Most often, ladies prefer applying nail polish in the comfort of their homes or workplaces instead of visiting a salon every time the polish chips off or cracks. However, applying gel nail polish can seem trickier than using acrylic polish, especially when it’s time to remove it. While some gel polish models come with builder layers, but if you’re a beginner, it’s better to start with a simple nail polish set or visit a salon and get a professional to handle it.
Now, some gel polishes are hardened or set using LED lights while others are hardened with UV lights, with neither offering any real advantage. Models using UV light with lower wattage are relatively cheaper, and the wattage ranges between 9 and 45 watts.
Gel polishes that harden without needing any type of light are slowly showing up on the market, but most users argue they peel and chip much faster than models set with LED or UV light. Generally, gel polishes dry faster and there is no need to purchase a
nail dryer, unless you have one already.
There are numerous other factors to consider when shopping for a gel nail polish. For instance, some gels, like shellac gel polishes, are easier to remove than others. Again, the color you adore today may look old and boring after some months. Just like gel eyeliners, you may consider stocking a few colors for different occasions.
You certainly don’t want to have sexy fingernails while forgetting your cute toes. A gel nail polish will work just as great on your toenails. Many ladies can’t resist wearing gel polish on their toenails when walking on the beach, and you don’t have to worry about scuffing your polish as you draw a big heart on the wet sand.
We usually review just five products for each topic. However, in the course of our research, we saw one brand that deserves an honorable mention even though its products didn't make it into our review. It's Modelones -- It offers professional, high-quality nail art products (
Polish and sample varnish,
polish starters, etc.) at competitive prices. With an unwavering dedication to customer service, the company’s priority is to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Now, let’s take you through some important features to look for when shopping for a gel nail polish, and then you’ll be ready to make your choice.
Price
Your budget is a critical consideration when shopping for a gel nail polish. In terms of cost, gel nail polish is more expensive than acrylic polish. However, given the duration the gel nails will last, typically 10-14 days, it makes more financial sense to purchase a gel nail polish. In fact, some ladies will get over a month with a single gel application.
Now, the prices of gel nail polishes vary from one brand to another and from one model to the next. On average, a good-quality gel nail polish will cost between $10 and $40. Even though you can still find cheap gel nail polishes on the market, don’t spend your money on such. They’re probably of lower quality and won’t last as long as you want. You can, however, consider the Sally Hansen gel nail polish – a well-known brand in the nail art industry – for a budget-friendly alternative.
Features
Applying gel nail polish is never a straightforward task – that’s why most ladies will just stop by a salon and have it done by a professional. However, if you grab a few tips from this guide, you’ll be able to apply gel nail polish seamlessly in the comfort of your home or office, plus it will save you money. Whether it’s French tips or any other design, you can get a glossy finish by airbrushing.
Here are some features to consider in a gel nail polish:
- Durability – Gel nail polish will last between 10 and 14 days. Check the manufacturer’s specified number of days, as this may vary from model to model.
- Lifestyle – Depending on the nature of your job, you may find yourself soaking your hands in water for long periods. Gel nail polish will be a great choice for you since gel will adhere with minimal effect from the water. The same applies to athletes or people involved in activities that cause a lot of sweat.
- Color – Almost all types of gel nail polish come in bright, intense, and gorgeous colors. Pick a color that best suits your style and personality. Of course, you can have two or more colors to avoid boredom.
- High Strength – Some gel nail polishes are super strong. For instance, gel lacquer was specially designed for women who don’t fancy gel nail extensions but still want a long-lasting manicure. If you apply it properly, a good gel nail polish should last for up to two weeks without chips.
- Health Indication – Gels usually come in three categories: top coat, color coat, and base coat. The former two are nail treatment solutions as opposed to making your nails healthier.
Construction and Design
When shopping for a gel nail polish, the first consideration should be the curing light. We highly recommend UV nail lights since they work with a wide variety of gel polishes and are friendly to your wallet as compared to LED lighting. But of course, some users are wary of UV lights and they want to avoid exposure to UV radiation. If you’re in that school of thought, spend a little more and get an LED light and stick with the specially formulated gels.
Additionally, consider the power source of your nail light. Some models run on batteries while others run on AC power and you’ll have to plug them into a socket. Replacing the batteries can, in the long run, make the system costly, but they also have an added benefit of portability and convenience.
You may want to consider gel nail polishes with added accessories for preparing the nail before the manicure. Find accessories that are compatible with the gel you choose to purchase. Some of the extras you’ll need are nail cleanser, base coat, and top coat. Some models will come with a few or none of these, so you may want to purchase them separately for the full gel nail experience.
Performance and Ease of Use
A good gel nail polish should not take forever to apply and cure. Consider the time investment in applying the gel nail polish. Some gel nail polishes come with curing lights that can only cure one nail at a time. So, if it takes about one minute per nail, going through the ten nails will mean you’ll spend over 10 minutes on the curing process alone.
Now, removing the nail polish is always the bigger issue. Generally, gel nail polishes adhere strongly to the nails, and it needs to be soaked in an acetone polish remover. This process can take up to 10 minutes. Consider models that come with the accessories for gel removal for added convenience.
You should also remember the aftercare. Often, gels will last longer, but you still need maintenance and aftercare to keep the nails looking their best for longer. The gel nail polish can dry on the skin and cuticles, and you’ll need a model that comes with a moisturizing cuticle oil to keep the gel nails smooth, healthy, and shiny.
A gel manicure provides a long-lasting splash of brilliant color to your natural nails. This unique formula reacts to LED and UV light to set the polish to make it smooth, shiny, and free of chips for up to two weeks or more. Many salons have been offering gel manicure services for several years, but the kits are now becoming widely available and you can do your nails in the comfort of your home.
Features
AIMEILI’s mission is to make everyone who uses their products beautiful. Established in 2012 and with fans across the globe, the brand’s gel nail polish is of excellent quality and combines beauty, environmental responsibility, and fun elements during the manufacturing process. AIMEILI gives a great customer experience by providing high-quality products, new outstanding products, and fast shipping.
The AIMEILI Base and Top Coat No Wipe Gel Nail Polish is one of the most durable low-priced gels, offering you 14 days of non-chip, high-gloss wear. The kit contains one Soak Off UV LED nail polish base and a top coat, each measuring 10ml. While it’s a bit thinner and requires two to three coats, you are assured a mirror shine finish with no chips, smudges, or nicks. Oh, it glitters too! And, as if that’s not enough, this gel polish has temperature sensors that make it change colors according to the temperature. The pink glittery polish will become white when your hands get hot, light pink when it’s warm and strong pink when it becomes cold. Do not forget to dry under an LED or UV lamp! Please note that the screen setting and lighting may make the color vary a little from the picture.
Gel nail polish has gained popularity over acrylic nail polish for obvious reasons, like fast drying times. Even if you have a pet that demands your attention all the time, you won’t have to worry about ruining your fresh polish. If you don’t feel thrilled by our picks, check out other fabulous options offered by these brands.
