How to choose the right gel polish for your nails
Gel polish, gel or extensions? Here's how to work out what's really right for your hands.
Gel polish, gel, extensions: they're not the same thing
They're often used as synonyms, but they're three different things. Gel polish is a thin coloured coat that lasts two to three weeks. Gel is more structured: it strengthens the nail and can also lengthen it. Extensions are the extra step, when you need to build real length and structure on fragile or short nails.
Understanding the difference is the first step to choosing well. There's no single best treatment: there's the one that's right for your nails and your everyday life.
Start from your own nails
If your nails are healthy and a length you like, gel polish is often enough: flawless colour for weeks, without any bulk. If instead they bend, flake or break, gel offers a tougher cover that protects and strengthens them.
When you want a length you struggle to reach on your own, or a solid base for elaborate nail art, it's time for extensions. In the salon we look at the state of your nails and tell you honestly what you really need, without selling the most expensive treatment.
Think about your lifestyle
Do you use your hands a lot? Do you play sport? Do you have little time for touch-ups? These questions matter as much as the state of the nail. Anyone who's hard on their hands benefits from a tougher cover; anyone who loves changing colour often gets on well with gel polish.
Colour affects how much upkeep you notice too: nude shades forgive regrowth more, dark colours show it up. These are details we weigh up together so you're never left with hands you don't like after a few days.
The advice in the salon
The truth is the best choice is made by looking at the hands in person. That's why, when you arrive, we spend a few minutes understanding what you're after and what's realistic before we start.
If you're unsure, message us: tell us what your nails are like and what you'd love, and we'll give you a first piece of advice even before the appointment.
Want advice tailored to you?
Tell us what you're after: we'll find the right treatment for you together, at our salon in Florence.
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