So, what do you need? If you haven’t already got one, a LED lamp is needed to cure the extender gel into place. While outright they may cost more than a single nail app, they are *much* more cost-effective in the long run: a kit that will last you years falls into the same price range as a few salon trips. If you’re just wanting the lamp, the Mylee Pro LED Lamp is a great option, or, if you’re after the whole shebang, the brand’s Lamp Kit comes with the tools you’ll need to create at-home gel nails (another great money-saving DIY kit to have in your collection).
‘This DIY polygel kit has transformed my nails – and saved me so much money’
When it comes to beauty, most of us have one ‘treat yourself’ thing that we just can’t go without. For some, it could be lash extensions, eyebrow lamination, or a fresh cut and colour every 6-8 weeks. For me, it’s a fresh set of nails.
As hard as I try, I’m not much of a saver. For a good few years, I made empty promises that I would cut down on my religious trips to the salon. Not because I didn’t love to show off my beautifully manicured nails at every given opportunity (I really did), but because it was a practical choice. And by practical, I mean financial.
When I finally came to terms with the fact that my nail apps had to slow down, I made it my mission to find a suitable alternative. In pursuit of finding salon-worthy nails without the salon prices, I tried pretty much every at-home option on the shelves.
Press-ons pinged off like they were never stuck on in the first place; my shoddy DIY attempts at cool nail art were just embarrassing, and regular nail varnish wasn’t enough to satisfy my salon-influenced standards. So, each time I was faced with a chipped nail, I ran back to the salon and had a ‘who do I think I am’ moment, dropping my weekly budget on another set of acrylics.
So if you’re looking for that salon-like acrylic finish, enter: Polygel. When I first saw them trending on TikTok I initially scrolled past the hype, because how could DIY manicures look that good? Even with my impressive CV of experience in at-home nail kits, it was a ‘too good to be true’ feeling.
However, as the hype continued and my bank balance kept dropping, my unfavourable F.O.M.O stepped in and I had to give it a go. And to be honest, I was genuinely gobsmacked by the results.
But first: what are Polygel nails?
Polygel was originally created for nail techs; however, to our delight, it’s now available for us to buy. Essentially, it’s a nail extender gel that combines acrylic powder and a thick clear gel. While the process of application is very different from what you have at a salon, the overall result is very similar. It gives you the durability and finish of an acrylic overlay or extension, but the flexible application of a gel.
Unlike acrylic powder used in salons, Polygel comes premixed in a toothpaste-like tube that you can apply directly over your nails to build an extension or form a natural overlay. For the untrained wannabe nail tech (like myself), Polygel has a putty-like texture that allows you to shape the gel but won’t set until it’s cured under a LED lamp (so feel free to make as many mistakes as you’d like).
Pros and Cons
Before we head into how you use Polygel, let’s start with the pros and cons I discovered while putting it to the test.
Pros
- My commitment issues with DIY nail kits have made me believe that nothing could ever top the finish of an in-salon treatment. But, just like acrylic nails, Polygel can be used to sculpt, overlay, infill, and extend your natural nails and essentially, the result is fairly alike. Apart from a few gel spillages and a wobbly hand with the polish, I was left with a sturdy set of Polygel extensions. So, yes, no matter how unrealistic it seems on the surface, you can actually create nails that pass as a salon job.
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- One of the best features of Polygel is its longevity. As it’s a gel-acrylic hybrid, it’s more flexible so is likely to last longer than an acrylic extension. However, all good things do come to an end as the gel will usually last around 3-4 weeks before you need infills or an unwelcomed ‘snap off’ needs replacing.
- Believe it or not, Polygels are actually better for your nail health than acrylics. The classic gel formula is lighter: this means it puts less strain on your natural nails but is just as durable.
- Obviously the overall savings are the biggest draw here. If you opt for the whole pro-level kit, which includes the top and base coat, lamp and a selection of gel colours, as well as the bits needed for the Polygel, you’re still saving a huge amount on your regular salon trips.
Clare Stephenson
Cons
- From start to finish, the process of applying the gel is quite time-consuming. As a first-time user, it took me around an hour and a half to complete the look. However, in the grand scheme of things, the overall time is not much more than an average outing to the salon.
- In terms of application, it was a fiddly affair that surely was a hit-and-miss scenario. It’s slightly intricate work, but nothing that a bit of patience can’t solve.
This Nail Extension System Is the Perfect Non-Damaging Alternative to Acrylics
Kayla Greaves is the Executive Beauty Editor for InStyle, overseeing all beauty coverage on the site. She has previously held positions at HuffPost and Bustle.
Published on June 15, 2021 @ 10:59AM
After over a year of doing my own manicures at home (which I eventually gave up on), I was relieved to finally be sitting in Julie Kandalec’s private nail studio Julie K Nail Artelier in Manhattan in late May.
Not only was it refreshing to be in such a gorgeous space for a manicure, but knowing that my beat up nails would look just as good in about two hours was a feeling I can’t even begin to describe.
During “the before” days — you know, back when I took manicures for granted — I had tried nearly every nail system in the books, including acrylics. And while they’re great for creating hard extensions, the damage they caused to my natural nails eventually turned me off of the whole process entirely. So, I opted to grow my own nails out and just get bi-weekly gel manis instead, which I did for years. Then COVID hit.
Although I have a curing system and plenty of gel polish at home, the increased hand-washing and use of heavy disinfectants left my polish constantly peeling, with the nails underneath feeling dry and rough. Eventually, I just decided to cut my nails down, put on a couple coats of OPI’s Nail Envy, and call it a day.
But after I was vaccinated and my girl Moderna had her two weeks to marinate, I got introduced to CND’s Plexigel nail enhancement system and I was ready to give gel and nail extensions another go.
“CND Plexigel is a semi-hard gel which means it is significantly more durable than soft gel,” Kandalec explains. “Designed to be a multi-problem solver for flat, brittle, or torn nails, Plexigel is a flexible, yet tough, coating that glides on to plump, lengthen, or repair a multitude of nail issues. It also protects the natural nail underneath the enhancement.”
Now, I know a lot of brands promise no damage to the natural nail, but in this case it is absolutely true.
Plexigel typically lasts around three weeks, and a little after that mark, the overlay on my pinky nail popped off as I was getting dressed. Much to my surprise, my natural nail still looked perfectly healthy and the free edge didn’t break off or feel weak.
Acrylics could never.
Here, I chatted more with Kandalec to find out everything you need to know about CND’s latest nail system that you’ll definitely want to try out this summer.
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How does it CND’s Plexigel system differ from acrylics?
Acrylic is a cousin of gel, consisting of a liquid (monomer) plus a powder (polymer). When combined in the proper ratio — approximately 1:1 or 1:1.5 — they harden on their own. Gel is an oligomer — in short, a different kind of molecule and requires the aid of UV to cure. Polymers also have a high molecular weight than oligomers, which explains why they feel heavier on the nail than gel. Because of its strength and durability, CND Plexigel is able to be sculpted out to add length as well, where soft gel can only add a minimal amount of length, if any at all. CND Plexigel is one clean and simple step, all-in-one convenient bottle that also shortens application time.
I was actually surprised how easy the application was. Let’s break down the process.
After manicuring the nails, prep with 99% isopropyl alcohol. The Plexigel Bonder cures under the CND lamp for 10 seconds, then each layer or bead of Plexigel thereafter is 60 seconds.
There are a few nail extension systems that are sold for at-home use. Why is it important to still go to a professional for services like CND’s Plexigel?
Seeing a trained professional is always a good idea for nail enhancement services. Doing gel, dip, and acrylic at home can easily cause overexposure, which may lead to allergic reactions. How does never getting your nails done again sound? It can happen when too much monomer or gel gets on the skin and the person doesn’t know how to properly clean it.
How much does this service generally cost in salons?
This varies greatly based on skill, region, demand, or several other factors. Expect it to be at least two times as much as your standard polish manicure.
These nails typically last around three weeks, what is the removal process like?
Gels that are hard and semi-hard need to be removed by a professional. First, the enhancement is gently filed down to about 15% to 20% of its thickness, avoiding filing the natural nail. The rest is soaked off by saturating a small piece of cotton in Offly Fast Moisturizing Remover and wrapped in foil. After about 15 minutes, the remainder will flake away, leaving behind a healthy nail. A great reminder is to never peel your nails off. Peeling an enhancement off takes layers of your natural nail plate with it, which in turn makes it even harder for the next coating to adhere to the nail.
