Did I really get gel nails or are they acrylic?

I have been getting acrylic nails for 1year straight now at the same salon. This time around the tech talked me into the gel nails because they would look nicer. When he applied them he used a white powder on them (he showed me the difference in powders showing me the acrylic was way more yellow looking and the gel was much more white in color). He first put on tips to lengthen my nails then applied the powder and then sent me under the uv light for about 3 minutes. Afterwards my nails were so clear and gorgeous, i didnt even need polish, even though i still chose french manicure! From the sound of it did I get gel nails as promised even though he used a powder on them? They came out looking wayyy different & nicer than my regular acrylics but I heard gel nails never use powder. Im confused, please help!