<p>This would look right at home on the Mystery Mobile. Proving gels can be used for more graphic designs, here Lava International gel is used to create a punchy flower.</p>

This would look right at home on the Mystery Mobile. Proving gels can be used for more graphic designs, here Lava International gel is used to create a punchy flower.

<p>That’s so groovy. Tracy Waterman of the Perfect 10 Nail Salon in Merrimack, N.H., combines colored gel and rhinestones for a tie-dye design.</p>

That’s so groovy. Tracy Waterman of the Perfect 10 Nail Salon in Merrimack, N.H., combines colored gel and rhinestones for a tie-dye design.

<p>Nothing but blue skies do I see. Christie Lovett of Christie’s Nails in Ocean View, Hawaii, used Young Nails’ new Kaleidoscope Gel to create this sunny-sky design.</p>

Nothing but blue skies do I see. Christie Lovett of Christie’s Nails in Ocean View, Hawaii, used Young Nails’ new Kaleidoscope Gel to create this sunny-sky design.

<p>Out of this world. Using a glitter additive Lovett created this nebulous  design that could pass for a peek into outer space.</p>

Out of this world. Using a glitter additive Lovett created this nebulous  design that could pass for a peek into outer space.

<p>Get in there and shake things up. A good way for beginners to get used to gels, swirls are pretty and easy. Here Lovett creates a permanent swirl-French design.</p>

Get in there and shake things up. A good way for beginners to get used to gels, swirls are pretty and easy. Here Lovett creates a permanent swirl-French design.

<p>Bad girls need love too. Anneka DanDerSar, an international educator for ibd in Holland let love be her guide for this punky pink design. Using a combination of red, pink, white, black, and glitter, DanDerSar’s design is  sure to catch Cupid’s eye.</p>

Bad girls need love too. Anneka DanDerSar, an international educator for ibd in Holland let love be her guide for this punky pink design. Using a combination of red, pink, white, black, and glitter, DanDerSar’s design is  sure to catch Cupid’s eye.

<p>Everything’s coming up rosy. Pale pink dots and trailing hearts look like love in full bloom in this DanDerSar design.</p>

Everything’s coming up rosy. Pale pink dots and trailing hearts look like love in full bloom in this DanDerSar design.

<p>Forget about Pollack. DanDerSar’s abstract red hearts on a crisp white background are sweet enough to wear year-round.</p>

Forget about Pollack. DanDerSar’s abstract red hearts on a crisp white background are sweet enough to wear year-round.

<p>You are surrounded. Here Le Chat colored gel and dried flowers are used together to create a pretty and subtle design.</p>

You are surrounded. Here Le Chat colored gel and dried flowers are used together to create a pretty and subtle design.

<p>Do the polka-dot. Dots are easy to make and fun to wear, as illustrated here using Lava International gel.</p>

Do the polka-dot. Dots are easy to make and fun to wear, as illustrated here using Lava International gel.

<p>A little from column A, a little from column B. A sea of swirls in interesting colors draw the eye and can be created to match an outfit or make use of a client’s favorite colors.</p>

A little from column A, a little from column B. A sea of swirls in interesting colors draw the eye and can be created to match an outfit or make use of a client’s favorite colors.

<p>Do not attempt to adjust your screen. It’s amazing what a little toothpick can do to a neat set of rows. Here Lava International gel gets pulled out of shape to create a neat design.</p>

Do not attempt to adjust your screen. It’s amazing what a little toothpick can do to a neat set of rows. Here Lava International gel gets pulled out of shape to create a neat design.

<p>Christine Lee of Christrio created this cute glitter gel and hologram design that looks like an opulent necklace on a white tip.</p>

Christine Lee of Christrio created this cute glitter gel and hologram design that looks like an opulent necklace on a white tip.

<p>Holograms and gold glitter saturated gel add character and dimension to this sweet seahorse by Lee.</p>

Holograms and gold glitter saturated gel add character and dimension to this sweet seahorse by Lee.

<p>Lee uses delicate gold glitter gel to create a heart-shaped mosaic.</p>

Lee uses delicate gold glitter gel to create a heart-shaped mosaic.

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<p>This would look right at home on the Mystery Mobile. Proving gels can be used for more graphic designs, here Lava International gel is used to create a punchy flower.</p>
1/15
 
Slider

This would look right at home on the Mystery Mobile. Proving gels can be used for more graphic designs, here Lava International gel is used to create a punchy flower.

<p>That’s so groovy. Tracy Waterman of the Perfect 10 Nail Salon in Merrimack, N.H., combines colored gel and rhinestones for a tie-dye design.</p>
2/15
 
Slider

That’s so groovy. Tracy Waterman of the Perfect 10 Nail Salon in Merrimack, N.H., combines colored gel and rhinestones for a tie-dye design.

<p>Nothing but blue skies do I see. Christie Lovett of Christie’s Nails in Ocean View, Hawaii, used Young Nails’ new Kaleidoscope Gel to create this sunny-sky design.</p>
3/15
 
Slider

Nothing but blue skies do I see. Christie Lovett of Christie’s Nails in Ocean View, Hawaii, used Young Nails’ new Kaleidoscope Gel to create this sunny-sky design.

<p>Out of this world. Using a glitter additive Lovett created this nebulous  design that could pass for a peek into outer space.</p>
4/15
 
Slider

Out of this world. Using a glitter additive Lovett created this nebulous  design that could pass for a peek into outer space.

<p>Get in there and shake things up. A good way for beginners to get used to gels, swirls are pretty and easy. Here Lovett creates a permanent swirl-French design.</p>
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Slider

Get in there and shake things up. A good way for beginners to get used to gels, swirls are pretty and easy. Here Lovett creates a permanent swirl-French design.

<p>Bad girls need love too. Anneka DanDerSar, an international educator for ibd in Holland let love be her guide for this punky pink design. Using a combination of red, pink, white, black, and glitter, DanDerSar’s design is  sure to catch Cupid’s eye.</p>
6/15
 
Slider

Bad girls need love too. Anneka DanDerSar, an international educator for ibd in Holland let love be her guide for this punky pink design. Using a combination of red, pink, white, black, and glitter, DanDerSar’s design is  sure to catch Cupid’s eye.

<p>Everything’s coming up rosy. Pale pink dots and trailing hearts look like love in full bloom in this DanDerSar design.</p>
7/15
 
Slider

Everything’s coming up rosy. Pale pink dots and trailing hearts look like love in full bloom in this DanDerSar design.

<p>Forget about Pollack. DanDerSar’s abstract red hearts on a crisp white background are sweet enough to wear year-round.</p>
8/15
 
Slider

Forget about Pollack. DanDerSar’s abstract red hearts on a crisp white background are sweet enough to wear year-round.

<p>You are surrounded. Here Le Chat colored gel and dried flowers are used together to create a pretty and subtle design.</p>
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Slider

You are surrounded. Here Le Chat colored gel and dried flowers are used together to create a pretty and subtle design.

<p>Do the polka-dot. Dots are easy to make and fun to wear, as illustrated here using Lava International gel.</p>
10/15
 
Slider

Do the polka-dot. Dots are easy to make and fun to wear, as illustrated here using Lava International gel.

<p>A little from column A, a little from column B. A sea of swirls in interesting colors draw the eye and can be created to match an outfit or make use of a client’s favorite colors.</p>
11/15
 
Slider

A little from column A, a little from column B. A sea of swirls in interesting colors draw the eye and can be created to match an outfit or make use of a client’s favorite colors.

<p>Do not attempt to adjust your screen. It’s amazing what a little toothpick can do to a neat set of rows. Here Lava International gel gets pulled out of shape to create a neat design.</p>
12/15
 
Slider

Do not attempt to adjust your screen. It’s amazing what a little toothpick can do to a neat set of rows. Here Lava International gel gets pulled out of shape to create a neat design.

<p>Christine Lee of Christrio created this cute glitter gel and hologram design that looks like an opulent necklace on a white tip.</p>
13/15
 
Slider

Christine Lee of Christrio created this cute glitter gel and hologram design that looks like an opulent necklace on a white tip.

<p>Holograms and gold glitter saturated gel add character and dimension to this sweet seahorse by Lee.</p>
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Slider

Holograms and gold glitter saturated gel add character and dimension to this sweet seahorse by Lee.

<p>Lee uses delicate gold glitter gel to create a heart-shaped mosaic.</p>
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Slider

Lee uses delicate gold glitter gel to create a heart-shaped mosaic.

Colored gels are poised to make a splash in nail art. Different formulations allow techs to create unique nail art or build beautifully colored enhancements. Some colored gels are for sculpting, others have been designed to act as paint. Some colored gels are transparent, some are non-translucent.

Some collections feature a multitude of shades, others leave the mixing to the techs. Now more than ever nail techs really can have it their way when it comes to colored gels.  Here are some designs from other nail techs to give you some ideas of gel's versatility.

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