To infinity and beyond!

Solar nails will take you to outer space and back with just how beautiful and convenient they are. Despite solar nails being around for years, they are finally starting to become a popular nail choice at the nail salon. Like acrylics, this manicure will extend your claws and give them the healthy natural look we all dream of.

Solar Nails Video Tutorial

Learn how to do this trending solar nail style yourself in this easy step by step tutorial.

What Are Solar Nails?

 

Despite maybe never having heard of solar nails before, they are not new to the block. Solar nails have been around since the 70s, produced by Creative Nail Designs (CND).

Solar nails are a type of artificial nail made from durable and flexible materials, so you can shape them into any style you desire. Solar nails are fit for you if you wish to have longer and healthier claws.

Solar nails are formed from a combination of a liquid monomer and a powder polymer. When combined, they create a sticky substance that you can form and mold into a nail shape. It will eventually dry hard, forming what looks like a real nail.

Solar nails can last up to seven weeks and are chip resistant. They are a popular choice because it’s easy to file into whichever nail shape you prefer, plus you don’t have to worry about them breaking.

Solar nails don’t come in a variety of colors. There are only a few that you can use, mainly pink and white. This is because solar nails aren’t meant to be like nail polish. But you can paint over your solar nails; we suggest using gel nail polish for the most natural-looking results.

If the sound of Solar Nails appeals to you, check out the pros and cons list we have created below.

Pros of Solar Nails	Cons of Solar Nails
More durable Easier to remove than acrylic No need for UV light No discoloration Natural nail enhancement	Chemical use Nail growth visibility It can feel heavy on the hands Prolonged use can cause brittle nails

Solar nails are great for other things other than forming artificial nails. They can also be used to create 3D art! With the proper brush and techniques, you can add perfect designs onto your claws that stick out slightly for a unique appearance.

Solar Nail Oil

Solar nail oil is the holy grail of nail protection. This oil is formulated to help protect and enhance your natural nails. This product is carefully curated to penetrate deep into your skin and nails for healthier-looking and feeling claws. CND suggests you apply the solar nail oil daily, massaging it under and around the nails before bed or after buffing your natural nails.

What it does:

• Jojoba oil and Vitamin E reduce the signs of aging
• Keeps skin soft and supple
• Keeps nails tough and flexible
• Repeated use helps to maximize the benefits

Solar Nail Powder

Solar nail powder is an essential product. The powder is what creates the artificial nail. When combined with their specific liquid product, the two make a bead that is then used and formed into a nail shape. Typically the powders come in pink and white, but if you don’t like either of those colors, there’s no need to worry because you normally paint over them.

Acrylic Vs. Solar Nails

Solar nails are a sub-type of acrylic nails with many similarities. Acrylic and solar nails are created from a liquid monomer and a powder polymer. For acrylic nails, this substance is then spread over a fake plastic nail clued to your natural nail.

Solar nails are made from thick sustenance similar to acrylic, but you don’t need the plastic nail underneath. You can, however, use the plastic nail underneath; it’s up to you. Solar nails are a bit thinner and more natural looking than acrylics, but they are pretty much the same.

Solar Nails Vs. Dipping Powder

In theory, solar nails and dipping powder are kind of similar. However, the dipping powder is used to create nail polish, and solar nails are used to create a false nail. However, it includes a powder and a liquid monomer also. If you wish, you can pair these two together.

Solar Nails Vs. Gel Nails

Gel nails are a type of nail polish. No powder or liquid monomers are involved; it is liquid nail polish in a bottle that needs to be cured under a UV light.

Since solar nails create a fake extension nail, you can use gel polish over top of your solar nail. We recommend this combination for the best results.

When We Love Rocking Solar Nail Designs

Solar nails might sound complex to you. If that’s the case, just consider them acrylics because they basically are, but just a different type. If you are wondering when someone might choose to wear solar nails, think of when someone might decide to wear acrylic nails! That said, inspiration is always helpful, so here are a few times when we love rocking solar nail designs.

Events

If you want to look extra snazzy for an event or party, solar nails are the way to do so. You can go any length you desire for an extra dramatic flair. Long solar nails with a pretty dress will be the most unbeatable duo.

Vacation

Since solar nails last so long; they are the perfect manicure for a vacation. You can head on your trip feeling secure because your manicure will last you the entire trip, and likely even when you are back home for a bit. You can also rest assured that whatever activities you get up to on your trip won’t cause your nails to become discolored, as solar nails don’t get discolored.

All The Time

The great thing about solar nails is that you can wear them however you want, making them ideal for an occasion or no occasion at all. If you are busy but love to have a nice set of claws, solar nails are ideal because you only need to get them filled or changed every five to seven weeks, depending on how they wear.

Solar Pink And White Nails

Since solar nail powder comes exclusively in pink or white, these solar pink and white nails are super easy to achieve. The color gradient between the white and the pink is mesmerizing, and we love to see it.

Ombre Solar Nails

Ombre solar nails are a very soft and subtle kind of ombre. If you don’t know, ombre is a term used to describe a color gradient, where one color fades into another. You can create these ombre nails using the proper solar nail powders, like pink and white. You can also use gel polish over your nail polish to create the ombre effect.

Solar Pink Nails

Solar’s pink powder is very dull and light pink. If you are interested in simpler colors, using the pink powder will help you get these solar pink nails quickly and easily. However, for some of us, the more vibrant colors are what we are looking for, and if that’s the case, just paint over your solar nail.

Solar Full Set Nails

These solar full set nails refer to getting a full fresh set of claws. Similar to getting a full set of acrylics, you can also get a full set of solar nails. The term full set exists because you can also get a fill, where you don’t remove the fake nail but fill in the outgrown area.

The fun thing about getting a fill is that you can switch your designs and colors without starting over again.

If you want to elevate your solar nails try incorporating some designs, such as:

• Rhinestones
• Chrome pigment
• Nail decals
• Hand-painted designs
• Diamonds

Perfect Solar Nails

Perfection is subjective; however, these are the perfect solar nails for us. We like these French tip solar nails the most because they are simple and don’t require any extra polish over the top to create. We think they’re so perfect that we have created a tutorial for you towards the end of this blog so you can rock them too.

Gel Solar Nails

Once you have formed your new fake solar nails, you might want to spice things up by adding color. Gel nail polish is a great way to add extra oomph to your nails without diminishing their longevity and durability. Gel nail polish is excellent because, like solar nails, it lasts long, dries quickly, and is chip resistant. Gel nails don’t last as long as solar, but that’s what fill is for!

Here is a quick pros and cons list of gel polish to see if they match your vibe before investing in all the tools to complete one.

Pros of Gel Solar Nails	Cons of Gel Solar Nails
They make nails look thicker Extensive color options Long lasting Quick drying	Can cause nail breakage after removal Can discolor Stubborn to remove Cure under LED lamp, which can lead to health concerns with prolonged use

If you are still curious about the process of doing gel nails, check out this quick tutorial.

What you need for gel solar nails:

• LED lamp or UV lamp
• Nail file
• Nail buffer
• Rubbing alcohol
• Gel base coat
• Gel top coat
• Gel polish colors

Once you have gathered all the tools for a gel manicure, check out this easy-to-follow tutorial:

1. Prep your nails. Using the nail file, file your solar nails into your desired shape. Then using the nail buffer, buff your nails. Making the nail rough will help the gel polish stay longer.
2. Wipe away any nail dust left behind by the buffing process with the rubbing alcohol.
3. Apply the gel base coat. Cure the base coat under the LED lamp for 30 seconds.
4. Apply the gel polish. Apply it in thin, even strokes and cure the entire hand under the LED lamp for 30 seconds. We suggest repeating this process twice, applying two layers of gel polish.
5. Apply the top coat to help seal everything in and protect the nail. Cure under the LED lamp for 30 seconds.
6. Use the rubbing alcohol again to rub away any excess, and then apply cuticle oil or moisturizer to the hands.

Color Solar Nails

You can choose any color for your solar nails when you paint over them. Solar nails can only be made in white or pink, so if neither of those colors works for you, choose one of the many gel nail colors to add on top. We chose purple for our color solar nails because we love how they look. You could even try galaxy nails, jelly nails, or your version of cute nails.

Solar White Tip Nails

One of the easiest solar nails manicures to achieve is the solar white tip nails. This is because you don’t need to add nail polish. French tip nails are a classy and timeless manicure that looks perfect and pristine any time of the year. If you are curious about how to do solar white tip nails at home, check out our tutorial further down this article to get the details.

Two Tone Ombre Solar Nails

These two-tone ombre solar nails are out of this world.

The nail shape is spot on, and the gel ombre polish is even more eye-catching. You don’t only have to ombre with colors; you can also do them with glitter or sparkles like in this manicure.

Clear Solar Pink Nails

If you do a small coating of the pink solar nail powder over your nails, you will get these beautiful clear solar pink nails. You must use a fake plastic nail underneath the solar powder to get a clear look. When you form a nail with solar powder, it doesn’t dry clear, but if you use a light amount of pink powder over the top of the fake clear nail, you too can have this manicure.

Sparkly Solar Nails

Sparkles make everything better, including your solar nails. These sparkly solar nails will make you look and feel glitz and glammed 100% of the time. Adding a fine layer of clear sparkly gel nail polish over your nails will give you this show-stopping manicure.

Rhinestone Solar Nails

If you have solar nails and feel something is missing, we know what it is. Rhinestones! Adding rhinestones to any manicure will cure all your woes. They add sparkle, shine, and glam, which many enjoy incorporating into our manicures.

Black Solar Nails

These black solar nails are like a beautiful night sky. We could get lost just staring at them. This manicure is the perfect example of how solar nails can create any length of the nail. They can be as long as acrylics or as short as these black solar nails.

3D Art Solar Nails

One of the cool things about solar nails is that the powder and liquid monomer can be used to create more than fake nails. You can use solar nail products to create 3D nail art! Creating these pretty 3D Art Solar Nails will take time and practice, but they are worth it if you ask us.

Chrome Solar Nails

Adding chrome to your solar nails is a quick and easy way to take your manicure from boring to flooring. After adding some chrome pigment, you will floor your friends when they see how stunning your claws look.

How To Do Solar Nails At Home

If you want to tackle solar nails at home, be our guest; we’ll even show you how. However, it can be a complicated process, so we highly recommend getting it done in a nail salon by a professional. Getting your solar nails done by someone who knows the process well will help ensure the nails look nicer and last longer.

What you need:

1. Solar powder in white
2. Solar powder in pink
3. LED nail lamp
4. Nail form
5. Retention + liquid or liquid monomer
6. Nail brush
7. Brisha Shine gloss top

Step #1

Apply a nail form around your finger. A nail form is used to help sculpt the solar powder. It sits under the nail as a temporary base to help you form the desired length and shape you want your fake nails to be.

Step #2

Dip your brush into the retention + liquid, whipping the belly of the brush against the side of the dish. Repeat this several times to ensure the brush is fully and properly coated in liquid.

Step #3

Dip the brush into the white Solar powder. A bead should form at the end of your brush of powder and liquid. The bead should be creamy and glassy in appearance.

Step #4

Lay the bead in the middle of zone one to create the tip extension. Zone one is the very top of your nail. Let it sit for a few seconds, and then using the brush, move it side to side so it reaches both edges of the nail. Make sure to form a smile line. A smile line starts where the product and the natural nail meet. The product should be laid and shaped to look like it’s smiling at you or like a crescent moon.

Step #5

Once the bead has been flattened and extended to either side of the nail, use the edges of the brush to form the sides of the extension and flatten it slightly. Keep most of the product towards the middle of the nail and the sides thinner.

Step #6

Now it’s time to target zone two with the pink powder. Dip the brush back into the liquid, repeating step #2.

Step #7

Dip the brush slowly into the pink powder. A bead should form at the end of your brush of powder and liquid. The bead should look glassy.

Step #8

Place the bead in the middle of zone two, which is located in the middle of your natural nail.

Step #9

Let the bead settle for a few seconds, then give it a firm press with the brush. Press and pack the bead onto the nail, tapering it out evenly.

Step #10

Smooth any remaining product over zone one to help form cohesion and blur any lines.

Step #11

Use the same process as steps #2 and #3 for zone three.

Step #12

Press the third and final pink bead into the middle of zone three. Zone three is the bottom half of your natural nail.

Step #13

Let it settle, then press and pack the bead onto the nail. Taper it to the cuticle area. Make sure to leave a small gap between the product and the cuticle.

Step #14

Check the nail for any flaws and add product if needed.

Step #15

Using a nail file, shape the nail enhancement into your desired shape.

Step #16

To bring the shine back to the nail, use one coat of Brisha Shine gloss top and cure for two minutes under an LED light. Then you are all finished with the perfect solar nails!

She’s Gone Solar!

No one can stop you now from getting beautiful solar nails. All your friends will be green with envy after seeing how naturally long and gorgeous your claws are. We can’t recommend solar nails enough, and we hope you like them as much as we do.