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Types of Gel Builder : Exploring the Differences and Choosing the Right One at Malvern Nailsalon in Berwyn


In recent years, gel nails have taken the beauty industry by s!orm and shard and annotioned clients’ perceptions of how acrylic nails should look like. These enhancements, however, are not new as they have morphed over the years with the most common being Gel Builder which allows users to enjoy long lasting and goodlooking extensions. Gel Builder comes in different shapes but each form has its own specific advantage depending on the preferences and requirements of the client. If you're heading to Malvern Nailsalon Berwyn, a little prior knowledge about the Gel Builder types and their advantages would help you choose the most suitable long lasting nail extensions.


This article will deep dive into the different forms of Gel Builder out there, such as Hard Gel and Soft Gel, and provide a sufficient analysis of Builder Gel and Gel Polish, and lastly, contrast the Clear and Colored Gel Builders in order to sell you on which options would best suit your nails.


What is Gel Builder?


Prior to discussing the details, it’s worth noting what Gel Builder actually is. Gel Builder is a gel that is thick in nature allowing it to be used in building, extending and strengthening natural nails. Unlike Gel Polish, which is more fluid and used primarily for a smooth covering, Gel Builder is made for the buildup of layers of gel to extend the nail, make sculptures or just reinforce it. It can be used directly on the natural nails and tips. When applied, it is then cured in UV or LED lamp which enables it to dry and harden, giving it a glossy finish looking and feeling like natural nails.


Gel Builder can be found in multiple forms where each of them serves a specific purpose during the application. Two of the common types include Hard Gel and Soft Gel which allows sculpting and building of nail extensions for different reasons.


Hard Gel vs Soft Gel: The Major Differences


Hard Gel


A great deal of nail technicians fancy hard gel when it comes to making nail extensions as it is known to be reliable and has a long lasting effect. Its name speaks for itself, Hard Gel is used to build, shape or even extend nails as long as required. Once a client gets this applied and dried out with a led or uv A lamp, his nails are covered with a protective layer which is resistant to most external factors and pretty much everything, assuming it has been cured correctly. Depending on the exact application there are several basic characteristics of Hard Gel which are as follows:


  • Strength and Durability: As the name suggests, this gel is hard and therefore a sculptor can create nails which can be longer and stronger. This type of gel is the most preferable for extending the nails into longer shapes and thicker coatings. Hardy Hard Gel is satisfying as it is not easy to chip it nor break it.
  • Curing Process: To ensure Desired results, the Hard Gel must be put under a cubic led lamp, this is done to make it hard. Once it is under the machine, the mixture thickens and becomes harder than the less dense gel types.
  • File-able: The hard gel gets dried out under high temperatures due to which getting it shaped would be a require less effort and allow the thummet to alter its size and vivacity.
  • Long-lasting: Hard Gel is a great choice for clients who want their nails to be durable and intact for weeks without chipping, cracking or peeling. It is most often chosen by customers requiring longer nail extensions, or for more complex nail designs.


Soft Gel


Soft Gel is less rigid and more comfortable than Hard Gel, it is also referred to as gel overlays. It is meant for the sole purpose of being placed over the natural nail or nail tips to give the nails added strength without extensive sculpting work to do. Here are the key features of Soft Gel:

  • Flexibility: Soft Gel is a perfect solution for words hands or for clients who dislike overly rigid nail extensions as it is a lot softer than Hard Gel.
  • Ideal for Nail Overlays: Soft Gel is best for clients with healthy strong nails since it allows them to still maintain their natural lengths while giving them an extra layer of gloss for better aesthetics of the hands.
  • Thinner Application: Although Soft Gel is not as dense as Hard Gel it still maintains a certain thickness around the nail. That being said, this could be most useful for people seeking to feel an even lighter more organic sensation.
  • Low Durability: Soft Gel does not last as long or last as long as Hard Gel. This gel is considered to be strong and to offer a polish-like finish; however, it may not be the best choice for clients who want particularly long nail extensions or are in high impact regions.


At Malvern Nailsalon in Berwyn, Soft Gel is normally applied to clients who want their nails to have a natural look with a glossy appearance and soft finishing while Hard Gel is more preferred by clients who want to have their nails extending with more strength and muscularity.


What is the Difference between Builder Gel and Gel Polish.


Both of Builder Gel and Gel Polish are popular when one wants to enhance the nails but they are not the same and each of them bears different characteristics. These dissimilarities need to be known when one is picking the most appropriate option for his or her nails.


Builder Gel


Nail builders or builder gel is a thick adhesive gel that has a specific purpose. It is used for constructing and adding gel layers on a natural nail or brittle nails thatinaide it having thick curled pr ofilm nails. It is also great for longer nails that require additional length or natural nails that want reinforcement. Builder gel can also be applied for different nail art designs like nail extensions or advanced designs for short nails. Furthermore, this is cured under ultraviolet light also known as LED and hardens, creating a strong layer.

  • Purpose: The main purpose of using builder gel is for reconstruction and building nails. It can also be applied in multiple layers in order to substitute a fake nail and giver support to the original nail.
  • Consistency: To put it differently, builder gel and gel polish don’t mix well when it comes to consistency as builder gel is much thicker which makes combining them excellent for extensions, sculpting of the nail, and providing strength.
  • Curing: A capsule is also a form of gel and has basic rules that help it, therefore looking for a cure under UV light or an LED lamp is crucial.
  • Longevity: Builder gels are the best when it comes to long lasting features as they can easily preserve within the gap of 3-4 weeks, given proper clients aftercare.


Gel Polish


Gel Polish, in contrast, is a type of gel that has a lower viscosity, is much softer and is used mainly for adding color to, and finishing off the nails. It is usually much more durable than most nail paints. Gel Polish comes in many shades and textures but is usually used as a top layer above the natural nail or Builder Gel for added sheen and an even surface.

  • Purpose: Gel Polish is mainly applied onto the nails for its color, more intricate nail art designs, and as a top coat/ finish coat that provides gloss and durability. It is not designed to be thick enough to provide extra strength or length to the nails.
  • Consistency: Gel Polish has a less viscous consistency than Builder Gel making it great for finishing surfaces but not great for thick applications or making structures.
  • Curing: Similar to Builder Gel, Gel Polish too cures under a UV or LED light.
  • Longevity: Gel Polish has a longer shelf life than regular nail polish but it alone does not last as long as Builder Gel however, it can last between 2-3 weeks.


Clear vs Colored Gel Builder: Which to Choose?


Nail extensions and nail reinforcement are two services that are in high demand among clients at Malvern Nailsalon. In order to provide a fresh and glossy final touch, they also request the application of Gel Polish. However, the two can also be used together to create stunning long-lasting nails that have both strength and color.

Building nails with gel products seems to be quite pervasive. Among the numerous gels available on the market: Clear Gel Builder vs Colored Gel Builder, options is providing more cover for colored gels.


Clear Gel Builder


When it comes to nail extensions and overlays, Clear Gel Builder is one of the top options available. Due to its quality, it captures a lot of design and is very flexible in style. Perhaps these are the reasons you may want to use clear gel:

  • Transparency: The reason why the builder is called clear or see-through is because it resembles the structure of the human nail. The tint as well as the shape of the underlying fingertip is visible, creating a wonderful and efficiently simple look. However, there is more. To be specific: There is more for nail art: Due to the fact that the tinting is already done or without the need for application as the clear gel covers other tints, clear gel artwork can be done. This creates an ideal foundation for colourful designs that might be intricate.
  • Strength: Clear Gel Builder does not hide or alter the appearance of the natural nails while still enhancing the strength of the nails by constructing the nail structure.
  • Customization: Since it is colorless, clear gel allows for application of colored gel polishes, glitter, or other decorations on the nails.


Colored Gel Builder


Colored Gel Builder comes with pigment in its formulation which darkens the base gel hence Colored Gel Builder is an entirely more vivid look. Here’s why you might opt for colored gel:

  • Vibrant and Bold Designs: For a more vibrant and attention grabbing look in sole formulation, Colored Gel Builder is effective as no gel polish will be required to be applied on it. This is perfect for clients who want their nails striking but don’t want to use multiple products for the nails.
  • All-in-One Solution: Because colored gel is already pigmented, it can act as a base as well as the top coat and thus, less application steps are required.
  • No Need for Nail Polish: For individuals who want their nails to appear neat and uniformed without having to use nail polish, colored gel is the answer.
  • Vast Array of Gel Options: Malvern Nailsalon clients can choose Gel shades from the lightest pastels to darker reds and deep blues shades.


Here at Malvern Nailsalon located in Berwyn, one can choose between Gel Builder that is clear and Gel Builder that is colored. For nail fashionists who dislike wearing makeup and want a muffled effect can use clear Gel Builder while those who like deep and unusual designs can use colored Gel Builder.


Bearing in Mind


Nail extension clients who want lasting, flexible, and stylish Gel Builder comes in a range of natural– Hard gel for strength and sculpting, Soft gel for a natural looking gel and there’s clear or colored gel hence getting a perfect look for your nails was made easy. This means clients visit Malvern Nailsalon in Berwyn can easily choose the best suited product for the look they have in mind. If your aim is to have stylish nails that are glossy and lustrous, eye-catching gel extensions, or a unique nail art design, Gel Builder have it all for you.