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Polygel nails

Polygel is a thick mix of gel and acrylic that comes in a tube. It is shaped on the nail like putty, then cured under a lamp.

The name

PolyGel is a Gelish trademark; the general name is acrygel. Who What Wear sums it up: “It’s like if gel and acrylic had a baby.”

How polygel goes on

Gelish’s own instructions: slice product from the tube, pat it into place with a brush wet with Slip Solution, then cure for 60 seconds in Gelish’s LED light or two minutes under UV.

How polygel comes off

Gelish has you file down the bulk, leaving a thin layer on the nail.

How long polygel lasts

No source we opened gave a number, so we won’t guess one.

What it is good at

Gelish claims no monomer, no odors, no mixing and no ratios, in its own words. Tom Bachik describes it as having the flexibility of a gel without the odors of acrylic, and it is also used for 3D nail art.

Salon or home

Both. Gelish is a pro brand sold at Sally Beauty, and Modelones sells a poly nail gel to people doing their nails at home.

Polygel is done in salons and at home: try a shape on a drawn hand, or find a nail salon near you and ask whether it offers it.

✦ Try a look on a hand

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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

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