Kulis Blog - Updates

UV nail gel has revolutionized the world of nails and made them tough, shiny, and durable finish. If you are going into the world of gel nails for the first time, then you must know the Various Range of UV nail gel. Whether professional or amateur nail technician, learning about all types of UV gel nails will help you decide on the perfect one to provide beautiful and durable manicures. This ultimate guide informs you of all types of UV nail gels, their uses, pros and cons, and dos and don'ts in using them. 

What Are UV Nail Gels?

UV nail gels are ultraviolet (UV) light-cured polymer resins. UV gels are used in nail enhancement to provide a shiny, hard finish over natural or artificial nails. UV gels are longer-lasting and less chippy than ordinary polish, so they are a salon favorite and available in home nail kits.

Understanding the different types of UV nail products is what will help you achieve the look and durability you desire.

1. Base Gel

The initial coat applied in a gel nail application, base gel is the bridge of adhesion and primer between the natural nail and all subsequent gel coats

Characteristics:

• Thin viscosity
• Clear
• Adhesion strong bond
  

Usage:

Apply thin and cure with a UV lamp. This prevents lifting and increases strength.

Benefits:

• Improves adhesion

Does not stain or turn yellow natural nails

Restrictions:

• Must be correctly cured or peeling results

Of all the UV gel nail varieties, base gel is used in every case whether the final appearance or finish is a glaze, glint, or shine.

 2. Builder Gel

Builder gels are heavy and are used to give the nail strength and length. They can be placed on tip or shape to make extensions.

Features:

• Thick viscosity
• Colored or clear
• Builds strength and form
  
  

Application:

• Use in layers and set between layers.

Benefits:

• Durable and hard

• Applied in nail extensions

Limitations:

• More skill to apply levelly, however

• It is also one of the most popular types of UV nail gel among overlay and extension nail technicians.

3. Sculpting Gel

More flexible and self-leveling than builder gel, sculpting gels are applied in order to help create fine nail shapes with proper precision.

Characteristics:

• Medium to thick viscosity

• Self-leveling

• Best suited for creating customized nail shapes

Application:

• Applied using molds for personalized length and shape; cured after each sculpt.

Advantages:

• Provides high precision

• Suitable for 3D nail art

Cons:

• More costly

• Slightly complex for beginners

If you’re exploring different UV nail products and tools for advanced nail design, sculpting gel is a must-have.

4. Color Gel

Color gels are pigmented and used for coloring without the use of normal nail polish. They are used after builder layer and sealed using a top coat.

Features:

• Range of colors

• Medium thickness

• Derives intense and long-lasting colors

Application:

• Two thin applications are used, cured after every use                    

Benefits:

• No chip or smudge

• Long-lasting color      

Drawbacks:

• Harder to remove compared to polish.

• Requires topcoat sealing

Gel color is the most high-tech UV gel nail type, where the sky is the limit when season colors and creativity are concerned.

5. Top Gel / Top Coat Gel

As a finishing touch to the gel manicure, protecting and covering up layers underneath, the top gel gives nails a shiny or flat finish.

Properties:

• Thinning viscosity

• Clear (flat or shiny)

• Deposits a hard protective finish

Application:

• Application: Use one coat and cure for matte or high-gloss finish.

Benefits:

• Preps the nails by providing shine and strength

• Seals color coats

Drawbacks:

• Requires perfect curing such that the nails are not tacky

• Of the kind of UV nail gels, the top gel plays a big role in the duration of the manicure.

6. Builder in a Bottle (BIAB)

BIAB is a new development that combines the power of builder gel and the convenience of bottle application.

Features:

• Medium thickness

• Easy-shape bottle

• Easy to shape natural helices of nails

Application:

• Used in the same way as polish but with the strength and thickness of builder gel.

Benefits:

• Easy to apply

• Ideal for sealing weak nails

Disadvantages:

• Poor sculpting strength

• Relatively more costly

• One of the new alternatives UV nail gels, BIAB is ideal for short but long-lasting manicures.

7. Hard Gel

Hard gel is a non-porous, hard gel that is firm and is applied as an overlay and extension.

It cannot be soaked off and will have to be filed down to get off.

Ideal for those who are rough with their nails or need extreme strength.

Advantages:

• Very strong

• Ideal for lengthy extensions

Disadvantages:

• Slow to get off

• Not soak-off

• Highest strength rating, hard gel is one of the strongest forms of UV gel nails.

8. Soft Gel

Not as dense and not as hard as hard gel, most commonly used with soak-off overlays and gel polish.

Characteristics:

• Light

• Soak-off removal

• Best for short to medium nails

Use:

• Apply on overlays or to press-on extensions.

Advantages:

• Quieter to take out

• More natural look

Drawbacks:

• Not as long-lasting as hard gel

• Not best for extreme extensions

Soft gel is one of the simplest of the UV nail gels to work with, especially when dealing with clients who are looking for ease of removal and adaptability.

Picking the Best UV Gel Nail Types

Picking among the different UV nail gels depending on what you are looking for:

• Natural nail health: BIAB or soft gel

• Length and shape: Builder or hard gel

• Appearance and versatility: Sculpting or color gel

• Convenience: Builder in a Bottle

Final Thoughts

It's so much easier to understand the world of UV gel nails with all the knowledge of the Categories of nail polish and types of UV nail gel. You have sculpt gels, base coats, and so much more that you can use for just about any purpose of the ideal manicure. Whether you're a do-it-yourself nail designer or a professional nail tech, knowing the different UV gel polishes will elevate your nail game to another level and give you gorgeous, long-lasting results.

Investing in the best UV gel nail types won't only make your design better but even strengthen your natural nails to be healthy and strong in the long term. Your gel nails will be perfect for weeks using the right products and techniques!