Spas, beauty parlours and nail salons are open at last, the latter holding the ability to finally transform the nails we partially dissolved in foil-wrapped acetone during our dismal attempt at an at-home manicure some months ago.
By now, our nails have regained their strength and are ready to be buffed, polished and filed, but as we head back into the salon an age old question lingers- is SNS, gel or traditional nail polish better for our nails? For a definitive answer I turned to Australia’s undisputed expert, Natalie Papadopoulos, founder of The Parlour Room, Clovelly.
“There’s nothing quite like taking the time for a salon quality manicure,” Natalie tells me. “That feeling of being pampered while somebody paints your nails… If you’re only after a traditional polish, it’s as much about the experience than anything else. We have a team of highly trained therapists who are amazing at what they do, and go above and beyond for their clients. They also look after your cuticles and overall nail health when you come into the salon, so there’s a few added perks to the experience, compared to what you would do usually do yourself at home. And I’m not sure about you… but how hard is it to hold a brush steady in the opposite hand?!”
For those whose nails are still feeling weak following an at-home SNS or gel polish removal, traditional nail polish may be the best option until the natural nails have fully recovered. “It’s good to give your nails a break and allow them to breathe, and a traditional nail polish allows you to do this while still having beautiful nails at the same time,” Natalie explains. “They don’t last as long, but it’s also an easy alternative- perfect for those short on time or if they’re after a quick change of colour for an event.”
The downside of traditional nail polish, however, is its staying power- particularly while we’re all washing and sanitising our hands more often than usual. “For it to last as long as possible you need to avoid any harsh chemicals like soaps and cleaning products as it can chip quite easily,” says Natalie. “Typically speaking, a traditional polish will only last anywhere between 3-5 days. This could be more or less, however it really depends on how well you look after it.”
For those whose priority is long wearing colour and seriously strong, hard nails, SNS is for you. “SNS stands for ‘Signature Nail System,” and is a well-known brand of a powder dipping treatment where you first apply a base coat and then dip your nails in the desired colour powder of your choice, and set with a topcoat,” Natalie explains. “Compared to gel nails, which are cured under a UV light, SNS hardens as it is applied to the nail.
“SNS typically lasts up to 2 – 3 weeks before it either starts to lift at the edge or the nails start to grow out from underneath. If you’re looking for something that will give you a bit of extra wear, I would recommend SNS. It doesn’t tend to lift as easily as gel nails so it can last a little longer. Although harsher on the natural nails, it’s a lot stronger and doesn’t bend.”
If the overall health of the nail is your priority above durability, Natalie suggests opting for a gel manicure. “Gel nails provide a soft, neat, glossy finish, where the treatment consists of a base coat, two coats of colour and a topcoat, with each layer cured and set under a UV light,” explains Natalie. “People often get confused between gel and Shellac – however Shellac is one of the popular, original brands of gel polish. The gel treatment is quite flexible and bends with the natural although it’s not nearly as durable or long lasting as SNS. Because of this, they tend to only last around two weeks before you need another appointment. Although lasting longer than a normal polish, they’re are still very soft and can easily chip or breakaway, especially when they’ve been exposed to regular household chemicals such as soaps and cleaning products.
“My personal preference is Bio Sculpture,” Natalie tells me of the gel nail options on the market. “It’s considered one of the healthiest options for your nails. Almost acting like a protective layer while stimulating overall nail health, its composition contains vitamins and minerals which work to promote strength and length.”
Photography: Melissa Cowan
Hair & Makeup: Sophia Pafitis
Model: Amelia Noorani at Precision MGMT
Styling & Art Direction: Gemma Watts
This article is not sponsored.
You can book a treatment at The Parlour Room now at https://www.theparlourroom.com.au/, or find them on Instagram at @theparlourclovelly.
