Acrylic nails are amazing at providing you protection but are a lot more artificial-looking than gel overlay nails. This is a liquid monomer that hardens once exposed to air. You can choose either.Īn acrylic overlay means applying a set of nails that are made with acrylic powder. What is the difference between these two overlays? Which one is better for your nails? We will explain this down below. This means that your manicurist will use either the gel or acrylic overlay. Your nails will stay ”bare” and will get only the mixture on top. On the other hand, overlay nails are nails in which there are no plastic extensions. Left: Overlay nails | Right: Nail extensions They will use either acrylic or gel on top of your plastic tips to hold them in place. To secure your nails, the manicurist will have to seal the top with a proper mixture. After that, this nail is applied & glued on top of your natural nail. This plastic is already pre-cut and shaped per your natural nail. Nail extensions are nail tips that you get from small & lightweight plastic. If you go to the salon and you ask your nail tech about the perfect artificial manicure, they will let you choose between two different types. Your false nails can come in two different types, and those are overlays and nail extensions.

What are overlay nails? Overlay nails vs Nail extensions? Figure out what is the best option for you & strengthen your nails by reading through our guide. Are you tired of getting a simple manicure each time you go to the salon? Or do you feel like you want to stop doing your nails on your own? Plenty of women swear by nail extensions, others love overlays, and some even do different types of overlays (Acrylic overlay and gel overlay).

Gel overlay on real nails