Glam up with nail extensions!

Don't have great nails? Forgot to grow them in time to flaunt them for that happening New Year or wedding party? Fret not! Just walk into one of those specialty nail bars and opt for extensions to look like a diva in no time, says Dharini Turakhia, the owner of Fahrenheit, chain of Unisex L'Oreal Salons and Spas

Is it for me?
Nail Extension is the latest beauty treatment to take Indian fashion by storm. No longer meant only for the rich and famous, nail extensions are freely available and enjoyed by women everywhere. Nail extensions are artificial or fake nails that work towards lengthening, thickening or altering the appearance of your own nails. So if you suffer from brittle nails, are a habitual nail biter or just want to make a fashion statement, then nail extensions are just the thing for you.

Do I go acrylic or gel?
Acrylic nails are more popular the world over, probably because they have been around for longer. However, the Indian market is leaning more towards gel nails. This is because gel nails are lighter, more flexible, more natural looking, do not yellow, and most importantly, are easier to remove and cause less damage to the natural nail. Acrylic nails are better for pregnant women as they do not use the UV rays for curing the nails, unlike gel nails. Also, nail art is easier on acrylic nails and can carry 3D art like small leaves, laces, glitter etc. with ease.

Fit them on!
Ideally you need to get a manicure or pedicure done before you get nail extensions as this will take care of the cuticle bed and reduce the chances of fungal infections. The manicure is followed by a nail prep which removes the moisture and oil from the natural nail. A nail tip is chosen for each finger to ensure the closest possible match to the natural nail shape. A primer is applied and the nail tip is fixed on. An acrylic or gel coating is applied to this tip to give it strength and durability. The nails are then buffed to blend the coating and make it look as natural as possible. A final shine buff is followed by a nail polish which lasts much longer on the artificial nail than it would on your natural nails!

Take good care of these beauties
Nail extensions require maintenance every 2-3 weeks as the natural base of the nail grows out, leaving a gap between the cuticle and the nail extension. This gap is in danger of being filled with fungus and bits and pieces of things will keep getting stuck as the gap widens. But fear not, it is easy to fill the gap by using an acrylic or gel coating in that area and then buffing it to give the nails a smooth finish. The actual nail tips however will last for a maximum of 3 months, after which it is advisable to get a fresh set of extensions done.

Nail art
With the ongoing bridal season and Christmas and New Year around the corner, it would be a great idea to add on some nail art to your nail extensions. You can totally unleash your creativity as nail art comes in a plethora of mediums. It can be in the form of two toned nail paint, nail stickers, an insertion of rhinestones, glitter powder, flowers, and complicated designs with nail paints. You could also insert letters of the alphabet to form a word meaningful to you or insert symbols of big brands like GUCCI, YSL etc. The designs can be further highlighted with glitter and a glossy topcoat. Let your imagination run wild!