One of the primary factors for choosing gel nails over acrylic is the appearance. Gel nails tend to have a more natural and glossy appearance in comparison to acrylic.  Hard gel is more flexible and stronger than acrylic, but it’s not as hard. Hard gel can withstand greater pressure and it is less likely to break than acrylic is. 

Any manicure or artificial nail treatment has the potential to leave your nails thin and brittle, however, in the hands of experts the chances of this are significantly reduced. When applied and removed correctly gel nails can leave little to no damage to your natural nails. We would, nevertheless, recommend using nail strengthening serums in between sessions to ensure your nails stay as healthy as possible.

After filing, and refining cuticles gel nails are created through a three-step process:

Brushing on a UV base coat

Applying a UV nail colour of your choice 

Securing with a UV top coat

At each process your nails are placed under a UV light for somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes to cure (dry). 

Once cured, the layer of gel polish hardens and won’t smudge like your regular nail polish. 

The final result = A chip-proof glossy finish and freshly manicured look.

If applied correctly, gel nails last two to three weeks.

We would recommend having your gel polish removed by a professional, however, if you can’t make it to a salon please avoid peeling or picking at your manicure as this can lead to nail damage. 

Should you need to remove your gel polish at home - follow these simple steps: 

1. File it down - Take a nail file and gently file the top layer of your manicure away. Be careful not to file too hard, at this stage we just want to be removing the top coat seal.
2. Soak it off - Place a cotton ball/pad soaked in acetone on each of your nails, then wrap the tip of your finger in foil to hold it in place. Let this soak for 15 minutes.
3. Remove gently - Once soaked in acetone the gel should easily slide off. If this is not the case then soak for a little longer and try filling away a little more.
4. Hydrate hydrate hydrate - Once all the polish is off, add moisture back to your nail beds with a nail oil or serum.