A true hybrid between hard gel and acrylic, Gelish’s PolyGel was inspired by a desire to create a product that keeps everything nail techs like about acrylic and hard gel systems while removing the aspects they don’t like, according to creator Danny Haile. Haile went live on Facebook from NAILS Magazine’s offices to answer all your questions about the new product. Read on to learn the top 10 things you should know about PolyGel, and watch the Facebook live demonstration to see the product in action!

Step by step instructions for PolyGel

  1. The liquid used to sculpt PolyGel is called Slip — the name was inspired by the slip potters use when working with clay. Slip is not a monomer; it has no active ingredients, and unlike acrylic monomer, it has a light, pleasant fragrance. It’s simply used to make the PolyGel easy to shape.
  2. Unlike hard gel, PolyGel is not self-leveling, but stays where you place it; unlike acrylic, it doesn’t harden until it’s cured in an LED or UV lamp.
  3. Cure time is about 30 seconds in an LED lamp or two minutes in a UV lamp. PolyGel nails do not experience heat spikes during curing. There is no tacky layer after curing.
  4. PolyGel is more flexible than acrylic, stronger than hard gel, and lighter than both, according to Gelish.
Danny Haile poses with NAILS Magazine's March issue.

Danny Haile poses with NAILS Magazine's March issue.

5. The product can be applied as an overlay over natural nails, a tip overlay, or sculpted over a form.

6. It’s available in six colors: bright white, natural clear, soft white, soft pink, dark pink, and cover pink.

Haile was given a nail tip portrait of himself created by nail tech Long Do.

Haile was given a nail tip portrait of himself created by nail tech Long Do.

7. Gel-polish colors can be applied over the product, and Gelish can be mixed with PolyGel to create a design.

8. Natural nail prep is the same as prep for gel. Nail techs can use an e-file or a hand file to shape the product.

9. The product should be filed off, not soaked off. Nail techs can soak to remove the remaining product after filing. 

10. PolyGel nails can be rebalanced the same way acrylic or gel nails are rebalanced.

PolyGel will be available this summer in North America. Gelish educators will be providing trainings across the world. Learn more at www.gelish.com.

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