Nail wraps in comparison: UV vs. non-UV

Nail wraps in comparison: UV vs. non-UV

Nail wraps are a great way to achieve a quick and easy, professional manicure at home, without the hassle and expense of a salon visit. Without having to search for an appointment or relying on a nail salon, you can achieve great, comparable results from the comfort of your own home. There are different types of nail wraps available, each suitable for your individual needs. The broadest classification of nail wraps is UV nail wraps and non-UV nail wraps. But which type of nail wraps is best for you?

In this post, we compare UV nail wraps with non-UV nail wraps and examine their differences, advantages, and disadvantages.

Similarities between UV and non-UV nail wraps:

Despite some differences, UV and non-UV nail wraps share some common features:

  1. Easy application: Both UV and non-UV nail wraps are easy to apply and require no special skills or tools. With a little practice, you can achieve professional-looking results without the hassle of a salon visit. All nail foils available for purchase at Blush&Cherry are self-adhesive. The foil shapes fit most nail shapes.
  2. Gentle: With both options, the natural nail does not need to be prepared by sanding or roughening. This protects the top layer of the nail and is a major advantage over conventional gel or acrylic nail art.
  3. No drying time: Unlike conventional nail polish, both UV and non-UV nail wraps dry instantly after application, as they don't require any drying time during which the color could smear or leave unsightly marks on the color. You get clean edges, the kind you'd only expect from a good nail salon.
  4. Removability: Both UV and non-UV nail wraps can be easily removed without having to cut through the gel layer. Proper removal will not damage the underlying natural nail, regardless of the type of nail wraps. The method of removal may vary depending on the type of nail wraps.
  5. Safety: All wraps that you can buy from Blush&Cherry meet the strict requirements of the EC/EU Cosmetics Regulation and are ISO9001 certified, vegan, hema-free, pollutant-free and not tested on animals.
  6. Water resistance: With both nail wrap variants, you can continue to wash your hands, shower, and use soap as normal without having to worry about the nail wraps coming off.

These similarities make UV and non-UV nail wraps equally attractive for those who want a quick, easy, yet stylish manicure at home. But what are the differences, and which type of nail wraps is right for you?

 

UV nail wraps

UV nail wraps, also called gel wraps, are equipped with a special adhesive that hardens under UV light to create a long-lasting and durable manicure.

Advantages:

  1. Long-lasting: UV nail wraps are generally more durable than non-UV nail wraps because the adhesive cures under UV light and forms a strong bond.
  2. Strengthening: After curing under UV light, the wrap becomes very stable and strengthens the natural nail. Especially soft or brittle nails gain more grip and can achieve greater length with the UV wrap than without. This makes them a particularly good alternative for women who want more stability without damaging the natural nail by roughening or sanding it down.
  3. Stretchability: Many UV wraps can be stretched slightly and thus adapted to the nail shape even more precisely than non-UV wraps.
  4. Special designs: Due to the stability of the wrap, designs with integrated gems or special effects (chrome, cat-eye) are also possible.

Disadvantages:

  1. Cost: UV nail wraps are significantly more expensive than non-UV nail fwraps, but are still much cheaper than visiting a nail salon.
  2. Requires UV lamp: Curing under UV light requires the ownership of a UV lamp, which can involve additional costs and effort.
  3. Longer application time: The process of applying UV nail wraps may take a little longer because curing under UV light takes time.
  4. Removal with more caution: UV nail wraps should always be removed with a lot of patience, as tearing the foils can lead to damage to the nail surface more quickly than non-UV wraps.
  5. Precise application: With UV wraps, precise application and pressing, as well as thorough preparation of the natural nails, are particularly important, as the wraps are generally thicker than non-UV wraps. If the wraps aren't firmly attached to the nail edge, a loose edge can form over time as the nails grow out, which can cause your hair to get caught.
  6. Design selection: The selection of designs is significantly smaller than with non-UV nail wraps, and exclusive designs are also available in much smaller numbers due to the higher production costs.

Non-UV nail foils

Non-UV nail wraps typically use an air-curing adhesive. Here are their advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

  1. Costs: Non-UV nail wraps are significantly cheaper than UV wraps and are particularly suitable for women who like to change their design more often or who, for example, only want to wear nail wraps on weekends or on certain occasions due to work.
  2. No UV lamp required: Non-UV nail wraps don't require special curing under UV light, meaning no additional equipment is required. However, a UV lamp is required if you want to seal the nail wraps with a UV top coat for longer wear. Sealed with a UV top coat, they can last up to two weeks, making them almost as durable as UV nail wraps.
  3. Faster application: If you do not want to seal with a UV top coat, then the application of non-UV nail wraps is faster than with UV nail wraps due to the lack of curing time
  4. Foil thickness: Non-UV nail wraps are thinner than UV nail wraps, so the edge is less noticeable when the nails grow out. This generally prevents hairs from getting caught in the edge of the nail. However, there are UV nail wraps with tapered edges, so this problem doesn't occur (OHORA nail wraps).
  5. Removal: If no UV top coat is used, most foils can be easily removed with standard, acetone-free nail polish remover without damaging the nails. If this is not the case, or if a UV top coat was used, non-UV nail wraps can be removed gently with a manicure stick and oil or remover. The nail adhesive is generally not as strong as that of UV nail wraps, thus reducing the risk of damage to the natural nail during removal.
  6. Design variety: Non-UV nail wraps are available in a wide variety of designs. Semi-transparent wraps, due to their thinness and ease of application, can also be used as an overlay, meaning they can be applied to a colored base (nail polish or another nail wrap), thus allowing for a virtually infinite number of creative (personal) design possibilities.

Disadvantages:

  1. Shorter durability: Non-UV nail wraps tend to last less time than UV nail wraps because the adhesive doesn't cure under UV light. However, durability can be significantly increased if the wraps are sealed with a suitable UV top coat.
  2. Lack of strengthening: Non-UV nail wraps do little to strengthen the natural nail and are therefore less suitable for brittle or soft nails without a UV top coat. However, using a good, suitable UV top coat will also strengthen and stabilize the natural nail, albeit less effectively than with UV nail wraps.
  3. Stretchability: Non-UV nail wraps usually cannot be stretched and are therefore less easily adapted to the nail shape. However, the existing foil sets fit most nail shapes, so stretching is usually not necessary.
  4. Limited designs: Some designs (chrome, integrated gems) are unfortunately not possible with non-UV nail wraps.

Overall, both UV and non-UV nail wraps offer a convenient and cost-effective way to achieve a simple at-home manicure. Which option is better for you depends on your personal preferences, schedule, and budget. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and depending on your preferences and daily circumstances, they can be a great option for a quick and easy at-home manicure and a cost-effective alternative to visiting a nail salon.

 

Back to blog