You’re in the market for a gel line…
Do you want a soft, semi-hard, or hard gel builder?
I know… you just want builder gel.
But it’s not that simple. A gel with viscosity to it can either be soft, semi-hard, or true hard builder gel. And in this video, we’ll break down what these all mean.
Soft gel is both a general defining term and a strength level for a structure gel.
The market classifies gels into two categories: soft gel and hard gel.
Soft gel can be soaked off, hard gel cannot.
Soft gel when referring to strength level, refers to a base gel.
A soft gel base with viscosity to it, is very durable on nails, and a great base before semi-hard or hard gel application because of the flexibility it provides to the natural nails.
However, it is not recommended to structure or extend the nails with soft gel bases, even if they have some viscosity to them.
Semi-hard gel builder, this is mostly all soft… so soakable structure gel that can be used for structuring natural nails and creating short extensions. It can have a medium thin viscosity level.
It is often found in bottles, unless their viscosity is slightly thicker, then they will be offered in pots.
Semi-hard gels can be soaked off, but only after filing them down very thin.
Now let’s talk about hard gel builder. Hard gel builder cannot be soaked off and usually sits firm at a medium viscosity level. As a total master in hard gel, you can use it for all of your nail services… but it is especially good for long nail lengths and corrections. Hard gel wears best with a flexible soft gel base underneath it.
So, I believe it really comes down to comparing semi-hard builders to hard gel builders… which to use.
-Well…
🍃1. It can depend on what viscosity you prefer.
Depending on the strength of your bottled builder (i.e. semi-hard gel), you can use these on short to medium long length natural nails.
🍃-2. It can also depend on your expertise level.
Bottled builders are a great gateway into hard gel builder. Bottle builders can self-level really easily and don’t require too much technique to ensure they last on the nails because their flexibility aids in long wear.
Personally, I like to have my students begin incorporating hard gel, only after having mastered soft structure gel.
The smoothest path to transitioning is to begin incorporating them with long nail length clients, or those needing more serious nail corrections because they have hooked or sloped nails.
Always start by focusing on ONE thing and master it before deciding to add more to what you’re already doing.
Paola Ponce is a licensed nail tech of 10+ years and a certified Japanese gel educator.
Learn more about her journey as a specialized gel nail artist and her gel nail application course inside her free masterclass here.
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