How is gel polish different from regular polish?
Regular nail polish is a colored coating that:
- It does not stay on the nails for long without chipping: from 3 to 5 days.
- Nail polish takes a long time to dry in the air: it is not advisable to touch anything for at least half an hour after applying it.
- Washable with nail polish remover.
Every girl has used regular nail polish at least once in her life and has a good idea of what it is and how to apply it. The variety of varnishes is simply huge: you can find special medicinal varnishes, and varnishes with various effects, for example, craquelure, matte, sand, magnetic and others, as well as varnishes with additions in the form of sparkles, shimmer, and so on.
Gel polish is a cross between regular nail polish and gel for extensions, which is why it has such a name. The main goal that was set during its development was to combine in it all the best properties of both coatings: that is, durability and color. And this, of course, was achieved!
- Externally, a bottle of gel polish differs from regular polish in that it is not transparent . The color is indicated either by a sticker or paint on the bottle. This is done so that the gel polish does not lose its properties when exposed to sunlight.
- For the gel polish to dry, you need to hold it for 2-3 minutes in an ultraviolet lamp or 30 seconds - 1 minute in an LED lamp.
- Due to the properties obtained from the gel, the wear time of the gel polish coating increases to 3 weeks.
- The technique of applying gel polish requires additional nail preparation : degreasing the surface, removing the gloss with a buff, and the mandatory use of a base and top coat for gel polish. Additionally, liquid may be required to remove the sticky layer, if any.
- The presence of additional materials and a lamp for applying gel polish makes this procedure more expensive , so many people prefer to have it done in a salon or by a specialist at home.
- Removing gel polish from nails is also more difficult; regular gel polish is not enough. It must either be soaked with a special agent or removed mechanically using a hard file or cutters.
How long does the coating last?
The super-resistant coating lasts for at least two weeks. The manicure will be perfect; you won’t have to renew it until a significant part of the nail has grown back. After 14 days it will noticeably turn white in a wide strip next to the painted part. But if you cover your nails with a transparent or light tone, then the regrown part will not be so noticeable and you can then visit a manicurist in 3-4 weeks.
Women literally get hooked on this type of manicure. Once done, having appreciated the convenience and durability, they continue to cover their nails with a super-resistant coating. But it’s difficult to apply it yourself. It's better to do it in a salon.
Difference from gel
This is also an interesting question that deserves attention. After all, there are also colored gels, then what is the difference between them?
The main difference between gel and gel polish is the purpose of the coating. Gel, including colored gel, serves to lengthen the nail plate, while gel polish is simply a long-term coating. Therefore, their application technology is completely different. You can read about how to model nails with gel here.
What these materials have in common is their polymer properties, durability, and the use of a base and top layer for application.
Learning to use
Bio gel polish + for nails EL Corazon is often used in salons. Note that the product of this brand is presented in a wide range of colors. Therefore, EL Corazon in the photo can be safely used to create a beautiful manicure. Moreover, girls who care about their appearance and health actively use biocomposition to care for their nail plates. If your nails are brittle, peeling and weakened, the best remedy for healing is biogel. The traditional uses of biogel are the following:
- Extension of nail plates. However, given the plasticity and softness of the composition, it will not be possible to grow more than five millimeters. The use of biogel for extensions is advisable if the natural nail plates are brittle and dry.
- To protect nails from harmful environmental influences. To protect your nails, it is recommended to cover them with a thin layer of biogel without going beyond the plate.
- For correction of nail plates and manicure. If your nails are decorated with manicure polish or gel polish, for additional decoration, you can treat the plates with biogel and apply any pattern.
What is the difference between gel polish and base
Using a base is part of the gel nail polish procedure. It is transparent, applied under colored gel polish most often in one layer and serves to:
- Strengthen the adhesion of gel polish to the nail plate and increase the wear life of the coating.
- Protect the natural nail plate from the effects of colored pigment.
- In some cases, it is used to level the nail plate and obtain ideal highlights.
Currently, rubber bases for gel polish are very popular, but there are other options, for example, silicon.
What is hidden under "bio"
What are the super-resistant nail coatings that are so popular today made of? Such nail coatings are based on the so-called biogel. Some manicurists claim that these gel polishes contain only natural ingredients. In fact, the word “bio” has nothing to do with it; the ingredients are modern synthetic polymers. But chemists managed to come up with a compound that does not harm the nail plate, does not disrupt its structure, and allows air to pass through.
Article on the topic Quickly and inexpensively: how to do a manicure at home The coating has an intense color and shine. This hybrid of gel and varnish is amazingly durable - it dries instantly, does not appear scratched, and lasts a long time. He is not afraid of house cleaning, laundry, dishwashing and other feminine tasks, even if you do this work with household chemicals.
Difference from biogel
Both materials - gel polish and biogel - are artificial. They are removed using a similar technology and do not require sawdust. The main difference between biogel and gel polish is that the former is used to strengthen the nail plate, eliminate brittleness (only if we are talking about natural biogel) and most often has a transparent texture. The technique of applying biogel is also excellent and is more like nail extensions, although the nail plate practically does not lengthen.
Read my review of biogel from Patrisa Nail here.
How to apply and what to remove
Article on the topic
Manicure at home: how to choose a file and neutralize varnish Technology of applying biogel in the correct sequence: first apply the base, then colored varnish in two layers, and finally a fixative. Each layer is dried under an ultraviolet lamp. The varnish hardens under the light so quickly and firmly that you can take your wallet out of your bag immediately after painting - your fresh manicure will not be damaged at all, your nails will not be scratched, and the varnish will not smear.
And the most important thing is that the old coating must be removed by a professional. If you do this yourself, you can remove the top living film covering the nail together with the gel polish. He becomes "defenseless" and looks sick. The master removes the coating with a special liquid, packing the nails covered with it in foil and leaving it for 5-10 minutes. After this, the coating can be easily removed with a manicure stick and a fresh one can be applied.
By the way, the name Shellac is just one of the options for gel polish from CND. Other brands: OPI, Jessica have their own biogels - Gel Color, Gelish Harmony...
Differences between gel polish and gel paint
Gel polish and gel paint are actually very similar materials and, in general, can be used as a substitute for one another.
Gel paint is a plastic, highly pigmented gel that is sold in jars without a brush. It has a denser texture and color than gel polish, but the consistency is very similar. Gel paint is most often used to draw a design on a finished gel polish coating.
Both materials are polymerized in a lamp; most often they have a sticky layer that is removed with a special means.
This is what the gel paint looks like:
Tips for choosing
When choosing a brand, we recommend paying attention to several main factors:
- The increased strength of the material creates a durable coating: the nails are strong and do not break under influence.
- Wearability, resistance to external damage.
- Polygel composition. It is better that it be equipped with a vitamin and mineral complex to strengthen the nail plate.
- The absence of a strong odor is the key to comfort in the work of the master and for the model itself.
- Availability of a line of products from one manufacturer. We recommend purchasing coatings, tops and polygels from the same series, so you will strengthen your nails to the maximum level.
Based on the level of complexity of the coating for which your skills are tailored, pay attention to the image of the manufacturer. We recommend that you read reviews and ratings like ours in advance to have a more complete understanding of the products.
Difference between gel polish and shellac
This is perhaps the most common misconception when any gel polish coating is called shellac. In reality, shellac is the same gel polish, but produced by CND, which was one of the first to enter this market and gained wide popularity, which is why there was such confusion in defining the name that it is still a gel -varnish is called “shellac”.
What is better for strengthening nails: comparison of polygel and biogel
When choosing between poly- and biogel, it is necessary to rely on the goals that the client faces. For weak plates that have been thinned by constant extensions, the first thing that is important is the effect of treatment, not beauty and length, so it is better to use the actual bio-composition.
When compared with biogel, acrylic still remains a completely artificial material, without components that are beneficial for the real plate. And if the first task is to create a perfect, strong coating on the nail, which will make it possible to store the selected design for a very long time and grow in length, then polygel should be the clear choice.
The stability of the coating is also of great importance - acrylic can perfectly protect the nail from the influence of the external environment and will hold up much better than biogel. Everything described above makes it clear that there is no correct answer as to what is better for strengthening nails (biogel or polygel), the choice should be made in all individual cases based on the condition of the nail plates and the good result of the procedure.
What is the difference between single-phase gel polish and three-phase gel polish?
three-phase gel polish due to the fact that in the process of creating the coating, three main stages are performed:
- Applying the base
- Coating with colored gel polish,
- Applying top (finish).
The presence of all three materials for three-phase gel polishes is mandatory, which, of course, is not cheap. Therefore, some time after the growth in popularity of gel polish, a new product appeared on the market - single-phase gel polish , which includes a base and top, and therefore does not require their mandatory use, which makes the gel polish coating procedure significantly more profitable financially.
Single-phase gel polish is often called 3 in 1. A striking example is the Patrisa Nail collection of gel polishes, which I reviewed on my blog.
However, practice has shown that using a base and top is still preferable:
- this coating lasts longer,
- It’s easier to straighten your nails and get the perfect highlights.
I hope this article has dotted all the “Is” for those who managed to get confused in gel polishes. And with this I say goodbye to you, see you soon!
What is required for application
To cover your nails with biogel, you need the following materials:
- Biogel.
- Any degreasing agent.
- Soft file for nail plates.
- Brushes for applying the product.
- Liquid for removing the sticky top layer.
How to apply
As you can see, the bio gel nail polish in the video is quite easy to apply. Initially, you should prepare your nails by treating them with a nail file and removing the cuticles. To ensure reliable adhesion of the biocomposition to the surface of the nail, it is necessary to remove the top keratin layer with a buff. There is no need to over-treat the surface. Two or three strokes on each nail is enough to ensure proper grip.
Then, each nail needs to be treated with a primer. This composition is a degreasing agent. It will remove any remaining grease and dust from your nails. After drying the primer, treat the nail plates with the base compound. Dry in a UV lamp for 40-60 seconds. Next, cover each nail with a thin layer of EL Corazon biogel and dry under a lamp for no more than two minutes. At the end, we apply a finishing composition to the manicure, which will add shine. After drying the top or finishing coat, remove the sticky surface using a lint-free cloth and alcohol.
In conclusion, we note that today the question of biogel no longer arises. Every girl knows what it is. If you need to cover your nails with high-quality gel polish, which, in addition to its decorative role, will also perform a protective function, it is recommended to purchase EL Corazon bio gel. This is an excellent product that protects nails from any environmental influences and heals the nail plates. Bio gel is recommended for regular use by owners of brittle and dry nails.
Often, creating a flawless manicure leads to undesirable consequences - thinning of the nail, brittleness, delamination. Biogel will help avoid this
.
The product helps damaged nails
recover and gain a healthy appearance.
Biogel
is a solution for pregnant women and people suffering from allergies.
Before using it, you should find out how this product differs from other coatings and what types are offered on the market, as well as look at reviews from real customers.
Biogel
- This is a type of gel nail coating.
The product is developed based on natural ingredients
: teak resin, protein and calcium. In addition, the product does not contain aggressive chemicals, therefore it is absolutely harmless.
Biogel is used not only as a strengthening agent, but also as an independent decorative coating.
One of the varieties of this product is sculpting gel, used for building up and leveling the nail plate.
Its advantage is visual alignment of the nail
. All microcracks and irregularities become invisible.
