What is gel polish for nails, women in our country began to understand not so long ago, but despite this, it is gaining popularity rapidly. Its main feature is that used as a regular varnish, it provides a much better and longer lasting effect.
To be more precise, this unique tool is a hybrid combination of gel and varnish, combining their best qualities. This means that the owner of a fresh manicure made with gel polish will be able to enjoy its attractiveness and brightness for at least 2 weeks. This ability is ensured by the presence of a dispersion medium, which forms a cellular medium on the surface of the nail plate.
Everything is clear with the fact that nail polish gel is, now it’s worth understanding the main advantages and disadvantages of this manicure material.
Gel polish for nails - what is it, its positive and negative sides
Europe was the first to be conquered by gel polishes, now the new technology has reached us. This tool is really universal and can be used both in relation to natural and artificial nails. Before deciding to use it, you should familiarize yourself with all the positive and negative sides that are available, and also do not ignore the use of basic coverage.
Lac-gel has the following advantages:
- convenient application method;
- long service life of the coating;
- lack of a sharp specific smell;
- quick application to the nail plate, adhesion to it;
- minimal chance of coating peeling;
- multifunctionality.
The composition of the gel polish includes useful substances that strengthen and nourish the nail plate. As practice shows, the coating is very resistant to external factors, and also retains its initially attractive appearance for a long time.
Until now, you did not know what gel nail polish is? Then remember - this is a tool that allows the possibility of using it on natural and extended nails. And most importantly, to change the coating with gel polish, you don’t need to use nail files at all, or even worse, a cutter. There are special solutions for this. And lastly, gel polish offers the possibility of a large selection of color palettes.
But this novelty also has several drawbacks. Decorating nails using this tool is not cheap. After literally a week, you will notice that the nail has grown, because an unpainted area of \u200b\u200bthe nail will appear near the cuticle, and this does not look very neat. Such a coating has another drawback, which is the need to purchase a UV lamp for gel polish polymerization, a degreaser, and a liquid to remove the sticky layer from the nails.
What is gel nail polish, its varieties
All hybrids of the classic lacquer coating are divided into two large groups:
- reflective gel polishes - they quickly adhere to the surface of the nail, are easy to process and easy to apply. They can be painted in several layers, but each is dried in a special lamp;
- non-reflective - imply the use of an additional activating agent. The structure of this type of varnish resembles glue. The coating is applied by using a brush, after which the nails are treated with a spray / catalyst.
The most popular today are such manufacturers of gel polishes as Shellac and Gelish. Each of them has all the properties necessary for this tool, but there are still some differences. For example, Shellac stays on nails for 14 days, and Gelish - as much as 21. The second manufacturer offers a wider palette of colors, and Shellac's coating is much easier to remove from nails.
Without exaggeration, we can say that if not abused, then the use of gel polish is not only convenient, but also fashionable and stylish. It is enough to devote time to a manicure once, and then admire its perfect look for several weeks. Isn't this the embodiment of the dream of every modern girl, woman?
Gel Polish is a hybrid of varnish and gel that combines the advantages of varnishes (easy to use, gloss and variety of shades) and modeling gels (does not smell, dries quickly, lasts for a long time). At the same time, the composition of the gel polish does not include a number of substances that are quite harmful to the nail plate.
The only negative is that it is very difficult to do a manicure using gel polish at home on your own. It is better to contact the master, because gel polish requires a special application technology. The procedure involves three components: the base for gel polish, the gel polish itself and the fixer.
How to use gel polish
1. First, you need to process the nail plate, give it the desired shape, length. Cutting off the nail, as, for example, with extensions, is not required.
3. A base is applied to the nails, which is dried under a special UV lamp (from 10 seconds to 1 
minutes).
5. A fixative is applied over the last layer of gel polish, which should cover all layers of varnish and seal the end of the nail. The fixer also polymerizes within 2 minutes.
6. The sticky layer is removed with a sponge and a special liquid.
The entire procedure for applying gel polish lasts about an hour. If desired, nail plates can be pre-treated with special oils to provide additional nutrition to the nail. And gel polish is removed quite simply and quickly: a special gel polish remover is applied to the nail plate, a sponge and foil are wrapped around the finger and left for 5-10 minutes. Under the action of a solvent liquid, the varnish disintegrates and is easily removed from the nail.
Benefits of gel polish
Gel polish has a number of undeniable advantages:
Application of gel polish does not require preliminary cutting of the nail, respectively, the nail is not injured;
Gel polish is easy to apply with a brush, dries in minutes, and the final hardening occurs only under the influence of a special lamp, so it is possible to correct the result at any time;
Gel polish does not smear, does not chip, does not leave streaks and does not weigh down the nail;
Gel polish does not lose its original appearance for about two weeks;
Easy to remove, no harm to the nail.
Disadvantages and controversies
With all its undeniable advantages, gel polish also has a number of contraindications. For example, 
gel polish is contraindicated in the presence of diseases of the nail plate, as well as for thin and brittle nails. With caution, gel polish is used for thin and sensitive skin around the nails. Also, rare, but possible allergic reactions to the components of the gel polish or the coating remover should not be ruled out.
There is also no clear answer as to whether gel polish is harmless to the nail plate, such as nail extensions. On the one hand, the composition of the gel polish includes the same polymer compounds as in the modeling gels. Of course, their concentration is lower, but they also act more aggressively in order to freeze faster. The substances in the composition of the gel polish penetrate deeply and contribute to a reliable connection of the coating with the natural nail. And only a professional master, in this case, can control the process of applying and removing gel polish so that the nail plate is not harmed. With a gel polish coating, you can not walk for more than two weeks, even if it seems that the varnish still looks decent. Over time, the coating only eats into the nail more strongly, and therefore it will be more difficult to remove the gel polish later, and damage to the nail plate cannot be avoided.
And yet, despite the fact that the gel polish coating does not require special care, it is worth following a few rules in handling a new manicure. In the first 48 hours after the procedure, prolonged contact with warm water should be avoided. At this time, the polymerization process is not yet completed, the molecules keep moving. And yet, despite the fact that the fixer makes the coating resistant to fruit acids, water and mild abrasives, it is better to wear rubber gloves if exposed to chemicals frequently. This will not only save the gel polish coverage, but will also be good for the skin in general.
What to choose: try a new product - gel polish or continue to use regular polish? You decide. In this comparison, gel polish has one advantage: it lasts longer. But it takes more time to apply. So, decide for yourself.
Photo: positime.ru, krasota-nogtei.ru, www.profi-forex.org, www.creativenails.ru, eraanda.blogspot.com
For the first time developing materials like gel nail polish, began to be carried out back in the 90s by such well-known companies as OPI and NSI. However, gel and acrylic systems, popular at that time, were at the peak of sales, and company managers decided not to create internal competition and postpone the development of an innovative product. Even then, nail service masters tried to add ordinary colored varnishes to the gel, which did not always bring a positive result.
In 2010, a novelty appeared on the market of the nail industry, which became truly revolutionary. The American company CND (Creative Nail Design) has introduced a hybrid of nail polish and modeling gel called Shellac. This product incorporates the best properties of varnishes (simple and quick application, the richest palette of colors, bright shine) and gels (stable nail coverage for up to three weeks while maintaining color, no smell). At the same time, it is worth noting such an important point: unlike correction using conventional nail gels, when removing gel polish, there is no need to cut the material, which means that the natural nail plate is also preserved.
The durability and durability of gel polish is comparable to extension gels
In Russia and the CIS countries, the new invention was dubbed "shellac" (other spellings are shellac, shellac, shellac, and even that - shea varnish), and often they call it not only Shellac itself from CND, but also gel polishes from other manufacturers, which are now there are a huge number. Almost every company that produces products for nails has gel polishes in its catalog. And they all have their own names. But in our country they stubbornly continue to call them "shellacs". Why? For the same reason we call diapers pampers (after their most famous brand Pampers), and copiers copiers (after the brand name of the Xerox copier manufacturer). There are even such phrases as “make shilak”, “today I’m going to shilak” and the like. As a result of the confusion that has arisen, many clients ask their masters: which is better - gel polish or shellac?
A variety of colors and shades of nail polishes is not inferior to ordinary nail polishes.
So, shellac is the name of a specific product - CND Shellac™ gel lacquer, which has become a household name in the CIS, where it refers to any gel nail polishes of various brands.
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Every girl has long forgotten how it is to paint her nails with ordinary varnish. A new miracle product called gel polish has long come into fashion. What is gel nail polish and why is it so popular?
Definition of gel polish
We declare with confidence that gel polish has become a real breakthrough in the nail industry over the past few years. Experts call gel polish a hybrid of gel and polish. This is a coating that stays on the nails for 2 to 4 weeks and is a specially designed plastic gel. By consistency, it resembles ordinary varnish, it is also applied to nails, but dried in a special UV lamp. Gel polish is ideal for all girls who are used to seeing their hands well-groomed and beautiful. For several weeks, you can not worry about the fact that chips or rub off will appear on the surface of the nails, and the shine of gel polish cannot be compared with anything. Since the gel polish is quite dense, it provides a perfectly even coating and strengthens even the most brittle nails. The average wear time for gel polish is 2 weeks. The maximum time is not limited, it all depends on the growth rate of your nails. As a rule, the period is up to 5 weeks, since the plate begins to grow and it does not look very aesthetically pleasing. 
How to use gel polish
Initially, gel polish was a salon procedure, as it required the use of special equipment. But now that coating materials have become more readily available, and in addition to this, there are special courses for teaching coating techniques, the procedure is easily carried out at home. So, if you want to purchase a gel polish starter kit, then be sure to ask: “How to use it?”
Although the coating resembles ordinary varnish, it will not work to apply it using the usual method. It is necessary to observe special equipment and work only with high-quality materials. 
The process of applying gel polish
Procedure for preparing nails for coating:
Stage 1: form a free edge
The surface of the nails must be made perfectly smooth and clean. If the nail is stratified, it is necessary to trim it with a nail file. If necessary, do a manicure using cuticle oil. After that, you need to clean and degrease the nail plate well.
Step 2: Remove the top nail layer
To do this, you need to apply a buff with a high level of abrasiveness, if this is not done, the coating will chip off and last only a couple of days. After that, avoid touching the treated surface. The last step in this step is to cover the nail with a special degreasing formula (dehydrator).
Stage 3: applying the base
The plate after previous treatments becomes very vulnerable and weakened, therefore, to strengthen it, it must be covered with a primer. In addition, this procedure ensures the adhesion of the base gel to the nail plate.
Color coating gel polish can be done in one layer, then it will be translucent. If you do several layers of coating - you get a persistent saturated shade. As a rule, 2-3 layers will be enough, because if the coating is thick, it will look ugly. 
Benefits of gel polish
How to use gel polish, we have already figured out. Let's look at the main advantages of such coverage:
- fast drying - under a UV lamp, gel polish dries quickly, which cannot be said about ordinary nail polish;
- strengthening nails - gel polish coating provides them with additional protection. Under gel polish, nails grow faster and become stronger;
- durability of the coating - if you follow all the recommendations and avoid contact with hot water for 24 hours after applying the gel polish, then it will remain in its original form for at least two weeks;
- aesthetics - with the help of gel polish you can save even the shortest
- and ugly nails. Entrust your hands to professionals, they will make a manicure, give your nails a beautiful shape and cover them with colored gel polish;
- cost - modern materials for the use of gel polish allow you to maintain your hands in a beautiful and well-groomed form without financial costs;
- no harm to nails - the composition of the coating includes safe components that do not pose any threat to natural nails.
An interesting and useful video on the topic of the article:
Despite the fact that the gel polish procedure is affordable for everyone, you should not chase the minimum prices. As a rule, the use of poor quality materials can cause the coating to be applied unevenly or last for a very short time.
Gel polish is the best option in order to always maintain the aesthetic beauty of hands and nails.
Instruction
The hybrid of varnish and gel has many advantages. The product is highly durable. When properly applied, it lasts up to 3 weeks without scuffing, cracking or chipping. All this time, the varnish does not lose its luster. Gel polish gives strength to brittle nails, suitable for both manicure and pedicure.
An important point for owners of sensitive nails is the absence of components harmful to health. The products do not contain toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and its resins. When applying and removing gel polish, the nails are not cut off. Manicure can be done constantly, the tool does not interfere with the normal growth and renewal of nails.
The ease of application is also an advantage. You can do a manicure in the salon or on your own. It is important to purchase everything you need: a protective base for varnish, a colored varnish, a protective top, as well as a powerful salon-level UV lamp. You can remove the product with branded liquid, but a regular nail polish remover containing acetone or not having it in the composition is also suitable.
The first lines of gel polishes had a limited range of classic shades. Today, in the family of combined varnishes, you can find original trendy colors: blue, green, purple. In addition, gel polishes mix well with each other. Please note that you can only mix products of the same brand.
The disadvantages of gel polish include the need for careful processing of nails before coating. On too greasy, ribbed and uneven plates, the product does not hold well. It is necessary to polish the nails, removing all the irregularities, and then degrease the plates with a special compound.
Gel polishes are quite difficult to remove. It will not work to erase the coating with one movement of the cotton pad. You will have to make a kind of compress from tampons soaked in nail polish remover, and after softening, scrape off the coating with a wooden or plastic stick. The whole process will take at least an hour.
It is necessary to apply the product in several stages. First, give the nail the desired shape and length, remove the cuticle. Sand the plate with a polishing bar and wipe it with a cloth soaked in nail polish remover. Then apply a layer of transparent protective base and dry it under a UV lamp.
Apply color carefully. Gel polish lays down in an even glossy layer, well distributed over the nail. Accidental drips can be quickly removed with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover. Dry the varnish under the lamp. Apply a special fixative coating on top and also fix it under the lamp. Take your time, manicure should be done carefully. To dry the varnish completely, dry each layer for at least 2 minutes.