Gel Nails: Everything You Need to Know About the No-Chip Manicure

glamour.com:

. With its durability and wide range of colors and , it's no wonder most people opt for gel manicures.It's also possible to achieve gel nails with an .

Unlike dip nails, which requires powder and liquid activator for application, gel nails can be cured using a . But before you try your own DIY gel nails, it's important to get informed.

According to , brand director at , it takes a certain skill level to apply gel and without proper treatment, mistakes can lead to damage, especially when it comes to .“Creating a smooth base layer can be a challenge for the inexperienced, especially if you have uneven natural nails,” says Park. “Additionally, many who are inexperienced can often over-file when removing, which can damage the nail plate or worse, rip or peel the gel off!

This will take layers of your nail plate off and create thin, brittle nails.”Ahead, everything you need to know about gel nails, including application, removal, benefits, and more.There are two types of gel nails: and soft gel nails. “The key distinguishing factor of hard gel is that it cannot be soaked off,” says Park. “It can only be filed off.