News

Company News

Application Mind Map

Test Report

Technical Article

Industry News

Usage Differences Among Different Types of Gel Nail Polish (Part 1)

Release time:

2026-04-28 07:11

Usage Differences Among Different Types of Gel Nail Polish (Part 1)

Within the gel polish product lineup, standard gel polish constitutes the basic three-piece set and is suitable for a wide range of everyday nail-art scenarios. In contrast, strengthening gel and extension gel are designed to address specific needs: the former is intended to reinforce thin, weak nails, while the latter is used to compensate for insufficient nail length. Although all three products belong to the gel polish family, they differ in terms of application procedures, key operational techniques, and removal methods.

The application procedures for different types of gel nail polish vary significantly, primarily in terms of the number of steps, the sequence of operations, and any specialized techniques involved.

I. The Process for Standard Gel Nail Polish

The standard gel polish application process—comprising base coat, color coat, and top coat—is a comprehensive system that consists of seven steps. Step one: clean and buff the nails to remove surface oils and the glossy cuticle layer. Step two: apply a thin layer of base coat to cover the entire nail surface. Step three: cure the base coat under a UV lamp for 2 minutes or an LED lamp for 30 to 60 seconds. Step four: apply the first layer of color coat, spreading it thinly while ensuring full coverage of the nail edge. Step five: cure the color coat for the same duration as the base coat. Step six: apply the second layer of color coat (and a third layer if necessary), again in a thin coat, curing each layer as you go. Step seven: apply the top coat, paying close attention to covering the nail edge, and allow a slightly longer curing time. Step eight: for wipe-off top coats, gently buff away the tacky layer; for no-wipe top coats, no additional treatment is required.

II. Procedure for Applying Reinforcement Adhesive

The reinforcement gel application process adds one additional step to the standard procedure. After cleaning and buffing the nails, apply a base coat and allow it to cure. Then, apply a layer of reinforcement gel over the base coat; this layer can be slightly thicker than the base coat, but still follow the principle of applying it thinly. Once the reinforcement gel has cured, a sticky surface layer will remain—no need to wipe it off. Next, proceed with the standard steps of applying color gel and top coat. Overall, this process includes one extra step—applying and curing the reinforcement gel—resulting in an additional 1 to 2 minutes of total time.

III. Process for Extending Adhesive

The process for nail extensions involves significant changes: an additional step has been added after the base coat. After cleaning and buffing the natural nail, apply the base coat and cure it. Next, affix a form tip beneath the nail, adjusting its angle so that it aligns with the desired extension direction; the curved surface of the tip should fit snugly against the nail’s free edge. Dispense an appropriate amount of extension gel onto the form tip, then use a brush or sculpting stick to shape the gel into the desired curve and length. During sculpting, push and scrape from the nail root toward the tip to create a natural nail curve. Once sculpting is complete, cure the extension under a lamp—2 to 3 minutes under a UV lamp or 60 to 90 seconds under an LED lamp. After curing, remove the form tip and use a buffer to refine the shape and thickness of the extension, eliminating any excess gel to achieve a smooth, even surface. Following buffing, apply another layer of base coat to fill in the buffing marks and enhance adhesion to the color gel. Finally, proceed with the standard steps of applying color gel and top coat.

IV. Process for Peelable Adhesive

The application process for peel-off gel is relatively simplified. After cleaning the nails, simply apply the peel-off gel—there’s no need to buff the nail surface, since peel-off gel doesn’t require strong adhesion. Apply the first thin coat, taking care not to get any on the skin. Once cured, apply a second coat, and a third if necessary. Each coat must be cured under a lamp. Peel-off gel eliminates the need for a base coat and top coat, leaving only two steps: cleaning and applying the color gel—significantly reducing the time required for the procedure. However, this simplification comes at the cost of reduced durability; typically, the polish lasts only three to seven days.

V. Process for Cat’s Eye Adhesive

The application process for cat-eye gel is essentially the same as that for standard colored gel, but an additional magnetic-attraction step is added after each layer of cat-eye gel is applied. After applying the cat-eye gel, immediately bring a magnet close to the nail surface—about 2 to 3 millimeters away—and hold it there for 5 to 10 seconds before curing under the lamp. The position and angle of the magnet will determine the resulting light-band effect, so feel free to experiment a few times to achieve your desired look. Once the magnetic attraction is complete, cure the gel under the lamp right away to prevent the magnetic particles from dispersing again. If you’re applying two layers of cat-eye gel, perform the magnetic-attraction step after each layer: magnetize and cure the first layer, then apply and magnetize the second layer before curing it as well. You can align the magnetic-attraction direction for the second layer with that of the first, or cross it, to create different lighting effects.

VI. Process for Sequin Glue

The application process for glitter adhesive is essentially the same as that for standard color adhesive; however, a clear-coat layer is sometimes required. After applying the glitter adhesive and curing it under a lamp, if the surface is not sufficiently smooth, any protruding glitter particles can compromise the coverage of the topcoat. In such cases, a second coat of clear adhesive can be applied after the glitter adhesive has cured, followed by lamp curing to achieve a level surface, before proceeding with the topcoat. On the other hand, some glitter adhesives have inherently good leveling properties, allowing the topcoat to be applied directly without the need for a clear-coat intermediate layer.

VII. Conclusion

Standard gel polish, strengthening gel, and extension gel each serve distinct purposes. For naturally strong nails, the standard three-step system is sufficient; for thin, soft nails, a strengthening layer should be applied after the base coat; and for short nails, extension work should be performed first before proceeding with the regular application process. Strengthening gel is relatively straightforward to apply—simply add an extra coating-and-cure step to the standard procedure. Extension gel, by contrast, is far more complex: shaping, buffing, and then applying another base coat—all steps that demand experience and patience. The differences in the application processes for these three products reflect their respective functional roles; only by following the correct sequence can each product deliver its intended performance.

Disclaimer: The above content has been compiled from public sources for reference only; if any infringement occurs, please contact us and we will address it promptly.

Boxing Recommended Products – UV Gel Nail Polish
Base coat
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-02H	Phosphate ester acrylate monomer	Enhance adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.
B-2016	Polyester acrylate	High molecular weight, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and low heat release.
B-2018	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Good adhesion, good flexibility, and water resistance.
Colored tape
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-151DM	Modified epoxy acrylate	Low halogen, yellowing resistance, excellent plating performance, and strong adhesion.
B-162	Epoxy acrylate	Fast curing, low odor, high gloss, and high fullness
B-166A	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion
B-166A-85	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent adhesion, contains 15% HEMA
B-166A-85P	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent adhesion, contains 15% HEMA
B-27	Active amine photosensitizing promoter	Low color number, benzene-free, low odor, antioxidant and anti-polymerization
B-296	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, chemical resistance, yellowing resistance, and impact resistance.
Extended glue
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-210D	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, low heat release, and excellent toughness.
T-2022D	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Non-stick, low heat generation, strong adhesion, high hardness
Sealant glue
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-376	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	LED yellowing is minimal, and the nail polish formulation exhibits excellent stability.
B-412T-6	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Good resilience, tin-free, and excellent stability of the nail polish formulation.
Matte Sealing Layer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-328M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant hand feel.
B-328R	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, excellent matting, good wetting, and a fine, smooth, and silky hand feel.
B-329D	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low irritation, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant feel.
One-step adhesive
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-315	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Wear and chemical resistance, high hardness, toughness, and yellowing resistance.
A-grade film
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-216	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high build, and excellent toughness
B-268M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent adhesion, excellent plating performance, and strong hiding power.
B-619W	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.
Individual Recommendation
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
BM1211 (HPMA)	Hydroxypropyl methacrylate	HEMA-free, high strength, low irritation, high adhesion

Share to:

Usage Differences Among Different Types of Gel Nail Polish (Part 2)

How to Remove UV Gel Nail Polish