Overall, both acrylic and builder gel can be used to create equally stunning manicures. It’s always best to take a good look at your client’s nails and see how strong they are naturally before deciding which is best for them. If you are new to gel nails, you might be wondering what the difference is between the terms hard gel, soft gel and builder gel. Just what exactly are they all?! Hard Gel Strengthen and lengthen your natural nails and shine bright with this revolutionary Builder Gel Duo. Whether you're in the mood for the clear option or the 'barely there' sheer peach tint, they both cure in 60 seconds under a UV or LED lamp (sold separately), and are as easy to apply as normal polish.

In a flourish of drama, some of our products are classed as hazardous (HAZMAT) goods. This will impact our ability to deliver to certain destinations and use specific delivery methods. Builder gel lasts about two to three weeks. Due to its strong, viscous texture, it’s less prone to lifting, like regular gel nail polish. Builder gel and hard gel can be filled so you don’t need a new set every time you get your nails done. A fill focuses on the outgrowth at the base of your nail, filling in the empty space with new builder gel to make your manicure look fresh. Pop on your MyGel shade of choice or apply more Builder Gel in thin layers to build up strength, curing for 60 secs each time. Assuming you've followed all the right nail prep before and do good nail care after applying your gel polish, this is totally achievable. Ooh la la! There’s nothing that speaks of classic elegance more than this French manicure gel polish duo. It’s the ultimate set for lovers of the finer things in life, or alternatively, Y2K rom-com icons. Elle Woods, move over mon cheri.As a nail technician, you will probably have your own favourite to work with, too. Acrylic hardens within a few minutes without the need for a lamp, while builder gel stays wet until cured under UV or LED light. Some nail techs love the flexibility and control builder gel gives them, as they can continue to move the product around as much as they like, then cure them in seconds when they are happy. Following nail prep, apply an optional base coat and cure under a UV lamp for 2 mins or LED lamp for 30 secs.

Apply colour or top coat– wipe the nail clean again, and apply your top coat. If your client wants a different colour, paint on your gel polish and cure again first. The way you use builder gel depends on the particular brand you buy. Some brands require you to use a primer or base coat first, while others, such as Glossify, can be applied straight to the nail for a speedier application. Discover the top nail products from Salons Direct, recommended by Nail Pros! Hard gel, soft gel, builder gel, gel polish – what’s the difference?

How to use builder gel – step by step guide 👇

It works by creating a protective overlay that reinforces and strengthens your natural nails. You can also create your dream nails instantly by using Paper Forms to build length by up to 1cm, as well as shape and style. Even beginners will find it easy to sculpt beautifully-shaped nails, with a super-smooth finish that guarantees a glossy, mirror-like shine. With gel extensions, the longer you go past 3 weeks, the further forward the apex of the extensions will move. This puts more pressure on the nil tip, so you want to remove or take down the nail extension to re-balance your nails and keep the apex in the correct position to maintain a strong mani. We understand this is frustrating but in the meantime, thanks for persevering with chipped nails a little longer as you wait for the remedy. SPECIAL LOCATIONS Apply another layer of Builder Gel to top it off or use a separate Top Coat and you guessed it, cure.

MyGel is 100% safe and compliant with all UK and EU safety regulations. MyGel polishes cure under UV or LED lamp. When it comes to nail extensions and nail art there are so many options to choose from these days, from glitter acrylics to stunning nail art effects, the nail world is ever-evolving! So, it’s more important than ever to get a good grasp of the basics. If you’re using hard gel in a pot, then a separate brush will be used to apply the gel to your nails. We thought it was a good time to answer some of the most commonly asked questions around builder gels. Want to know the benefits of gel manicures? Or whether gel or acrylic is better for your clients? Keep reading to find out!

What is builder gel?

Even I'll admit that there are so many different types of nail gels out there that it's hard to know the difference between them or which one is right for your particular nails. Kandalec went into a little more detail. "Builder gel frequently is a hard gel," she says. "Hard gel is a nonporous gel that has to be filed off. Builder gel can either be soft gel or semi-hard gel or hard gel. The difference between [builder gel like] Solar Gel and Aprés Nail (which is a brand of gel tips) is that that is a full-coverage tip that is already pre-made. It's made out of gel, but it's adhered with more gel as opposed to builder gel. Builder gel you can sculpt with, apply it over a tip, or you can just do a structured manicure with it to give the apex the shape and the strength." Keep nail polish away from eyes as it may cause serious eye irritation. May cause skin irritation or allergic skin reaction. Keep away from children. MyGel is 100% safe and compliant with all UK and EU safety regulations. Both builder gel in a bottle and hard gel are applied to the nail and cured with a UV nail lamp. UV nail lamps can emit UV rays that can damage the skin on your hands, just like a sunburn. To avoid this, apply an SPF 30 or greater, like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Invisible UV Fluid, to your hands and fingers before your gel manicure. After nail prep has been completed, apply Builder Gel and cure under UV lamp for 2 minutes or LED lamp for 60 seconds. Pop a dab of Builder Gel where you want to position the jewel or decal and place it on top, curing for 2 minutes (UV) or 60 seconds (LED).