A beautiful set of nails is something most women would love to have. But don't fret if you're not born with beautiful, healthy nails. Nail salons offer acrylic nail tips to anyone interested. If you've never had your nails done before, the concept of false nails is new. It's good to do research before deciding on the kind of nails you want. Acrylic nail tips are fairly common, and most nail technician's have already perfected the skill.

Nail tips are pre-cut pieces of plastic that nail technicians use to create false nails. They are normally either clear or white in color. They are unusually long for most women, and need to be cut down by the technician. Acrylic is a man-made chemical that comes in powder and liquid form for nails. The powder is mixed with liquid acrylic and brushed over the top of the natural fingernail. This blends the line between the nail tip and natural nail.

The nail technician first preps your nails. Your nails will be cut, cuticles pushed back, and all nail polish is removed. They are slightly buffed to create a rough surface. The technician will then choose nail tips for each of your fingers. These will be glued onto the tips of your natural fingernails. She cuts the nail tips, then applies different solutions to your nails. An acrylic powder is used to blend the nail tip in with your natural nail. Once your nails are dried, they are filed, shaped and painted according to your preference.

There are several pros and cons when it comes to acrylic nail tips. The benefits include: a set of lovely looking nails and a fast and easy way to get beautiful nails on short notice. Another benefit is that you get to choose the length of your nails. If you have a hard time growing out natural nails, the false nails will give you the length you desire. The downside to acrylic nail tips is that you have to make frequent trips to the salon for upkeep. This can be expensive after awhile. Also, acrylic nails are difficult to get off, and once they are off, your natural nails are basically ruined for a while. You have to wear a nail hardener until your nails grow back out.

If acrylic nails don't sound like an option for you, consider going with an alternative. Gel nails are thinner and look more realistic than acrylic nails. They don't yellow the way acrylic nails tend to do. Gel nails are meant to protect your natural nails, instead of destroying them the way acrylic nails tend to do. Gel nails are typically more expensive than acrylic nails, so if you are on a tight budget, this type of nail may not be right for you.