Going for an overlay is now a trendy manicure; not only is it a protective layer for natural nails, but it is also known for its elegant look. As a lover of this beauty, you might be torn between acrylic overlay vs gel overlay and want to know which one is better.
Actually, choosing which is better, acrylic overlay or gel overlay, is not a straightforward answer. You just need to know what each of these overlays has to offer and what your needs are, and then you make your choice.
Right here, I would carefully compare both overlays by discussing the benefits and differences of acrylic overlay and gel overlay. I will also give a detailed description of each overlay, so read on.
Description of Acrylic Overlay
An acrylic overlay is a thin layer of acrylic material that is applied over natural nails to make them look fuller or longer. It is similar to the normal acrylic manicures. It is usually done by a professional manicurist, but it’s possible to do it at home with some practice and patience.
The basic procedure involves filing down your own natural nails until they are level with the tip of your finger, then applying the acrylic overlay over them.
Benefits of Acrylic Overlay
1. Extremely durable
It’s durable and long-lasting, especially when applied properly by a trained technician. You can wear them for at least 2 weeks before you need to redo them or apply another layer if you prefer thicker nails or need more strength for everyday activities like typing on a keyboard or using tools/gadgets/etc.
2. Protects your nails
The acrylic overlay provides protection for your natural nails by preventing them from cracking or breaking easily. This makes your natural nails strong, especially if you have weak nails.
3. Easy to apply
One of the great benefits of using acrylic overlay nails is that applying them is very easy. The texture of acrylic overlay nails is easily mouldable according to the shape and size of the nails.
4. Best for kids
For kids who want to get manicured nails, acrylic overlay can be the best choice for them as they don’t add extra length to the nails; in fact, they will add strength to their natural nails or even prevent their natural nails from nail biting.
5. Lightweight
overlay nails do not add length to your nails; they are lighter when compared to regular acrylic nails.
Description of Gel Overlay
A gel nail overlay is simply an extension of your natural nails that you can apply yourself at home or at the salon. It involves using a hard builder gel to cover the natural nails.
It comes in a variety of colors and finishes, including matte, glossy and metallic. In addition to these color options, there are also different thicknesses of overlays available.
The overlay is applied over your natural nails so it adheres perfectly to each one of them without breaking or cracking.
Once applied, you will have a hard surface protecting your natural nails from being damaged by daily activities such as washing dishes or opening doors.
Benefits of Gel Overlay
1. The application process is fast
The application process is simple and quick, making it ideal for those who don’t have much time or patience for their nails. It doesn’t require as much preparation as traditional gel manicures do, like buffing and filing, so there’s less room for error.
2. Less damage to natural nails
Since you don’t have to drill or cut into natural nails, there is less damage to your natural nail bed. This means there’s less chance of lifting or breaking when getting a gel nail overlay.
3. They give a more natural appearance
The gel nail overlay allows you to have a more natural appearance than traditional acrylics. They have a gel polish finish that looks more like natural nails than acrylics do.
4. Gel overlay requires little or no preparation
You don’t need to prepare your natural nails before getting an overlay because there is no filing down required before application. This saves time and money compared to some other enhancements that require extensive prep work before application.
Difference Between Acrylic Overlay and Gel Overlay
1. Difference in composition
The major difference between acrylic overlays and gel overlays is that acrylic overlays are the coating of acrylic products applied to your nails without adding any additional length to your natural nails.
It involves mixing a monomer liquid and acrylic powder to form acrylic overlays, which will give a dough-like final result.
Meanwhile, gel overlay is a type of nail enhancer; it is coated with a gel-like substance to create a thick, flexible layer to the natural nail without adding any extra length to our nails.
2. Price
For starters, gel is usually more expensive than acrylics. It also requires more time to apply because it needs to be cured by UV light. Acrylic overlay is much faster and has a lower price tag than gel.
3. Weight
Gel overlay is a thicker type of acrylic, so it’s easier to shape and reshape than acrylic overlay. However, it’s also more likely to chip or break than acrylic overlay since it’s more brittle.
4. Flexibility
The gel overlay is more flexible than the acrylic overlay; it is also less likely to break if they’re hit by something sharp or heavy. That means that while acrylic overlay can be shaped easily, it is not as flexible as gel overlay.
5. Durability
One of the most important differences between the two is that acrylic overlay is more durable than gel overlay.
Acrylic is a hard material that can last for up to 12 weeks, while gel overlays only last for about six weeks. This means that if you’re interested in having your overlay for a long time, then acrylic is probably a better choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is acrylic overlay bad for your nails?
No! Acrylic overlay will not damage your nails if you use them appropriately; they even have a way to protect your natural nails.
Does gel overlay strengthen nails?
Yes, in fact, one of the benefits of gel overlay is that it strengthens natural nails due to the properties of gel overlays.
These properties are structured in a manner that is mainly focused on providing strength to natural nails.
In Nutshell
An acrylic overlay is a better choice if you need an overlay that would last for a long period of time and is very easy to apply at a low price.
Also, if you prefer an overlay that is very flexible and enhances your natural appearance with no damage to your natural nails, then a gel overlay will be a better option for you.
Both acrylic and gel overlay have their strong points and downsides, so you have to consider which overlay will give you exactly what you need.
