“Women can use any design they want on their nails, as these artificial nails are very flexible. It’s easy to change from one design to the other,” said Daniah Khafaji, owner of Nail Lounge in Jeddah. “I highly recommend it for women with nails that easily crack or break, because they last for three to four weeks if you take care of them,” she added.
Acrylic nails, also called artificial nails, are fake nails glued on top of real nails. “Women like to wear them for several reasons. Some feel that long nails make them beautiful and feminine, but they find growing their real nails too much of a hassle. Real nails, moreover, can get very fragile when they grow long, and chip off,” said Khafaji. “Other women, on the other hand, choose acrylic nails when they want to look their best for a particular event or special occasion. Acrylic nails painted with an elaborate scheme are a direct strike,” she added.
Some women even choose to wear artificial nails to end their nail-biting habits. “Acrylic nails, after all, are not cheap, and a nail-biter would certainly think twice before chewing on her nails,” Khafaji added.
Mixing a powder with retention liquid creates the acrylic nails, after which a nail artist literally paints and shapes the nails into place using this mixture. “Once the nail is in shape, a regular acrylic nail customer can concentrate on nail color, design and trends. Most women prefer having classic nail color combinations. French manicure, which consists of a natural nail color accompanied by white tips, is very popular among women, because it flatters any outfit,” said Khafaji. “Other customers are a little more daring and want to play with color. That’s when nail artists create a plethora of designs ranging from rainbows to zebra print,” she added.
In addition to color, many people choose to add a little sparkle. “Some more exotic choices include tiny gems and stickers that come in a huge range of shapes, designs and colors. A nail technician pierces the nail with a piece of jewelry. Doing this on natural nails is virtually impossible, which shows the great flexibility acrylic nails offer,” said Khafaji.
Acrylic nails should be applied by a professional nail technician. “It is important that they are placed properly, and a professional can make them look as thin and natural as possible. If badly done, acrylic nails may look very artificial and thick. However, if applied properly, they can last really long and be very strong,” said Khafaji. “Make sure that the nail technician who applies them on you is trained and experienced. It is dangerous to take a chance with someone who knows little about acrylics,” she added.
Women have to put in mind that acrylic nails should not be worn for more than three months. “After three months, you should remove them and allow your natural nails to rest for as long as one month. This will help keeping them healthy. After the rest period, you can place the artificial nails on your fingers again,” said Khafaji.
A typical nail application takes about an hour. Maintenance sessions at the nail salon usually take about 15 minutes. The process is relatively quick and doesn't cost very much.
Care for this type of artificial nails mainly includes standard filing as the natural nail grows. This can be done every two or three weeks, depending on the nail growth. Since they are the most commonly used artificial nails, you can most likely find a place to have repairs if you have any problems with them while traveling to another city.
Khafaji advised not to be too rough on your artificial nails, or else you might need to visit your nail technician to avoid loosening from built-up water that might get trapped in. “The nail technician will do the needed maintenance if this happens to your nails, but it can cause weakening of the nail plate,” she said.
Removing the artificial nails can be a bit painful. If not done properly, this can damage the natural nail underneath it, according to Khafaji. “In order to remove them safely, you need an acetone, nail file, nail clippers and a heavy cream or natural oil. You also have to be very careful. However, having them removed by a professional nail technician is the best option,” she said.
