{"id":3263,"date":"2011-04-01T10:59:12","date_gmt":"2011-04-01T10:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rainbownails.com.hk\/blog\/?p=3263"},"modified":"2013-04-22T10:10:10","modified_gmt":"2013-04-22T02:10:10","slug":"acrylic-nails-vs-gel-nails-vs-soak-off-gel-nails-%e2%80%93-a-complete-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rainbownails.com.hk\/blog\/tutorial\/acrylic-nails-vs-gel-nails-vs-soak-off-gel-nails-%e2%80%93-a-complete-comparison","title":{"rendered":"Acrylic Nails vs Gel Nails vs Soak-off Gel Nails \u2013 A Complete Comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Artificial<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[Updated:<\/span> Acrylic Nails vs Gel Nails vs Soak-off Gel Nails vs LED Soak-off Gel Nails Comparison in 2013<\/a>]<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to have gel nails please\u201d she said.
\n\u201cWhat kind of gel nails would you like? Acrylic, gel nails or soak-off gel nails?\u201d
\n\u201cWhat? I thought there was only one kind of gel nails. What are the differences?\u201d<\/p>\n

This is one of the most common scenario we run into almost everyday. Acrylic, gel nails and soak-off gel nails are the most commonly known types of artificial nail. You apply a layer of gel like liquid on your finger nails then harden them under the UV light.<\/p>\n

Among the three, Acrylic Nails is the oldest and has been extensively used for more than 20 years. It also has the highest durability among the three. Meanwhile Soak off Gel on the other hand is the latest artificial nail technology. It does not has the same strength as Acrylic Nails, however you can easily soak it off with special remover instead of filing it off like Acrylic Nails.<\/p>\n

You can find more detail from the full feature and characteristics comparison table below.<\/p>\n

Acrylic Nails vs Gel Nails vs Soak-off Gel Nails – Detail Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Acrylic Nails<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gel Nails
\n<\/strong><\/td>\n

\n

Soak-Off Gel Nails
\n<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Color<\/strong><\/td>\nMain color: White; Light Pink; Transparent.<\/td>\nMain color: White; Pink; Transparent and some other dark, light, shimmer colors. <\/strong><\/td>\nSame pantone as OPI\u2019s Nail Lacquer.\u00a0\u00a0 All Soak-Off Gel color has a corresponding Nail Lacquer to match with.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Materials<\/strong><\/td>\nHigh density, relatively firmer and more solid.\u00a0 It is actually an orthopedics technique originally invented for nail biters, pliable nails.\u00a0 Since it can mimic the look of real fingernails therefore later on developed to a fashion accessories.<\/td>\nLow density, but high adhesive.\u00a0 Relatively thicker as a mending tool and simply for beauty purpose.<\/td>\nHigh elasticity; High color density; the most natural effect in mimicking the look of real fingernails.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Durability<\/strong><\/td>\n3-4 weeks to refill<\/td>\n3 weeks to refill<\/td>\n2-3 weeks redo the whole set<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Technique<\/strong><\/td>\nBy using a Kolinski brush to apply a mixture of polymer powder and a liquid monomer on polished real nails.\u00a0 Then the mixtures start to harden in 30-40 seconds in room temperature.<\/td>\nA pre-mixed Polymer Resin, only hardens under ultraviolet light.\u00a0 Also applied on polished real nails. (Base + 1st Color coat + 2nd Color coat + Top Gel)<\/td>\nSimilar formula as Gel, also a color gel mixture which hardens under ultraviolet light.\u00a0 But with more advanced technology it can be applied to\u00a0 real fingernails without intensive polishing and can be soaked off instead of polishing off.
\n(Gel Base + 1st Color coat + 2nd Color coat+ Top Gel)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cons<\/strong><\/td>\nHas a poignant chemical odor.
\nNeed to polish real nails during every refilling.
\nThe material hardens in room temperature very quickly, so it is a very dedicated technique which takes cumulative years of practice and experience.<\/td>\n		Gel, which is liquid, is not easy to control.\u00a0 If it\u2019s applied out-of-bound to 2 sides, or even under the nails on free edge, clients will suffer from painful UV light heat.\u00a0 (Especially if extension is needed).\u00a0 Also if the base gel is not cleared thoroughly, new color would appear turbid.\u00a0 Inexperienced technician will have difficulties in making a smooth curvy surface.<\/td>\nIts purpose is to mimic real natural nail, so its texture is relatively slim, therefore not suitable for extension or 3D nail arts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pros<\/strong><\/td>\nPerfect as an orthopedics tool.
\nIf extension is needed, this will be the best material as a base support.\u00a0 (especially for people with short nail plates)<\/td>\n		No Odor.
\nComparatively easier to control than Acrylic, because the Gel will not harden before you put it under UV,\u00a0 you won\u2019t have \u201ctime challenge\u201d like Acrylic, means you have much more time to mold the shapes.<\/td>\n		No need to have intensive polish on real nails.
\nYou could take off the whole set of Gel every time by just \u201cSOAKing\u201d them in a special remover.
\nVery long lasting color, and most importantly your daily activities like wearing contact lens or picking coins up\u00a0 will not be restricted because it feels really natural.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nail Art<\/strong><\/td>\nMost of the 2D or 3D nail arts require acrylic technique.<\/td>\n2D or 3D arts, gradual color.<\/td>\nOnly suitable for 2D and Air Brush patterns.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Difficulty<\/strong><\/td>\nDifficult<\/td>\nIntermediate.<\/td>\nIntermediate.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Choosing the right Artificial Nail type is very similar to choosing skin care products. Before you purchase, you need to know clearly what kind of skin type you have — oily, dry, or if you were allergic to certain chemicals. An experienced nail technician should be able to tell you what type of artificial nail suits you best. Or, you can leave us a comment and we will try our best to answer your questions :).<\/p>\n

[Updated:<\/span> Acrylic Nails vs Gel Nails vs Soak-off Gel Nails vs LED Soak-off Gel Nails Comparison in 2013<\/a>]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Updated: Acrylic Nails vs Gel Nails vs Soak-off Gel Na […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[96,40,15,13,29,131],"class_list":["post-3263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tutorial","tag-acrylic-nails","tag-axxium-soak-off-gel","tag-gel-nails","tag-opi","tag-opi-nail-polish","tag-opi-products"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t