First of all, solar nails are a lot like acrylics. However, where acrylics and gel nails can simply be extensions of nails, solar nails are almost always applied to the nail bed. This means that they completely cover the nails.

A few differences between solar nails and acrylics are: first, they last a lot longer. As opposed to having your nails filled every two weeks, you can wait three weeks between solar nails. While this may not seem like much, it can be quite useful for those who are busy and don’t really have time to keep up with acrylics.

The other difference is that solar nails are really, really glossy as opposed to acrylics. Think of how your nails look when you rub Vaseline into them. They look really, really pretty, and super shiny, right? Same thing, except solar nails don’t get dull.

You’ve probably also seen your regular acrylics get a yellowish cast in the sun or in the tanning bed. And it’s super gross looking. If you plan on going tanning, you may find you can’t wear acrylics…but the same is not said of solars.

Most solars in the past only had French manicure designs, but lately a lot more styles have popped up, giving you better and loads more options. This is just a small part of the topic, “What are solar nails?”

Beautiful Nail Art can be made at home or at salon!

At the salon: There are many options for you at your local nail salon. Airbrushing designs onto your natural nails, having them professionally painted so that they last longer (for those who just don’t have the time to do it themselves), and getting acrylic nails with designs or painting on them are all options for your nails at a local salon. They cost different amounts, of course, and last different lengths of time. Talk with your salon specialist to get all the information before you choose.

At home: There are equally as many options for your nails with things you can do at home, of course. These include applying nail art in the form of nail tattoos and gems to your fingernails yourself, painting your nails in solids or in designs (they now make nail art pens for clever drawing), or using press-on nail designs to get the look you want. These at-home services are often around the same price, depending on the quality of product you buy, and can be just as easy and stylish to use. Some say they encourage even more creativity than salon options!

Aside from Onychomycosis, there are a few more fungal nail infections, such as:
- Candida
This is the infection of your nail plate which is in most cases resulted from paronychia, beginning near the cuticle. The cuticle will be red and swollen, and be lifted off from the nail plate. There are evident yellowish, whitish, blackish or greenish marks which appear near the nails and spreads out. If you will press on your infected nails, it has possibilities of being lifted off its bed and is very tender.
- Moulds
These cause infections which are more often impossible to differentiate from tinea unguium.

- Tinea Unguium
This is often the result of not treating tinea manuum or hand, and/or tinea pedis or feet, and may cause injury to your nail.

For doing your own pedicure, you need to have the right tools for the job. These include cotton balls, a nail polish remover, nail brush, nail clippers, nail antiseptic and an orange stick. You will also need a bowl of lukewarm, soapy water. If you want to apply nail color later, have a nail mask, nail color and foot pumice; but these things can be optional. When you have all of these, you can begin doing your pedicure.
It is important that you clean your nails first from any nail polish you previously have. Use a cotton ball with a nail polish remover. Then soak your feet in the basin to easily remove dirt and soften your cuticles as well. You can exfoliate dead skin with the use of a foot pumice. Use a moisturizing cream for massaging the feet and removing dry dead skin. Apply your nail polish after and finish with a topcoat. Make sure that your toenails are dry before you do anything else.

1. Wear gloves. You may not know it but detergents can be quite unforgiving for your nails since it can cause peeling and splitting. When doing the laundry or dishes, at all times wear gloves.

2. Never, ever use your fingernails for opening cans, et cetera. We all tend to open our soft drink cans, dial the phone and other tasks by using our nails. This can be harmful for our nails, and doing so can possibly break your nails.

3. Clean your nails regularly. Trimming them and having them washed is a helpful step in obtaining healthier nails as they grow back. If you have rough edges, use a nail file to smooth it out.

4. Never bite your nails. Sometimes we have a liking for biting our nails when we are bored, angry or anxious. Even though the feeling is satisfied, it is not good for the nails. It can damage the nail as a whole and even allow bacteria through the minor cuts we make.

5. Have a healthy diet. Caring for the nails does not only require care from the outside but also from the inside. Eat food rich in vitamins and minerals essential for nail growth. You can also take supplements if your busy lifestyle cannot permit you to have a rigorous healthy meal.

However, before giving yourself a set of French manicured nails, be certain that you will follow its general rules upon applying on some nail polish.
First things first, with an acetone remover, remove old nail polish. Afterwards wash and clean your hands and nails and trim them.

When tidying up and trimmings are done, you can proceed with applying the base coat to your fingernails. Always keep the base coat even and thin. After that, put on a tip guide on top of your nail, you can then apply white colored polish upon the exposed fingernails tips, and then just let them dry.
As soon as the white polish is dry, thoroughly remove the tip guides, and then for the whole length of your fingernails paint them with pale pink or beige polish. You may need two coats for this. The last step to achieving your fabulous French tip manicure is simple applying on a top coat, let your nails dry and then that is it.