrylic is created by combining a liquid monomer with a powder polymer to form a workable product that hardens into a strong, durable enhancement. Once applied and shaped, it creates a beautiful foundation for your chosen finish, whether that’s a simple, natural look, a glossy gel colour, a French manicure or detailed nail art. Who is acrylic best suited for? Acrylic is a great option for clients who prefer a stronger enhancement, tend to be a little more heavy-handed in their everyday activities, or simply love a medium-to-longer nail. It can provide the structure and durability needed to support longer lengths, making it a popular choice for anyone who wants their nails to feel secure and look beautifully finished. Acrylic can be applied over your natural nails to add strength and structure without adding length, or with extensions to create your desired length and shape. During your appointment, we’ll discuss your lifestyle, natural nail condition and preferred length to help choose an option that works for you. Will acrylic damage my natural nails? There’s a common misconception that acrylic is automatically more damaging to your natural nails than gel. The truth is that neither system is inherently damaging simply because of the product itself. The condition of your natural nails depends heavily on how the enhancement is applied, maintained, infilled and removed. Damage is more likely to occur through over-filing the natural nail, picking or pulling off the product, incorrect application, leaving lifting untreated or removing the enhancement improperly. Acrylic is a strong system, but it still needs to be treated with care and maintained professionally. My priority is to protect your natural nails by preparing them appropriately, applying the product correctly and checking for lifting or other issues during your appointments. Please remember that no nail enhancement is completely damage-proof, and your natural nails can still be affected by accidents, excessive pressure or poor aftercare. How long do acrylic nails last? With proper application and aftercare, acrylic enhancements can typically last around 3-4 weeks before needing an infill, although this varies depending on your natural nail growth, lifestyle and how well you look after them. As your natural nails grow, the balance of the enhancement changes, which is why regular maintenance is important. I recommend having your acrylics professionally maintained every 3-4 weeks, rather than leaving them until they become excessively grown out or begin to lift. I recommend a maximum of 3 infills before removing the set and starting fresh. At this point, the existing product should be professionally removed so your natural nails can be assessed and a fresh set applied. If there is significant lifting, damage or another concern before then, earlier removal may be necessary. A little aftercare goes a long way To keep your acrylics looking their best: * Avoid picking, biting or pulling at your enhancements. * Use cuticle oil daily to keep your natural nails and surrounding skin conditioned. * Wear gloves when using cleaning products or doing prolonged household chores. * Avoid using your nails as tools to open, scrape or prise things. * Book your infills regularly and contact me if you notice lifting, cracks or damage rather than attempting to repair them yourself. Your appointment Every appointment begins with an assessment of your natural nails and a discussion about your desired length, shape and finish. Your nails are then prepared, the acrylic is applied and shaped, and your chosen finish is completed. Whether you love a clean, understated set or something bold and detailed, acrylic gives us a strong foundation to create nails that suit you. My aim is always to give you beautiful, wearable nails while prioritising the condition of your natural nails.