I would be the president of any fan group for Gel-X nail extensions. I’ve recreated some of my favourite nail trends to date with my amazing nail artist Stephanie over the past few years, and Gel-X was crucial to their glossy appearance. But I’ve lately come to the conclusion that getting them done so frequently has a significant drawback: broken nails simply aren’t worth it. My nails aren’t in the best condition after getting them for a while, so I made the decision to give them a break and try something different.
Builder gel, a thick gel manicure that fortifies the nails, is available at the salon where I visit. My nails are lot better now that I tried this method. Continue scrolling if you’ve been considering purchasing it and want to learn more about it and the procedure.
What Is Builder Gel?
I asked famous nail artist Julie Kandalec to explain builder gel so I could grasp it completely. “Builder gel is a gel product that has a thicker viscosity that is able to be used to lengthen the nails as well as build strength at the apex period,” she explains. “I recommend builder gel for clients who like to have an enhancement that is a little more on the flexible side, as compared to acrylic, which is a great product but is harder.”
Kandalec compares building gel’s perseverance to a plastic plate. “If you take a plastic dish and drop it on the floor, it’ll bounce back, versus an acrylic dish—if you drop it, it’ll crack,” she says. “Builder gel is good for people who are heavy lifters (meaning their nails lift easily on the side) because it’s more flexible.”
Builder Gel vs. Extensions
Because there are so many varieties of gel nails available, it can be challenging to determine which one is best for your specific nails or to distinguish between them. Kandalec elaborates a bit further, knowingly.
“Builder gel frequently is a hard gel,” she explains. “Hard gel requires filing off because it is a nonporous gel. There are three types of builder gel: soft, semi-hard, and hard. … Builder gel can be used to sculpt, cover a tip, or just create a structured manicure that gives the apex strength and shape.”
However, the well-liked substitute, known as Gel-X, is made up of pre-shaped nail extensions that are put on with an adhesive that is based on gel. This implies that the shape cannot be altered. But compared to building gel, the application process is much quicker. Since they are not as strong and only last two to three weeks with the right maintenance, consider these to be a comparable alternative to press-ons.
Builder Gel vs. Dip Powder
Another excellent chip-resistant no-cure nail augmentation option is dip powder, which gives the nails a little more thickness and resilience. It doesn’t require UV light to cure, in contrast to builder gel or even Gel-X extensions. A base coat is all that is needed, after which the nail is repeatedly dipped in a powder solution and sealed with a topcoat. In addition, dip powder is less flexible than builder gel, which is incredibly flexible and buildable. Additionally, the removal procedure is a little more difficult than builder gel. Even though I’ve used dip powder a lot in the past, I still think building gel’s finish is better.
Now that you have some background information, continue reading to learn about my first experience using building gel.
My Experience With Builder Gel
Before:
I am aware that in the picture above, my extensions appear incredibly grown out. It goes without saying that it was good to have them removed at last; my nails felt like they could breathe again. Before this, I had only ever used standard gel nail paint, Gel-X extensions, and a lighter, less buildable type of gel. Before purchasing builder gel, I was unaware of how similar it is to hard gel; the only distinction is that builder gel is slightly stronger than ordinary hard gel. Additionally, both can strengthen your nails, which is helpful if your nails are as damaged as mine after years of receiving extensions.
Say it with me: You need to take breaks. My nails were getting very thin, brittle, and prone to cracking, so I made the decision to try builder gel. I decided to take a break from the extensions after that. Although Gel-X extensions are thought to be among the best choices for maintaining nail health, as you can see in the picture above, my nails were still somewhat damaged after using them for a long time.
During:
Since she simply painted the building gel onto my natural nails, the procedure went much more quickly than obtaining extensions. I appreciated that she applied multiple gel coats because my natural nails now break a little more easily. Applying many coats strengthens the nails and provides the ideal foundation for the pink French manicure I chose.
After:
The Products Used
Orly
Builder In A Bottle
$16
OPI
Gelcolor Intelli-Gel in Bubble Bath$21 $17
OPI
Nail Lacquer Mod About You
$12
My nails are much shorter today than they were before I had extensions, but they’re also more healthier, as you can see. To be honest, it’s much easier to handle now when performing daily tasks. Because builder gel is much lighter than Gel-X extensions and actually strengthens my thin nails, I adore the results. It doesn’t chip and lasts a long time. After two weeks, my nails looked like the picture below. Still quite good, isn’t it? There aren’t any chips at all. Even though they are a little older, the manicure still appears to be well-groomed. In terms of cost, I spent $75 on the building gel and another $20 on the artwork. Prices will vary from person to person, but that should give you a good starting point.
Keep scrolling for some additional excellent gels and other at-home nailcare products I’ve been using and enjoying if you’re a nail enthusiast interested in trying builder gel yourself or want to bring your own to the salon.
After 2 Weeks:
More Great Builder Gels + At-Home Nailcare Products
Beetles Gel Nail Polish
Builder Nail Gel$10 $8
Although not all nail artists advise using builder gel at home to lengthen your nails, I believe it’s worth a try if you’re not interested in doing so. To give your natural nails more strength and shine, you can paint it over them.
CND
Plexigel Builder
$27
One of Kandalec’s best choices for builder gel is CND’s Plexigel Builder.
Makartt
Poly Nail Clear Gel Builder
$10
Makartt’s nail gels have received a lot of positive reviews. Since I’m not very good at doing manicures at home, I decided against trying the brand’s polygel kit on Amazon. Another excellent choice from the brand is this $10 nail builder gel.
OPI
Pro Spa Nail & Cuticle Oil
$17
My all-time favorite cuticle oil is this one. To be honest, I use it all over my hands as a moisturizer, and it leaves them feeling incredibly soft and silky.
Aveeno
Skin Relief Repairing Hand Mask for Dry Skin
$9
For me, hydrating hand masks are essential at the moment, particularly because the air has been quite dry lately. The oat and shea butter in this Aveeno mask helps prevent my cuticles and fingertips from appearing flaky and uneven.
Hnyyzl
Manicure Tool Kit
$9
Even if I’m not the greatest at-home manicure artist, having a small toolkit of my own is definitely helpful. If you’re completely giving up professional nail services, this is a useful tool to have on hand. My nails will never look like a raggedy mess thanks to these instruments.
