Before gel color came out, “hard gel” was a popular way to create strong, long-lasting nail tips. Today, hard builder gels—from top nail companies like Valentino Beauty Pure and Mia Secret—are even better than they used to be, and they’re still a favorite among experienced nail professionals.

In today’s blog, we give you all the details on nail builder gel: what it is, how to use it, and where to find it. Whether you’re creating beautiful manicures for yourself or for your clients, builder gel is definitely a product you’ll want in your nail toolbox.

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What are builder gel nails?

Nail builder gel, also called hard gel or sculpting gel or structure gel, is a product used to build nail extensions. The nail tech uses nail builder gel on top of a nail form in order to extend the length of the natural nail.

The most popular and reliable hard gels are Valentino Beauty Pure Clear Builder Gel and Mia Secret Clear Builder Gel.

What products do I need to build extensions with hard gel?

To build gel extensions or sculpt tips with hard gel, you’ll need the following products:

• Builder Gel:
• Use a high-quality, clear hard builder gel like those by Valentino Beauty Pure and Mia Secret. When building with clear gel, you can add gel nail color on top of the gel extension.
• You can also use colored builder gel, like this pale blue Coconut Cream Builder Gel or this pastel Candy Pink Builder Gel.
• For building gel extensions, be sure to get hard gel and not soft gel.
• Nail Forms:
• Select from short nail forms or long nail forms to build your gel extensions.
• Other Nail Products:
• You’ll need all of your regular nail prep products.
• As with any gel nail set, you’ll need a base coat, a top coat, and an LED lamp.

How do I create builder gel nails?

To create a beautiful manicure with hard gel, follow these steps:

How do I maintain builder gel nails?

One of the benefits of hard gel is how long it lasts. Gel polish can last for two or three weeks before it needs to be removed and reapplied. Hard gel nails, on the other hand, can last for months! You’ll need to do some maintenance, though. As the natural nail grows, a gap will form between the hard gel and the cuticle. This will need to be filled in by an experienced nail tech in order to maintain the appearance of a smooth, natural nail.

We hope that this guide to hard gel is helpful! As you continue to grow in your nail journey, know that Nails Plus is here for the best in nail education, including reviews of the best new products on the market.

Have questions about the products in this blog, or any other nail product? Don’t hesitate to get in touch and follow us on Instagram and Facebook! We love chatting with customers about nails + beauty!

Beautifully Yours,
Kim Phan, VP