Lately, we’ve noticed that nail tips seem to be all the rage. Ariana Grande, Dixie D’Amelio, and the Kardashian sisters wear their extensions with pride, so we don’t blame you for wanting to flaunt a set of your own. Choosing between dipping powders, fiber glass extensions, acrylics or gel extensions is only a small aspect of jumping on the glam nails bandwagon. Before you commit to the tips, you’ll want to consider these five things.
You May Need to Relearn How to Do Simple Tasks
Tips essentially lengthen your fingers and thicken your nails, so if you think your hands will feel the same after getting nail extensions, think again. Simple tasks like picking up papers, typing, putting in contact lenses and writing can prove to be difficult. Some polish options are thinner than others; gel tips and dipping powders are generally thinner than acrylics. The thinner the nail and closer in feel to natural nails, the easier it will be to complete basic tasks. If you would rather chose acrylics, no worries! Within a few weeks, you will easily learn how to use your hands slightly differently in order to accomplish all things with ease.
Tips Require Upkeep
Unfortunately, tips are not a one-and-done deal. Regardless of which type of manicure medium you pick, your natural nail will begin to grow out eventually. The growth creates a gap between your manicure and you’re cuticle, and while the first week or two of the gapping is not too noticeable, after a while, it can start to look bizarre. More important than the vanity aspect, neglecting an acrylic manicure can result in lifting, which is bad news for the health of your natural nail. Also, if you’re rough on your hands, you run the risk of breaking a nail. Talk about damage control. To budget your time accordingly, keep in mind that most salons recommend making an appointment every 10 to 21 days, depending how quickly your manicure grows out.
Manicures Can Get Pricey
Keeping the constant upkeep in mind, the cost of fills and polish changes can add up quickly. Though you want to make sure that the salon you chose practices safe manicure methods, extremely high end nail salons often charge top dollar for their services. Once you determine what price range your budget allows, call serval salons to see which can give you the best deal. It may require some homework, but your wallet will thank you for the dedication.
There are Some Risks to Consider…
Though they may appear harmless, the products placed overtop of tips to make them look as natural as possible come with a few risks. In order to apply acrylics, the natural nail must be filed and roughed up, which weakens the nails significantly over time. The biggest issue that can arise is an infection. If water or bacteria gets trapped between the artificial nail and the natural nail, you risk getting an infection. Additionally, gel manicures are cured with UV lights, therefore increasing your exposure to UV radiation. Though two to three manicures per month will not expose you to enough radiation to cause any noticeable harm, it is still something to note.
To reduce the risks that come with fake nails, consider removing them every 2-3 months. This will give your nails time to recoup and will reduce the risk of continually refilling a manicure, unaware of an infection.
You May Never Want to Live Without Them
Tips may come with some challenges, but there are many reasons that so many stars have fallen in love with them. Long nails can dress up any outfit, and they generally last for at least 2 weeks before needing a touch-up. Gel, powder or acrylic lends to a strong barrier that prevents breakage, and when it comes to trying out different lengths, shapes and colors, the sky’s the limit!
If you’re unsure whether you want to commit to a set, try testing the waters with some DIY glue-on or press-on nails. They’re pretty forgiving and can be removed easily, leaving behind little-to-no damage. If you’ve determined that you live for long nails, be sure to do your research before calling a salon. Once you have an appointment locked down, search social media for some nail inspo, commit to a color, and get ready to fall in love with your new look.
Are you thinking about getting nail tips? Let us know by commenting below, or show us your manicure by tagging us on Instagram @Faviana or on Twitter @FavianaNY. Don’t forget to follow our Snapchat @Faviana_NY and subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch up on our latest vlogs!
With love,
Erica
Written by Erica Fouts
Edited by Diego Ledezma
