Artificial nails are considered as a work of art. It can also be an absolute necessity in the lives of various people. At the same time, some treat it as a special occasion.
Artificial nails or fake nails have a massive demand in the market. The two most common artificial nail enhancements are crystal nails and acrylic nails.
Key Takeaways
- Crystal nails are made from a blend of liquid and powder, creating a transparent, glass-like appearance.
- Acrylic nails combine liquid monomer and polymer powder, resulting in a durable, opaque nail enhancement.
- Crystal nails provide a more natural look, while acrylic nails offer greater durability and customization options.
Crystal Nails vs Acrylic Nails
Crystal nails and acrylic nails are two popular types of artificial nails used to enhance the appearance of natural nails. Acrylic nails are made of a liquid and powder mixture applied to the nails and allowed to harden. Crystal nails also tend to be more flexible.
Crystal nails are thinner and are not burdensome. This provides flexibility to the crystal nails. The characteristics of crystal nails are that they are not porous.
So, crystal nails do not stain easily and look freshly manicured for more extended. The availability of crystal nails is limited,; not every salon or artificial nail centre provides it.
On the other hand, acrylic nails are more complex and thicker. Hence such nails are sturdy and not quite flexible. The characteristic of acrylic nails is that it is porous.
So it can easily stain from the daily tasks of eating, drinking, cleaning, and other activities. Acrylic nails have wide availability and are done in almost every salon or artificial nail centre.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Crystal Nails | Acrylic Nails |
|---|---|---|
| Curing time | Faster | Slower |
| Lifespan and durability | Shorter | Longer |
| Flexibility | Offer high flexibility | They are complex and robust and do not offer much flexibility |
| Availability | Not available everywhere | Widely available |
| Removal process | Easier | Comparatively difficult |
What is Crystal Nails?
Crystal nails fall under the category of gel nail enhancements. They have a glossy finish and look like natural nails. This technique of nail enhancements is slightly more expensive than other techniques.
A freshly manicured crystal nail can last up to 14 days with regular touch up and proper care.
The application of crystal nails can be made with or without a base and primer. The bonding of the gel to the pin is done by a CND Gel, which uses a primer that has a non-acid nature.
The application of the primer has to be appropriately done; otherwise, it can damage the nail bed. Hence it is always advised to get crystal nails done by a professional or expert.
The curing time of crystal nails is fast. The curing procedure of crystal nails is done under UV light. Some professionals even use gel activators to cure crystal nails.
Crystal nails offer flexibility to the users and pose the risk of breakage. However, they are not as flexible as a natural nail would be.
Crystal nails are available in a wide range. It is further divided into three primary colour types: Gelish, OPI, and Essie. The Gelish has 141 colours, OPI has 71 colours, and Essie has 36 colours.
Cleaning crystal nails is done by soaking them and then filing them off.
What are Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails are a common type of artificial nails enhancements. The constituent of acrylic nails is glass in the form of PMMA.
The manufacturing process of acrylic nails includes mixing the liquid monomer with an inhibitor. The liquid monomer is ethyl methacrylate. The mixture forms a bead which is in malleable form.
The mixture of liquid monomers cures immediately after application. It solidifies within minutes. The life span of acrylic nails is up to 21 days.
However, it can even last longer with proper maintenance and regular touch-ups. Acrylic nails are sturdy. They do not break off easily and last longer than most other types of artificial nail enhancements.
The colours of acrylic nails include gel polish, dip powders, nail polish, and other products.
The application procedure for acrylic nails includes attachment of the acrylic nails to the natural nail with the help of a primer or glue. The curing time of acrylic nails is slower and has to be applied in the correct quantity; else, it can damage the nail bed.
When applying acrylic nails, the experts should ensure no skin contact with the primers to avoid the risk of an allergic reaction.
Acrylic nails impart a sense of uneasiness to the users, which many people do not prefer. The thickness of acrylic nails is more than most other nail enhancements.
Main Differences Between Crystal Nails and Acrylic Nails
- Crystal nails dry comparatively slower and take time for application, while acrylic nails dry faster, and the application process is faster.
- Crystal nails do not require a lot of skills for application, while acrylic nails require skills and knowledge for proper application.
- Crystal nails are less porous, while acrylic nails are more porous.
- Crystal nails do not stain easily, while acrylic nails stain easily and require regular maintenance.
- Crystal nails are ideal for customers who want to splurge some extra bucks on their nails, while acrylic nails are ideal for customers on a budget.
- https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781849772747/sustainable-design-stuart-walker
- https://www.zs-cs.com/qletbzwmdp/usn-acrylic-chrome-cnmanufactures-32736988.html
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
Very interesting! I had no idea there was such a difference between the two. This has given me some food for thought.
Great article explaining the difference between Crystal Nails and Acrylic Nails. I found it very informative and helpful.
I agree, very insightful
This is a great description of crystal and acrylic nails, very informative. Thanks for sharing!
I’m yet to be convinced, the differences seem too subtle to matter
I agree, very informative indeed
The post needs more information about the different materials used and how they impact the nails. It’s a bit vague on that.
I don’t wear fake nails but it’s always good to know the difference in case I change my mind. Thanks for the detailed information!
Exactly, it’s always great to learn new things
This article provides excellent knowledge about the difference between crystal nails and acrylic nails. Good job!
I think the post is a little too long, could get the point across quickly and concisely