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Me Myself and OPI – OPI Spring 2023 Collection
Me myself and OPI is the new spring 2023 collection....
Ever wonder how some women have long nails that can’t be natural, not fake nails either? Well, that’s most likely achieved with a nail enhancement product like Polygel or Acrylic.
What is Polygel?
Polygel is a salon product categorized as nail enhancement, made from a hybrid formula that combines the durability of acrylic nails and the elasticity application of gel nails. The methods followed in the polygel application and the materials used are pretty different.
Polygel Vs. Acrylic Vs. Gel
Even though all nail enhancements share the same core features, there are slight differences Polygel keeps uniquely for itself. Here’s a list of features and benefits that showcase the differences between Polygel and other nail enhancements like Acrylic nails or gel nails.
- Lighter than acrylics and hard gels for a natural look and feel.
Natural, non-toxic, and safe for use. - More convenient to file its shape than hard gels, you can use a nail art pusher or a brush to apply it.
- Easy to use, especially with the professional slip solution and nail tips molds.
- Ideal for creating your own beautiful nail art design on fingers or toenails.
The Best Polygel Products
Here are the famous Polygel products that nail salons have frequently ordered for the past few years.
IBD Control Gel Clear
A new generation of gel that gives you the power to control the gel application from dispensing to sculpting to curing
Entity Polygel Clear
Perfect consistency straight out of the tube, providing unlimited working time, no product waste, and faster filing with less airborne dust for service perfection
Entity Polygel Clear
Salon clients won’t know they’re wearing enhancements and delivers strong, flexible, feather-light nails that are odorless and with no airborne dust.
Polygel Kits
If you’re looking for a complete polygel system, get a kit, it includes everything you need to make full sets of polygel nails. Gelish Polygel French Kit is recommended one.
Popular Polygel Brands
Every nail salon/nail technician in the world must at least use polygel made by these brands, Gelish Harmony, ibd, and Entity. They produce the most on-demand polygel in their world.
In-Depth Analysis About Polygel
Polygel base takes the best features of liquid and acrylic powder and LED hard gel in a patented formula that is easy to use. The most annoying thing for nail technicians when working with acrylics is a powerful smell that can often give people headaches if they are not used to it. Acrylic also creates dust in the air and makes a mess. Some hotels and spas tend to not use acrylic for these reasons. Polygel allows these rooms to offer their nail clients to improve their service because it is free of monomers and turns harder so that it only falls on the table and doesn’t stay in the air.
Polygel is also very lightweight, much lighter than acrylic, so you can hardly notice using it. This does not mean it is not so strong; it is more potent than hard gels and much more flexible than acrylic. Polygel base takes the best features of liquid and acrylic powder and LED hard gel in a patented formula that is easy to use.
Polygel Must-Know Facts
- Slip is the liquid used to form Polygel. The name was inspired using the slip potters during clay work.
- Slip is not a monomer; It does not contain the active ingredients and, unlike the acrylic monomer, has a light and pleasant smell. It is simply used to make PolyGel easy to shape.
- Unlike hard gel, PolyGel does not level by itself but stays where you put it; Unlike acrylics, it does not harden unless treated with LED or UV light.
- The drying time is about 30 seconds in the LED light or two minutes in the UV lamp.
- PolyGel has no heat spikes during curing. There is no tacky layer after curing.
- According to Gelish, PolyGel is softer than acrylic, more potent than hard gel, and lighter than both.
- The product may be applied as a layer on natural nails at the point of overlap over a form.
Working With Polygel
If you have beginner nail technician skills, working with Polygel is very simple. Polygel has a putty consistency, it’s highly mouldable, and the products are pre-mixed, so there are no liquid-to-powder ratios to worry about. You can literally grab a tube you’re ready to start work. If you touch the surface of Polygel, you will notice it is sticky when applied, so it should be used with a slip solution. It makes the surface smooth, so if you press a brush on it, Polygel will stay, but you can easily manipulate it the way you want. It will not move; you can literally put Polygel on the nail, and it will not change until you cure it.
Conclusion
Polygel is the best replacement for acrylic nails used to build, bring volume and shape the base of the nail. Think of it as an excellent base for your gel manicure.
FAQ
Now that you’ve learned everything about Polygels, you may still have questions about how it is applied, how long polygel last on the nail bed, and where to find polygel kits. Here’s the top list of frequently asked questions:
25 Comments
Are any of these made in the USA
Gelish mentioned in their website that they have a facility in Brea, California. It’s a possibility their polygel is made in America.
Do I need a course or nail technician certificate before offering Polygel as a service to clients?
It is recommended that you complete an accredited training for Polygel as it is completely different nail system compared to acrylic nails and nail gels. Keep in mind, you need to be professionally trained in the application of tips and sculpting as most of Polygel workshops don’t cover these skills.
Can you use false acrylic nails as a substitute for the dual forms?
I just used Gelish for the first. I loved it however the product didnt set up as expected I have an OPI lamp and even after 60 seconds it didnt harden completely. I did another 120 and it was still soft. the next the nails has improved however still soft. Is this to be expected?
I’m allergic to acrylic and have been using builder gel for years. Can I use polygel/hybrid gels?
Gel, acrylic and gel polish nails all contain methacrylates, polygel mixture contains acrylic and it may affects those who have allergy to acrylic. Skin experts are warning a chemical found in gel, gel polish and acrylic nails can cause an allergic reaction. Methacrylate chemicals can cause a severe, itchy rash anywhere on the body, not just the fingertips.
Does polygel use glue
Polygel formula itself acts as a glue on the tip of the nail once it’s cured.
Can you use acrylic liquid as polygel liquid?
Acrylic nails are an extension on your natural nail. In order for them to be applied, your natural nail bed is filed down to create a rough surface for the glue to be able to adhere the nail extension to. Once this is done, acrylic liquid and powder are mixed together to create the acrylic that is applied on top to mould the artificial nail. This will be shaped and buffed, and then painted with either regular or gel polish.
Does Polygel cause peeling and yellowing to the nails?
Is there any way to apply more polygel once it’s been cured and I already added the top coat? Sometimes I notice that my extension is too thin and needs additional product or else it will break, but I don’t want to start from scratch I.e removal process
To solve this problem, try to add more polygel to make an apex and put more polygel at the tips. After you do these two things, you will have thicker apex and and thicker nails at the end tips after you shape and shorten them.
the poly gel made it from where?
Polygel is a mixture of acrylic powder and clear gel with the ability to consistently transform into any shapes with a few pushes.
All these Polygel products are easy to be applied to nails, and the best thing about them is the odor is not annoying at all compared to other nail sculpting gels.
I love this product! I’ve tried multiple times over the years to do acrylic nails, and they never looked professional, nor did they stay on. The polygel goes on so quickly. I watched tutorials and followed the directions. The kit comes with a brush and it works well. Also, I bought an e-file, and that made a big difference too. Plus, there is no smell and little to no dust floating around. I am beyond happy with this product.
I can’t live without polygel, I applied it by myself, and this was my first time using a professional-only product. Now I am no professional, but watch tons of videos on the application, and I did make lots of errors but realized what they were and will try harder next time. practice makes perfect. Some nails I got too thick, but as I went along, that got better. Still love the product. I bought lite pink from gelish and I could have gotten away without polish it looks so good. I hope all supplies will be available. Some people can’t afford salons but want to keep up with the trend.
I have tried ibd polygel it is excellent, and the clarity is great, only a tiny bit foggy (but it could be a user error). Very easy to move, not runny, and blends from bead to bead easily and smoothly. Cures completely in a good UV LED lamp. Very easy to file and shape.
How do you remove polygel from your nails?
Soak in 100% Acetone for 5 to 15 minutes and then the polygel will get softened and can be easily scraped off.
I’m a novice at nail and nail art. The PolyGel from ibd has been very easygoing when applied, sturdy, great looking, and very easy to learn with.
After spending a couple of weeks searching for a “perfect nude polygel”. This 👏 was👏 it 👏. Gelish polygel is the perfect cover nude, and it’s very opaque. It is worth buying. Also has a nice consistency & easy to use. Be sure to cure for the proper time, especially because it’s so opaque. I cured my nails for an extra 30 seconds just to be sure.