What Is the Difference Between Gel, Acrylic, and Gel-Acrylic Nails?

So you know your terminology next time you go to the salon.

Walk into any nail salon across the world and you’ll be met not only with countless nail polish colors to choose from, but numerous types of manicures, too. Should you opt for the traditional polish or dive into dip powder? Go for gel or choose acrylic? Today we’re zeroing in on the differences between gel vs. acrylic nails, and what it means when people say “gel acrylic nails.”

Gel Nails Vs. Acrylic Nails

Gel nails and acrylic nails are two very different things. Gel nail polish is a type of polish that’s applied to your nail and then cured with a UV lamp. This results in a super shiny, durable nail polish that can last for weeks versus chipping off easily like a traditional nail polish. Another bonus is that it dries within 60 seconds, meaning you don’t have to wait around at the salon or worry about smudging your polish when digging for a payment.

Acrylic nails, on the other hand, blend acrylic polymer powder with a liquid monomer. “The powder and liquid create a soft dough, which the nail artist then presses onto the natural nail and sculpts into an extension that air-dries,” explains nail artist Linh Ngo, an advisor for Nail Maxx. This results in a thick, durable “shell” over the nail that’s less prone to breakage.

What Are Gel-Acrylic Nails?

The term “gel-acrylic nails” is a bit misleading, Ngo says. When people use this term, it usually refers to one of two things:

Gel Extensions

This is a nail extension created with a premixed gel and applied similarly to how acrylics are applied. However, it’s not made from acrylic, and must be cured with an LED/UV light.

"Gel extensions are created by painting the gel onto the natural nail and a nail form that allows the artist to add length,” Ngo explains. “Once the length is added, the possibilities are endless. The nail can be filed into different shapes and painted with any design.”

Layered Gel and Acrylic

When techs or people say “gel acrylic nails” they could also be referring to a hybrid approach that combines the two, says nail artist Jenifer Pierce. In this case, “A gel nail is applied first, then overlaid with acrylic,” she explains. “Once the nail is formed and shaped, then you can use traditional or gel polish.”

This is preferred by some since it means the acrylic never touches the nail bed, a bonus since acrylics are notoriously damaging. At the same time, this technique offers the more natural look of gel nails, but with strength added from a light layer of acrylic.

Which Type of Manicure Is Best?

Like any beauty treatment or service, choosing the best nail option ultimately comes down to personal preferences and individual needs.

Gels are the most affordable option, and tend to look the most “natural” since they create a thinner coating over the nail. However, acrylics provide a much harder shell, which is ideal for people with brittle or soft nails, or for those who have a tendency to pick at their nail polish. Acrylics are also a preferred base for those who want to really bling out their nails with things like crystals, pearls, or chains.

A hybrid gel-acrylic nail approach would theoretically provide the best of both worlds, giving you a more natural-looking result with some added strength. It’ll just be more expensive, and may have more of a rigid feel than you’re used to if you usually opt for traditional polish or a gel.

The good news is that nails grow quickly and your manicure is temporary, making it easy to test out different options until you find the one that works best for you. Have fun with it, don’t sweat it too much, and ask your nail tech what they recommend for your nails.

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