Despite being a mainstay in the nail salons of Florida, California and Texas since the 90’s, SNS manicures have only recently gained popularity within Australia and we’re definitely making up for lost time. With more colour options, fewer chemicals and no strong smells, SNS nails are becoming the obvious choice for many. Let’s chat about why…

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Short for Signature Nail Systems, SNS is the leading brand of nail dip powder on the market (in the same way you could say OPI is the leading polish) and is created with a combination of vibrant pigments, vitamins and nontoxic bonding agents to ensure a perfect finish and healthy nails every time. As a dry powder instead of a liquid that could harbour bacteria, SNS also offers the security of remaining hygienic – a definite win for Covid conscious manicure enthusiasts.

With the likes of Kelly Rowland, Sophie Monk, Delta Goodrem, Natalie Basingthwaite and the ladies of the Bachelor and Bachelorette TV shows as clients, Sydney nail artist, Kelly Steinhauer has used SNS instead of gel or acrylics for the past four years and doesn’t ever see herself switching back.

“My clients prefer it as it’s a thinner and more natural nail enhancement without the smell and added damage to their natural nails.” She even reveals SNS has “changed my business for the better” due to “the results, the strength and longevity of wear” it offers. 

So, Why SNS nail over Gel or Acrylic?

A healthier option

The most significant difference between SNS, gel, and acrylic nails is the health of the nails themselves. So the question you may want to ask: SNS or acrylic; SNS versus gel. Here is some information that could help you choose which option suits your liking.

Acrylic nails rely on combining polymer powder and monomer liquid into a paste that can be painted over. This paste bonds directly to the nail plate and is relatively rigid so snapped nails or nails that lift from the bed aren’t uncommon.

Acrylics are also permeable so dark polishes can stain nails and show through for months until the nail grows out. The removal and infill process is also taxing on nails as drilling can scrape ridges into the nail plate, further weakening it. 

Gels are similarly damaging as although they retain the flexibility of regular nails and aren’t as bulky as acrylics, their removal relies on soaking in acetone, leaving nails flimsy and more susceptible to breaks. Though small, there is also a risk of developing skin marks and cancer from prolonged exposure to the rounds of UV light required by gel manicures.

Alternatively, SNS is bonded to a thin coat of resin instead of the actual nail so will not pull away those fragile top layers during removal. This base coat is also enriched with calcium and vitamins A, E, D and B5 to aid in nail health, strength and growth. Once applied, SNS nails are also flexible and light with the ability to slightly bend without breaking. During removal, SNS nails can be filed until thin and then removed with acetone without lengthy soaking. 

If choosing to leave your nails as they are after removal, they will be as thick as strong as they were before with the addition of 2-3 week’s growth. 

A faster, more relaxing process

Without the lights, fans and drills necessary for gel and acrylic nails, SNS is a far quicker option for the time-poor among us, with the added benefit of no noise or strong smells.

First, nails are shaped and buffed, if more length is desired then plastic tips can be glued on and shaped as well. A base coat of resin is then applied and each nail is dipped into your choice of over 400 SNS brand powder pots, repeating the process until the desired thickness and opacity is reached. A coat of activator is then applied which hardens the nails, allowing the technician to quickly file away any bumps before a final matte or gloss topcoat is applied. Overall, the process takes around 15 to 45 minutes depending on if the removal of a previous set is required. 

Does SNS cost more?

When considering SNS vs gel or acrylic nails, SNS nails have one downside, and that’s the price. So how much do SNS nails cost? Though prices vary from salon to salon, SNS removal and reapplication will typically cost between $50-70 depending on add-ons like nail tips or complex designs, whereas gel nails and acrylics usually range from $30-45 $40-55, respectively.

The results

Ultimately, a lot of manicure devotees prefer SNS nails simply because of how they look and feel – nails are light, thin and real looking, and because the colour is in the nail itself, in the unlikely event of a chip it isn’t noticeable at all. The main take away, however, is that the gentler your technician is in their application and removal of your nails, the healthier your real nails will be.

If your SNS manicure is for an event or just a one-off then this is less important, but if you intend to wear SNS, gel or acrylics long term, finding that special nail technician who takes their time is of the utmost importance.

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