Most of us have one "treat yourself" item when it comes to beauty that we simply cannot live without. For some people, it might be getting new hairstyles and colors every 6 to 8 weeks, lash extensions, or eyebrow lamination. It's a brand-new set of nails for me. Despite my best efforts, I'm not much of a saver. I made empty promises to reduce my frequent visits to the salon for a number of years. It was a sensible decision, not because I didn't love to flaunt my perfectly manicured nails at every opportunity (I really did). Specifically, I mean financially practical.
I set out to find a suitable replacement once I accepted that my nail apps would have to become less responsive. I tried pretty much every at-home option available in my quest to find nails that looked like they belonged in a salon without paying salon prices. My amateurish DIY attempts at cool nail art were just embarrassing, and regular nail polish wasn't enough to meet my salon-influenced standards. Press-ons pinged off as if they had never been adhered to the nails in the first place. Every time I had a chipped nail, I would run back to the salon and have a "who am I?" moment, spending my entire weekly budget on a new set of acrylics.
Therefore, Polygel is your answer if you're looking for that salon-like acrylic finish. How could DIY manicures look that good? I initially skipped past the hype when I first saw them trending on TikTok. Even with my impressive resume of at-home nail kit experience, it seemed too good to be true. But as the hype persisted and my bank account continued to shrink, my bad FOMO forced me to give it a shot. And to be completely honest, I was astounded by the outcomes. Polygel is a fantastic way to maintain long, strong nails, and @abcdeffion demonstrates how simple it is to apply.
However, let's first define polygel nails.
Originally developed for nail technicians, polygel is now happily sold to the general public. In essence, it's a thick, clear gel nail extender made of acrylic powder. Although the application method differs greatly from that of a salon, the end result is very comparable. It provides you with the flexibility of a gel application along with the strength and finish of an acrylic overlay or extension. In contrast to the acrylic powder used in salons, Polygel is pre-mixed and comes in a tube resembling toothpaste. You can apply Polygel directly over your nails to create an extension or a natural overlay. As a novice would-be nail technician (like myself), Polygel's putty-like texture makes it possible for
Cons and Benefits
Let's start with the advantages and disadvantages I found after putting Polygel to the test before moving on to how you use it. Which do you require? You need to start by adding a few items to your home nail collection. The initial cost of all the parts can quickly add up to a sizable tab, but if you take full advantage of LookFantastic's Black Friday sale, you can get everything you need with a generous 20% discount.
What then do you require?
An LED lamp is required to cure the extender gel into place if you don't already have one. While initially they may be more expensive than a single nail application, they are *much* more affordable over time: a kit that will last you years costs about the same as a few visits to the salon. The Mylee Pro LED Lamp is a great option if you only need the lamp, but if you want everything, the company's Lamp Kit has everything you need to make gel nails at home (another great money-saving DIY kit to have in your collection).
The Mylee Magic Extender Gels can be used to build the desired shape and length of your nails and give the appearance of an acrylic. Of course, you'll also need polygel. The gels are available in a variety of neutral tones, which look elegant on their own, or you can add color by applying another coat of gel or polish on top. Avoid skipping out on the slip solution and dual-ended tool in order to make shaping the polygel easier, because doing so will make extending and shaping the gel nearly impossible.
Do you desire longer nails?
To shape the polygel into a durable nail extension, you'll need the Mylee Dual Nail Forms. How can I apply? Experience is a must if you want to master polygel application; you must learn on the job to determine your personal best strategy. But in essence, this is a step-by-step application guide. Follow the first three steps if you want to extend your natural nail, but instead of shaping the polygel to your nail, press it down using a nail form and use the brush to pull out the gel to the desired length. Snap off the form after 60 seconds of curing to reveal an extension.
My final remarks: Is polygel deserving of the hype?
It's safe to say that my local salon's loyalty card won't be punched anymore. I had grown accustomed to the feeling of false hope because so many nail concepts promised salon-quality nails. Therefore, I never expected to see a kit that actually works (even in my inexperienced hands) emerge from the nail industry. In addition to saving me trips to the salon, it has also made my debit card very happy. You don't, in my opinion, have any good reason not to try it. Or, if you don't like the idea of a longer extension, you can use the polygel to make shorter nails that resemble acrylic overlays.