In the past, women had to be satisfied with the nails nature gave them. This is simply not the case today, when there are a variety of synthetic options available for those individuals who do not have the time or ability to grow their nails to longer lengths. Acrylic nail products provide this option, as well as decorative choices, for anyone seeking to enhance her nail appearance.
Acrylic nail supplies run the gamut from whole nails, which may be glued on, to decorations such as nail stickers or glue-on gems. Normally these products are available only through a qualified nail technician, but in recent years several inexpensive options have become available to the public, appearing in retail beauty stores and even some chain suppliers. Because of this wider availability, acrylic nail products are becoming easier to apply at home.
Enhancement products for natural nails are also available. Nail tips, which are products applied directly to the ends of natural nails, allow for an extension of natural nails that may be peeled off easily should the need arise. They may be matched to normal nails, or more frequently, give the appearance of a French manicure without the wait of having to grow nails longer.
Another acrylic nail product that enhances natural nails is nail filler. Filler seeps into cracks and ridges in the nail surface to create a smooth, even surface. It may be used on its own, or as a preparation before putting acrylic nails atop the natural ones. It comes in both powdered and liquid versions, and it's generally left to individual preferences as to which form is easier to work with.
While there are many acrylic nail products available to the public, there are still some that are only available to qualified nail technicians. Many women like the freedom of being able to manicure themselves at home, but those in doubt should visit their local cosmetician or cosmetology school for further advice. Most retail nail products are not normally hazardous, but some may be if ingested or worked with in confined spaces. As with most chemical products, acrylic nail products are usually highly flammable, and care should be taken to avoid open flames when working with them.
