T here was a time when a bridal manicure meant one thing: simple filed nails with a few coats of basic polish and a shiny top coat. The weeks leading up to the wedding were spent protecting your length and treating your cuticles. Inevitably you would break or chip a nail just before the big day. Times have changed. With the option of a gel or dip powder, your manicure can last up to a month. You can choose any length or shape, embellish your nails with crystals or beads, have your initials or wedding date added, choose your bridal colours or a classic French polish—the options are simply endless. There is always confusion about manicure options. We’re going to break down the differences. GEL Think of it as a souped-up version of a basic manicure that uses a UV light to cure and harden liquid polish, which is why a gel manicure can last up to three times longer than a regular manicure. There is one big drawback—you will need to go back to the salon to have it removed. This is not a manicure you can pick or peel while binge watching your wedding video. Trust me, don’t start! They can last up to three weeks before they need to be “filled,” the process where they add gel to the new nail growth. One great benefit is that these nails are strong! I’ve opened boxes with my gel manicure. The colour choices seem limitless as well; don’t expect to become bored with your new nails.
DIP POWDER Each nail colour comes in the form of a pigmented powder, which your nails are dipped into after a nail technician applies a clear liquid formula. There’s no drying or curing time needed. The benefit is that you don’t have to wait whilst dip powder nails are cured under UV light. Typically, you can expect the look to last slightly longer than gel nails too. The drawback is that some people prefer the smoothness of a gel manicure. With dip powder, the texture is slightly different, and nail thinning may be a long term concern. Because the bonding process is similar to acrylics, it’s best to give your nails a rest between dip manicures. ACRYLIC What is an acrylic manicure? It’s basically a combination of liquid and powder polishes that are applied over your natural nail and false tips. A nail technician mixes a liquid (monomer) and a powder (polymer) and works to create a solid nail overlay, or enhancement that sits on top of your nail. They can be in traditional nail shapes, but they can also be in all sorts of shapes dependent on your technician’s skill and creativity. As well as benefiting from the standard elements of a manicure, the acrylic nails are often applied and polished using nail art. Acrylic nails also come ready-made. They are what most people are thinking of when talking about false nails. A benefits of acrylic nails is that you can have a fabulous nail shape, no matter the shape of your real nails. They can add length, and they also provide an excellent canvas for
wonderful works of art for skilled creative nail technicians.
The biggest drawback acrylic nails have is a tendency to pop off through everyday use. The new nail growth around the bottom of the acrylic can also be quite noticeable after a few weeks. They can also be quite expensive. You should have gaps
between applications, more than with any other type of manicure.
Whichever option you decide suits you best, a manicure for your wedding day will add polish to your bridal ensemble.
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