Acrylic nails are made with two substances - a liquid and a powder which form together to create the acrylic nails. Acrylic nails, in most cases, are the strongest semi-permanent nail extensions available.

A plastic tip is glued directly onto the natural nail. Acrylic is then applied over both the tip and the natural nail and is then "sculptured" to provide extra strength to the nails. The acrylic is sealed to the natural nail and grows with the nails, which means that to maintain a set of healthy extensions that maintain their beauty will require regular maintenance visits to "infill" the newly exposed natural nail growth with more acrylic.

Artificial fingernails can also be made from gel. Most gel nails use a "light cured" gel consisting of pre-mixed polymers and monomers. This special gel is first brushed onto the surface of the natural nail. The gel is then set, or "cured," under an ultraviolet light. "No-light" gels, an alternative to the light cured type, are slowly gaining in popularity. These gel nails are cured by brushing or spraying a gel activator onto the nails or by dipping the fingernails into water. Artificial fingernails made from gel tend to be more natural looking than acrylic nails, but are also less strong and less durable.

A plastic tip is glued directly onto the natural nail. A special odourless, clear gel is applied over both the tip and the natural nail and is then "sculptured" to provide extra strength to the nail. The gel is cured using UV light which seals the tip to the natural nail.

A regular visit is required to maintain a beautiful set of gel nails. This will involve an "infill" to the newly exposed natural nail growth.

Sculptured nails are another popular type of artificial fingernail. These nails are applied to the natural fingernail with an acrylic or a fiberglass gel, and lengthened and sculpted over metal or foil to produce the desired shape and length. Sculptured nails generally last longer than other types of artificial fingernails, but must be filled in on a regular basis in order to keep a natural appearance.

The final, most common type of artificial fingernail is the wrap. Wrap nails are small, thin pieces of silk, fiberglass, or linen which have been cut to a desired shape and glued or bonded to the surface of the natural fingernail. Because wraps are the softest of the artificial fingernails, they are also the least durable. However, because they are so thin, smooth, and lightweight, wraps are usually considered to be the most natural looking of all the artificial fingernails.