Yes, you can absolutely get jelly acrylic nails, which create a translucent, candy-like, and glossy finish by using clear acrylic for structure and then applying translucent jelly gel polishes for color, offering a durable and stylish manicure similar to popular Korean nail trends. Nail technicians sculpt the nail with clear acrylic and then use special jelly gels (or mix gel with clear top coat) for that sheer, vibrant look, often adding glitter or 3D designs for customization.
While you can do jelly nails on the natural nail, it looks better with clear sculpted extensions, or clear tips, then building out the acrylic nail with clear acrylic. People are really drawn to it based off of the photos that you see, and most of those photos people do have on nail extensions.''
Jelly nails refer to manicures that use sheer, vibrant, glossy polishes—regular or gel—that create a "juicy" effect on each nail. The style has become popular in recent years because of its nostalgic 2000s vibe, easy-to-achieve design, and versatility.
Gel polish manicures usually start at a price of $35. They typically cost $5 to $10 more than a traditional nail polish manicure.
Gel nails typically last 2-3 weeks; with proper care, they can last up to 4 weeks, depending on nail growth. Daily activities, like exposure to hot water and harsh chemicals, significantly impact the durability of gel polish.
Hospitals often restrict gel nails (and other artificial nails) for healthcare workers because they can harbor and transfer bacteria, creating a significant infection risk for vulnerable patients, especially in high-touch areas like the NICU, as the surface and edges can trap germs even after handwashing, making them harder to clean effectively than natural nails, and they can interfere with vital sign monitoring like pulse oximetry during surgery.
Prep Your Nails: The process starts with a well-prepped nail plate and a thin base layer to create a smooth surface. Make sure your nails are shaped, filed, and buffed. Apply Jelly Gel: Next, “the jelly color is applied in thin, even coats, curing each layer under a UV or LED lamp for 60 seconds,” Mazur says.
The healthiest fake nails are generally considered to be builder gel or soft gel extensions, and dip powder nails, because they are flexible, less damaging during removal, and involve less harsh chemicals than acrylics, with dip powder avoiding UV light entirely, though proper application and gentle removal by a professional are crucial for all types to protect natural nails from damage.
The Jelly Nail Trends to Know
“We're seeing a lot of jelly French tips right now. This can be created using a sheer nude or pink base with bold, translucent tips in hot pink, blue, or orange,” shares Cappella. Jelly nail stacking is another trend taking shape.
With your chosen Jelly Gel Nail Polish colour, apply 1-2 thin coats, capping the free edge and curing after each coat for 60 seconds. As the shades are buildable, you can layer them until you've reached your desired coverage.
Jelly nails are more delicate than their more robust cousins, which leaves them prone to breaking and chipping. Take care when handling them to maintain their flawless charm. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep jelly nails looking glamorous.
Classic manicures are gentle and ideal for maintaining natural nail health. Gel and dip powder manicures can also be safe when done correctly, but make sure to give your nails a break in between to prevent damage. For extra hydration and care, a paraffin wax manicure is an excellent option for dry, brittle nails.
How are Korean jelly nails done? One thin coat at a time. You paint, cure using an LED or UV light, paint again, cure again, until you've got that deep, glassy glow.
Korean jelly nails are similar to traditional soft gels, and like all manicures, a Korean jelly mani starts with preparation. The old color is removed; the cuticles are cleaned; the nails are shaped; and a base coat is applied before adding layers of color and a final top coat.
If you have nail polish (the brighter the color, the better) and a bottle of top coat, you can do jelly nails on your own. They can be done on fake and natural nails, with regular or gel polish.
Acrylic isn't bad for your nails. What will ruin your nails is the prep-work they do before and the way you/they remove the nails. Gel/shellac isn't better or worse than acrylic but it is easier to remove. There IS a safe way to do all of these services if a technician takes the time to learn and follow best practices.
If you're one of them, these tips from dermatologists can help you reduce the damage: Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails. While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack.
Overall, Dip Powder Manicures are a great way to get a healthy manicure that will protect and strengthen your nails without causing any damage. Just like any nail treatment, you do have to make sure you properly remove it to keep your nails safe and healthy – Don't pick at your manicure!
Rainbow, jelly nail polish makes your manicured nails look like a hard candy treat. The translucent finish is bright but, dare we say it — makes the kaleidoscope of colors a bit more wearable. Whether it's acrylic nails or gel extensions, we recommend rocking longer lengths with this design to let it really shine.
General Cost
Most salons range in price from about $35 - $65 for a full set of new acrylic nails. Monthly fill-ins will generally be half the cost of a new set, anywhere from $20 - $30. Gel nails are generally priced a bit higher than acrylic nails. A set of gel nails or a gel manicure will range between $35 - $80.
The effect is sheer, smooth, and syrupy, catching the light just like jelly (hence the name!). Originating in South Korea, jelly nails gained popularity thanks to K-beauty's obsession with clean, youthful, and playful aesthetics.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (2009) identify artificial fingernails as an important risk factor, associating them with changes in normal flora and hindering effective hand hygiene.
Long or false nails may damage clinical gloves, so nails should be kept short and free of any enhancements such as acrylic, nail varnish and shellac.
Nail lamps used for drying gel and shellac polishes emit a low amount of UV radiation called UVA. UVA can lead to skin aging and play a role in skin cancer risk.