If you're unfamiliar with jelly polish, it basically gives your nails slightly see-through look with a glass-like finish. Since it's "glass-like," jelly polish makes a great base for nail art.
Jelly nails are the lip gloss of manicures. The look features nails coated with a sheer, ultra-glossy wash of color that leaves them looking like, you guessed it, jelly.
There is a reason why gel polish is the way to go, and it's because not only do they look great, but they last longer than traditional polish. In fact, they can last up to 14 days without noticeable wear and tear, and that makes them even more noteworthy and a nail salon favorite.
Gel polish, however, requires a UV lamp and a bit of extra practice to nail down. For first-timers, it's best to leave gels to the professionals to lower the risk of damaging your natural nails.
Turns out, 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 both fake and natural nails, and with regular polish or gel polish. You'll be rocking this look in no time!
After prepping with a base coat, apply one to two coats of a sheer, jelly polish to each nail. Allow time to dry.
Cost. The cost of gel extensions can range anywhere from $80 to $125. However, this also depends on your location and nail salon.
Gel nails are more expensive than acrylics. That's because gel nails require more equipment, such as a UV or LED light, a gel top and base coat, in order to be applied properly. Not all gel nail polish kits come with tools to remove gel polish however -- keep that in mind too.
If you'd rather head to the salon, ask your nail technician for “crystal” or clear tips, which are key to the jelly nail look. You can get them any length you want, but keep them long enough to clearly see the demarcation between the nail tip and your nail bed for the best effect.
Nails are made of protein called keratin, and a deficiency of protein can show up as soft, fragile, or brittle nails. Since gelatin is a form of protein, the logic is that the protein would help strengthen nails.
Gel is a noun, and it's a substance like hair gel. Jelly is the state of the substance. It's like gel and be jelly.
The biggest benefit of gel manis is how long they last. "Gel manicures could last up to two weeks with proper nail prep and at-home care, such as cuticle oil and hand lotion," says Duguay-Gordon. And if you're careful, they can last up to four weeks.
Apply the Non-UV Gel Polish
Allow the gel a few minutes to set between each coat. When the final coat is applied, allow the manicure to dry for about five minutes. After five minutes, use the non-UV gel top coat. Allow your nails to dry completely.
While gel polish is fantastic in its own right, it lacks the rigidity of a hard gel—rigidity that's necessary for lengthening and sculpting nail extensions. According to Ornellas, “Hard gels are used for strength and structure,” whereas “gel polish is just for color and art, and a little strength."
How Salons Take Off Gel Polish. In addition to applying acetone-soaked cotton balls directly to the nail and wrapping them in aluminum foil for upwards of 10 minutes, your local nail salon may also opt to use professional tools, like a nail drill, to remove residual gel polish.
The Differences in Cost
It all comes down to cost. On average, gel manicures and pedicures are slightly more expensive than shellac ones because gels tend to be pricier, and salons often charge a premium for LED/UV curing equipment.
Currently essie•gel is available in 100 shades that mirror our fan favorite enamel polishes. To see if your favorite polish color is available in gel, click here.
This new nail trend, nicknamed “cat eye nails”, is making the rounds on Instagram. The look involves a diagonal line drawn directly through the middle of your nail, and much like actual cat eyes, the lines vary. The cat eye nails made by everyone are not the same. Some lines are straight and some are curved.
"It helps your cuticles, keeps your hands and nails hydrated, and works better than callus removal if you put it on your feet and wear socks overnight," says Nguyen. "The best part is that it's affordable and probably already in your medicine cabinet!" she adds.
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.
Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.