If you’re an avid fan of gel polish, you know how frustrating it can be when it starts to peel off too soon. 

It’s not uncommon for gel polish to last for several weeks without chipping, but if and when it starts to peel off, it can be a real nuisance. 

In this post, we’ll explore some of the possible reasons why your gel polish may be peeling off and what you can do to prevent it from happening. 

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro when it comes to gel polish, this post will provide valuable information on how to keep your gel polish looking its best. 

So, let’s get started!

How do you keep gel polish from peeling?

Here are 7 steps you can take to help prevent your gel polish from peeling:

1. Make sure you prep your nails properly before applying the polish. This includes removing any excess oil or dirt from your nails, pushing back the cuticles, roughing up the surface, and applying a base coat that’s designed to work with gel.

2. Use a high-quality gel polish and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application. Sadly there are some poor-quality gel polishes on the market that are far more likely to peel. It’s always best to go with a trusted well-known brand.

3. Make sure you apply the polish in thin, even layers and cure each layer under a UV or LED lamp according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically a layer of gel polish should cure for either 30 seconds (under LED) or 2 minutes (under UV light).

4. Avoid getting your nails wet or exposing them to heat or steam immediately after applying the polish. Heat and water are major causes of gel nails peeling off too soon.

5. Avoid picking at or peeling off the polish. This can weaken the bond between the polish and your nails and cause them to peel.

6. Keep your nails moisturized. You can do this by applying cuticle oil and/or hand cream regularly, as dry nails are more prone to peeling.

7. Touch up any existing chips. If your polish is starting to peel or chip, touch up the affected areas as soon as possible to help prevent further peeling.

Following these steps can help keep your gel polish looking its best and prevent it from peeling prematurely.

Why does my gel polish peel off so quickly?

Here are several possible reasons why your gel polish may be peeling off quickly:

• Improper nail prep: If you don’t properly prep your nails before applying the polish, it may not adhere properly and may peel off quickly. Make sure to remove any excess oil or dirt from your nails. You can wash them with dish soap or use an alcohol wipe to get rid of any unwanted moisture and oil. Shape and file them, push the cuticles back with a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick and apply a suitable base coat before applying the gel polish.

• Using a low-quality gel polish: If you’re using a low-quality gel polish, it may not be as durable as a higher-quality brand and may peel off more easily.

• Applying the polish too thickly: If you apply the polish too thickly, it may take longer to cure and may be more prone to peeling. Make sure to apply the polish in thin, even layers and cure each layer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Not curing the polish long enough: If you don’t cure the polish long enough under the UV or LED lamp, it may not fully harden and may be more prone to peeling. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s and or lamp makers’ instructions for curing times.

• Overcuring: Curing your gel nail polish for too long can cause the gel to crack and become brittle, which can lead to peeling.

• Exposing your nails to water or heat shortly after applying the polish: If you get your nails wet or expose them to heat or steam shortly after applying the polish, it may cause the polish to peel off more easily.

• Peeling or picking at the polish: If you peel or pick at the polish, it can weaken the bond between the polish and your nails and cause it to peel off more easily.

• Skipping the base coat: This is a terrible idea and a major cause of peeling! Gel polish needs a proper base to adhere to, so always, always use a base coat that’s compatible with gel.

By addressing these possible causes, you may be able to prevent your gel polish from peeling off so quickly.

Is it OK to peel off gel nail polish?

NO! I know it’s tempting but don’t do it!

Here’s what you need to know.

It is generally not recommended to peel off gel nail polish, as it can damage your nails.

When you peel off gel polish, you are also removing the top layer of your natural nail, which can cause thinning, weakness, and sensitivity. 

In addition, peeling off gel polish can leave your nails prone to breaking, splitting, and peeling.

If you want to remove your gel polish, it is recommended to use a gel polish remover specifically designed for removing gel polish. 

This can help to safely remove the polish without damaging your nails.

To remove gel polish, you will need to follow these steps:

1. File the top layer of the gel polish to break the seal. Use a fine-grit nail file and gently file the surface of the polish until it becomes rough and matte. Be careful not to file too deeply, as you don’t want to damage your natural nails.

2. Apply a generous amount of gel polish remover (usually acetone based) to a cotton pad and place it over your nail. Wrap your nail in foil to hold the pad in place.

3. Wait for the gel polish to soften. The exact amount of time will depend on the strength of the remover and the thickness of the gel polish.

4. Wipe off the softened gel polish with a cotton pad or a cuticle pusher. If the polish is still not coming off easily, you may need to repeat the process or soak your nails for longer.

5. Repeat the process for each nail.

By following these steps, you can safely remove your gel polish without damaging your nails.

How long should gel nail polish last?

Gel nail polish is known for its durability and long-lasting wear. 

When applied properly, it can last for up to 3 weeks without chipping or peeling. 

That’s pretty impressive, right?

But, of course, the actual length of time that gel polish will last can vary based on a few different factors.

For example, if you’re using a lower-quality brand of gel polish, it might not be as durable as a higher-quality brand and might not last as long. 

Similarly, if you’re not careful with your application technique or don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions for curing, your polish might not last as long as it should.

Additionally, your daily activities can affect how long your gel polish lasts. 

If you’re constantly washing dishes or using harsh chemicals, your polish might not last as long as it would if you were taking it easy on your nails.

And if your nails are dry and brittle, the polish might not adhere as well and might not last as long as it would on healthier nails.

Overall, you can expect your gel polish to last for about two to three weeks with proper care and maintenance. 

To get the most out of your gel polish, make sure to prep your nails properly before applying the polish, use a high-quality brand, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and curing. 

Avoid picking at or peeling off the polish, and keep your nails moisturized with cuticle oil and/or hand cream. 

With a little bit of TLC, your gel polish should last for weeks and weeks!

How many coats of gel polish should I use?

When it comes to applying gel polish, it’s important to remember that thin layers are key.

Thick layers of gel polish can take longer to cure and may be more prone to chipping and peeling. 

Therefore, it’s generally best to use as few coats as possible to achieve the desired coverage.

As a general rule, you should use two coats of gel polish for optimal coverage and durability. 

The first coat should be applied in a thin, even layer and cured according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

The second coat can then be applied in the same way, making sure to cover the entire nail and seal the free edge.

Of course, every person and every gel polish is different, so you may need to adjust the number of coats you use based on your specific needs and preferences.

 If you’re using a sheer or pale-colored polish, you may need to use more coats to achieve full coverage. 

On the other hand, if you’re using a bold or opaque polish, you may be able to get away with just one coat.

In short, aim for two coats of gel polish for optimal coverage and durability, but feel free to adjust the number of coats based on your specific needs and the properties of the polish you’re using.

What helps gel nails stay on?

Here are some tips for you to help keep your gel nails looking their best for longer!

• First and foremost, I know I keep banging on about this, but proper nail prep is key. 

Before applying your gel polish, it’s super important to take the time to remove any excess oil or dirt from your nails.

The best way to do this is to wash your hands and nails with dish soap (make sure they are fully dry before you start applying the gel polish). 

Or alternatively, you can use a lint-free wipe or cotton pad soaked in isopropyl alcohol.

This will help the polish adhere better to your nails and last longer.

• Using a high-quality gel polish is also important.

Higher-quality brands tend to be more durable and long-lasting, so it’s worth investing in a good-quality polish if you want your gel nails to stay on for as long as possible.

Good quality doesn’t always mean expensive. You could also go for a cheaper brand as long as the reviews are good.

• It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and curing. 

Every brand is different, so curing times can vary quite a bit.

No matter what brand you’re using, always make sure to apply the polish in thin, even layers and cure each layer according to the instructions. 

This will help the polish fully harden and bond to your nails.

• Avoiding activities that could potentially damage your nails can also help your gel nails stay on. 

For example, try to avoid getting your nails wet or exposing them to heat or steam shortly after applying the polish. 

It’s a good idea to wear gloves while cleaning and washing dishes and you could even wear them in the shower too!

And of course, avoid picking at or peeling off the polish, as this can weaken the bond between the polish and your nails and cause it to peel off.

• Finally, keep your nails moisturized by applying cuticle oil and/or hand cream regularly.

Dry nails are more prone to peeling, so keeping them moisturized in between manicures can help your gel nails stay on for longer.

By following these tips, you can help your gel nails stay on longer and keep them looking their best!

How long should you wait between coats of gel polish?

When it comes to applying gel polish, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and curing. 

Different brands of gel polish may have different recommendations for how long to wait between coats, so make sure to check the instructions on your specific brand.

As a general rule, you should wait until the first coat of gel polish is fully cured before applying a second coat. 

This usually takes about two minutes under a UV lamp or 30 seconds under an LED lamp. 

However, some brands may require a longer curing time, so it’s important to follow the instructions on the package.

Waiting until the first coat is fully cured before applying the second coat helps to ensure that the polish adheres properly to your nails and fully hardens.

If you apply the second coat too soon, the polish may not bond as well and may be more prone to chipping and peeling.

In short, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how long to wait between coats of gel polish.

This will help to ensure that your polish adheres properly and lasts as long as possible.

Do you wipe gel polish between coats?

When applying gel polish, it is generally not necessary to wipe the nails between coats.

However, there is always a very thin layer (known as the inhibition layer) that does not fully cure.

This sticky, super thin layer is perfectly normal and does not usually need to be removed in between coats.

You may need to remove the sticky inhibition layer of the gel after you apply your gel topcoat, but this depends on the topcoat you are using.

If you do need to remove the inhibition layer, this is easily done by wiping gently over the nail with a cotton pad or lint-free wipe soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Some gel polish brands may recommend wiping the nails with a lint-free wipe or a cleanser between coats to remove the sticky layer. If this is the case, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Is 4 coats of gel nail polish too much?

It depends.

In general, you won’t need more than two coats of gel nail polish for optimal coverage and durability. 

Applying too many coats can increase the curing time and may make the polish more prone to chipping and peeling. 

However, if you’re using a sheer or pale-colored polish, you may need to apply more coats to achieve full coverage. 

In this case, it’s okay to use up to three or four coats of polish, as long as you’re applying them in thin, even layers and curing each layer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

In short, aim for two coats of gel nail polish for full coverage and long-lasting nails. 

If you need to use more coats for any reason, make sure to apply them in thin, even layers and cure each layer well.

Do you shake gel nail polish?

No, most gel nail polish brands do not require shaking before use. 

Shaking the bottle may be a very bad idea because it can actually cause air bubbles to form in the polish.

No one wants bubbles in their manicure, so resist the urge to shake!

If you really want to mix up the contents of your gel polish bottle, use a small wooden stick.

Or gently move the bottle around in your hands slowly without shaking.

Should I rough up my nails before gel polish?

It’s always a good idea to buff the surface of your nails a little before applying gel polish.

Doing this creates a rough surface that allows the base coat to stick better.

This also helps combat peeling.

Roughing up your nails before applying gel polish can help the polish adhere better to your nails and last longer. 

This is because the rough surface provides more surface area for the polish to grip onto, which can help to improve the bond between the polish and your nails.

However, it’s important to be gentle when roughing up your nails. 

Use a fine-grit nail file or buffer and gently file the surface of your nails until they are slightly rough and matte. 

Be careful not to file too deeply, as you don’t want to damage your natural nails.

It’s also important to remember that roughing up your nails is not necessary for all types of gel polish. 

Some gel polishes are formulated to adhere well to smooth nails, so roughing up your nails may be unnecessary.

If you’re not sure whether to rough up your nails before applying your gel polish, check the manufacturer’s instructions or ask your nail technician for guidance.

FAQ’S

Can you use a peel-off base coat with gel polish?

Yes, it is possible to use a peel-off base coat with gel polish. 

Peel-off base coats are specifically designed to allow for the easy removal of gel polish without the need for acetone or nail polish remover. 

They are applied in the same way as regular base coats, but they create a barrier between the gel polish and your natural nails.

This means that your manicure can be easily peeled off when you’re ready to remove the polish.

Using a peel-off base coat with gel polish can be a convenient option if you want to avoid using acetone or nail polish remover to remove the polish. 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that peel-off base coats may not be as effective at adhering the polish to your nails as regular base coats. 

As a result, your gel polish may not last as long when using a peel-off base coat.

If you want to use a peel-off base coat with gel polish, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and removal. 

It’s also a good idea to test the base coat on one nail before applying it to your whole hand to make sure it works well with your specific gel polish.

How long does gel polish last with peel-off base coat?

Gel polish applied with a peel-off base coat may not last as long as gel polish applied with a regular base coat. 

This is because peel-off base coats are specifically designed to allow for easy removal of the polish, and they may not provide the same level of adhesion as regular base coats.

The actual length of time that gel polish will last with a peel-off base coat can vary based on a few things, including the quality of the polish, the condition of your natural nails, and your daily activities.

In general, you can expect gel polish applied with a peel-off base coat to last for about one to two weeks with proper care and maintenance. 

It’s also worth noting that some peel-off base coats may be more effective at adhering the polish to your nails than others, so it’s a good idea to test out different brands and see which works best for you.

The post Gel manicure fails? Here’s how to fix peeling polish appeared first on nailhow.

I tried drying my regular nail polish under a UV lamp to see if it helped the polish to dry any faster.

In this post, we’ll go over the results of my little experiment and take a look at the most efficient ways to dry your nail polish.

Ready to get started?

Let’s do this.

Does UV light dry regular nail polish?

No UV light does not dry regular nail polish. Regular nail polish is a mixture of nitrocellulose and a chemical solvent called ethyl acetate. When you paint your nails, the solvent evaporates and the polish dries. This evaporation process can not be sped up by using a UV lamp.

So, there you have it. Unfortunately UV light doesn’t have any effect on regular nail polish.

The reason UV light works so well on gel polish is that gel polishes contain reactive molecules called photoinitiators that are activated by UV light.

Basically, when the chemicals in gel polish are exposed to UV light, the molecules react to form a hard plastic.

This only takes around 30 seconds.

Regular nail polish doesn’t contain these reactive molecules, so UV lamps are pretty much useless for drying normal nail polish.

Regular nail polish dries when the solvents in the formula evaporate, leaving behind nitrocellulose which dries in a solid film on the nail.

So if you can’t use a nail lamp to speed up the drying process, is there something else that works?

Let’s find out.

What is the best way to dry regular nail polish?

The best way to dry regular nail polish fast is to use a nail fan or a hairdryer on a cool setting. The cool air will help to evaporate the solvents in your polish so that the nitrocellulose can set more quickly. Quick-drying topcoats or nail sprays also work.

Nail fans like this one work because they increase the airflow around your nails.

This makes the solvents dry faster so that your nails will set quicker.

If you don’t have a nail fan, you can use a hairdryer set to cool.

Don’t use a hot hairdryer as this will just melt the polish.

If you are using a hairdryer, you’ll need to hold it far enough away from your nails so that you don’t cause ripples or bubbles.

Another good way to speed up the drying time of regular nail polish is to use either a quick-drying nail spray (the link is to my favorite one) or a fast-drying top coat like this Seche Vite one.

You may have heard people talking about using ice baths, cooking oil, or sticking their hands in the freezer to speed things up.

I’ve tried all of the above.

Do ice baths help nail polish dry faster?

Ice baths are a complete waste of time. They don’t work and they actually slow down the evaporation process.

Does cooking oil work?

Cooking oil sprays can work, but only if the aerosol spray contains a propellant. Otherwise, you’ll just end up with moisturized hands.

Can putting your hands in the freezer dry your nails?

Putting your hands in the freezer does help to thicken up the polish a little, but it doesn’t make a huge difference to the overall drying time.

Can you dry regular nail polish with an LED light?

No, you can’t use an LED light or nail lamp to dry regular nail polish. This is because regular nail polish dries when the solvents in the formula evaporate in the air. Unlike gel polish, regular nail polish does not contain any molecules that react to LED light.

Unfortunately, neither UV nor LED light works on regular nail polish.

LED light only works on gel polishes because they contain photo inhibitors (molecules that react to LED light).

So when you expose the gel polish to LED light, the molecules harden and become like plastic.

This process doesn’t work with regular nail polish because normal nail polish doesn’t contain any photo inhibitors.

Instead, regular polishes contain solvents that evaporate in the air.

Once all the liquid solvents in regular nail polish have evaporated, a firm film of nitrocellulose is left behind.

Can you cure regular nail polish?

No, you can not cure regular nail polish. Curing is what happens when photo inhibitor molecules react to UV or LED light. Gel nail polish contains these reactive molecules, regular polish does not. So it’s impossible to cure regular nail polish. You can only dry it by evaporating the solvents.

So, curing is a chemical process that occurs when a certain type of molecule in nail polish is exposed to UV or LED light.

These molecules are called photo inhibitors. When they are exposed to LED or UV light they harden and become like plastic.

The problem is those photo inhibitors are only found in gel nail polishes.

Regular nail polish dries and hardens by evaporation, not a chemical reaction.

You paint regular polish on, then you need to wait for the liquid solvents in the polish to evaporate (or dry).

LED and UV lamps are designed to cure, not speed up the evaporation process.

So they don’t work on regular nail polish.

Remember – nail polish dries, and gel nail polish cures.

Does a UV light dry gel nail polish?

If your gel nail polish says UV or “soak-off” on the bottle, then you can use a UV light to dry (or cure) it. However, there are some non-UV gel polishes you can buy that are designed to dry in the air. UV light won’t work on this second type.

If you’re not sure whether your gel polish needs UV light to cure or not, check the wording on the bottle.

There are basically 2 types of gel polish.

One is true gel polish that needs UV or LED light to cure.

The second is regular nail polish marketed as gel because it has a shiny finish.

If it says “gel finish”, “gel-like” or “gel nail color” but doesn’t say UV on the packaging, then a UV light will not work to dry it.

If it says UV gel or soak-off gel polish then you need a UV light to cure it.

You can dry true gel nail polish in 30 seconds with a UV lamp.

Other non-UV gel polishes need to be treated like regular nail polish.

This means that you need to wait for them to dry in the air.

How long does it take for regular nail polish to dry?

In my experience, each coat of regular nail polish takes 20 minutes to dry. This means that the total drying time for 2 coats of color is around 40 minutes. Add to that 5 minutes for base coat to dry and 20 minutes for the topcoat to dry and you need to wait just over an hour.

I like to apply a base coat and wait for at least 5 minutes (sometimes 10).

Base coats dry pretty fast, so after 5 minutes I usually apply my first thin coat of color and wait 20 minutes.

You may be able to get away with 15 minutes but I usually give it the full 20 just to be sure all the solvents have fully evaporated.

After 20 minutes, I apply a second coat and leave that to dry for 20 minutes.

Then I apply a top coat and wait a further 20 minutes before I use my hands.

This smudge-proof method has never let me down.

Does cold air dry nail polish faster?

Yes, cold air can help to dry your nail polish faster. Nail polish dries when the solvents in the polish evaporate and cold air does help to speed up this process. For the best results use a nail fan or a hairdryer (make sure it’s set to cool).

Cold air works because it helps the liquid solvents in the nail polish to evaporate faster.

You need to be careful not to blow the polish too hard though because this can cause bubbles.

A nail fan is ideal, but a hairdryer on cool works pretty well as long as you hold it far enough away (about 6 inches distance between your hand and the nozzle is ideal).

Nail dryer for regular polish

To cut down on drying time, you can invest in a nail dryer.

Basically, this is a portable fan that’s shaped like a nail lamp.

Alternatively, you can buy a UV or LED nail lamp that also has a fan function.

These gadgets are very handy for drying regular nail polish and they are much easier to use than a hairdryer.

They work by increasing the airflow around the nails, which makes the solvents in the nail polish evaporate faster.

It’s important to note that cool air works best.

Warm air equals mushy nails!

Do led nail dryers work on regular polish?

No, LED nail dryers don’t work on regular polish. A LED nail dryer is designed to work with gel nail polishes. For LED dryers to work, the nail polish has to contain photo inhibitor molecules, and these are only found in gel nail polish. Regular polish works by evaporation and cannot be dried using LED dryers.

No amount of LED exposure can make regular nail polish dry.

LED dryers are only good for curing UV gel nail polish or soak-off gels.

The best way to dry regular nail polish faster is to use a nail fan, fast-drying spray, or quick-dry top coat.

Final thoughts and tips for how to make regular nail polish dry faster

So, let’s have a quick recap shall we?

For those of you who are always in a hurry, here’s how to dry regular nail polish quickly:

1. Apply thin coats. The thinner the coats, the faster they dry.
2. Use cool air. Nail polish dries when the solvents evaporate. Cool air speeds up this process.
3. Try fast-drying nail spray. These actually work!
4. Use a quick-drying topcoat. I like Seche Vite’s top coat. It dries super quick and gives a nice shiny finish.

Follow these golden rules and you’ll do great!

Whatever you do, don’t try to dry your nails using a UV or an LED lamp.

They don’t work on regular polish and are a complete waste of time.

I hope that you enjoyed my does UV light dry regular nail polish post.

Happy painting!

Amazon associate’s disclaimer

As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The post Regular Nail Polish Meets UV Light: Will it Dry? appeared first on nailhow.

So, let’s set the record straight right now.

None of these methods work on (proper) gel polish. Not one of them.

That’s right. Whether you blast your nails with a hairdryer, (wave them in the air like you just don’t care) or sit for hours like a statue, your gel polish will never, ever cure.

The truth is that there are only 2 ways to cure gel nail polish. You can either use a UV lamp or an LED lamp. That’s it.

Now, I’m guessing you’ve seen people using these methods on youtube and claiming they work.

So what’s going on?

Well, you may have noticed that I used the word “proper” to refer to gel polish above.

That’s because (thanks to some clever marketing by the nail industry) there are now basically 2 types of “gel” nail polish.

The first kind of gel polish is the proper kind.

True legit gel polish lasts for up to 2 weeks without chipping and needs to be cured with LED or UV light.

You also need to soak it off.

The second type of gel polish isn’t really gel polish at all.

It’s a regular nail polish that is marketed as “gel”, non UV gel, or “gel-like” nail polish.

This is the stuff that you can use ice baths and cooking spray on, but you really don’t need to because it’s basically just normal nail polish that dries in the air.

So now that we’ve cleared up that confusion, let’s answer some of your gel polish curing questions.

How to cure gel nails without a UV light

Before we get into how to cure gel nails without a UV light, you need to know what type of gel polish you are using.

This is super important as most of the non-UV removal methods won’t work on soak-off gel polish.

As we’ve learned from reading the intro, there are 2 main types of “gel polish”.

If you are using true, bonafide soak-off gel nail polish, you only have 1 option to cure it without using UV light.

And that’s to use an LED nail lamp.

Here’s how.

How to cure gel nail polish using LED light

LED nail lamps are great because they cure much quicker than UV nail lamps.

With an LED light, you can cure a single layer of gel polish in 30 seconds.

For this method, you will need:

• an LED nail lamp
• fingerless gloves or sunscreen (optional)
• Gel base, colored polish, and topcoat
• Rubbing alcohol (or isopropyl alcohol)
• Cotton balls or lint-free wipes/pads

Steps for curing gel nail polish with an LED lamp

1. Apply sunscreen or put on fingerless gloves. This step is optional but it will help to protect your hands. Be careful not to get any sunscreen on your nails as your gel polish won’t stick. You can wipe the nails over with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol to remove oil from the nail plates.

2. Apply a gel basecoat. I like to do both my thumbs and then the fingers from each hand separately.

3. Cure under the LED lamp for 30 seconds.

4. Apply a thin even layer of gel nail polish in your chosen color. Try not to get any gel polish on your cuticles or skin. If you do, wipe it off with a cotton bud dipped in water.

5. Cure for 30 seconds in the LED lamp.

6. Apply a second coat of color, being careful to wipe the brush so that you can keep the coat thin and even with no clumps.

7. Paint on a gel top coat, don’t forget to cap the free edge to lock in that color!

8. Cure for 60 seconds under the LED lamp.
9. Wipe off the sticky layer using a cotton ball or pad soaked in rubbing or isopropyl alcohol. This sticky layer is known as the inhibition layer. You don’t need to press down hard to remove it.

10. Enjoy your new gel mani!

How to cure non-UV gel nail polish

If you are using a nail polish that says gel on the bottle but doesn’t require UV light to cure, then you can basically just go ahead and let it air dry.

No lamp of any kind is needed.

You can expect your “gel” nails to air dry naturally in around 20 minutes.

You could also try using a quick-drying nail spray or a fast-drying topcoat to speed things up a little.

The icebath method

I tried this after using a non-UV gel nail polish and it didn’t work for me.

If anything, the water slowed down the drying process.

I don’t recommend using the ice bath method, but if you wanna give it a try, here’s how to do it.

1. Fill a bowl with water and ice
2. Paint your nails (apply the base, 2 coats of color, and topcoat)
3. Wait for 2 minutes
4. Dunk your nails into the ice bath
5. Wait for them to dry

I found this method to be tricky (how are you supposed to dry your hands?) and pointless.

So what about the cooking spray method for curing gel polish?

Does that work?

Let’s find out.

The cooking spray method

This method involves spraying your nails with an aresol-based cooking spray like Pam.

This method works better than the ice bath method, but I’d still recommend that you use a quick-drying nail spray or top coat for the best results.

Say goodbye to waiting for your gel nail polish to dry! Using an oil spray can help speed up the process by harnessing the power of propellants to evaporate the polish faster.

And in addition, oil also moisturizes your cuticles.

So what are the steps for the cooking oil method?

1. Apply base coat, 2 coats of your favorite polish and a top coat.

2. Take the cooking oil and spray the nails (keep a distance of 6 inches)

3. Wait for 2 minutes

4. Test your nails. Touch your pinky nail gently in a corner (this will be least noticeable if it idents or smudges). They should be dry (but not fully hardened).

5. Wash off the oil with dish soap and use cold water.

While using an oil spray to dry your gel nail polish may seem like a good idea, it can actually be quite messy and tricky to use.

Instead, I’d recommend opting for a quick-drying top coat for a more efficient and less frustrating solution.

The sunlight method

The final method that’s all over the net for drying gel nail polish is the sunlight method.

This method does make sense since the sun gives off UV light and that’s what gel polish needs to cure.

But the sun is very far away and you’re not going to get the intensity of light that you need to fully cure your gel nails.

I tried this method on a very sunny and hot day and it did not work at all.

I was left with smudgy smooshy nails and had to start all over.

If you wanna try it out for yourself, simply paint your nails and then sit in the sun for hours and hours and hours…

Substitute for UV light for nails

The best and only substitute for UV light when it comes to curing true gel nail polish is an LED nail lamp.

If you are using a polish that says “gel” on the bottle but doesn’t require UV light to cure, you don’t need a substitute because this type of polish will dry naturally in the air.

You can treat these “gel” polishes as regular polishes, which means that you can use a fast-drying spray or a quick-drying top coat to speed up the drying process.

Do you need UV light for nail polish?

You need a UV light to dry gel nail polish, but only if it is a proper, soak-off gel polish.

True gel nail polish can also be dried using an LED nail lamp.

You don’t need UV light to dry regular nail polish or gel nail polish that is non-UV.

Check the bottle. If your nail polish requires UV light to cure it will say it on the label.

Can gel polish air dry?

This is a tricky question because marketers have jumped on the gel bandwagon.

The result is that they advertise normal shiny finish nail polishes as gel polish.

So whether or not it will air dry depends on whether you are using a UV soak-off gel polish or a regular gel polish.

UV soak-off gel polishes will never air dry no matter how long you wait.

But there are some nail polishes on the market that say “gel” or “gel-like” finish on the bottle.

They may also say non-UV gel polish.

All of these “gel” polishes will air dry in around 20 minutes.

What happens if you don’t cure gel polish?

If you don’t cure your gel polish, it will stay tacky and wet.

Like forever!

I know this because a while ago I tried painting the tops of my gel nail polish bottles so I could see the colors.

Big mistake.

It stayed wet and soft, even after a week!

So if you don’t cure your gel nails they will be soft, smooshy, and gloopy for ages and will smudge and come off easily.

Quick recap:

Let’s go over what we’ve learned.

There are 2 types of gel nail polish. Proper and normal. Proper or true gel polish needs a UV or an LED lamp to cure. Normal gel nail polish is basically just regular nail polish plus fancy marketing.

If you want to cure your soak-off gel nail polish without UV light, an LED lamp is the only way that works well.

With the regular kind, try the cooking oil method (but be prepared for it to be messy), the sunlight method (which is unlikely to work well), or just air dry. If your polish doesn’t require UV light to cure, you can use a fast-drying spray or top coat.

And finally, if you don’t cure your nails they will stay soft, smooshy, and gloopy for ages!

I hope that you found this post on how to cure gel nails without a UV light helpful and that I could clear up some of the gel-based confusion for you!

Thanks for reading and happy gelling.

The post DIY Gel manicures without a UV light? It’s not Possible! appeared first on nailhow.

I’m going to give you 4 methods to try out and clear steps for each acetone-free removal method.

But before we start, you should know that most acetone-free ways of removing gel nail polish are time-consuming, so you’ll need plenty of patience.

They’re worth it if you want to avoid the damaging effects of acetone on your nails though.

So let’s jump in and find out how to get gel nail polish off without acetone and without causing damage to your precious nails.

How to remove gel nail polish without using acetone

Let’s outline each of the methods so you can see which one you think will work best for you.

If you want to take your gel polish off and avoid acetone then you basically have 4 options.

The 4 ways to remove gel polish without acetone are:

1. Filing the gel polish off
2. Using an acetone-free nail polish remover
3. Soaking the gel polish off
4. Peeling off the gel polish

Let’s take a quick look at what’s involved in each method so you can choose which one to go for.

That way you can just scroll down to the method you want and follow the steps outlined below.

Of course, the method you choose is going to be based on the tools and equipment you have at home, as well as your personal preferences.

For example, personally, I hate soaking. I’d much rather file my gel polish down. But you do you.

Filing off gel nail polish

One way to remove gel nail polish without acetone is to file it off.

This can be done in 2 ways.

You can either use a regular, manual nail file (180 grit is best for removing gel polish).

Or you can use a nail drill (aka an E-file).

Using an E-file is the quickest and easiest way to get gel polish off, but not everyone has one and they can take a little getting used to.

If you love your acrylic nails or hard gel extensions, then I’d definitely recommend getting a nail drill.

They save you a ton of time and removal is super easy.

If you don’t have a nail drill, don’t worry, you can remove gel nail polish with a regular nail file just as effectively.

It will take a little more time and work, but the results are the same.

Using an acetone-free gel nail polish remover

You give each nail a quick file, then the removal gel goes on with a brush just like nail polish.

Leave it on for around 5 or 6 minutes and the gel polish will shrivel and peel off easily.

Then you can gently scrape it off with a cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick.

Soaking the gel polish off

The soaking method is pretty straightforward.

You’ll need to soak your nails in either warm water or a water/oil solution for 20 to 30 minutes.

This helps to break down the gel polish so it can be removed more easily.

You can also choose to use an abrasive substance (usually sugar or salt) to help speed the process up a little.

More on how to do that later.

Peeling off the gel polish

Let’s be clear.

I do not recommend that anyone peel off their gel nail polish!

It is extremely damaging to your nail plates.

However, a gentle peeling method can be used in conjunction with the soaking method to remove stubborn gel nail polish.

This final method works best on very old gel polish.

How to remove gel nail polish at home

Now that you have an idea of what’s involved in each removal method, let’s look at the tools, equipment, and exact steps.

How to file gel nail polish off at home

What you’ll need:

• A regular nail file (180 grit) or a nail drill (aka E-file)
• A nail buffer
• Isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol)
• Cotton balls or pads
• Cuticle oil (optional)
• Hand cream (optional)

Don’t worry too much if you don’t have alcohol and cotton pads.

These are for cleaning the dust and oil from your nail plates after you remove the polish.

If you don’t have them, you can simply wash your hands with dish soap and it will be fine.

Alright, now that you have gathered together your tools, let’s get into the steps.

Steps for filing off gel nail polish

Step 1: Take your nail file and begin filing down the gel polish.

A 180 (medium grit) nail file is best for this.

If your nail file has a 100 and a 180 side, or any 2 numbers, always start with the lowest number.

Then work your way up to the higher number as you get closer to your natural nail.

Try to use smooth, even motions that sweep across the entire nail and follow the curve.

You can either go back and forth or file in one direction, both techniques work well.

Using a nail drill to file away gel polish

If you are using a nail drill, you’ll want a coarse sanding band to remove gel nail polish.

With the drill, sweep across the width of each nail in an even motion.

Try to keep the speed and the pressure the same as you do this.

Step 2: Switch to your nail buffer

Once you have removed all of the color and most of the base coat, you should switch to a nail buffer.

This will help to smooth out any last lumps and bumps and add shine to your natural nails.

Buffing also helps create a nice surface for your next manicure if you plan to polish again.

Step 3: remove dust and oil

The best way to do this (especially if you are going to paint your nails again) is to soak a cotton pad in isopropyl alcohol and wipe each nail down.

If you don’t have alcohol and or wipes, washing your hands with dish soap will also do the trick.

That’s it!

Pretty easy huh?

And no nasty chemicals.

How to remove gel polish with nail polish remover

Good news!

Acetone-free gel nail polish removers are now a thing!

What you’ll need:

• An acetone-free nail polish remover that’s designed to work on gel polish
• A nail file (180 grit or medium grit is best)
• A cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick

Steps for removing gel polish with nail polish remover

Step 1: File off the top layer of polish

This is important because topcoats often contain slightly different chemicals from the colored gel polish itself.

These types of gel nail polish remover work best on the gel polish itself.

You don’t need to file too much, a quick even file across each nail should be enough to allow the removal gel to penetrate.

Step 2: apply the gel nail polish remover

Paint a thin layer of the removal gel over each nail.

Be careful not to get the product on your skin or cuticles.

The gel is quite thick so it will not run, but you will need to wait for it to work.

Step 3: wait 5 minutes for the removal gel to work

On the packing, it says that it works in 2 minutes.

But I found that 5 minutes is the perfect amount of time for easy removal.

You’ll know when it’s ready because the polish will burst, shrivel up and peel off easily.

Step 4: gently scrape all the gel polish away

Using either a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick, gently remove all of the polish.

You should find that it comes off really easily.

If you have any stubborn bits or bits that you missed while painting it on, go over them again.

How to soak off gel nail polish at home

The soaking method works best on old gel polish, so don’t try this on freshly painted nails!

What you’ll need:

• A bowl
• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Something to stir with
• Oil (cooking or baby oil works well)
• Sugar or salt (optional but speeds things up)

Steps for soaking off gel nail polish at home

Step 1: fill a bowl with warm water

The warmer the water is the better, but please be careful not to scald yourself!

Step 2: add equal parts dish soap and oil to the water

You don’t really need to be exact with the quantities here.

Just throw roughly the same amount of oil and dish soap in with the water and mix it up.

If you want to, you can also throw in some salt or sugar and occasionally rub your nails down with a soaked cotton pad to help speed things up.

Step 3: Soak your nails for 15 minutes

You can set 5-minute timers on your phone and keep checking, but I find that 10 to 15 minutes is about right.

Step 4: use a cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to remove the polish

Once you’re done soaking, gently scrape off the gel polish.

If it’s being stubborn, soak it for a few more minutes and continue scraping.

Step 5: Rinse your nails with warm water and dry them off

Once all the polish is off, wash your hands and let your nails dry thoroughly before starting the nest step.

Step 6: Buff your nails

Buffing helps to remove any residual gel polish and gives your nails a nice shine.

You can use a nail buffer or a regular ol’buffer block.

And that’s it!

Your nails are now gel polish free.

How to safely peel off gel nail polish

I don’t recommend peeling gel polish off, but if you need to get it off fast and you don’t have any tools or equipment to hand then this method will work.

What you’ll need:

• A sink/warm water
• Your own fingernails

Steps for peeling off gel nail polish (with less damage)

I know that it happens and I’ve been guilty of peeling off my own nail polish in the past.

So if you must peel, let’s go over how to do it in the best possible way.

Step 1: soak your nails in warm water for 5 minutes or run them under hot water if you don’t have a bowl.

This helps to soften the gel polish and makes it easier to peel off.

Step 2: gently start peeling from one corner

You want the polish to be soft.

If it’s stubborn or sticking too much, you’ll tear away the top layer of your nail plate, so be patient and careful!

Use your own fingernails to slowly and carefully peel the gel polish off, starting from one corner.

Step 3: repeat until all the gel polish is removed

Keep soaking and peeling until your polish is off.

Your nails will probably be a little rough and a little damaged from using this method.

So buff and apply some nail strengthener as soon as you get a chance.

Final thoughts:

I hope that this article has helped you to understand how to remove gel nail polish without acetone.

There are a few different methods that you can use, and each has its own set of pros and cons.

Soak-off is the best method if you want to avoid damage to your nails, but it does take a little longer.

If you’re in a hurry, peeling off the gel polish is the quickest way to get it off.

But it’s also the most damaging to your nails, so use this method sparingly!

The post Gel Polish Removal Made Easy (and Acetone-Free) With these Tips appeared first on nailhow.

I can help you out with that.

In this post, I’m going to share my top 8 nude gel nail polish picks.

All of the polishes in this post are soak-off gel polishes that I’ve tested out myself.

They lasted for 10-14 days and require UV light to cure.

I love nude nail polishes, they’re absolute lifesavers!

You can rock a nude nail polish anytime, any place, and for any occasion.

Nude nails are elegant, sophisticated, and about as versatile as a manicure gets.

So what’s the best nude gel nail polish?

Let’s take a look at some great ones I’ve found.

IBD Just gel nail polish – Cashmere Blush(click to check price)

This gel polish color is called Cashmere Blush.

I’d describe the color as a light nude with subtle peachy undertones that work well for any skin tone.

If you want a barely-there color that will work with a french manicure (or just enhance your natural nail color) then I’d say this is a great one to go for.

The hint of warmth in this polish makes this the perfect nude for warm-skinned beauties.

The color is so natural looking that your manicure will last for ages. I barely noticed when mine finally chipped after 8 days.

DND DC Duo 303 Essential – Gel & Matching Lacquer Polish(click to check price)

Ever loved a color so much that you had to have it in gel and regular polish formulas?

Sometimes, I want the staying power and fast application time that gel polish offers.

But ocassionally I also need to give my nails a little break from gel polish.

That’s where this duo set comes in.

You can choose whether to paint your nails in gel or lacquer, which I like to do sometimes during the week.

If my nails need doing on say, Wednesday, I’ll use the non-gel laquer and then do something fancier for my weekend nails.

The color is called Essential, and it definitely lives up to its name.

I found that it was very versatile and chic.

You just might need this in your life!

Kiara Sky Gel Polish – Bare With Me(click to check price)

This sandy beige nude from Kiara Sky is made in the USA.

The shade is called Bare With Me.

I’d describe it as smooth, rich beige that looks very sophisticated and minimal.

Heres a video that shows the application so you can see what the color looks like after 1 and 2 coats:

It works for all skin tones, but the thing I like most about this gel nail polish is that it’s 100% cruelty-free.

Kiara Sky doesn’t test on animals and is fully certified by PETA

So you can indulge in this nude gel polish, safe in the knowledge that no animals were harmed in its making.

MEMEDA Gel Nail Polish – nude 3(click to check price)

Now, this is the kind of nude that gets me excited!

Simply named “Nude 3” this is the softest, most delicate, peachy pink nude gel polish.

The gel polish goes on smoothly, with no streaks and the result is a glass-like finish that’s super modern-looking and shiny.

If you have fair skin with cool undertones like I do, this could be your new favorite too!

And even if you don’t, this will still look stunning on most skin tones.

If sheer, natural, and classy is what you’re going for, this could be the one.

GAOY Sheer Nude Gel Nail Polish – Natural Pink Translucent Color 1301(click to check price)

If you want the Korean jelly gel nail polish finish that’s trending right now, you might want to give this one a try.

This is from GAOY and it’s called “Natural Pink Translucent Color – 1301”.

I’d say it’s a light, delicate pink that goes on sheer, but can be built up for more opacity if you want.

I like to wear it with 2 coats, but you can go for 3 or 4 if you want a really intense color.

This is such a pretty shade and it’s perfect for summertime.

The quality is great from this brand, too.

This is the best sheer gel nail polish I’ve tried.

GAOY Sheer Nude Gel Nail Polish Set – 6 Neutral Skin Tones(click to check price)

If you’re not sure which type of nude shade you’re going to like best, why not try a set?

I found that the value for money on these jelly gel polish sets is pretty good.

For less than it costs to buy 2 full bottles, you get 6!

Not a bad deal if you love your nudes and want to experiment.

Each of the 6 jelly nudes in this set can be worn sheer or more opaque depending on the number of coats you do.

I have to say, the colors are absolutely stunning, they are highly pigmented and there’s something for every skin tone.

These jelly polishes apply perfectly and don’t chip easily at all – I’m in love!

Beetles Gel Polish Set- 6 Colors (Libra Collection)(click to check price)

If you haven’t heard of Beetles gel polish yet, where have you been hiding?

This is a great brand that’s very popular, particularly on Amazon.

They do a beautiful nude series called the Libra Collection which is a perfect set of 6 colors.

The colors range from an almost white-pinkish nude to a pinky brown that almost looks tan.

These are all colors that look great on everyone, and like Korean jelly polishes, you can increase the intensity of the color by adding extra coats.

The different looks you can get from this set are really endless.

And the value for money with Beetles is always great.

Here’s a video that shows the colors being applied so you can see what they look like after the first and second coats:

Bluesky gel nail polish – Make It Yours (AW2113)(click to check price)

The final nude polish I wanna share with you is this one from Bluesky.

Bluesky gel nail polishes are really good, and perhaps a little underrated.

I used to use them a lot when I first got into gel polish.

They last ages, don’t chip easily and the colors are great.

This one is called Make it Yours, and it’s a light pinkish brown nude that’s great for those with pale skin and soft coloring.

Now that you’ve seen some of the best of the best gel nail polishes on the market, it’s time to decide which is for you.

Need some tips for picking out the perfect nude?

Read on.

How do you pick a nude nail color?

Picking the perfect nude is easy once you know how.

Don’t worry though, because, with nudes, it’s pretty hard to go wrong!

Basically to find the perfect nude you need to focus on 2 things.

They are:

• The depth of your skin color
• The undertone of your skin [Source]

Let’s look at each of these aspects in a bit more detail.

How to match the depth of your skin

The depth or intensity of your skin should help you to narrow it down a lot.

How do you do that?

Well, you look at nude polishes that match the intensity and level of your natural skin.

So if you have very pale skin with soft coloring, look for a pale nude that’s soft and delicate.

If you have medium skin, look for a medium nude, not too light, not too dark.

You want to match your skin to the nude shade you choose as closely as possible.

This will give you a natural and seamless look.

How to match your undertone

For undertone matching, you need to know if you are warm or cool.

Warm-skinned beauties will look best in warmer-toned nudes like beiges and peachy nudes.

Whereas cool-skinned beauties should go for nudes with cool pink, mauve, or taupe tones.

If you’re not sure what your undertone is, here’s a quick test you can do at home.

Stand in front of a mirror in natural light and take a good look at the veins on your wrists.

Do they look green?

If so, you have warm undertones.

Do they look blue or purple?

If so, you have cool undertones.

If they look a bit of both, then you have neutral undertones and you’re lucky because that means you can wear any nude!

Now that you know how to pick the perfect nude for you, it’s time to get shopping!

So scroll on up and make your choice!

Sources, citations, and further reading

Pavlovic, Liz. “The science of UV cure nail gels: A short review.” Proceedings RADTECH International North America Conference. 2018.

Skin tone colors – how to tell if you’re cool or warm

How to find the perfect shade of nude (this article is about lipstick but the advice works for nails too).

Amazon associate’s disclaimer

As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The post Nailed it: The Top 8 Nude Gel Polishes to Try Now appeared first on nailhow.

Let’s find out.

In this post, we’re going to demystify slip solutions.

We’ll talk about how polygel slip solution works, why it’s important, and what to use if you don’t have any.

In a hurry?

Here’s the short and fast answer:

Polygel slip solution is a liquid thinner for polygel. Dipping your brush in a slip solution makes it easier to sculpt polygel nails to the desired shape and thickness. The main ingredient in slip solution is usually alcohol or ethyl acetate, which are both solvents. If you don’t have a slip solution, rubbing alcohol, acetone-free nail polish remover or a gel base coat make good substitutes.

Alrighty, now let’s dig a little deeper.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this post:

What is slip solution and how does it work?

Slip solution is a solvent. It works like a thinner.

You may have noticed that when you squeeze polygel out of the tube, it’s thick, gloopy, and very sticky.

Polygel slip solution basically thins out the poly gel a little, just enough to make it easier to work with.

It’s important to note that poly gel slip solution only thins out the nail gel slightly.

Slip solution does not break down the poly gel to the point where the structure of the nail is affected.

Slip solution works in a similar way to monomer for acrylic nails.

Though a major difference between monomer and slip solution is the smell.

Monomer smells really bad, but slip solution is low-odor.

Some brands of slip solutions even have a pleasant fruity smell.

Basically, using a slip solution makes the whole gel manicure process smoother, easier, and quicker.

What are the ingredients in slip solution?

Precise ingredients vary between brands.

However, the main ingredient in slip solution is usually fast-drying alcohol like denat or Isopropyl alcohol.

Another key ingredient in slip solution is a solvent called Ethyl acetate.

Most slip solutions do not irritate the skin and you can buy slip solution that is free from chemical nasties if this is a concern.

How to use polygel slip solution

Using poly gel slip solution is easy.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Pour a tiny amount of slip solution into a small dish or glass.
2. Squeeze the polygel tube until you have a blob sitting on top that’s the size you want.
3. Use the spatula end of your application tool to transfer the gel to your nail plate, a dual form or tip.
4. Clean the spatula, then dip the brush end of your application tool into the polygel slip solution. (You can add more liquid bit by bit until you’re happy with the consistency).
5. Using the wet brush, sculpt the nail to the shape and thickness you want.
6. Once the solution has evaporated, (this only takes a few seconds) you can go ahead and cure your nail.

Polygel slip solution DIY

Can you make your own polygel slip solution?

Why, yes you can!

Here’s the best recipe for making your own slip solution at home.

What you need:

• 1 x cup of water
• 2 tablespoons of dish soap (Dawn is good for this)
• 3 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin

How to make it:

1. Mix the water, dish soap, and glycerin together in a bowl until well combined.
2. Pour the solution into a plastic container or a glass jar/bottle with a lid.
3. Shake it up before each use.

Bare in mind that the water is going to take a lot longer to evaporate than alcohol.

What can I use if I don’t have slip solution?

If you run out of slip solution or you’re polygel nail kit didn’t come with one, don’t panic!

There are some great alternatives that you might just have at home.

Below are some of the products that people have tried out instead of slip solution and details on whether they work or not.

Can you use alcohol instead of slip solution for PolyGel?

Yes! Alcohol is the main ingredient in a lot of slip solutions, so it makes sense to use it as an alternative.

The higher the percentage the better.

Ideally, you want alcohol that’s 70% or higher for it to work.

Rubbing alcohol is ideal. In fact, some nail technicians prefer it to slip solution!

If you have a bottle of vodka or a similar spirit that is 70% alcohol, that will also work.

Can you use acetone instead of slip solution for PolyGel?

You should never, ever use acetone as poly gel slip solution!

Acetone is what’s used to remove polygel.

So if you use acetone as slip solution it will dissolve the gel too much, leaving you with a runny, awful mess!

Can I use nail polish remover as slip solution for PolyGel?

Most nail polishes contain acetone, so they don’t work as slip solution alternatives for poly gel nails.

However, an acetone-free nail polish remover will work, and is a suitable substitute for slip solution in a pinch.

Can you use isopropyl alcohol?

Yes, isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol) works very well as a slip solution.

Some people prefer to use Isopropyl alcohol rather than a slip solution to apply their nails.

90% and above is going to give you the best results, but anything above 70% volume should do nicely.

Is slip solution the same as acrylic liquid?

Although slip solution is to polygel nails what monomer is to acrylics, they are not the same thing.

The chemical composition between monomer and slip solution is completely different.

Because of this, it’s not a good idea to use a liquid monomer as a slip solution with polygel nails.

It may make application a tiny bit easier, but it doesn’t help with the stickiness and your nails are going to be more likely to lift.

It’s much better to use rubbing alcohol if you have that.

Can you use basecoat as slip solution?

Actually, some basecoats can work in place of a slip solution.

Your basecoat needs to be compatible with the poly gel that you’re using (the same brand is ideal).

Then you can go ahead and pour a tiny amount of the base coat into a dish and dip the brush in just like you would with any other slip solution.

What is the best slip solution for Polygel?

Forget all of the polygel brands with their fancy ingredients and even fancier packaging.

The best slip solution for polygel nails is 99% Isopropyl alcohol(click to check price).

So many DIY’ers have used rubbing alcohol when they ran out of slip solution and found that it works better for them.

So save yourself the headache and grab some simple but effective Isopropyl alcohol.

The link above is for a 99% formula that’s great for gel nail prep, but that also works well for cleaning beauty tools (like nail and makeup brushes) and for sterilizing earrings.

Final thoughts:

Let’s sum up what we’ve learned, shall we?

Polygel slip solution is a substance used to help with the application of polygel nails.

There are many substitutes for slip solutions that can be used in a pinch if you run out or don’t have any on hand.

The best substitute for polygel slip solution is 99% Isopropyl alcohol. 

Alcohol is the main ingredient in a lot of slip solutions, so it makes sense to use it as an alternative.

Isopropyl alcohol works very well as a slip solution and is a suitable substitute for polygel nail application.

You can also use nail polish remover, but make sure it is acetone-free.

Basecoat can also work in place of a slip solution as long as it is compatible with the poly gel you are using.

In general, it is not a good idea to use liquid monomer as a slip solution with poly gel nails because it can make the nails more likely to lift.

I hope that you enjoyed this post on polygel slip solution and that you found it useful.

Happy nailing!

Check out our best polygel nail kit article here.

Amazon associate’s disclaimer

As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The post Polygel slip solution explained and alternatives you need to try appeared first on nailhow.

Let me help you with that.

The best polygel kit for your nails is going to depend on your experience, the look you want, the equipment (if any) that you have already, and of course your budget.

With all this in mind, I’ve bought and tested some of the best gel nail kits on the market.

The products in this review were not given to me for free and I’m not sponsored or affiliated with the companies in any way.

So let’s dive right in and see my top 8 polygel nail kits!

Best overall polygel kit

This kit comes with clear and white gels.

Poly gel nail kit from Makartt (click to check price)

But what really makes it stand out for me are the 4 beautiful, natural pinks that are included in this kit.

These neutral, chic pink shades should work well for any skin tone.

I found that they all worked really well for my cool, pale skin.

They’re great for everyday nails and any occasion.

If you want subtle, elegant polygel nails that will go with any outfit to keep you looking perfectly polished, this could be the kit for you.

I found that the poly gel is high-quality, easy to work with, and looks stunning!

Who should buy this kit?

• Based on my testing, I’d say this kit is best for beginners/intermediates who love to do natural-looking polygel nails at home
• I’d also recommend it to those who already own a UV or LED lamp (or don’t mind buying one separately).
• Nail lovers who want a high-quality, long-lasting polygel kit.

Kit includes:

• 6 x 15ml tubes of Poly gel (clear, white, and 4 pink shades)
• 1 x 8ml Base Coat
• 1 x 8ml Top Coat
• 1 x Dual-ended Nail Brush / Spatula
• 60 x Dual Forms in various sizes
• 1 x Nail File
• Instructions

Pros:

• High-quality poly gel for long-lasting gel nails
• Excellent value for money
• Easy to apply
• Beautiful soft pink colors that work for all skin tones

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with an led uv lamp
• No slip solution
• You don’t get dehydrator/primer

Our top tips for using this kit:

• Use a dehydrator and primer for longer-lasting gel nails that don’t lift.
• Try using a color first. With clear gel, it’s sometimes hard to see the thickness, length, and shape of the nails.
• Try to apply poly gel thinner right at the base. This looks more natural growing out and will be less likely to lift.

Best complete polygel nail kit

If you’re looking for a nail kit that comes with everything you need to create beautiful nails and stunning nail art designs, look no further than this.

Morovan Poly gel nail kit (click to check price)

It’s one of the bestselling poly gel nail kits on Amazon and has fantastic reviews.

I was very impressed with how easy the polygel is to apply.

I’d say that this is a great kit for beginners for that reason.

It comes with high-quality, long-lasting polygel in 8 colors and i thought the price was very reasonable.

You also get a large lamp that is good quality, and a bunch of awesome tools and nail art supplies.

Who should buy this kit?

• Based on my research and testing, I’d say this kit is best for beginners/intermediates who want something that’s very easy to use
• Those who want a complete kit with a lamp that’s great value should appreciate this kit too
• This kit should satisfy anyone who doesn’t want to waste time looking for separate products
• I’d also say it’s good for nail lovers who wanna try out some nail art designs

Kit includes:

• 1 x 48 W nail lamp
• 8 x 15 ml tubes of poly gel in a variety of colors and glitters
• 1 x Primer
• 1 x Dehydrator
• 1x Base Coat
• 1 x Top Coat
• Slip solution
• Nail cleansing wipes
• Form stickers
• Nail Clippers
• Dappen dish
• Striping tapes
• Rhinestone glue gel
• 5 piece tool/application kit
• 120 dual forms
• 2 x nail files
• Rhinestones and gems

Pros:

• Comes with everything you need for beautiful nails
• High quality, large UV light that’s good for curing longer nails
• Great value for money
• Very easy to use

Cons:

• Doesn’t include nail clips

Our top tips for using this kit:

• Don’t push the forms down all the way. Use gentle pressure.
• The base coat dries sticky so apply the poly gel on top of the sticky layer after 2 minutes.
• Double the cure time for the best results. I found that 120 seconds is perfect.
• Do a single squirt of gel then spread it evenly. This helped me to avoid bubbles and nails with weak areas.

Best reviewed polygel nail kit

Modelones Poly Extension Gel nail kit.

This nail extension kit from Modelones has everything you need to create beautiful, strong, and long-lasting polygel nails.

The 48 W lamp has 3 settings (90, 60, and 30 seconds) and is a nice size.

I found that the Modelones gels are very easy to use so I would happily recommend this one for beginners.

You also get nail gems and glitter so you can get creative with your nails right off the bat.

This kit has a ton of positive reviews.

A lot of people like it because you get a good range of colors, and I’d have to agree that the colors are great.

The poly gel is also easy to work with, and it dries fairly smoothly so I didn’t need to do a ton of filing.

Who should buy this kit?

• In my opinion, beginners and intermediates who want a complete kit with some nail art stuff will like this kit.
• I’d also recommend it to anyone looking for poly gel that’s easy to manipulate and file.
• Nail lovers who want a good variety of colors.

What you get:

• 6 Colors of Poly gel (Dark Gray, Nude, Light Brown, Rose, Natural Pink, and Clear).
• 1 x 48W Nail Lamp
• 10ml Base and Top Coat Set
• Brush and Spatula tool (dual-ended)
• Curved and straight Dual Forms
• Nail File
• Nail Buffer
• Nail Cutters
• Nail Tweezers
• Cuticle Fork
• Nail Dust Brush
• Cuticle Oil
• Nail Glitter
• Gems.

Pros:

• Comes with everything you need
• Worth every penny
• Good strong polygel nails
• Gives a nice smooth finish that requires minimal filing
• The gel goes a long way
• The rhinestones are beautiful

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with nail clips
• The cuticle tool sucks

Our top tips for using this kit:

• Get a Modelones primer and dehydrator to prevent lifting and make your nails last longer.
• Buy some plastic clips to help stop nails lifting.

Best polygel nail kit that comes with a drill.

Beetles Poly gel nail kit with drill(click to check price)

You might already be familiar with Beetles gel nail polish.

But did you know that they make polygel nail kits as well as gel nail polish?

The 2 things I liked most about this kit is that it’s fantastic value for money and it comes with a nail drill!

Not many kits have a nail drill (aka an e-file) included.

But having a nail drill makes the removal process so much easier.

I couldn’t live without my nail drill, in my experience, it’s a real game changer that saves me a ton of time when I’m doing my nails.

The poly gel in this kit is also toxin-free and low odor.

The colors are very flattering for most skin tones and are neutral so they should go with all of your outfits.

They certainly worked well with most of mine!

Who should buy this kit?

• Those who want a kit that comes from a trusted brand that has a good reputation for quality gel nail polish.
• Nail lovers who want to save time and effort on removal and shaping.
• Anyone who wants to try out matte and shiny finishes.

What this kit comes with:

• 6 x 15g tubes of poly gel (White, Clear, Natural pink, Dark pink, Bean red, and skin tone
• 1 x 48W nail lamp
• 1 x nail drill with an adapter
• A pack of drill bits and sanding bands
• 48 x dual forms in 12 sizes
• 1 x dual-ended application tool (spatula/brush)
• Nail form stickers
• 4 different glitters
• Rhinestones
• Gel base and top coat set with 2 top coats (matte and shiny)
• 1 x nail file

Pros:

• Excellent value for money
• Well-known and trusted brand
• Comes with a nail drill
• Nice selection of colors
• Perfect for beginners

Cons:

• Not suitable for those who have allergies
• Doesn’t come with clips to hold the forms in place (you can buy them separately)

Our top tips for using this kit:

• I found it’s best to adjust the curing time for the level of thickness. Add extra curing time if your nails are thicker.
• Don’t forget to cure the underneath side. I had much better results when I did this.
• Be patient with yourself and allow for the learning curve if you are new to polygel.

Best professional quality polygel nail kit

If you’re looking for a professional-grade product then check out our best

professional poly gel nail kit from Gelish(click to check price)

This is a trial kit that comes with a patented formula of clear polygel.

It also came with a dual-ended application tool, and a slip solution.

I found the Gelish polygel was a dream to file and it was very easy to work with overall.

When I tested this, the polygel felt very lightweight and comfortable to wear but it was also very durable and strong.

I liked that Gelish polygel didn’t chip, break or crack easily and you can do 2 or 3 fills for a longer-lasting manicure.

Who should buy this kit?

• I found this to be the best chip-resistant kit I tried. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants nails that won’t chip or crack easily.
• I got 2 fills into this. So Nail lovers who like to do more than one fill and have their nails last 8 weeks or more should love it!
• Those who want salon-quality nails with staying power.

What this kit comes with:

• 1 x 60g tube of polygel (clear)
• 120ml slip solution
• A dual-ended application tool

Pros:

• Very strong high-quality poly gel (looks like you want to the salon)
• Easy to shape
• Lasts ages
• Saves you time
• Excellent protection for natural nails

Cons:

• Not the cheapest option out there
• Doesn’t come with forms, led lamp, files, etc
• Only one color included

Our top tips for using this kit:

• Make sure you saturate your brush so the gel isn’t too dry.
• Buy the Gelish polygel PH bond and Pro bond (sold separately) for better adhesion.

Best polygel kit for color junkies

Want a poly gel nail kit that’s great value for money, with a ton of colors and finishes?

This kit from Ohuhu(click to check price) ticks those boxes.

It comes with 18, (yes 18!) different colors and finishes of polygel.

I was so excited to check out all the amazing colors!

It came with 10 solid colors, 4 color-changing gels (that get lighter as the temperature increases) and 4 different glitter polygels.

If you love experimenting with different creative looks, this is the perfect kit for that.

As well as colored polygels, you also get a bunch of tools and extras (full list below).

Who should buy this kit?

• Creatives who like shiny things
• Beginners and intermediates who want great value for money
• Anyone who wants a huge color collection!

What the kit comes with:

• 18 x 15g tubes of poly gel (Clear, white, nudes, pinks and color changing plus glitters)
• Slip solution (30ml)
• Base Coat
• Matte top coat
• Glossy top coat
• 50 x Nail form stickers
• 60 x Dual nail forms
• Dual ended Brush and spatula tool
• Nail file
• Cuticle nippers
• Nail clippers
• Cuticle pusher

Pros:

• Huge choice of beautiful colors and finishes
• Good quality tools
• Easy to use
• Jelly and opaque colors included
• long lasting nails
• Great value

Cons:

• I found that the plastic forms are too curved.

Our top tips for using this kit:

• Coordinate the glitters with the other colors in the pack
• Buy a separate pack of better-shaped dual forms, they are too curved.
• Get some nail clips to help prevent lifting.

Best color-changing polygel nail kit

For those of you who can’t get enough of the color-changing polygels,

This Burano Poly Extension kit(click to check price) is my top choice for you.

You get 8 bold and bright colors that get lighter once the temperature is 28 degrees or above.

The effect is actually quite dramatic, I was surprised at how well these worked.

I got a ton of compliments!

Depending on the temperature, your nails might look dark, ombre, or light and natural.

I’d say the poly gel is a good consistency that’s easy to work with, and the 3 in one base coat is very good.

I wish they sold the 3 in one base separately because it’s really good, but unfortunately, they don’t.

Who should buy this kit?

• I’d recommend this kit for color changing nail addicts
• It’s also a good buy for those that are looking for something a bit different
• Anyone who wants their nails to get noticed!

What you get:

• 8 x 15g color-changing polygels (dark red, purple, teal, blue, pink, red, orange and yellow)
• 1 x 3 in 1 glue gel/base coat/s.solution
• Dual forms (12 sizes)
• Form stickers
• Tips (10 sizes)
• Nail file
• Application tool
• Top coat

Pros:

• The base coat is really good. It performed very well
• The colors are amazing
• The gel self-levels nicely
• Smooth finish that needs minimal filing
• Super fun to wear
• Great value

Cons:

• I think some of the colors are too pale and more pastel-looking than I’d like.

Our top tips for using this kit:

• Dip your hands in water to see the change
• Gotta try them all!
• Have fun!

Best glitter polygel kit

If you love shiny things as much as I do you’ll love this

Makartt polygel kit(click to check price)

The packaging is the cutest and you get 12 different glitter gels to try.

The gels are excellent quality (not too runny) and they were very easy to apply, so this should be good even for beginners.

If you want a lovely pearlescent finish that is totally opaque this kit is perfect for that.

It came with 12 gels, so I think the value for money is great and with proper nail prep, your nails will last for ages without popping off.

Who should buy this kit?

• Based on my testing, I’d say that Beginners, intermediates, and pros will all love this kit.
• Magpies who love glitter
• Those who want a great quality polygel

What you get:

• 12 x 15 ml glitter polygels in a variety of colors including white, pink, nudes, orange, yellow and blue.
• Base coat
• Top coat (glossy)
• Dual forms
• Dual-ended tool for application
• Nail file

Pros:

• Cute packaging
• Good selection of colors
• Excellent quality gel
• Great bang for your buck

Cons:

• A little sticky for my liking

Our top tips for using this kit:

• Buy a good slip solution to combat the stickiness
• Use 70% rubbing alcohol instead of slip solution

Which Polygel nail kit is the best?

What’s the best poly gel nail kit on the market?

Well, based on my research and experience it’s

Makartt’s polygel French Manicure kit.

In this kit, you get clear, white and 4 shades of pink polygel (6×15 ml tubes).

Plus you get a base coat, top coat, a dual-ended spatula/brush tool, a nail file, and 60 plastic forms.

The polygel is of great quality, easy to use, and long-lasting.

The kit does not come with an led lamp so if you don’t have one you’ll need to buy one separately.

This kit has great ratings and is very affordable.

What is the best Polygel nail kit for beginners?

The best poly gel nail kit for those new to polygel is

Makartt pink Polygel nail extension kit(click to check price)

It comes with almost everything you need to get started, including 6 tubes of polygel (15 ml), base and top coat, 60 plastic forms for nail extension, slip solution and a mini LED lamp.

You also get a dual-ended spatula/brush tool, a hand file, rhinestones, and glitter.

This kit comes with full easy-to-follow instructions too.

It doesn’t include primer or dehydrator. You will need to buy those separately.

If you want to remove your polygel nails quickly and easily, you may also want to purchase a nail drill (aka e-file).

It’s common for beginners to lay polygel and builder gel on a little too thick.

This means that you’re likely to get through the polygel kit quickly.

It might be best, especially if you are on a budget, to go for a cheaper brand and upgrade once you’re used to using polygel.

What is the best Polygel nail kit on Amazon?

Based on my tests, the Markarrt Polygel french manicure kit and the Makarrt pink poly gel nail extension kit are the best polygel nail kits available on Amazon.

If you have an led lamp already then I’d go with the

Makartt’s polygel French Manicure kit.

If you like pink, glitter and gems (and you need an led lamp), go with the

Pink Polygel kit

What is the best Polygel nail extension kit?

Most polygel nail kits come with dual forms that allow you to do nail extensions easily.

However, they don’t always come in a range of nail shapes.

This means you have to file your polygel nails into the desired shape.

A polygel nails extension kit contains dual forms in different nail shapes.

This saves you time when it comes to filing.

For polygel nail extensions, the best kit is this one.

Pink Polygel kit

It comes with clips, stickers, and dual forms in 3 different shapes.

If you like to have long gel nails, investing in a high-quality polygel is a good idea.

I’d recommend Gershion, Makartt, or Modelones for longer nail extensions.

What is the best brand Polygel nail kit?

Honestly, a lot of the kits from brands like Modelones, Morovan, Ohuhu, and Beetles, are very similar in quality.

They all glide on easily and last around the same length of time (3 to 4 weeks depending on how well you look after them).

The higher-quality brands are Gershion, Gelish polygel and Makartt.

I find that these brands are very easy to work with and that my gel nails have serious staying power.

I get consistently strong and nice-looking nails with these brands and the color stays vibrant for 3 weeks.

What is the best cheap Polygel nail kit?

If you’re on a tight budget, this section is for you.

Or maybe you’re not on a tight budget, but you’re just not sure whether or not you’ll get into polygel nails.

In either case, you’re not going to want to spend a lot of money.

So here’s my top recommendation for the best cheap gel nail kit.

This kit by Modelones comes with 6 colors, a nail lamp, base, and top coat, slip solution, hand file, application tool, and dual forms and it won’t break the bank.

Best polygel nail brand

I can’t choose just one, but in my opinion, the best brands are Gershion, Gelish, and Makartt.

I have used all three of these brands and they are all great.

All are easy to work with, last ages, and have a good choice of colors and effects.

I haven’t had problems with popping off, breaking, cracking, or lifting with any of these three brands.

Polygel Amazon

Amazon is a great place to buy your polygel.

They have good brands like Makartt, Gershion, Modelones, Beetles, Morovan, and Gelish.

You can buy full polygel kits, extension kits, or just tubes of colored, clear, or pink polygel all on Amazon.

Best polygel nail forms

The best poly gel nail forms I could find are these ones from Modelones(click to check price)

You get 120 forms in multiple sizes.

Each form has a number on so you can keep track of which form is for which finger.

They also have markings on them so that you can get the exact right length for each nail.

They are reusable and they have a c curve built in.

Best polygel brand on Amazon

Here are my favorite polygel brands that you can buy on Amazon:

• Coscelia
• Makartt
• Gershion
• Modelones
• Beetles
• Gelish
• Burano
• Ohuhu
• Morovan
• Opove
• Saviland
• Astound
• SXC

All of these brands are decent. But it’s always best to check the reviews fully before you make your purchase.

Where to buy polygel

Not everywhere sells polygel, but it is widely available if you know where to look.

The obvious place to buy polygel is on Amazon, but you can also get it from Walmart, at Sally’s, or at Target.

Ali Express, Wish, and Etsy also sell polygel.

There is a company called Madeline that sells their own brand of polygel in the U.S.

You could also try local cosmetics stores and nail and beauty salons to see if they stock it.

Madeline luxury polygel nail kit reviews

If you’ve gone down the polygel rabbit hole, you may have come across the Madeline luxury polygel nail starter kit.

So what is it?

And more importantly, is it any good?

I think that the use of the word “kit” here is a tad misleading.

Here’s what you get in this so-called “kit”:

• 1 x luxury polygel color
• Slip solution
• Forms
• Cuticle pusher
• Dry nail brush

Do 5 items make a starter kit? I think maybe not.

It also costs $50. So yeah, not cheap.

They do sometimes have half-price deals on it though.

The formula is supposed to be professional quality, so there is that.

What about reviews?

Well, they are generally positive for both beginners and intermediate nail enthusiasts.

Though some people did find that the product took some getting used to.

Best polygel nail kit UK

If you’re in the UK and you want the best starter kit, head on over to Amazon UK and take a look at this polygel nail kit from Mobray.

It comes with 8 x 15ml tubes of polygel, Slip solution, Base coat, Glossy and Matte top coats, nail forms, glitter, and a bunch of application tools.

It has great reviews and is suitable for beginners (led lamp not included).

What do you need for polygel nails?

Here’s a list of tools and equipment you’ll need to do polygel nails:

• Primer
• Dehydrator
• Base coat
• Polygel
• Dual forms (for nail extensions)
• Application tool (brush on one end spatula on the other)
• Slip solution
• A nail lamp
• Cuticle pushing tool
• Nail file (180 grit)
• Dappen dish
• Top coat

You may also want to get some glitter, gel polish, or gems/striping tape, etc but these items are optional.

A nail drill (aka an E-file is also a good thing to have for easy removal).

Is polygel good for beginners?

Yes, polygel is a good option for beginners and there are so many great polygel kits out there.

It’s not as difficult to do polygel nail extensions as it is to do acrylic nails or hard gel, and it doesn’t require any mixing.

Polygel is also much lighter than acrylic nails or hard gel, so it’s less likely to cause damage to your natural nails.

The only downside is that it can be slightly more expensive than acrylic nails.

Overall, I think polygel kits are great if you’re serious about doing your own nails at home.

Amazon associate’s disclaimer

As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

The post The Best Polygel Nail Kits: A Buyer’s Guide. appeared first on nailhow.

What factors affect how long you get out of your polygel manicure?

Do they last as long as acrylic nails?

Will they break easily? Do they damage your nails?

We’re about to answer all of these questions and more!

This is your one-stop post to see how long you can expect to get from a full set of polygel nails.

Let’s get started.

How long do Polygel nails usually last?

Polygel nails usually last three to four weeks.

The longevity depends on your lifestyle and how well you care for your nails.

If you are rough with your hands or use your nails as tools, your manicure will not last the full 4 weeks.

The quality of product, the application method, and how well you care for your nails all factor into how long they last.

The average time you will get from a polygel manicure before it starts to show signs of wear is 21 days.

Polygel nails can last longer if done by a skilled nail technician.

Does polygel last longer than acrylics?

Gel nails have the strength of acrylic nails and they are more flexible than acrylic nails.

However, any nail technician will tell you that polygel nails do not last longer than acrylic nails.

Both acrylic and gel nails typically last between three to four weeks.

The main difference between the two is that polygel nails are more resistant to chipping and breaking than acrylics.

Think of polygel nails as plastic and acrylic nails as glass.

Glass is stronger than plastic, but if you drop a glass, it will break, plastic will not.

How long do polygel nails stay on for?

Polygel nails will easily stay on for three to four weeks.

If you get a single set of gel nails and you let them grow out, they will stay on your nails until you remove them by soaking them in acetone.

In theory, polygel nails can stay on for several months if you keep filling them in.

However, you should always take a break from any type of nail enhancement every 3 months.

How do you get off polygel nails?

Getting polygel off is quick and easy once you know how.

It takes around 30 minutes to remove polygel.

First, you’ll need to trim and/or file any extensions down.

Next, file the gel nails down using an e-file or a 180 grit hand file.

I recommend using an e-file (aka nail drill) as it’s much quicker!

Then, soak your nails in pure acetone for 15 to 20 minutes.

Gently prise or scrape off the polygel nail using an orangewood stick.

Check out my step-by-step guide for how to remove polygel for expert tips.

Do polygel nails break easily?

Polygel nails do not break easily.

They are almost as strong as acrylics but are lighter and more flexible.

Because of this a polygel nail can absorb impacts better which means that it won’t break as easily.

Does polygel damage your nails?

It’s a common misconception that gel and acrylic cause damage to your natural nails.

If applied correctly and properly cared for, neither gel nor acrylics will damage your natural nails.

However, if you apply polygel nails incorrectly they can cause damage to your nails.

For example, if you pick at a polygel nail you will remove layers of the nail plate which is very damaging.

If you use acetone excessively, it will strip away the natural oils leaving your nails weak, brittle, and prone to splitting.

The LED light used to cure can cause damage to the skin.

How long do Polygel dual form nails last?

Dual form are clear nail plates that are sometimes used to apply polygel.

This technique involves pasting the polygel onto the back of the dual form and then brushing it to smooth it out before sticking it to the natural nail and curing with led light.

Polygel nails done with dual forms either at home or in a salon should last at least three weeks.

If you do a good job applying dual forms and you take care of your nails, then you could get up to 4 weeks from your dual form polygel manicure.

How long does polygel last on short nails?

A polygel overlay on short nails should last 3 – 4 weeks before you need a fill.

If you have a polygel overlay (where the product is applied over the natural nail without adding any length) on short nails this will improve the overall look of your nails and add strength.

Short nails are way less likely to break or chip, so you should find that your polygel manicure lasts longer, perhaps a full 28 days, before you need to get them filled.

How long do Polygel extension nails last?

Nail extensions have the potential to last just as long as overlays.

If you take care of your nails, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get three weeks – 4 weeks of wear.

Of course, it depends on how well the polygel was applied and the quality of it.

But also on your lifestyle and how hard it is on your nails.

Polygel fill

After three weeks – 4 weeks, you can get a polygel fill just like you can with acrylics.

So how many fills can you have?

In theory, you can have as many fills as you like.

However, you should take a break for at least a week every three months from any nail enhancement to keep your natural nails in the best possible condition.

It’s best to have your polygel nails fully removed and a fresh polygel application every 3 months.

How can I make my polygel nails last longer?

Here are my best tips for how to make polygel nails last longer:

Prepare your nails well

I can’t emphasize enough how important proper nail prep is when it comes to longevity.

Here are my 5 steps to perfect prep to make those nails last as long as possible.

1. Remove any existing fake nails or polish.
2. Wash your hands with dish soap (to remove oil from the nail).
3. Remove/push back cuticles. You can buy a cuticle remover to soften your cuticles if needed. Otherwise use an orangewood stick to gently push them back. The cuticles have many layers, so make sure that you get them all otherwise your polygel nail might lift.
4. Rough up the nail surface. Use a 180 medium grit nail file to create a rough nail surface so that the polygel will stick better.
5. Remove nail dust using rubbing alcohol or acetone and a lint-free nail wipe.

Easy right?

Time for my next top tip.

Use a nail primer and /or a dehydrator

Nail primers are designed to create the perfect surface for polygel to adhere to.

It’s well worth investing in one if you want longer-lasting manicures.

If you don’t like the idea of filing the surface of your natural nail, applying primer can really help your nails stay on.

Dehydrators are designed to remove oil and moisture from the nail, making it much easier for the polygel to bond firmly to your nail plate.

Dehydrators can help prevent lifting too.

Apply gel base and top coat

I know it can be super tempting to skim a little time off the job by skipping the base coat or top coat.

Don’t do it!

That gel base coat is going to create the perfect bond between your primer/dehydrator and the polygel itself.

Skipping the topcoat is also a bad idea.

Not only does a gel topcoat add shine, but it also adds a layer of protection to prevent scratches and damage caused by chemicals.

Invest in high-quality polygel

Cheap gel is a nightmare to work with.

It doesn’t go on smoothly and it tends to chip, crack, break or lift.

Save yourself some stress (and money) and go with Gershion, Makartt or Coscelia.

These are all great brands that sell good quality polygel that are easy to use and very durable.

Check out our best polygel nail kits article here.

Avoid extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals

My next tip for durable long-lasting nails is to avoid extreme heat, cold, and chemicals as much as possible.

This means wearing gloves while washing dishes or doing chores, and being careful not to expose your nails to harsh cleaning products.

Make sure your nails are well cured

If your nails are not fully cured under an led nail lamp, they will pop off!

How can you avoid this?

Easy, just make sure you follow these 3 tips for proper curing:

1. Get the timing right. Cure for the correct amount of time based on your polygel brand’s instructions and your lamp’s capabilities. Depending on the brand of gel and lamp you’re using, this could be anywhere from 60 seconds to 2 minutes with led light.
2. Cure the backs. flip your hands so the palms are facing up and cure again. This will ensure the underside is fully cured.
3. Listen for the click. When your nails are properly cured, you should tap them very gently against a hard surface. If you hear a clicking sound, you’re good to go.

Extend using nail forms (not tips)

Extensions done with nail tips tend to be quite weak.

They can break more easily and ruin your manicure.

Try using form stickers to apply your gel manicure instead.

Forms force the gel to bond to your nail rather than to plastic which can make them less likely to break and therefore longer lasting.

How long do Gershion Polygel nails last?

Gershion polygel is a high-quality nonsticky polygel product.

It’s easy to use, doesn’t lift easily, and is a dream to file.

In my experience, Gershion extensions last around 1 month.

Their polygel nail kits are very good value.

How long do Makartt Polygel nails last?

Makart is another great brand that has fantastic reviews.

It’s easy enough for beginners to use and it doesn’t lift, break or chip easily.

I’ve had Makartt polygel extensions last up to 3 weeks with no problems

How long do Coscelia Polygel nails last?

Coscelia is another high-quality polygel product that I really like.

It’s very easy to use, doesn’t lift, and has a nice consistency.

You can buy polygel nail kits from this brand.

Here’s a Coscelia kit on Amazon, which I think is very reasonably priced for the quality.

They also sell color-changing glitter polishes which I love!

Final thoughts:

So, gel nails can last up to 4 weeks.

They are a great option if you’re looking for something durable, flexible, and long-lasting.

If you follow the tips in this post, you can expect your gel nails to last for weeks with no problem.

I hope you found this how long do polygel nails last article helpful.

Thanks for reading!

Amazon associate’s disclaimer

As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The post The truth about how long polygel nails last appeared first on nailhow.

Let’s take a good look at how SNS and gel nails stack up against one another, shall we?

How about we start with a brief explanation of what we mean by SNS and gel nails exactly.

Then we’ll compare SNS vs gel based on these key areas:

• How easy it is to DIY at home
• The simplicity of the application process
• How long they take to apply
• Tools and equipment required
• Ease of removal
• Impact on your nail health
• Cost of the treatment
• Durability and longevity of the nails
• Comfort level of wearing the nails
• How long the nails will last

Let’s get into it.

Here’s a contents table for navigation:

SNS nails explained

You may already know that SNS nails stand for Signature Nail Systems.

It’s basically a brand of dip powder.

It’s made from finely milled acrylic and has some nail-friendly vitamins and nutrients like B5, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E added to promote nail health.

Gel nails explained

This category is a little more difficult to explain, so bear with me.

There are 2 gel nail types. Hard and soft.

Hard gels, like polygel for example, are the closest product to SNS nails.

They can be used to sculpt and create overlays and extensions just like SNS nails.

So it makes sense to use hard gels in our comparison.

However, I know that some people think of gel nail polish manicures (soft gel) when they think of “gel nails”.

So for those lovely folks, we’re going to talk a little bit about how SNS compares to both hard gel (polygel) and soft gel (gel polish).

The main difference between hard gel nails and gel nail polish manicures is that you can’t use gel polish to create nail extensions.

Ok, now that we’ve cleared that up let’s compare the application process between SNS and gel nails.

Are SNS and gel nails applied in the same way?

The application process between gel nails and SNS nails is very different.

The basic nail prep is the same (file, buff, push cuticles back).

But that’s where the similarities end.

The application method for SNS nails

SNS nails are applied by first applying a primer (optional) and then a gel base.

Then the nail is dipped (2 to 5 times) into the powder. A base coat is applied after each dip to allow the powder to stick.

Or alternatively, the colored powder is spooned over the nail until the desired result is achieved.

Once the colored powder is on, the nail is coated with a sealant that sets and hardens fairly quickly.

Once set, the nails can be buffed, filed, and reshaped.

Finally, 1 or 2 layers of topcoat are applied and your nails are done.

You may have noticed that there is no UV or LED lamp involved in the application of SNS nails.

This is one of the key differences between how gel nails and SNS nails are applied.

How gel nails are applied

The first step in applying polygel nails is to use a dehydrator.

Next, you need to apply a primer or gel base.

The gel base needs to be cured (for 30 to 60 seconds) under a UV or an LED lamp.

For extensions, nail forms would need to be added at this point.

Then, a blob of gel is applied to the nail plate using a brush or a metal spatula tool.

The brush is dipped in a slip solution then the nail is sculpted into shape.

The nails are cured again, then filed, buffed, and reshaped before a top coat is added and cured under the nail lamp.

How gel polish is applied

With gel polish, the nails are prepped in the normal way and a gel base coat is applied.

Two coats of colored polish are painted on (curing after each coat) and then a topcoat is applied and cured under the nail lamp.

As you can see, both the gel nail options use a nail lamp, whereas SNS nails dry without the need to use UV light.

How long do they take to do?

Time can be a major factor in deciding which type of manicure to go for.

Let’s see how long gel nails take vs SNS nails.

SNS nails take around 45 minutes to complete in a salon.

That’s if you go in with clean nails and your nail tech is familiar with SNS.

It takes a little longer to do extensions than it does to do an overlay on natural nails, so allow an extra 15 to 30 minutes for those.

If you already have a set of nails on or you’re wearing polish, you’ll need to take this into account too.

Gel nails (a full set of polygel) takes between 45 mins and an hour and 15 mins.

The time depends on the length and shape you want and whether you’re having extensions or overlays.

If you need to remove your old set of gel nails before applying a new set, this will add an extra 20 minutes or so.

Gel polish manicures are much quicker. They take around 30 minutes in the salon.

That’s including prep time, polishing time, and curing.

How easy is it to do gel vs SNS at home?

Gel nail polish is the easiest and quickest way to get your nails looking good at home.

But when it comes to comparing hard gel and SNS, SNS is the clear winner.

Dip nails are much easier to do yourself because you don’t need to have any technical skills like sculpting with a brush.

With practice, you can get just as good results at home as you would in a salon.

Gel nails are much harder to do yourself because of the need to master the proper technique and how to use slip solution.

You also need to have some technical skills like sculpting with a brush.

There are plenty of great tutorial videos to help you do your own gel nails.

So I’d recommend watching a few of those before you attempt to do your own gel nails.

What equipment do you need for gel vs SNS?

Let’s break down what tools and equipment you need for each type of nail.

To do SNS nails at home, you’ll need:

• SNS natural set nail powder
• SNS colored nail powder
• Brush to remove dust
• Gelous base coat
• Dappen dish for dipping
• Topcoat
• Sealant (natural set sheer)
• A dehydrator (optional)
• Primer (optional)
• A nail file (100-180 grit) or a nail drill
• Cuticle pusher

To DIY hard gel nails in the comfort of your own home, you’ll need:

• Nail file
• Cuticle pusher
• Isopropyl alcohol or nail cleaning solution
• Lint-free wipes
• Base coat
• Colored or clear polygel
• Spatula/brush tool
• Slip solution
• UV lamp
• Buffer
• Topcoat

To do a gel polish manicure you’ll need:

• Nail file
• Buffer
• Cuticle pusher
• UV or LED lamp
• Gel base coat
• Gel top coat
• Gel nail polish
• Lint-free wipes
• Isopropyl alchohol

Now that we’ve gone over all the tools and equipment, let’s talk about how easy it is to remove gel nails vs SNS nails.

How does the removal process compare?

The removal process for hard gel nails and SNS nails is very similar.

However, SNS nails, since they tend to be thinner, are easier to remove than polygel nails or other gel nails.

Both (hard) gel nails and SNS nails need to be filed down and then soaked off using acetone.

Acetone can be very drying and damaging to your natural nails.

If you want a step-by-step guide for exactly how to remove polygel nails without causing any damage check out this post.

Gel nail polish is much easier to remove than either hard gel or SNS nails.

To remove gel polish you just need to soak a cotton ball in gel polish remover.

Then hold it firmly against your nail and swipe across after about 20 seconds.

Is SNS or gel better for your nails?

When it comes to nail health, all three methods have their drawbacks.

Hard gel nails require the use of UV light, which can be damaging to your skin.

If this is a concern for you then SNS nails might be the better option.

All three nail types are generally removed using acetone.

Acetone is terrible for drying out your nails, cuticles, and the surrounding skin.

It can also make your nails brittle after a while too.

There are ways to remove both gel nails and SNS nails without using acetone.

However, these methods are not as effective and they are time-consuming.

Does SNS or gel last longer?

This one is pretty even.

Polygel nails last 3 to 4 weeks.

SNS nails also last 3 -4 weeks.

Gel manicures last 7 to 10 days.

Of course, your lifestyle and how well you take care of your nails will also affect how long your manicure lasts.

One of the major advantages of SNS is the fact that the color is part of the nail itself.

This means that with SNS you don’t need to worry about polish chipping.

Long-wearing color is a major advantage for SNS over gel nails, which can chip much easier.

SNS vs gel price

So, how much do SNS nails cost?

Well, depending on the type of salon you go to you could expect to pay anywhere between $35 and $100.

SNS nails are slightly more expensive than acrylic nails, approximately $10 to $30 more per set.

Between $40 and $60 is a good average.

How much do gel nails cost?

For a full set of gel nail extensions, you’re looking at a cost of $50 to $150.

The average cost of gel nails in the US is $51.29.

However, this can vary widely depending on the salon you go to and the area you live in.

Is gel or SNS more comfortable to wear?

Dip nails like SNS nails are lighter and a little more flexible than hard gel nails.

This means that SNS nails are going to be slightly more comfortable to wear than polygel nails or other hard gels like builder gel for example.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, both SNS nails and gel nails have their own advantages and disadvantages.

SNS nails are easier to apply and they don’t chip because the color is built-in.

SNS nails may also be the better option because they don’t require the use of UV light.

Gel nails last just as long as SNS nails but can chip easier.

And finally, SNS nails are quicker to apply and more comfortable to wear than gel.

So, there you have it, a complete guide to SNS vs gel nails.

I hope you found this helpful.

Thanks for reading!

Check out our best polygel nail kits article here.

The post SNS vs gel: Which is the Better Choice For You? appeared first on nailhow.

No problem!

In this post, we’re going to focus on the pros and cons of SNS nails.

So, if you want to weigh up the good and the bad to see if SNS nails are for you, you’re reading the right post.

Let’s jump right in.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Pros and cons of SNS nails

We’ll go through the full and detailed list of pros and cons further down.

But for now, let’s summarise the key points.

The main pros of SNS nails are that they are long-lasting, quick and easy to apply, and that you don’t need a UV lamp to do them.

The main cons of SNS nails are the price, (more expensive than acrylics) and the fact that you need to use acetone to remove them.

So, those are the key things you need to know about SNS nails before we go any further.

Now, you may have heard that SNS can actually be good for your nails.

But is there any truth to that or is it just marketing?

The next thing I want to do is to clear up any confusion about whether or not SNS can be good for your nails.

Is SNS actually good for your nails?

To answer this question, we need to take a look at what’s in SNS powder.

Every formula is different but some do contain nail nourishing ingredients.

SNS nail powders contain vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B5.

Vitamin A is included in a lot of nail products. It helps to keep the nail hydrated and can help with the growth and strengthening of the nails.

Vitamin E is moisturizing. It helps with cracked cuticles and brittle nails.

B5 helps with keeping the nail flexible and can improve the strength of your natural nails.

So yes, SNS can help to protect your natural nails from the damage caused by acetone and poor removal of fake nails.

To further nourish your nails, consider incorporating products with Vitamin A, E, and B5 into your nail care routine. Check out these recommended products (click to check the price) for healthier, stronger nails.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on to the pros and cons of SNS nails.

We’ll start with the good.

Pros of SNS nails

• SNS nails dry without the use of a UV or LED light. This minimizes exposure to potentially harmful UV rays.
• They are long-lasting. A properly cared for SNS manicure can last up to 4 weeks.
• Long-wearing color. One of the biggest pros of SNS nails is that the color is built into the nail itself. This means you won’t have to deal with chips in the color.
• You get a natural-looking finish. The SNS finish is much thinner compared to acrylic nails and a little thinner than hard gel nails.
• With SNS there is a large range of vibrant colors to choose from and you can also mix pigments.
• They are easy to do at home. Applying SNS dip nails is a lot easier for beginners than regular acrylic or polygel nails. There are kits available that come with everything you need. Here’s a high-quality SNS nail kit (click to check the price) we recommend for beginners and pros alike.
• No time constraints. Because it is a powder-based system, you can take your time applying it without worrying about setting times. This is great for beginners.
• Quick-drying between layers. Each layer dries in around 3 minutes (depending on the thickness) which means the application process is fairly quick.
• Comfortable to wear – SNS nails are lighter and more comfortable than acrylic nails.
• No nasty odors during application. The bonding agent used with SNS doesn’t smell great, but it’s nowhere near as bad as the monomer which is used for applying acrylic nails.
• Easy and fast removal. SNS nails are thinner than acrylics. So when it comes time to take them off, you will have less filing to do. This speeds up the process a lot.

Cons of SNS nails

• SNS nails are best removed using acetone. This is very drying and can cause damage to the natural nails and the surrounding skin.
• Improper or impatient removal (picking, tearing, pulling, or aggressive scraping) can cause damage to your natural nails.
• They are expensive. SNS nails cost approximately $20-$30 more than acrylic nails in most nail salons.
• Some colors can look quite different than they do in the pot once the nails are dry.
• SNS nails are thicker and less flexible than gel polish – which can lead to more breakages if you are rough with your hands.
• Powders can easily become contaminated with fungus and bacteria.

Let’s talk about this last con in a little more detail.

Should I be worried about contamination with SNS nails?

Contamination can easily occur with dip powders.

This is not a problem if you are doing your own SNS nails at home.

But in a salon, it’s super important to have some hygiene rules in place.

Fungus and bacteria can be transferred when the nail is dipped directly into the powder jar – this is a very bad practice in a salon!

Contamination can also occur when the excess powder that has touched the nail is then returned to the pot.

Most nail technicians are aware of this issue and it has become standard practice to portion out the amount of powder needed for each client.

In conclusion

SNS nails are a good option for those who want long-lasting, natural-looking nails without having to expose their hands to UV rays.

However, they can be expensive, and some colors may not look as they do in the pot.

SNS nails should be removed using acetone, which can cause damage to the natural nails and skin.

Improper removal can also cause damage, so it is important to be gentle when taking off SNS nails.

And finally, powders can easily become contaminated with fungus or bacteria, so it’s important to have some hygiene rules in place if you are getting them done in a salon.

I hope that this article has helped you to understand the pros and cons of SNS nails.

Thanks for reading!

FAQ’s about SNS nails

How long do SNS nails last?

SNS nails typically last between 2 and 4 weeks.

This depends on your lifestyle and how well you take care of your nails.

Can I do my own SNS nails at home?

Yes, you can! There are kits available that come with everything you need to apply SNS nails at home. Here’s a high-quality SNS nail kit (click to check the price)

What is the difference between SNS and acrylic nails?

The main difference between SNS and acrylic nails is that SNS nails are thinner and more flexible than acrylics.

They are also applied differently. SNS nails are dipped into powder whereas acrylics are painted on with a brush.

How much do SNS nails cost?

SNS nails typically cost between $20 and $30 more than acrylic nails in most nail salons.

What is the best way to remove SNS nails?

The best way to remove SNS nails is with acetone. However, this can be very drying to the natural nails and skin.

Improper or impatient removal can also cause damage, so it is important to be gentle when taking off SNS nails.

Other useful posts:

Check out our best polygel nail kits article here.

SNS vs Acrylic Nails

How to remove polygel nails

14 nail polish colors that go with any outfit

The post SNS nails: pros, cons, and everything you need to know appeared first on nailhow.