Below is a bit of information regarding some of the products used in nail salons.
Acrylic: Acrylic is mixed when monomer (liquid) hits polymer (powder), the ratio of liquid to powder is determined by the technician.
Hard Gel: Hard gel is an acrylic – pre mixed builder Gel in bottles that can either be soaked or filed off. The benefit is that it has no odour and has unlimited workability time.
Soft Gel: This is also known as gel polish or shellac. Essentially they are the same as hard gel and acrylic it just comes in a bottle, and uses a led or uv light to cure it.
Polygel: Polygel is a hybrid between Acrylic and Hard Gel. It comes in a tube, the ratio is pre-mixed for you. The benefit of polygel is that it has no odour and has unlimited workability time. It’s more of a putty type of product and must be cured by led or uv light.
Acrylic Dipping Systems: Known by many as SNS these kits often come with 4-5 bottles where you apply a base coat from the bottle (paint it on like nail polish) and either dip or sprinkle powder onto the nail, this is repeated two or three times then topped off with a top coat. Some brands are cured by light other brands have a brush on activator. But it is still an acrylic powder. SNS is just a brand of an acrylic dipping system