Hard Gel, Soft Gel, or Gel Polish: How To Choose The Best Gel Service for Your Nails

Repainting your nails constantly is time consuming and frustrating. So is ruining your perfectly painted nails the moment you leave the salon.

You want your manicure to last longer. However having your polish smudging or chipping is inevitable as you use your hands constantly throughout the day.

So what can you do?

Give gel nails a try! They are way more durable than regular nail polish, plus they last so much longer.

There are a few different gel types to choose from. So before you go running to the salon, keep reading to find out which one is best for you!

One of the most popular types of nail enhancements is hard gel. It is also known as traditional gel.

Hard gel is mostly used to add length to nails. It can be filed to any shape you prefer - anything from Cardi B's super pointy stilettos to a more modest oval shape. 

This is why hard gel is so popular. It can transform an entire set of super short nubs to a set of red carpet (or prom) ready nails in just a few hours.

Hard gel can also be used to repair broken nails. So don't worry if you break a nail on the way to the salon. An experienced technician should be able to build a new one for you to match the rest.

Compared to other types of gels, hard gel is the strongest. It can withstand a lot of everyday wear and tear, and acts as a protective barrier for the natural nail.

It has a thick consistency and is applied by dropping a 'bead' of gel onto the nail surface. This bead is then worked to the edges of the nail with the pushing and dragging movements of a brush.

Once the gel application has been perfected, it is transformed into a solid state under a UV or LED light for about 30 - 120 seconds.

At this point, your nails may look a bit chunky. Don't worry because your technician will be filing and shaping them to perfection. Lastly, colour and art (if you wish) can be added.

A hard gel service usually takes about 2 hours and will cost about $80. Of course, this will change depending on how much nail art or decorations you want to add. 

Now that you know a bit more about hard gel, let's see how it stacks up against other types of gel nails in the summary below.

Hard Gel

Hard gel is lightweight, yet strong and durable. It has a tightly woven structure which is why it can't be soaked off with acetone. [1]

It is also odorless, hypoallergenic, and safe for pregnant women.

Pros

Cons

Soft Gel

Soft gel is also called soak-off gel because it can be removed by soaking in acetone.

It's not strong enough to hold up an extension, but it does provide strength to natural nails that are short to mid-length.

It's consistency is somewhere between hard gel and gel polish. It's applied with a brush and cures under a UV or LED light in about 30 seconds. [2]

It can be used alone as it comes in many colours, or under or over gel polish (to provide strength).

A soft gel service is usually about 1.5 hours and will cost about $45. They can last and look decent for about 2-4 weeks, but there will be wear on the free edges.

Pros

Cons

Gel polish is sometimes called Shellac, which isn’t entirely accurate since Shellac is a product line made by the CND brand. [3]

It has a runny consistency, similar to regular polish. However, like the other gels we've discussed, it also needs to be cured under a UV or LED light for 30 seconds.

Gel polish applies the thinnest layers compared to other gels, and because of this, it doesn't provide any strength to the natural nail. It's just a longer lasting, smudge proof nail colour.

It can be directly applied to natural nails or over hard gel or soft gel.

When applied to natural nails, it can last anywhere from 2-3 weeks and cost about $45. 

When it's time to remove your gel polish, it's best to go to the salon. However, if you're in a pinch, it's possible to do it safely at home.

Gel Overlay vs Gel Polish

If you're looking to improve nail health and want stronger nails, a gel overlay is a much better choice than gel polish.

Gel overlay adds a layer of protection, which keeps nails from cracking and splitting [4], which is great for growing out weak and brittle nails.

In comparison, gel polish is very thin and doesn't provide any strength at all.

There are few different types of gel nail services available at Sunday Beauty Boutique.

First is the Gel Polish/Soft Gel Custom Set, which includes trimming, filing, and cuticle work. Based on your nail health, gel polish, soft gel, or a combination of both will be expertly applied to your natural nails.

If you're dreaming of longer, more durable nails, I would highly recommend trying Hard Gel Extensions! Otherwise, if you're happy with your length, but just need a boost in strength, go for a Hard Gel Overlay.

At Sunday Beauty Boutique, the majority of my gel products are from Akzentz. They are a Canadian company and their products are used by nail professionals around the world.

The reason why I love using their gel products is because they are high-quality, odourless, and 100% gel.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of nail services and products can be confusing. So I hope you have a slightly better understanding after reading this article.

Still confused? No worries, all my gel nail services include a free consultation before we start. I truly believe in taking care of my clients nails and selecting the best products for them!