Gel vs. Acrylic Nails: Identifying the Difference & What You Paid For

Question
went to get gel nails.
i think it turns out, i may have received acrylic "posing" as gel nails.
first, white powder mixed w/ liquid applied to tips
then pink powder mixed w/ liquid to entire nail.
under lamp for 5 minutes
buffed w/drill
shine gel applied
under lamp for minute or two
did i get gel or acrylic nails.
after researching, i think it sound like i paid for gel, but may have received acrylic.
is there any way a gel nail would use powder?

Answer
Hi Gina
Sounds to me as if you were scammed by an NSS salong (NSS = Non Standard Salon).  This is a very common scam.  They urge you to pay more for gel, then use 'acrylic' from a jar marked 'gel'.  For REAL "UV Gel", powder is NEVER used.  The product is as the name implies, a "gel".  Thick in varying viscosities from cream to hair gel. There is NO powder and NO purple liquid that is runny like water. ALSO it's completely odourless;  ALL gels are odourless.
You recieved standard acrylic with a "UV sealant" which should not be confused with uv gel.  It's to prevent the acrylic which is likely cheap and toxic, from yellowing.

Please see this page on my site for more info.
http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id18.html

In addition, there should be no difference in price between QUALITY acrylic that is non-toxic and UV Gel.
It's only the cheap illegal acrylic that is 1/3 the cost of quality product.

Hope that this helps.
If you were indeed scammed, I urge you to share this info with friends and family and report the salon for fraudulent marketing etc to the appropriate authorities in your area.  These places will not be closed down unless consumers complain.

Best regards
Victoria