Nail Gel Polish

Do It The Gel Way

Gel polish has to be cured under a UV or LED lamp. It offers outstanding colour and shine, and lasts much longer than normal nail polish. No more chipping or peeling…just gorgeous nails.

What is gel nail polish?

Regular nail polish dries when exposed to air. Gel polish will dry only under direct UV or LED light.

When cured under a lamp, gel polish dries harder and shinier than regular nail polish. It’s also much more durable.

We offer a range of salon gel polishes for sale online, so you can achieve a professional result at home.

How long does gel polish last?

With the best gel nail polish, a gel manicure typically lasts for up to two weeks. After this time, the natural growth of your nails may cause the dried polish to start lifting.

What should be in a gel polish starter kit?

Getting started, your cost will initially be a bit higher than for normal polish.

However, you’ll likely save money in the long run. This is because your colour will last longer and need less touching up.

Here’s what you need as part of a gel polish starter kit:

• • • gel polish colours you like
    • gel polish base coat
    • gel polish top coat
    • nail buffer
    • nail file
    • LED or UV lamp
    • soak-off gel polish remover
    • cotton wool
    • aluminium foil

How to apply gel polish

Using gel polish takes a little practice – but it won’t be long before you’re creating salon-quality nails.

To use gel nail polish, follow these steps:

1. 1. 1. Remove old nail polish, and file and shape your nails
      2. Press cuticles back
      3. Lightly buff the nail surface
      4. Apply a thin layer of the base coat and cure under your LED or UV lamp, following the manufacturer’s timing guidelines
      5. Follow with a layer of the desired colour, and then cure under the lamp again
      6. Follow with a second and third layer for a more intense colour finish
      7. Round off with the top coat, and cure one final time under the lamp
      8. Finish with a cuticle and nail oil

Nail tips with gel polish

It is possible to use gel polish with nail tips. After gluing on nail tips, buff your natural nails and the tips so that the gel will adhere better.

Generally, it’s best to stick to fairly short nail tips if you plan to use gel polish. Longer tips may not be strong enough.

How to remove gel polish

To remove gel polish, you need to soak it for several minutes in a soak-off product, which contains acetone.

Wet cotton wool with the soak-off product and attach to nails with strips of aluminium foil.

Leave for the specified time – usually around ten minutes. Then remove the foil and wash your nails.

If necessary, lightly scratch off the remaining polish with a nail file. Be careful to avoid over-filing, which can weaken your nails.

Where to buy gel nail polish

At Hairhouse Warehouse, we offer salon-quality gel nail polish for sale online in South Africa. We also offer a range of cruelty-free, vegan gel polishes and gel polish primer, base and top coat.