Now that you know the history of the acrylic nail and what the substance actually is, it's easier to wrap your head around the thickness and durability of the option. Initially intended for dentistry, the acrylic nail comes with a firm quality and hardness not easily replicated by other nail options. But with all those pros, acrylic nails have a drawback regarding their appearance: Acrylic nails look fake with a capital F.

In pop culture references from the 1950s, bright red nails filed to perfection were all the rage. Think of those old Coca-Cola ads and scenes from the beach, where the women looked perfect with their curled hair and perfect nails. While the look was replicated over and over, acrylics have a fake look to them that is pretty obvious. Their thickness, length, and even the sound they make when you rub them together scream artificial — fans of Dolly Parton must be thinking of her famous interview where she created a tune by gently hitting her acrylic nails together, singing a jingle as her nails made a "click click" sound that natural nails can't do (via YouTube). 

"Acrylics are much stronger than gel which makes them more durable," Hannah Lee, a Sally Hansen nail expert, told Harper's Bazaar. "If you are looking to extend your nail quite a bit, then you would want acrylics, but if you're going for more of a natural look, gel is what you'd want."