Gel manicure:

Thin, delicate, sophisticated…

Light-weight and durable results

Gel manicure

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Expert prep

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Photo-ready finish

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Perfect results

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Gel polish

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Gel manicure ✳︎ Expert prep ✳︎ Photo-ready finish ✳︎ Perfect results ✳︎ Gel polish ✳︎

  • A standard gel manicure is the thinnest possible option of nail enhancement, perfect for those who want a barely-there finish but still want the longevity of gels.

    It comprises of four layers - Base, colour, colour, top.

    This means there is no structure layer, and no possibility of correcting undesirable nail structure or mis-matched nail lengths.

    Therefore it is only really suitable for clients who already have strong healthy nails.

  • Despite popular opinion, a standard gel manicure isn't necessarily the best option for everyone. And here's why!

    A standard gel manicure is designed to be applied to an existing, suitable nail plate. If there are areas where the nail plate is missing, such as bitten nails, chips or breakages, a standard gel manicure may not be able to correct or support those areas. In some cases, this can also make it difficult to apply the product safely without it coming into contact with the surrounding skin.

    There are a few simple things you can look at to get an idea of whether your nails are likely to be suitable for a standard gel manicure:

    1. Do you have bitten or very short nails?

    Hold your finger straight and parallel to the floor or ceiling and look at your nail from the side. Does the fleshy part of your fingertip sit higher than the nail plate?

    If so, there may not be enough nail plate available for a standard gel manicure to be applied appropriately.

    2. How do your side walls grow?

    Look at your nail from above. Do the side walls run relatively parallel from the cuticle towards the free edge, or do they flare outwards as the nail grows?

    You can also point your finger towards yourself and look directly at the nail from the tip. If the nail plate appears particularly flat or the side walls flare significantly, this can affect how suitable a standard gel manicure is.

    3. Do you have any areas of nail lifting?

    Look at where the free edge of your nail meets the skin at the sides. A small amount of white at the free edge is completely normal. However, if the white area appears to extend down the side walls rather than following the natural free edge, this can indicate that the nail plate has lifted from the nail bed (onycholysis).

    If you notice anything that looks unusual, please don't worry or try to diagnose it yourself. I'll be able to assess your nails during your appointment and advise you on the most suitable treatment.

    If your nails aren't suitable for a standard gel manicure, that doesn't necessarily mean you can't have beautiful, durable nails. There may be another treatment that is better suited to your individual nail shape, length or condition.

    Take a look through my other treatment options to see what might be suitable for you, or get in touch if you're unsure which service to book.

Popular

  • Pros

    • Looks like nail polish, lasts like gel – ideal if you like a barely-there feel, with the longevity of gel.

    • Easy to remove at home – can be removed easily with a non-dehydrating Bio Sculpture gel remover kit, without the need for professional removal. Kits are available for purchase in person or online.

    • Can help disguise minor surface imperfections – the polish can visually soften the appearance of things such as longitudinal ridges and unevenness in the natural nail.

    • No air drying required – no waiting around for the polish to dry

    • Once it’s cured, it’s cured – no accidental smudges or marks unlike with a nail polish manicure

    Cons

    • Provides little to no structural reinforcement – it won't significantly strengthen or reinforce weak or flexible nails.

    • Not suitable for extensions – it can only be applied to the existing natural nail and cannot be used to add length.

    • Does not help with nail splits – if your nails are prone to splitting or weakness, standard gel manicures won’t provide much structural support.

    • Only suitable for established nail plate – due to the nature of the treatment, excessively short or bitten nails can become quite challenging to provide this treatment for.

    • Less suitable for clients wanting maximum longevity – if your priority is a manicure that stays looking freshly applied for several weeks, stronger gel manicures may be a better option for you. Standard gel manicures can last well, however some lifestyles better suit more durable treatments. Frequent exposure to water, cleaning products and physical wear can cause the manicure to deteriorate more quickly.

Standard gel manicures are a beautiful treatment designed to give you the light-weight feel of nail polish with the longevity of gel product.

All my manicure treatments include a Russian manicure as part of the prep routine.