3 Tips for Getting Gel Manicures That Make Your Hands Appear Longer and More Slender

Get pampered with a manicure every so often to not only relax but also to improve your overall appearance. Beautifully manicured hands can make you appear more elegant and sophisticated. Gel nails tend to be more durable than acrylic nails and will last substantially longer. They don't chip, and the nail-polish color is less likely to fade or become discolored. Gel nails have become increasingly popular with traditional gel-nail services making up approximately 18% of the total number of services done in the average salon. Brush-on gel nail services make up another 13%. This article will look at three tips on how you can make your hands appear longer and more slender with gel manicures.

Opt for a Nude Color

The nail-polish color that you choose can have a significant effect on how your manicure looks. If your emphasis is on making your hands appear longer and more slender, you'll want to opt for a nude color that complements your skin tone. Nude colors are not only pleasing to the eye but also look like extensions of your fingers. They don't draw too much attention and have more of a subtle effect. You should avoid choosing nail-polish colors that bring out any red undertones in your skin. Light pinkish beige colors are perfect for those with fair to light skin tones, and yellow-based taupe colors are an excellent choice for those with medium skin tones. If you have a darker skin tone, consider choosing gel nail polishes that have more of a light caramel or toffee-beige base. You can switch between different types and hues of nude colors each appointment.

Get Extensions

One of the main benefits of gel nails is how durable and strong they are. This makes them an excellent choice for those who are interested in getting extensions added to their nails. A piece of plastic is usually glued onto your natural nail bed, and a coat of clear gel polish will be added overtop to adhere the plastic extensions to your natural nail bed. This clear coat of gel nail polish basically strengthens your nails and prevents them from chipping or breaking. The nail-polish color of your choice is then added overtop.

While you want the clear coat of nail polish added overtop to be decently thick, you also want to avoid going too thick. If the base is too thick, you'll have a difficult time navigating with your fingers. In addition, a thicker base layer will make your nails look a lot less natural. The nail technician can polish and file the base coat layer down to a thickness that better suits the size of your hands.

Choose a Shape that Appears More Slimming

The final shape of the nails can also affect how your hands look. In particular, you should choose a nail shape that elongates out and slims to a tip. A more slimming shape will make your hands appear longer and more slender in comparison to a chunkier or broader nail shape. In short, avoid getting your nails filed to a square or rectangular shape, as this will only make your hands appear slightly chunkier. You want to choose more elegant and rounded shapes like ovals or almonds. The nail technician can also taper the nails in at the end ever so slightly to give the illusion of more length than width. This makes ballerina-shaped nails an excellent choice as well.

Conclusion

The right type of manicure and nails can make your hands appear longer and more slender. This makes you look more elegant and sophisticated. Gel nails are perfect for experimenting with length and colors, as the gel nail polish will last for quite a while. You'll be able to take full advantage of your manicure, and you won't have to keep booking nail appointments to repair chips and cracks that are otherwise prevalent in acrylic manicures. Check out a salon like Gel-Nails to get started.