Why Are Acrylic Nails Breaking? Causes & Solutions

Question
Hi!
My mom and I each got a set of acrylic nails done at a reputable nail salon / spa that does not use harmful acrylics.  They looked beautiful, however, on the second day, two of them cracked on mine, and as the week passed by, more cracked where the tip was attached, cracking in half down to the tip.  And then two others looked like they were coming off the nail bed. (which they did eventuallY) I do not do heavy work, and my mom has noticed that hers were unusually brittle.  I called the salon, and they said it was uncommon that they would break like that, and to come in for a fill.  I spent $54.00 on these nails, and I'm too embarrased for them to see my nails now because most of them I've had to file down to get rid of the broken tip.  They've broken while opening drawers or using the washer and dryer...the salon told me I just wasn't used to acrylic nails.   My questions are this...can you really go about your normal business with acrylic nails (generally speaking) and do you think there was something wrong with the job they did?  I'm not wanting to plunk down another $30 for a fill if for 85-90 percent of the time they are cracked.  
Thank you for all your advice,
Michelle

Answer
Its hard to say without seeing your hands, but it is either that you are treating your jewels like tools, or the tech didn't build up your apex properly.

Now since they were breaking so quickly after your set, I am going to assume that unless you were prying bottle tops off with your fingernails, the apex wasn't built up properly on the nail.

The apex is also called the stress point, and its the part of your nail where the free edge grows out ( the white tip).  The bulk of the enhancement product (be it liquid and powder or gel) should be in this area, tapered out to the sides, end, and cuticle line.  If the apex is perfectly placed, the enhancment is thin, natural looking, and still quite tough, and under normal circumstances, not easily broken by everyday wear and tear. (unless they are just too long for you to get used to in a decent amount of time)

Don't be embarrassed by the file down, and be fully assertive- you paid for a service, go get what you paid for!  And don't let the tech out of her end of the deal- make sure she pays attention to anything that might actually BE her fault, and to ask her exactly how you SHOULD be caring for your nails!

I have rules for new clients:
Do not poke, pry, pick, or peel with your new enhancements.
Enhancements are jewels not tools.
Find new tools to open soda cans, etc. (I use a pen, a knife, whatever is handy.)
NO LESS than 2x per day apply a high quality cuticle oil to your nails!  This helps keep them flexible and conditioned.

So go get that tech to check out your hands, and see whats going on.  Nails don't break like that for no apparent reason, go find out what the reason is.

Keep me posted ;)  And good luck! :)