FAQ

New to gel polish? Have a look below to find the answers to many questions beginners have.

What is a gel manicure?

A gel polish manicure uses soak off gel that looks and acts like nail polish, but technically it is gel. You must do a base coat, 2-3 coats of the color, then finish with a top coat. Each layer of polish must be cured in a UV or LED lamp. “Cured” basically just means dried.

Can it be layered with other brands?

It is not recommend mixing various brands as the different formulations may cause separation and un-even curing times.

What is the best way to store gel polish?

Polish is heat and light sensitive, so if it’s exposed to undesirable temperatures there is a possibility that your gel polish could get clumpy and cure in the bottle. Make sure you’re storing your polishes in a dry and cool area.

Do I have to use a base gel?

It is not necessary to use a base gel, however it is recommend to use a base gel to prevent yellowing of the natural nails when using darker colors, in addition to having your manicure last longer.

How do I remove gel polish?

There are various methods for removing gel polish. You can file it completly off with an eletrical file. (Make sure to practice your e-file technique on a practice hand first before attempting to removing gel polish on yourself or others as you can do damage to the natural nail.

In addition, you can gently buff off the top layer of polish and then soak the gel nails off with cotton balls soaked in 100% acetone for 20 minute intervals, scraping off product between intervals.

Can gel polish cure without a UV or LED lamp?

A UV or LED nail curing lamp is needed to cure the gel polish. Gel polish will not air-dry like traditional polishes.

Does gel polish ruin your nails?

Gel polish itself doesn’t ruin your nails, but improper removal can definitely ruin your nails. If you do it right, gel polish should keep your nails nice. The acetone used for removal does really dry out your nails though and this can make them weak.

Can I use regular nail polish with gel polish?

As the formulation of both products are vastly different, it is highly unrecommened that you do not mix gel polish with regular polish.