Acrylic Nails 101

Have you wanted to get acrylic nails but don’t know what to say or how to ask for them? Well, here are some terms and important information that you need to know about acrylic nails.

Tay Hall, Staff Writer

Services:

Full Set (Regular)- An artificial set of nails where Nail Techs apply a nail tip and a solar powder and liquid onto your nails to lengthen your nails, and also make them stronger using the powder. Then once the acrylic is applied, regular nail polish is applied to the nails. This usually takes about 45 minutes and usually costs $45 without any designs.

 

Full Set (Gel)- The beginning is the same as getting a regular full set, except that once the acrylic is applied a polish that has been cured by a UV Lamp is applied as well. This usually takes about an hour and costs around $50 without any designs.

 

Fill (Regular)- A Nail Tech applies the acrylic powder to the grown out acrylic nails and tops it with regular polish.

 

Fill (Gel)- A Nail Tech applies the acrylic powder to the grown out acrylic nails and tops it with gel.

 

Shapes:

Shapes are usually $5, except for squares which are usually free of charge.

  • Square
  • Squared Oval (Squoval)
  • Oval
  • Rounded
  • Almond
  • Mountain Peak
  • Stiletto
  • Ballerina (Coffin)
  • Edge
  • Lipstick
  • Flare
  • Arrowhead

 

Designs:

Glitter- Glittery nails, fairly self explanatory. Usually no extra time added to apply.

 

Matte- Chosen nail color without the shininess. Usually no extra time added to apply.

 

Rhinestone- An accent to your nails using tiny rhinestones. Can be 2 extra minutes.

 

Foil- Different color foils that you can apply to wet nail polish and cure it with a UV lamp. Can be 5 extra minutes.

 

French- A clear nail with a white stripe at the top of the nail. Can be 10 extra minutes.

 

Colored French- A clear nail with a colored stripe at the top of the nail. Can be 10 extra minutes.

 

Nail Art- Different nail designs done with thin brushes. Can be 10 extra minutes.

 

Gradient (Ombre)- A color that transitions into another color. Can be 20 extra minutes.