The Evolution of Nail Care: Builder Gel Nails vs. Traditional Manicures In 2024
Nail care is one of the most dynamic industries, with intriguing trends at every turn. The sector is lucrative, too. Statistics by Grand View Research indicate that the global nail care products market size has experienced tremendous growth in the recent past and is likely to stay on that trajectory.
Numerous factors drive the lucrative nail care industry. One such aspect is the constant emergence of newer trends and fancier products.
Traditional manicure techniques were the in thing until recently. But that was before beauty enthusiasts uncovered the magic of builder gels.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison between builder gels and traditional manicures.
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Unpacking Builder Gels
A builder gel is a special gel polish designed to add extra thickness and protection to nails compared to traditional nail polish. You can apply the gel to natural nails or nail enhancements.
Builder gel nails stand out for their superior strength than traditionally manicured nails. However, their robustness depends on the actual type of builder gel applied.
As you shall find, these trendy manicure products are available in different textures and formulations. Careful research is paramount before picking the right gel polish for your nail.
Comparing Builder Gels With Traditional Nail Polishes
1. Strength and Durability
Every beauty enthusiast desires strong and durable nails – nails that can brave high-intensive manual work without chipping or breaking.
Builder gels have proven to be more durable than classic nail polishes. These products come in a base and primer solution.
The primer creates a powerful, sticky layer between your natural nails and the other components of the builder gel. Follow it with a proper treatment, and you have strong nails that can last two to three weeks.
Builder gels are a welcome relief for people with naturally weak nails. They can also far more effectively address the problem of obsessive nail biting than traditional manicures.
2. Elegance and Conspicuousness
The allure of well-manicured nails lies in the ability to flaunt them. No one endures long hours of nail care to end up concealing their nails.
Granted, numerous factors determine how charming your nails turn out. Those include a manicurist’s experience and the specific nail care products used during the treatment.
However, compared side by side, builder gels have a better aesthetic appeal than classic manicure gels. That’s primarily due to their thickness, which allows them to stand out prominently.
Thanks to their textured appearance, builder gels are particularly suitable for people with smaller fingernails.
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3. Protection From Environmental Aggressors
The goal of a manicure goes beyond sporting stunning nails. Many beauty enthusiasts also desire nail care products to cushion their cuticles from external factors.
That’s another area where builder gels outshine traditional nail treatments.
Applying a builder gel adds extra thickness to your nails, protecting them from environmental aggressors like sharp objects and pathogens.
Builder gels are especially suitable for diseased or injury-prone nails. Just ensure you complement them with proper nail care, especially if you have rather long nails.
4. Affordability
High-quality cosmetic products don’t come cheap. But they shouldn’t break the bank either.
If you’re looking to give your nails excellent treatment on a tight budget, traditional manicures may be better for you.
Classic nail polishes cost a fraction of their builder gel counterparts. If professionally applied and diligently cared for, your nails can look just as stunning without spending down to your bottom dollar.
However, affordability should be one of the least important considerations when shopping for nail polish. Insist on premium-quality products, however costly or affordable they may be.
5. Availability and Versatility
Not only are classic nail polishes cheaper than builder gels. They’re also more accessible and highly versatile. You can find traditional manicures in almost every store down the street and in nearly every shade.
The widespread availability of classic nail polishes is part of the reason behind their reasonable prices – pretty much the law of demand and supply.
That said, remember to conduct your due diligence while shopping for manicure products. Insist on nail care brands with an impeccable reputation and history of excellence.
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6. Instant Effects
Both builder gels and traditional manicure polishes require treatment before and after application. Pretreatments may include filing and buffing your nails, while post-treatments typically entail curing your nails over a low-mode heat.
How fast the effects set in after curing spells the difference between builder gels and regular polishes.
Consider builder gels if you desire instant gratification. The gels settle remarkably fast upon curing under a special light, so you can go about your normal routine within seconds without fear of smudging.
Coupled with their enduring results, it’s evident why many manicurists recommend builder gels over traditional nail polishes
7. Reliving Old Memories
If you’ve been doing beauty treatments for decades, there will be times when you feel a compelling need to relive your youthful days. In that case, you’ll find traditional manicures quite satisfying.
Classic manicure products can bring back the warmth and nostalgia of your earlier years.
While many beauty trends fade into oblivion, traditional nail polishes remain as an enduring symbol of elegance and timelessness. They can evoke special moments in your life, such as your first manicure in readiness for a date or job interview.
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Final Word
Choosing between contemporary builder gels and traditional manicures depends on personal preferences. While builder gels provide better protection and enduring shine, classic manicures stand out for their affordability and versatility.
