So, You’re Thinking of Getting a Gel Manicure? Here’s What You Should Know Before Doing It: A blog on the know-how of gel manicures.

In the last 10 years or so, gel manicures have become a huge trend in nail art. What was once much too expensive to get at the spa has now become easily affordable (and even more so with our $5 gel manis!).

But what are gel nails, exactly? And how do they work? Is there anything we should know about them before getting one done for ourselves? We’re answering all these questions and more below!

What Are Gel Nails?

Gel polish is a long-lasting variety of nail polish made up of a type of methacrylate polymer. It’s painted on nails like regular nail polish but does not dry until after it is cured under an ultraviolet lamp. This formula makes it chip-resistant and long-lasting, with color that stays vibrant for up to two weeks.

The gel manicure business is booming. In fact, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry, and with good reason. The gel manicure is shiny and long-lasting; it’s not prone to chipping and breaking; it looks professional; it’s durable and flexible. Many people think of the gel manicure as their go-to for special occasions or for everyday wear if they don’t want to worry about their nails.

However, if there’s one thing that stops some people from getting gel manicures, it’s the price. They can range from $20-$40 per appointment at a salon, depending on location and the salon/nail technician. But there are now at-home kits that offer a similar result without having to pay a visit to your local nail technician.

As someone who has been doing my own gel manicures for about two years now, I thought I would share with you the ins and outs of this type of nail art design so that you can make an informed decision before trying the gel manicure yourself.

Gel Manicures vs Regular Manicures

The main difference between a regular manicure and a gel manicure is that you are applying polish (

Whether you’re looking for a long-lasting manicure or have weak, brittle nails, gel manicures are definitely a great way to go. However, there are some things that you should know before making the choice to get one.

As an alternative to regular nail polish, gel polish is applied to the fingernail where it is then cured under an ultraviolet light. Gel manicures can last up to two weeks with little to no chipping and don’t require touch-ups like regular manicures. Because the polish does not chip as easily as traditional nail polish, gel manicures are great for those who want their nails to look fabulous for longer periods of time. You can also choose from a wide variety of colors and finishes which makes this treatment very customizable.

There are many reasons why people choose gel manicures over regular manicure; however there are also some issues that can arise from this type of procedure that you should be aware of before making your decision.

There’s no denying the popularity of gel manicures. They are everywhere. Instagram is filled with videos showing perfectly polished nails that have been cured under a UV light, and salons across the country have added this service to their menu. But what happens if you’re not entirely sure what a gel manicure really is, or if it’s even safe? It seems like they last forever, but do they damage your nails? Is it bad to get them every week?

To get the answers to these questions and more, we talked to top nail pros. Here’s everything you need to know before getting your first gel manicure, according to the experts.

What is a Gel Manicure?

“Gel manicures are an alternative way of creating beautiful nails,” says celebrity nail artist Gina Edwards. “You use different products, but in the end you get the same result: beautiful nails.”

If you’re a nail-biter, gel manicures are a great way to keep your nails at a nice length. However, if you don’t want to get them done every two weeks, consider getting dip nails. They last much longer than gel manicures and they don’t require an UV lamp. Find dip powder near me by searching this keyword in Google and find the best salon nearby.

Here are some things you should know before getting one:

A gel manicure is a type of artificial nail that most closely resembles the natural nail. It can be used as an overlay over your natural nails or as tips, which are glued on top of your own nails. With this type of artificial nail, a special type of polish is used that is cured under an ultraviolet light (UV).

Hands up if you’ve ever gotten a gel manicure. Chances are you’ve had your nails done with the popular polish at least once in your life — and chances are you loved it.

But, there’s a catch (there always is). The manicures may be great for making your nails look perfectly polished for weeks, but they aren’t exactly the best for your nails.

It turns out, gel manicures can cause damage to your nails if they’re not done properly or maintained in the right way. And you don’t want to mess with the health of your nails — they’re already quite fragile and sensitive.

To answer all of your questions about gel manicures, we reached out to nail pros Elsbeth Schuetz and Sophy Robson who both have some pretty interesting things to say about them (and their alternatives!).

I’ve been obsessed with nail salons for as long as I can remember. During my college years, I would head to the salon every Saturday morning to get a manicure and pedicure. I had my pick of any polish in the rainbow, from Essie to OPI, and who am I kidding, I never left without getting at least one glitter polish. Once my nails were all cleaned up, it was on to the next salon down the block for me to get a blowout before heading out that evening.