Are Acrylic Nails Better Than Gel

There is no absolute “good or bad” between these two technologies; the so-called “better” depends entirely on your lifestyle, budget and the final effect you want.

If you are looking for the extension effect with great tension, or if you work hard and need special “anti-building” nails, and at the same time want to save some budget (usually crystal armor is 15-20% cheaper than phototherapy armor), then crystal armor is definitely your first choice. But on the other hand, if you value gloss more, pursue the naturalness of “mother’s armor”, and want your nails to be tough, not so easy to break, and can’t stand the pungent taste, then phototherapy armor is a more advanced choice.

To sum up my suggestion briefly: choose crystal armor for “structure, length and cost performance”, and choose phototherapy armor for “nature, toughness and comfort”.

Name For Crystal Armor: Structure, Length And Cost Performance

When weighing whether crystal armor is suitable for you, you must first understand its core attribute-“hard core”. There is a reason why crystal armor has been popular in nail art circles for decades.

The Ultimate Durability Of “Heavy Hand” Operation

If your hands have to do a lot of rough work every day, I usually recommend crystal armor. Its chemical composition will form a very hard protective shell after curing. This is a savior for those who are usually careless or whose nails are easy to bump at work. This rigidity provides kind of protection similar to “armor”, which is incomparable to many soft phototherapy adhesives.

Amazing Ability To Extend

Crystal armor is best known for its structural support. If you want to do the extra-long extension of European and American style (such as trapezoidal Coffin or pointed nail Stiletto), the “skeleton” support provided by crystal armor is necessary, which can ensure the nail length without bending. It is the most stable foundation for complex long manicure.

More Friendly Price Threshold

For budget friends, crystal armor is very cost-effective. They are usually 15-20% cheaper than phototherapy. Because crystal armor is naturally air-dried and the material penetration rate is also high, the cost of consumers will naturally drop, and the pressure of long-term maintenance will be small.

The Advantages Of Phototherapy Armor: Nature, Toughness And Comfort

Transparent Natural “High Light Sense”

If your goal is to make your nails look like your own, but in better condition, phototherapy armor is a dimension reduction blow. Phototherapy glue is naturally glossy and will not be as “thick” as crystal armor “. They are well-leveled and can make that glass-like texture that perfectly mimics the shine of healthy nails.

Refusal To Collapse The Flexibility

Different from the crystal armor that die hard shield sense, light therapy armor is resilient. Its original intention is to “move” with your present armour . This is very important: when you accidentally hit a nail, the crystal armor may break directly (or even hurt the nail) because it is too hard, while the phototherapy armor has enough elasticity to cushion the vibration. This flexibility can often save your life and avoid that kind of heart-rill pain.

Comfortable Experience Brought By Tasteless Operation

Many guests do not want to make crystal armor, the biggest reason is that the pungent crystal liquid taste. If you are sensitive to smells, phototherapy armor is definitely a better choice. The whole operation process has almost no peculiar smell, and the experience of sitting in the salon will be much more comfortable.

Which Is Suitable For Your Lifestyle?

In the final analysis, the question of “whether crystal armor is good or phototherapy armor is good” is actually a trade-off between “hard core resistance” and “flexibility and comfort.

Choose crystal armor: If you want a long, hard extension armor, your budget is limited, and you usually use your hands to “cost”, you need a hard enough structure to support it.

Choose phototherapy armor : If you are looking for a light feel and look natural, you want your nails to bend slightly instead of breaking when they are stressed, and you hate the unpleasant chemical smell.

Author: Sarah Jenkins

“As a licensed nail technician with over 10 years of salon experience, I help clients navigate the ‘Acrylic vs. Gel’ debate daily. I hope to help you choose the right manicure based on your lifestyle—whether you need the rugged structure of Acrylic or the flexible comfort of Gel.”