NAIL ART TAMPA

 Think of polygel as a hybrid between acrylic and gel nail polish. This nail treatment comes in a tube, has a gel-like consistency and is applied on top of your bare nails or nail extensions with a brush. It can be used to sculpt, shape, fill in and lengthen your nails and it’s cured with an LED or UV light.

 Many people love polygel because it’s ultra-durable but still feels like natural nails. In comparison to acrylic, it contains fewer chemicals, it’s odor-free and it’s one of the longest wearing polish options, lasting up to three weeks.

 Dip powder is another type of nail enhancement service known for its long-lasting formula. It’s durable and can last around three weeks to a month which is why so many people love it. Whether you head to the salon for your dip manicure or do it yourself at home, the process is simple and quick.

 A base coat is applied to your nails and then the powder is applied on top. This process is repeated, with the excess powder being brushed off so your manicure isn’t chunky, until you’re left with an opaque layer of polish. To finish your dip manicure, a layer of clear powder and a sealant is applied to create a shiny overlay, similar to a top coat. The nice thing about dip powder is that it doesn’t require an LED light and it dries in minutes.

 If you swear by a gel manicure, you may have heard of builder gel or BIAB — builder gel in a bottle. The names can be used interchangeably and are another type of gel polish with a stronger, less pliable finish than normal gel polish, that can be used as an overlay treatment or as a medium to lengthen your nail shape.

 Builder gel tends to come in a bottle like normal gel polish, it’s also cured with an LED light and can be soaked off with acetone. Builder gel is also used with gel extensions to bond the nail tips to your natural nails.

 Hard gel nail polish is stronger and more rigid on the nails than gel nail polish but it’s not as strong as builder gel. It comes in a bottle and is cured with an LED light but it can’t be soaked off with acetone like gel nail polish or builder gel. Hard gel is more resilient to chemicals so while the only way to remove it is by filing it off, the good thing is that it can also be filled so you won't need a new set every time you get your nails done. Hard gel is typically used to strengthen your natural nails or as a way to extend the shape of your natural nails with a foil sculpting tool.

 OK, we can all agree that a spankin’ new mani can put us in a good mood. But while we love a classic mani or a French tip moment, did you know that there are so many other types of manicures out there? Look, we get it—it’s already tough deciding what nail polish, nail art or shape to rock, so the last thing you want to be is overwhelmed by more choices. Luckily, we made you a manicure guide that will surely help you find the right style for you.

 How to Choose the Best Manicure Style

 When it comes to choosing which types of nails to get, you’ll want to factor in a couple of things. Ask yourself, what does my budget look like? Can my lifestyle fit this type of manicure? What is the occasion? Plus, figuring out how much time you’re willing to spend getting the manicure done and how often you should come in for touch ups. From basic to polygel, here’s the real deal on every type of nail option out there.

 20 NUDE NAIL DESIGNS THAT ARE ANYTHING BUT BORING

 You know the one. It’s among the most popular and affordable options on the list. Paint it on yourself or hit up your manicure spot for a pristine application (complete with hand massage, might we add). The standard manicure also comes with a trim, shape and buffing process—with cuticle time too. Just make sure you spend ample time under the nail dryer or you'll risk those dreaded dings on the way out.

 Cost: $10 to $30 per application (but cheaper if you consider no nail polish or do it at home).

 How long it takes: 30 minutes.

 How long it lasts: About five days with no chips.

 How to take it off: It’s pretty simple. Grab some polish remover and cotton pads and you’re good to go.

 How it affects nail health: Wear it as often as you like—it has no negative affect. A basic manicure is one of the safest types of manicures from the bunch. It’s an easy process and removal allows little to no room for splitting or breaking nails.

 The downsides: It’s prone to chipping quicker and losing its shine than most manicures (even with a good top coat). Simply put: Don’t expect this one to last more than a week.

 This is probably what you’re getting when you book a gel mani. It’s basically a hybrid of gel and nail polish that’s cured and hardened with a UV light, so zero drying time baby. The word Shellac is actually just the trademark name of CND, the first company to invent and register this type of polish. It’s less harder than gel (and soaks off with acetone), but it’s tougher and more flexible to wear than a basic manicure.

Nail salons in Tampa

 Cost: $25 to $60 per application.

 How long it takes: 45 minutes to an hour.

 How long it lasts: About two to three weeks with no chips.

 How to take it off: You’ll need cotton pads, acetone, aluminum foil and a cuticle pusher to try the soaking method at home. You can also visit a salon to get a less damaging removal.

 How it affects nail health: Some peeling or breakage might occur if you just go ahead and rip them off without using the proper removal technique (ahem, see above). Take your time to gently soak them off for strong natural nails in between salon visits.

 The downsides: It can be a bit expensive depending on the salon. Plus, its tougher exterior can make it difficult to remove which can damage your nail bed if not taken off properly.

 3. Gel Manicure

 3. Gel Manicure

 Also known as “hard gel,” this mani can be applied over natural or fake nails. The main difference from Shellac (or soak-off gel) is that you can extend the length of the nail, which can be sculpted and shaped just like acrylic. From square to coffin style, this manicure can last longer than soft gel styles. Plus, it’s more flexible and can resemble your natural nails to a T.

 Cost: $26 to $60 per application.

 How long it takes: 45 minutes to an hour.

 How long it lasts: Two to three weeks with no chips.

 How hard to take off: You might want to visit a salon to get these babies off. The nail technician will use an electric file to sand away gel before wiping nails with acetone-free remover to get rid of excess nail powder. But nail aficionados, beware: Some salons won’t remove this type of polish, so check with them before you go.

 How it affects nail health: Again, gel shouldn’t damage nails if applied and removed properly by a skilled technician. But you might notice some peeling or weakness in the days following removal. Just be sure to keep nails hydrated with cuticle oil and they'll regain their strength in no time.

 The downsides: It can be on the pricey side and the removal process can be tough if you don’t go to a salon.

 The OG of nail extensions. It’s a combination of a liquid (monomer) and powder (polymer) that creates a hard protective layer over your natural nail and false tips. The mixture hardens from exposure to air and creates a transparent canvas for regular nail polish. This extension technique can be super fun to try out new shapes and overall extend your natural length. It’s also popular for trying intricate nail art that you can’t do with shorter nails.

 Cost: $35-$100 for a full set; $15 for a fill.