You’ve probably heard of acrylic and gel nails before, but have you heard of solar nails? Perhaps it’s time you dig your fingertips into a different avenue of artificial nails. Maybe your bestie won’t stop babbling about how they’ve been slaying with their fresh set of solar tips.
So stick around to get clued up on solars that have taken the nail world by storm. Solar nails are more durable, have lower maintenance, and have a glossy finish. But, are they worth the hype, and are there any side effects?
Before you invest your time and money, it’s always best to do some research beforehand (to know if it’s really for you). This guide will cover everything you need to know about solar nails and hopefully answer all your questions.
Also, if you love a simple nude look, then waste no time trying these irresistible nude nail ideas.
What Are Solar Nails?
Solar Nails are not a new invention; it’s been around since the seventies. However, many people mistake them for typical acrylics or a french manicure due to their similar appearance. This is also why many nail techs and clients would refer to these as permanent French tips.
But what are solar nails indeed? Short answer; solar nails are a sub-type of acrylic created by Creative Nail Design, but with some differences, which we’ll get into next. Solar nails are made from polymethyl methacrylate acrylics (or, in simpler terms: a blend of powder and a liquid monomer).
Tip: Since a basic solar set generally resembles a French manicure, you can always layer gel colors and decorations on top to suit your taste.
Why You Should Get Solar Nails
Say goodbye to flimsy press-on nails and hello to fabulous, long-lasting nails. Here are more reasons why solars can take your nail game up a notch:
Lasts Longer
They are made from higher quality materials, making them more durable and solid, lasting longer than most artificial nails. Your solar nails will fall off on their own after three weeks, assuming you haven’t had them refilled. But, if you stick to your touch-up schedule, you can rock these beauties for up to two months.
Lower Maintenance
In comparison with other artificial nails, solars have low maintenance. Solar nails only need a refill at least every three to four weeks, almost double that of acrylics. This gives you longer breaks in between appointments, which is probably super convenient for many.
You also won’t have to worry about chipping and breaking, as these tips are solid. So you won’t constantly be looking down at your nails to see if everything’s still in place with these beauties.
Cheaper in the Long Run
You’ll definitely spend more on solar nails on your first appointment. But since they are low maintenance and last longer, you won’t have to visit your nail tech as much as you would with other artificial nails. This means you save more money in the long run.
How Are Solar Gel Nails Applied?
Before you book your appointment, it’s essential to verify with your professional nail technician that your solar nails are from CND (Creative Nail Design). If not, this could lead to a low-quality manicure and a waste of your money.
With that ticked off, here are the basic steps you can expect from a solar application:
Step 1: Your manicurist will begin with cleansing your hands and prepping your nails. This includes pushing back your cuticle, buffing and trimming your nail, and applying a primer.
Step 2: Next, your technician will dip their application brush into a mixture of solar powder and liquid monomer, then apply it to your fingernails.
Step 3: To give your nails that signature “pink and whites” look, they’ll shape the pink solar gel on the lower part of your nail and top it off with a white solar gel tip.
Step 4: Now, you’ll wait for the solar gel to harden. Once hard, your tech will buffer your nails to get a smooth and even surface. Then they’ll finish off the look with a shiny top coat. There you have it! Your basic set of solar gel nails is complete.
Tips for Maintaining Solar Nails at Home
You can do a few things at home to keep your fresh set of solars looking well…fresh.
- Commit to your refilling schedule: Your nail tech will advise you on this. Still, some of us can get lazy and expect our solars to push through an entire month without any maintenance. Without regular refills, they will eventually start breaking or cracking.
- Keep your nails clean (and seriously, stay away from the spices): You can wear gloves when cooking and cleaning. Also, try spritzing your nails with rubbing alcohol and scrubbing them with a nail brush whenever you wash your hands.
- Invest in nail-care products: Try nourishing hand and nail cream and cuticle oil treatments just to keep everything healthy and hydrated.
- Repair small cracks: To maintain a glistening finish, you can use clear gel polish over your solars once you see small cracks emerging.
How to Remove Solar Nails
Once you’re ready to take off your solar set, you can do so by following these steps:
Step 1: If your solars have nail polish coated on them, you should first vile it off for the following steps to work efficiently.
Step 2: Soak your hands in a bowl of acetone for a minimum of 15 minutes. This should soften your solar nail tips.
Step 3: Rub your nails gently with a cotton ball soaked in acetone until they start to come off.
Step 4: After completing the above steps, your natural nails will be weakened and dehydrated by the effects of acetone. So now you begin repairing them.
You’ll have to invest in proper care to strengthen and hydrate your nails after removing solars. I recommend investing in protective, strengthening polish and hydrating oils such as argon oil. Avoiding nail polish removers during the healing phase is vital. You can also take biotin supplements to help strengthen your nail from the inside.
Solar Nails vs Acrylic Nails
Are solar nails better than acrylic? well, we’ve established that solar nails are an acrylic brand — a sub-type if you will. Even so, a few things still set the two apart. For example, solar nails are thicker and generally last longer than regular acrylics. Here are a few more comparisons:
Refilling
Acrylic fingernails require a bi-weekly refill, whereas solar nails generally only need a refill after three weeks.
Application
The steps taken to apply acrylic and solar nails are similar. For acrylics, a fake nail extension is placed above your natural nail, glued down, and then a mixture of acrylic powder and liquid is applied to set it in place. Solar nails do not always require a fake extension tip and are applied in a gel form directly to the natural nail.
Another difference is how Creative Nail Design makes their solar powder with their signature dual-toned look, or as some would call them, “pink and whites.”
Cost
Regular acrylics will generally cost less than solar nails. The price of acrylics varies between nail technicians, but you can expect to pay between $20 and $50 for a standard set of long acrylics and from $10 to $30 for shorter ones. Compare this to solars that can cost you around $30 to $50 for a basic set.
Quality
In terms of quality, solars perform much better than acrylics. Solar nails do not break, chip, crack, or change color due to sunlight exposure as easily as acrylics. Low-quality acrylics can also lift in under two weeks.
The quality of your acrylic and solar nails can also deplete over time if you expose them to cleaning agents and other strong chemicals, make-up products, and spices like turmeric.
Convenience
Since solar nails are more durable, they offer more convenience than acrylics, as you won’t have to spend as much time on refills, maintenance, and general upkeep of your nails.
Solar Nails vs Gel Nails
Are solar nails better than gel? That depends on your preferences. Gel nails are generally more glossy and natural-looking compared to solars and acrylics. However, gels are not as sturdy and durable. So let’s dig deeper to see which one holds up better.
Refilling
For gel tips, it’s best to schedule your refill appointment every 2-3 weeks. But most gel nail clients can go 3-4 weeks between refills, similar to solar clients. For your full removal and reapplication of gel tips, you can aim for a salon visit every couple of months.
Application
Gels are artificial nails made from polymer resins, a thick, sticky fluid that hardens on top of the natural nail. Both artificial nails are easily applied using synthetic bristle brushes. The process of setting them is pretty different. Solar nails can air-dry, whereas gels require a couple of minutes under a UV or LED lamp.
Cost
The price of gels varies depending on your salon and how you want your nails done. Depending on your desired length, these can cost you between $20 and $65. And that excludes all the extras and nail art. Generally, you’ll spend a bit less on solar nails.
Quality
Apart from looking more natural, gel nails are more eco-friendly than solars. They do not produce harmful chemical fumes and are more flexible on your natural nail. This means that gel nails are easier to remove and don’t cause too much damage to the nail bed. Making it a better quality in terms of natural nail health.
However, solar nails remain stronger than gels, so they last longer.
Convenience
Gel nails are harder to maintain, and break more easily than solar nails. And if they break, you’d have to revisit your salon or spa, while you can simply fix a broken solar nail at home.
Pros and Cons of Solar Nails
As with all beauty products, there are pros and cons that we need to pay attention to. These factors are worth considering to see whether Solar Nails are worth your money, after all, looking fabulous can have an expensive price tag.
Pros:
Your solar set will fall off by itself, so it’s not always necessary for acetone (yay!). And once they fall off, it won’t hurt at all – this is a massive plus for those with a sensitive or tender nail bed. That said, here are more solar nail pros to consider:
- You don’t have to worry about your color chipping. Nail polish adheres and lasts longer on solar nails than your natural nails.
- Solar nails are durable, so you don’t have to be attentive to your nails all the time to keep them from breaking.
- Another thing you don’t have to fret about is yellowing, especially when you’re trying to catch a tan. That’s because solar nails will not turn yellow when exposed to the UV rays from tanning beds, unlike most artificial nails.
- You’ll likely have healthier natural nails with solar nails — if done right. They rarely require fake extensions and cause less damage compared to other synthetic varieties.
- Solar nails air dry, so you don’t have to expose your hands to ultraviolet rays, which can last up to 15 minutes depending on your nail design.
- Solar nails are easy to maintain. You don’t have to remove and reapply them regularly. Instead, you can retain your solars by consistently refilling them.
- Solar nails are your best option if you’re looking for the finest and glossiest nail finish.
Cons:
Solar nails might be a healthier option than other acrylics, but they can still cause damage to your nails and cuticles. It may leave your nails feeling dehydrated and weaker. And like most acrylics, solar nails are no exception from bacterial and fungal infections.
Here are more solar nail cons to consider:
- Initially, solar nails are pricier than any other acrylic set, so other unbranded or regular acrylics might be the better option for those with a strict budget.
- A significant issue some find with solar nails is how unnaturally it shines. If you’re looking for something that looks like your actual nail, then perhaps opt for a gel set.
- Having solar nails done can require a lot of time, but this will vary on how good your nail tech is. But if you don’t mind the wait (sometimes up to an hour), go ahead.
- Solar nails have limited design and color options compared to other acrylics and gels.
- All acrylic nails, including solar nails, emit chemical fumes that harm the environment and their wearer.
Wrapping Up Solar Nails
So now that you know a little more about solar nails, will you give them a go? They may not be as glitzy and glamorous as other artificial nails, but they offer a sleek and simple appearance that’ll help you look and feel sexy. What’s fantastic is that you can always add a pop of color and a few decoratives here and there.
Solars are also convenient for the busy guys and gals who don’t have time to worry about their nails all day. However, gel tips are by far a better option if you’re passionate about eco-friendly, sustainable beauty practices. Also, If you love acrylic nails, you might like these stunning spring-time-inspired acrylic nail designs.
