Elegant Touch Acrylic Nail Kit

Author's product rating:   

Advantages:	Look realistic, Last for weeks
Disadvantages:	Can be painful removing them

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Do you long to have perfect nails? Or have you already got them? If you answer yes to the second question, then this op could still benefit you. If you answer yes to the first question, then read on, this will definately benefit you!

Sorry guys, unless you are buying a present for someone female, this op will be of no use to you at all.

I bite my nails. I have always done it, but lately I have been trying really hard to stop. I managed to stop biting my nails for a month, and they all looked lovely. One by one, they all snapped and broke and I couldn't keep my teeth away from the rough edges. I have used false nails, on and off, since I was about 17 years old.

Usually I buy the cheap 99p ones, and they do the job. For once I decided to treat myself and buy a more expensive set. I bought an acrylic set, which are suppose to look just like real nails, when applied. This is why I have decided to write this op. I have to tell you all about them.

***********************PACKAGING**********************

This product comes in a light purple box. The box is wider at the base, than it is at the top. All the writing, that tells you about this product, is in a deeper shade of purple, and the manufactures name and logo, is pink and white. The logo can be found on the front of the box, at the top. It is a pink circle, with the words Elegant Touch in white.

On the front of the box, there is a picture of a hand, with beautiful nails. Next to this, there is a description of what the product is, how long it lasts and how easy it is to use. Underneath this, it tells you the shape and style within.

On the back of the box, there is a picture of the contents, and a four step picture guide. This shows you how to apply the nails. Next to this, in words, it gives a short description of each step.

********************SHAPES AND STYLES*****************

The box that I bought, had nails that were of medium size and shaped into an oval tip. This company also do these nails in small and large and oval and square.

***********************CONTENTS***********************

Inside the box, you will find a pink inlay, that has all the contents neatly laid out, and ready for use. In this you will find:

• 20 false nail tips
• A bottle of glue
• A cuticle stick
• A four sided buffer
• A little brush
• A tube of acrylic powder
• A little bottle of acrylic liquid
• A information sheet

*******************DIRECTIONS OF USE******************

This is a lengthy process as don't want to leave anything out. The instructions must be followed eactly, to achieve the best possible look.

*Cover the work area, with a towel.

*Remove any nail varnish from your own nails, as this will prevent the glue from sticking.

*Soak your hands in warm soapy water, to soften your cuticles.

*Choose the correct size nail tip, for each finger.

*Put a couple of dabs of glue, on the ridge, on the back of the false nail.

*Place the false nail, on your own nail. Make sure that the ridge goes over the top of your real nail.

*Hold it in place for 10 seconds.

*Repeat this process, until you have all ten nails on.

*Fill any air pockets, between your nail and the false nail, with glue. Allow to dry.

*Use the purple and then the pink side of the buffer, and blend the ridge until it is level with your own nail. Buff across the false nail, not down.

*Brush one coat of the acrylic liquid over the whole of the nail.

*Immediately sprinkle the acrylic powder, over the nail, so that no liquid is showing.

*Leave the powder on for 10 seconds, then lightly brush the powder off, with the brush.

*Remove any left over powder, with the cuticle stick.

*Use the white and the grey sides of the buffer, to remove dust and bring them to a high gloss finish.

If a nail becomes loose, over time, you can re apply it, following the instructions. As you wear these false nails, yours are able to grow underneath. As they do, gaps will appear. gain, follow the instructions and fill any gaps, with the glue, liquid and powder.

You can paint these false nails if you wish. But it is recommended that you use a non-acetone remover.

*********************GOOD POINTS**********************

*They look natural, only if done properly.

• They can last for weeks.
• You choose the length.File them to how you want them.
• The are comfy to wear.
• They are strong.
• They are solid.
• Allows growth of your nails.
• The price.

**********************BAD POINTS**********************

• It is a time consuming process.
• They are very difficult to remove.
• The glue sticks everything!
• The price.

************************PRICE*************************

You will notice that I have included this in both the good and the bad points section. This is because I usually buy the cheap ones, and these are a lot more expensive that what I would normally shell out. Saying that though, for what you get and how long they last, they are worth it.

I bought mine from Superdrug and they cost me £8.95I have seen other acrylic kits around and I can tell you that the prices vary from £4.99 to £20. These sort of kits can be bought from the following places:

• Wilinsons (sometimes)
• Bodycare
• Boots
• Superdrug
• Some chemists

**********************MY OPINION**********************Did I have natural looking nails?

The first time I did them, I would have to say NO. The second time I did them, YES. I never followed the instructions properly the first time, as I was rushing. I ended up with lumps and bumps of glue and powder all over my nails, and when I buffed them, I used the wrong side of the buffer and they ended up dull and even rougher. The second time I tried them, I followed the instructions and ended up with natural looking nails. ot as good as the picture on the box, but all the same, they looked good.

How hard are they to remove?

Extremely. The glue provided is stronger than any super glue I have used and I broke my cuticle stick, trying to remove the nails. I thought I would use the stick, to prise off the false nails, but it snapped in half on the first nail. I had to resort to soaking my hands in warm soapy water, for half an hour. Then I pressed down on the nail tip, and eventually, and painfully, the nail came off.

How long does it take?

To follow the instructions properly and do each step, you are looking at 45 minutes to an hour. If you spend this amount of time on them, they look realistic and that is what you want.

How long do they last?

On the box it says for weeks. I would have to agree with this. It is very difficult to remove them, so please take your time when applying them. If you make a mess of them, you could leave yourself in pain, trying to remove them. I work in my local spar shop, and have done four deliveries and not one has come off or become loose. I have been wearing these nails for two weeks, and they are as strong as ever. The do not bend and non have snapped.

Are they comfy?

Yes, until you catch one. because these nails are on your nails, and they are well and truely stuck down, if you catch one you are pulling at your nail underneath. If you do not catch them, you will easily forget that you are wearing them. The are comfortable to wear, and they do not hinder you.

Are my nails growing underneath?

Yes, in the two weeks that I have been wearing them, I have had to fill in the gaps, from were my nails have grown.

Can you bite them?

No. They give me tooth ache trying!

Will I buy them again?

Yes. I am hoping that I will not have to, as when my nails have grown I am going to try even harder, to keep them out of my mouth. If I can not manage this, or they all break off, I will definately invest in another set of these.

***********************WARNINGS***********************

Please remember that this glue sticks to everything. I got some all over my finger and wiped it on my trousers with out thinking. My finger stuck to my trousers, as soon as I touched them. I now have a hole in my trousers, where I pulled my finger off, and they ripped. I had to soak my finger in hot water, and then file the glue off.

It also burns a little, if it comes into contact with any skin, other than what is your cuticle. When I touched my trousers, the glue soaked through, straight away, and I could feel my thigh burning. This was uncomfortable, so please be careful!

If the glue ends up all over your cuticle, then please wait till it is fully dry, and then file it off. I pulled the glue off and my cuticle went with it. Leaving my finger sore and bleeding.

DO NOT get the glue near your eyes. I feel it would be a hospital job, if you did.

Right, although I have listed these warnings, and the glue sounds horendous, I would still but this product. Just be sensible with the glue. Do not give it to kids. It will stick everything!

Thanks for reading.