Ella Navarro, Staff
June 6, 2023
Acrylic nails have been a part of history for thousands of years, and are still a popular fashion today. Artificial nails originated from Egyptian women who would get long nails as a symbol of healthy living and wealth; they were often worn with diamonds and other intricate designs that represented a person’s wealth. These nails were also often thought to bring good luck.
How Do Acrylic Nails Work?
Acrylic nails are applied with a paint-like brush that is dipped in liquid monomer and then lightly brushed with acrylic nail powder that comes in many colors. Then, the brush and nail powder is then applied to the nail base with light strokes. The nail powder process continues to dry out, and that is when the shaping, filing, and buffing come into the process.
Once at the desired shape and length, the selected nail color and design come into play. The designs can be personalized in many ways, much like ancient times when they had symbols and jewels to represent that person’s social status and livelihood.
Modern-day acrylics have been a trend since the late 20th century and are even worn by famous music artists. They are very popular with the younger population today. Some famous music artists and stars of today who wear acrylics are Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and the reality TV star Khloe Kardashian.
These famous people have been known to have stunningly long nails, and these celebrities often influence their fans to try acrylics as well. One of the main reasons why acrylic nails are so popular among the younger generation is because of these influencers and the way they can bring out a person’s personality through color, length, and design.
Huntington Beach High School Sophom*ore, Sam Sobel, said, “I love the way they make me feel powerful and [can] speak out to me by the custom design prints and colors.”
Acrylic nails go way back and have been growing more and more popular over the years thanks to influencers, and hopefully they will still continue their legacy of creating a culture of fabulous nails and unique style.
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FAQs
What is the reason some people prefer fake nails over real nails? They can be stronger, making them good for people with brittle nails or who want long nails but break their natural nail. You don't have to wait for them to grow out to have long nails.
Why does everyone have acrylic nails? ›
One of the biggest benefits of acrylic nails is that they are very durable. They can last up to six weeks without chipping or peeling, which is much longer than natural nails. Additionally, acrylic nails are less likely to break than natural nails, so they can be a good option for people who have weak or brittle nails.
Are acrylic nails out of style? ›
Acrylic nails have been a part of history for thousands of years, and are still a popular fashion today.
What is the downfall of acrylic nails? ›
If you want to wear artificial nails for more than a few weeks, you'll need touch-ups every 2 to 3 weeks to fill in the gaps that appear as your nails grow. Frequent touch-ups can seriously damage your natural nails. In short, artificial nails can leave your nails thin, brittle, and parched.
When did acrylic nails become popular? ›
It wasn't until the 1980s when a Black, four-time Olympic medalist, Florence Griffith Joyner, used her long fake nails as her trademark that acrylic nails became popular. By the 1990s, acrylic nails were a staple spreading to pop culture; this was largely due to Black influences during that time.
What is the appeal of fake nails? ›
The demand for artificial nails is driven by the fact that consumers are interested in the most recent fashion and beauty trends. Artificial nails provide a quick and adaptable way to create a variety of manicure shapes and styles of natural nails.
Should I stop getting acrylic nails? ›
As acrylic nails require you to roughen up the surface of the nail to apply them, the nail surface can wear away over time. So, it is often recommended that after 3 months of continuous wear, clients should take a break from acrylics.
What is the nail trend for 2024? ›
Think slim neon French tips on neutral nails and the crisp freshness of the Baby Boomer manicure, which makes its triumphant return in 2024. Press-on nails are also becoming more prevalent—great news for lazy nail-art lovers or last-minute manicures that can be done en route to your destination.
Why were acrylic nails illegal? ›
In 1974, methyl methacrylate was banned by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in all nail products because it caused deterioration of nail plates, nail dislocation, and/or allergic dermatitis in both customers and nail technicians [Groton 1993].
Is it okay to wear acrylic nails for years? ›
They also cause the natural oils in your nails to dry out which makes them more brittle so, you may end up breaking or losing a nail. So, the conclusion is, for the overall health of your nails, it's certainly not worth trying to get as much time as possible out of them!
However, press on nails seems to be the least damaging fake nail on the market at the moment. Acrylics or gel nails might look fabulous. Nevertheless, there are certain drawbacks. Mainly, the chemicals they are made of are harmful to your health and can damage your natural nails over time.
What do fake nails symbolize? ›
Historically, artificial nails were common symbols of status all across the world: During the Ming Dynasty of China, noblewomen wore very long artificial nails as a status symbol indicating that, unlike commoners, they did not have to do manual labor.
What is the problem with fake nails? ›
Aside from infection, Dr. Murray said applying and removing fake nails can potentially cause damage, leading to problems like brittle nails and breakage. It's also possible to experience an allergic reaction to the press-on nail itself or the glue used to secure it.
What's with the long fingernails? ›
“There is a feminine aesthetic that is on the rise right now, which attributes to the trend of longer nails,” says Soon. They also help fingers look longer and slimmer, says Brittney Boyce, manicurist and founder of Nails of LA. Social media has helped fan the flames.
Who popularized fake nails? ›
In the 1950s, a dentist named Frederick Slack broke his nail and experimented with chemicals and different materials to create an artificial looking nail to go over his old broken one, using dental acrylics. But, in the late 70s, Dr. Stuart Nordstrom, invented the professional liquid and powder system used in acrylics.
