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Nail how-tos, type by type

How each kind of manicure comes off, from the companies that make them and the doctors who treat nails, plus Polishpedia’s own step-by-step guides.

First: don’t peel it

Pulling gel off is “one of the worst things you can possibly do to your nails,” in Cleveland Clinic’s words. Take each type off the way it was made to come off, or ask the salon that put it on.

How to take each type off

Gel polish: file the shine off the top, wrap each nail in acetone-soaked cotton under foil or plastic wrap, and wait about 10 to 15 minutes.
Shellac: CND uses acetone under its foil remover wraps.
Gel-X: Aprés says to file the color off, clip the tips short, soak 15 to 20 minutes under acetone foil wraps and scrape gently.
Builder gel: it depends on the product. Some soak off after most is filed away, but Who What Wear’s BIAB expert warns against removing BIAB at home at all.
Hard gel: it can only be filed off.
Polygel: Gelish files the bulk down and leaves a thin layer.
Dip powder: it needs 100% acetone, which the AAD notes can damage nails.
Acrylic: soak in acetone or file, says the AAD; Who What Wear says file.
Press-ons: soak in acetone, then rub in cuticle oil.
Semi-cured gel strips: lift them with a wooden stick dipped in acetone.
Regular polish: plain polish remover.

Step-by-step guides on Polishpedia

Putting it on, taking it off and fixing what went wrong, for Shellac, Gelish and OPI, many of them with a video.

Rather have a pro do it? Find a nail salon near you, or try a look on a drawn hand first.

Find a nail salon near you

✦ Try a look on a hand

Step by step

Polishpedia’s guides.

Shellac, Gelish and OPI, on and off, and the nail art with its steps.

▶ VideoPut it onHow To Do Shellac Nails

▶ VideoPut it onStep by Step Shellac Tutorial

▶ VideoPut it onWhat Do You Need For Shellac Nails?

Put it onShellac Layering

Put it onHow To Do Gelish Nails

▶ VideoPut it onHow To Do OPI Gelcolor

▶ VideoPut it onHow To Do OPI Axxium

Put it onCND UV Lamp: Setup

Nail types

Every nail type, explained.

Gel, builder gel, Gel-X, dip, acrylic: what each one is, how it goes on and how it comes off.

Gel polishThe everyday salon manicure: color that sets hard under a lamp.

Adds length: No
Lamp: Yes
Comes off: Acetone soak

ShellacCND’s own brand of gel polish, the name many people still use for gel.

Adds length: No
Lamp: Yes
Comes off: Acetone soak

Builder gel (BIAB)A thicker gel that strengthens your own nail and gets filled in.

Adds length: Mostly no
Lamp: Yes
Comes off: Usually soaked off

Hard gelGel from a pot for sculpted length or a tough overlay.

Adds length: Yes
Lamp: Yes
Comes off: Filed off

Gel-XReady-made soft gel tips put on with gel: length in one visit.

Adds length: Yes
Lamp: Yes
Comes off: Acetone soak

PolygelA putty-like gel shaped by hand, then cured.

Adds length: Yes
Lamp: Yes
Comes off: Filed down

AcrylicLiquid and powder built into a hard nail; the classic for length.

Adds length: Yes
Lamp: No
Comes off: Filed or soaked off

Dip powderColored powder set with an activator instead of a lamp.

Adds length: No
Lamp: Usually no
Comes off: 100% acetone

Press-onsReady-made nails you put on at home, or salon-made custom sets.

Adds length: Yes
Lamp: No
Comes off: Acetone soak

Strips & wrapsPeel-and-stick polish, semi-cured gel strips, salon silk wraps.

Adds length: No
Lamp: Gel only
Comes off: Lifted off

Nail polishRegular and long-wear lacquer that air-dries.

Adds length: No
Lamp: No
Comes off: Polish remover

Compare every type