Most people that are unable to grow long nails prefer artificial nails as they are strong and more durable when properly fixed.
Fingernails become weak and tend to break when they grow to a certain length away from the tip of the finger.
Using nail tips or forms which are fake nails that can be fixed over your real nails help make your fingernails appear longer.
Artificial nails are elegant and very fashionable when they are made to look very natural like real nails. Artificial nails and artistic nail designs are increasingly becoming popular.
Although fixing and maintaining these nails can be expensive, doing it properly ensures that your real nails remain strong and healthy.
You may want to do your fake nails at home as it gives you the liberty to try several styles at will while cutting the cost of visiting professional nail salons.
Why Use Fake Nails
Artificial nails have been in use for centuries to make fingernails look longer as a symbol of royal status. Those with the long fingernails rarely had to perform any activities or chores with their hands. They had maids or servants that handles these chores.
In recent times, long beautiful nails depict a high sense of fashion and elegant personality. Ladies have become very conscious about their looks and tend to stay up to date on the latest trends in the fashion industry.
Artificial nails come in the form of extensions which may be glued over your real nails. They can be made from several materials like silk, fiberglass, and acrylic.
When properly fixed, they appear natural and can be much more attractive than your real nails. These fake nails can be bought with different artistic designs or blank which affords you the option of painting it the way you choose.
You can express yourself with artistic nail designs with added glitters and beads that highlights your great sense of creativity.
There are a good number of people that are in the habit of biting their nails unconsciously. Artificial nails enable them to keep the bad habit in check. A lot of care and good personal hygiene are required to keep these nails clean and healthy.
Incorrect use of synthetic nails can cause damage to your real nails as they may encourage the growth of disease-causing organisms which often leads to other long-term health conditions.
The use of acrylic overlays, sculptured nails, nail forms or tips helps to conceal damaged or broken nails to make them appear beautiful hence boosting the confidence of the person.
Good knowledge of the ways to properly fix and take care of these nails ensure that they last long without any complications.
Modeling of Artificial Nails
Fake nails do not replace natural nails but are used to make them strong and appear attractive thereby boosting the confidence of a person. The common techniques for modeling artificial nails are through the use of nail tips and forms.
Nail Tips
Tips are fixed on the end of real nails to make them appear longer. They are usually made of plastic material and can be purchased plain, transparent or with different colors and artistic designs according to your requirements. They are lightweight and fitted using glue to prevent them from falling off easily.
After fixing, they are filed, and the entire nails are then painted using your desired nail varnish whether acrylic or gel.
How long they last depend on the type of plastic these tips are made of, the glue used and the kind of overlay applied. Good nail tips should fit over the real nails adequately while being elastic and flexible.
Nail arch differs from person to person as some are more curved than others. It may not be easy to find a nail tip with the exact type of curve that fits your natural nails.
You may end up having to use tips that are a close fit which is not very comfortable.
Nail Forms
Forms on-the-other-hand can be used in place of tips as they are fitted over the real nails and can be shaped to achieve the desired outcome.
Nail forms can be reusable depending on the type of material they are made of. They are usually made of thin metal sheets or paper.
Nail forms are manufactured in different shapes and sizes to fit different nail types. The Square-shaped nail forms are suitable for people with flat and straight natural nails.
Oval-shaped nail forms are used for natural nails that are long and narrow. There are universal nail forms which are usually made of paper and is suitable for all nail types as they can be easily reshaped to suit your need.
Those that are made of metal are difficult to prune. Improperly cut nail forms may cause discomfort to the user. Acrylic or gel is then used to overlay the form to achieve the desired look and shine.
Application of Different Fake Nails
Fake nails are usually acrylic or gel-based which are available in a wide range of colors. They are all durable and have various benefits depending on the type you choose and your lifestyle.
It is recommended that you use a nail polish remover to clean off the old nail polish before you begin the procedure.
The additional tools that you may need are:
- a pair of scissors for cutting nail forms to the required size,
- cuticle pusher for pushing cuticles,
- nail glue for fixing tips, forms or nail wraps
- nail file and a clipper for trimming and shaping the nails for a smooth finish
- Toppenish,
- buffing block
- sanitary wipes,
- manicure brush,
- nail primer,
- topcoat.
Here is how to do acrylics correctly which may be used with nail forms or tips to make your fingernails longer, stronger and more attractive.
- Prepare the nail using the cuticle pusher to line the cuticle appropriately.
- Use the buffing block to smoothen the entire nail and wipe it clean afterward using the sanitary wipes.
- If you intend to use nail forms, cut pieces of the desired material using a pair of scissors according to the width of your nails. If you prefer nail tips, select the right size that fits your nails adequately.
- Apply glue to the tip and firmly attach it to the nail and hold until it sticks. For nail forms, it is easier to do artistic designs on them before gluing onto the natural nail bed.
- Cut the nail tips using the nail clipper to the preferred length.
- File the tip until you can no longer feel the ridge where the tip and the real nail meet and wipe clean.
- Apply the nail primer over each nail.
1. Acrylic Nails
They are very strong and durable when done correctly although they require routine filling every two to three weeks. They are produced from the mixture of a powdered acrylic polymer and a liquid monomer.
- The liquid monomer should be poured into a dappendish for easy access.
- Dip the manicure brush into the liquid to get the required quantity for a single nail.
- Roll the wet brush on the powder polymer to make an acrylic gel-like substance.
- Smear the acrylic over your nail and spread it out evenly.
- Dip the brush into the liquid routinely while smoothening the acrylic until u get the desired glossy appearance and allow it to dry for 3 minutes.
- File the edges again until it is smooth
- Then apply the topcoat over each nail which acts as a sealant for the acrylic.
2. Gel Nails
Another material used as an overlay for nails is the gel-based polymer resin which is cured under LED or ultraviolet light. The gel nails are strong, flexible, do not chip easily and can be quite expensive. They are easy to maintain and do not require constant filling like acrylics.
There are different varieties of gel products in the market including those that harden with the help of an activator as an alternative to LED or UV lights.
Just apply the gel polish over each nail using the manicure brush and place the hands under the curing light until it sets. Then apply the topcoat and allow it to dry for a sharper finish.
3. Sculptured Nails
These are used to cover split or broken nails. They involve the use of silk, fiberglass, or linen to wrap the nails which are eventually coated with acrylic or gel polish for the desired glossy finish. These materials are easily accessible as silk and linen can be found in almost every textile shop.
It is suitable for nails that are soft and easily damaged by chemicals used in gel and acrylic nail products. You just need to cut out a piece of material according to the shape and size of each nail.
The material is then glued onto the nail bed. They also require filling and can be used with nail forms and tips for a longer and stronger fingernail or toenail.
The removal of artificial nails is quite tricky. They are soaked in acetone until they are soft and the forms and tips can be removed with ease. Then wipe each fingernail with sanitary wipes until the overlays come off completely. Buff each nail afterward for a smooth and elegant look.
Conclusion
Fixing artificial nails using forms have become very common as they save time while enabling you to freely create artistic nail designs that can be used on different occasions at your convenience.
The extensions make it possible for people that are unable to grow long nails to have their desired nail length with no hassle.
Regardless of the type of nail you have, there are fake nail options that are suitable for you. Doing your fake nails at home will save you a lot of money.
You may feel different after your first do-over but will eventually become comfortable with it.
