Natural fiber Keratin is a structural protein located at the hard surfaces in many vertebrates. Keratin has two forms, α-keratin and β-keratin and are used by different classes of animals. The naming convention for proteins follows that for keratin, alpha keratin is helical and beta keratin is sheet like. Alpha keratin is found in mammalian hair, skin, nails, horn and quills, while beta keratin can be found in avian and reptilian species in scales, feathers, and beaks. The two different structures of keratin have dissimilar mechanical properties, as seen in their dissimilar applications. The relative alignment of the keratin fibrils has a
Artificial nails polymer with "liquid monomer", usually ethyl methacrylate mixed with some inhibitor, forms a malleable bead. This mixture begins to cure immediately, continuing until completely solid in minutes. Another common material is acrylic gel, which contains photoinitiators that prevent its curing until exposed to either ultraviolet light within a certain wavelength. Some new techniques, too, have been invented, attempting to make obsolete the two outlined above. Dipping, for instance, involves painting nails with special primer and base coats, then repeatedly painting the nail with a clear coat and submerging it in powder. Nail products are available in a variety of colors