Get ready to make a visit to your local nail salon and try new nails that will fit your lifestyle!
Story By Hannah Thornton // @hthornton024
Illustration by Esther Shin
Photo courtesy of @kyliejenner
Over the past summer, I was inspired by celebrities and artists (think Kylie Jenner) to rekindle my love for acrylic nails. I noticed when getting my nails done, no one seemed to be getting Korean style nails unless they were in a Korean nail salon, which are hard to come by. That being said, the following is a crash course over the two kinds of nail styles for some nail inspo!
Artificial nails are dated back centuries and used by women all over the world (China, Egypt, Greeze, etc.) as a status symbol. The acrylic nails we know and love today were inspired by a dentist who broke his nail and experimented with different chemicals and polymers to find a fix. The actual powder acrylic system used today, however, was created by Dr. Nordstrom in the late ‘70s and has continued to grow in popularity since.
If you live in the U.S. or other “Western” countries, you’re probably familiar with the type of nails that I prefer myself, or that many celebrities sport. I’ll refer to Cardi B here, who’s nail game has brought stylized, extreme designs to the attention of many. Her nails are so iconic that even her nail technician became famous for her work. Recent ads have capitalized on Cardi’s signature nails such as the Pepsi Super Bowl commercial or Reebok’s Cardi advertisement. She’s normalized extreme-styled, acrylic nails (i.e. long coffin or stiletto nails with lots of bling) for the masses.
Photo courtesy of Reebok
Acrylic nails have been popular for decades because of their ability to be molded to different lengths and their reputation for being extremely durable. They’re a great option for those who want to recreate looks like Cardi B’s or the Kardashians’/Jenners’. Depending on how long you want them, they can fit into most lifestyles. The longer you go though, the harder it is to do certain manual tasks, from lifting heavy objects to typing. If you’re unsure if they’ll be cumbersome, start short and lengthen them until you’re happy with the results. In all, if you’re looking for eye-popping nails, no matter how impractical they may be, acrylics might just be for you.
Photo courtesy of Static Nails
A more reclusive nail style in the Western world is Korean style nails. These nails are characterized by their polished, almond shape and often clear base coat with minimalist designs. This style of nails was popularized by Korean idols, and has spread to America via Koreans and Korean Americans following the trends and Korean nail salons that are familiar with the trend.
These nails are ideal for those who enjoy naturally polished looks, but still want more than a simple coat of color. They’re great for those wanting to avoid the use of acrylics which can be damaging to natural nails. If your lifestyle is demanding and functionality is a priority, these nails will get you the look without slowing you down.
No matter what walk of life you might be on, there’s no reason your nails can’t be as fashionable as you are!
