Historically, artificial nails were a common status symbol across the world. During the Chinese Ming Dynasty, noblewomen wore extremely long artificial nails as a status symbol to indicate, unlike commoners, they did not have to do any manual labour.

In early 19th century Greece, upper-class women often wore empty pistachio shells over their nails, slowly spreading the artificial nail trend across Europe. High-class Egyptian women wore nail extensions created from bone, ivory and gold as these luxurious materials were only available to the wealthy.

Today, most of us see nails as an aesthetic feature and the millions of dollars spent on nail polish and nail care each year attest to this. If you’re thinking about nail extensions, acrylic or resin nails, gel or polygel nails, here are some guidelines;

Choosing a nail technician. Ensure your chosen nail technician is certified, that the equipment is sterilized and that the environment is sterile. Check with friends for best referrals.

Resin nails. “Applying acrylic to nails began in the '80s", says Lavalbased nail technician Stéphanie Gagnon. “Powder and liquid glue are used in this process. Resin glue is applied to fingernails and then nails are dipped in coloured acrylic powder, then two to four coats of clear top coat are applied which takes approximately 1.5 hours,” she explains. Gagnon says that this method can last about three weeks, and the cost varies from $25 to $40 or higher if special artwork is applied. “The benefit of using resin nails is that resin doesn’t remove any part of your nail. Also, when it’s time for a new manicure, resin nails are easier to remove with acetone,” she explains.

Acrylic nails. Gagnon says that acrylic is the oldest, most durable product, but it has a strong chemical odour. “Some primers that contain acid may cause serious damage to your natural nail bed plate. For example, if you bang or hit your nail, it may break off along with the acrylic nail,” explains Gagnon. This product is beneficial for women who have thin or soft nails. Acrylic nails cost about $25 to $40 and last about 3-4 weeks, although durability can vary.

Gel nails/Polygel nails. Gagnon explains that applying gel to nails is similar to acrylic, but less damaging as there is no acid in the primer. “Polygel is the newest technology. It’s odourless and is a mixture of acrylic powder and hard gel. The gel is somewhat flexible so nails don’t break easily and it only takes 30 seconds to dry,” she says.

So, whatever your choice, choose an excellent technician and have fun exploring!