The Full Gel Nail Polish Guide – All You Need to Know

Now we all love gel polish here, and it’s undoubtedly the most popular type of nail polish out there. But what exactly is this mysterious, magical gel we all hear so much about?

Well, we're here to explain it all!

At Mylee, we’re experts in all things gel nails , and we’ve got the answers to some of your most asked questions, including what is gel polish, the different types of gel nails, and how long a gel mani will last.

So whether you’re a newbie to gel nails, an experienced user looking for more info or just want to learn about the basics of this magical product, read on!

But before you do… Check out a selection of our best-selling products below, and enjoy 15% off* if you’re a new Mylee squad member. Oh, so tempting! 

So whether you’re a newbie to gel nails, an experienced user looking for more info or just want to learn about the basics of this magical product, read on!

What exactly is gel nail polish, you ask? Well, gel polish is made up of a mix of monomers and oligomers (chemistry jargon) which bond together and ‘cure’ when exposed to a UV or LED light.

Gel polish is so versatile it can be applied to your natural nails, on top of nail tips, extensions, acrylics, and Magic Extender Gel.

Gel polish has the ability to last for up to 3 weeks with no chipping, smudges or dents.

I mean, what more could you want from a polish? Strengthen your nails, you say? Well, it actually does that, too.

Gel polish comes in a few different forms, and you'll find a number of different 'types' here at Mylee, too.

Obviously, you have regular colour gel polish, which is what you are probably most familiar with. These polishes come in a variety of shades and finishes, like creme polish (solid colours), glitter polishes, iridescent polishes, and chrome polishes.

Top coats and base coats are another type of gel polish, and these act as sandwiching coats for your gel colour – the base coat goes on first to help the gel colour adhere better and the top coat is the last step, sealing in your beautiful colour and nail art.

You also will find gel extensions, which come in the form of Builder Gel, Magic Extender Gel, and soft gel tips (or Fix 'N' Flash Tips here at Mylee).

How much time do we have? There are several differences between gel and regular polish, but we’ll cover the main ones.

Gel polish is a thicker consistency to nail polish which allows for a smoother application.

When applying nail polish, you need to act fast as it air dries and could cause the polish to become lumpy if not applied quickly.

Gel polish does not air dry, so there’s no rush in painting, you can take your time to get the most luscious streak-free application.

Gel polish is also very durable, so you won’t have any chipping or denting in the polish.

Gel polish needs a UV or LED light to dry (cure) it, so once you’ve applied your top coat, you're ready to go (minus the tacky wipe-off layer), whereas nail polish dries in the air and can take up to 2 hours to be completely dent-resistant and dry.

Nail polish lasts for up to 7 days maximum, whereas your Mylee mani will last up to 3 weeks.

Acrylic nails are made by mixing a liquid monomer with a powder polymer. The mixture is then applied to the nails and forms a hard layer when it dries.

They can be much harsher on the natural nail, as well as thicker and less flexible than gel nails. Getting acrylics done requires more filing and buffing to adhere properly. And because they're thicker than gel nails, they can be more prone to snapping or lifting.

Gel nails, on the other hand, are less abrasive and can be more gentle on the natural nail. They also have a more natural look and feel, as they are thinner and more flexible.

Yes! Gel polish is designed for the natural nail – as long as you apply a base coat (or Builder Gel) underneath the polish colour, your natural nails will benefit greatly from gel polish.

Gel polish is also great for painting on top of extensions and acrylics, so you can create beautifully long gel nails, too.

To perfectly apply gel nail polish, there are a few steps involved - you can't just go directly in with the colour you want!

We've perfected our application process, and we always recommend following it for the best results.

Watch our video tutorial below or follow along with the step-by-step guide...

No, you cannot use gel polish without curing it under a curing lamp. Gel polish needs to be cured under a light for the formula to set and harden. Otherwise, you won’t be able to build up layers, and your mani won’t last those 3 weeks.

Once cured, you will be left with a tacky layer that will need to be removed before completing your mani.

Unlike regular nail polish, gel polish cannot dry naturally in the air.

But once you’ve added and cured your No Wipe Top Coat, your nails are ready to go. No pesky drying time or wandering around the house waving your hands frantically waiting for the polish to dry!

This is a really common question that’s asked time and time again, but the answer is no – gel nail polish is not bad for your nails.

Wearing gel polish can actually benefit your natural nail underneath by allowing them to grow freely and protecting them from everyday elements. It can help to strengthen your nail bed, encouraging long and healthy natural nails.

Most of the damage that comes from gel polish is in the removal. Incorrect or poor removal of the gels can cause damage to the nail plate, but this won’t be an issue if you follow the right steps.

We have some fantastic video tutorials on how to correctly and safely remove your gel polish using our gel removal products, so we really recommend checking those out.

Our blog post on how to remove gel polish at home also details the different methods you can remove your polish, so there’s a wealth of tips and tricks for you to take advantage of.

If you don’t want to remove your gel polish, infilling is a great alternative. So, yes, you can infill gel polish – if you base your mani with Magic Extender Gel or Builder Gel.

Infilling is exactly as it sounds – you’re ‘filling in’ the growth of your polish. When your natural nail grows underneath, the gel will grow with them.

You can fill in this growth with the same colour you originally had on your nails, so your mani looks just as perfect as it did when you first applied it.

This will allow you to keep the length and strength of your nails by refreshing your mani without having to remove any of the base you created.

To infill your Magic Extender Gel or Builder Gel, follow these steps:

Never! Because our nails don’t ‘breathe’, they don’t necessarily need a break from gel polish. If the nail bed is prepped and the polish applied correctly, there’ll be no damage to your natural nails at all.

However, it is recommended that you remove gel polish every 2-3 weeks as this will allow you to maintain your cuticle care and refresh your polish.

Everyone wants their fresh set to last as long as possible (especially if you've worked hard to get them perfect), so knowing how to look after them is key.

We hope this article explains all you need to know about gel nail polish – what it is, how you can use it and why it’s the best choice for salon-quality manis at home.

We have a beautiful collection of over 200 gel polishes for creating salon-worthy nails right at home, so make sure you explore our range of colours and polishes to get started on your own perfect mani.

To get our top tips on all things gel nails, follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, and regularly check back in on our blog.

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