Flawless Hard Gel Nails: The Game-Changing Guide You Can't Miss

Hard gel can create a flawless manicure that lasts for weeks. It can lengthen and strengthen your nails and make gorgeous nail art. But let's be honest, some are intimidated by it. It requires a different technique to apply and remove. Therefore, we’re providing the ultimate guide to hard gel nails to give you every advantage. This is the game changing guide to builder gel that you can't miss.

What Are the Different Types of Hard Gel?

You're familiar with lacquer and gel polish already. They have a thin consistency and come in a rainbow of colors in distinct styles. Hard gel isn't quite as diverse or colorful, but it’s paintable with gel polish. More importantly, you can sculpt it and use it as a type of adhesive for attaching enhancements.

Hard Gel in a Jar

First, there's hard gel in a jar. The most famous brand is IBD that comes in clear, white, and nude shades. You'll need a brush to apply and shape it and a nail lamp to cure it. The thick texture is excellent for nail-strengthening overlays and extensions. Although it's dense, it will eventually self-level.

You can wear hard gel nails week after week because they can be backfilled when the natural nails grow out. Plus, hard gel is ideal for sculpting 3D nail art. But it's the most difficult builder gel to remove since you'll need to file it down (preferably with a drill) before soaking in acetone.

BIAB/h3>

Second, there's builder gel in a bottle or BIAB. If you compare it visually to gel polish, you can see that it's more viscous or gooier. Even though it's not as thick as hard gel in a jar, you can use it for making extensions and overlays. It's available in more colors and styles than hard gel, so you'll see brands like Lavis with colorful glitter BIAB. Although it's not as handy for 3D nail art, it’s excellent for adhering enhancements like rhinestones or charms because it doesn't turn white. Moreover, it can be backfilled and it's easier to remove than hard gel.

Poly Gel

Technically speaking, poly gel is not hard gel although you can use it for sculpting nail art and extensions. It's a hybrid blend of gel polish and acrylics with an exceptionally durable finish that cures in a nail lamp. It's even thicker than hard gel and won't self-level. We felt like it deserves a mention because it is up and coming in the nail world and definitely worth a try.

Sculpting Gel

Now we're being tricky. Sculpting gel is Just another name for either builder gel in a bottle or hard gel.

LAVIS Builder Gel

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Hard Gel or BIAB for Structured Manicures?

A structured manicure is super durable. It's extra resistant to chipping, peeling, and staining. What's more, it has a plump, luxurious feel, and usually an extra glossy appearance. You can use either hard gel or builder gel in a bottle for a structured manicure because both can sculpt extensions if desired. Also, both are compatible with enhancements like gel polish, gems, line art gel, foil, charms, glitter, and so on.

A hard gel manicure can last about three to four weeks. The polish itself may stay flawless for longer, but after a few weeks, the manicure requires maintenance to stay looking beautiful. Instead of full removal, the artist can fill in the gap next to the cuticle.

IBD Hard Gel - LED/UV French Xtreme

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Chrome Nail Powder

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Glass French Nail

Here's a stunning example of what you can do with Lavis hard gel. These glass French nail extensions were sculpted with clear builder gel in a bottle over molds. Next, the artist applied glitter and a nude shade for the base. The artist defined the edge of the nail plate with white line art gel and finished with the glossy diamond top coat.

LAVIS Builder Gel In The Bottle - B00 Clear - Gel Polish 15ml

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LDS - 02 (ver 2) White - Line Art Gel Nails Polish Nail Art

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LDS Nail Art Glitter

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How to Apply Hard Gel on Nails

The most crucial step in doing a hard gel manicure is to review the manufacturer’s instructions. Some brands require a primer, others only need a gel base coat, and there may be differences with regards to curing time and top coats as well. Let's get you up to speed on how our builder gel in a bottle works.

Lavis BIAB Offers Straightforward Application as Easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. There's no need for specialized primers or extra effort. Once you've prepared the nails the same as you would for any manicure, brush on a thin layer of base coat and cure it for 60 seconds.
2. Next, apply the builder gel in a thin layer with vertical strokes and cap the free edge. Don't cure it yet. Instead, use a thin brush to smooth the polish along the edges of the nail. Then brush on a thicker layer. Begin at the cuticle and move toward the free edge. Use the brush from the bottle to gently swish the polish side to side, spreading it out. Now cure it.
3. Finish with a layer of top coat. Yes, It's that easy!

How to Apply Hard Gel like IBD

1. Once the nails are shaped and the cuticles pushed back, remove the shine with a fine grit nail file or buffer. Wipe off the dust and cleanse the nail plate with a dehydrating solution.
2. If you'll be shaping extensions, apply the forms to the fingertips. Check the instructions to see if you need a special primer or base coat and apply it.
3. Use a firm bristled brush to smooth on a small amount of the hard gel. It can be immensely helpful to watch a video to practice the proper technique.
4. Even if you're working with clear gel, it's best to use repeated thin coats instead of thick ones so that it cures correctly.
5. After the final coat of sculpting gel, you may need to remove the sticky inhibition layer, buff, and cleanse. Consult the instructions for the product.
6. Paint and decorate the hard gel as desired. You can inlay decorations in the final layer before curing it and it will secure them like adhesive.
7. Finish with a top coat.

How to Remove Hard Gel Nails?

It's less expensive and time consuming to do a nail fill instead of removing hard gel nails each time. But at some point, you may wish for a fresh start.

True hard gel, the kind that comes in a jar, is resistant to acetone. You must file it down first, then soak it in acetone to soften it enough for removal.

FYI, filing hard gel by hand takes a long time because this is extremely durable polish. A nail drill with the proper bit can grind it down much more quickly. Someone with experience can do so without harming the natural nails. It might be worth it to make an appointment with your favorite salon to remove the hard gel manicure.

Meanwhile, builder gel in a bottle comes off with minimal filing and soaking so you can take care of it at home.

Conclusion

We hope this guide to hard gel nails gives you the foundation you need to get started with structured manicures and 3D nail art. Now is the perfect time to stock up on the nail supplies you need. Drop by our home page to see our current deals at a glance.