
UV hard gels come ready to use out of the jar or tube, unlike acrylic which requires mixing a powder and a liquid with proper ratios. I love that this Boston-born company makes their gels right here in America and is 10-free, meaning the product doesn’t contain 10 of the most common toxic ingredients you tend to find in other nail products, like formaldehyde.įind more In.Hype Building Gels information and reviews here. If you don’t need something as stiff, go with their Sculpting Builder featured above which comes in several shades of pinks and whites. It’s thick enough to flow well on nail forms without spreading too much. In.Hype carries a variety of hard gel viscosities so you can pick the one that’s right for your needs.įor building extensions, go with In.Hype Clear Hard Building Gel. Thick gels are good for building extensions on nail forms and for creating fun 3D designs.

A thinner gel is great for overlays, self-leveling, and strengthening tip extensions. The consistency of the perfect gel depends on what you need it for. If you’re looking to create nail extensions with this, you can do that but keep in mind that it will take a few layers because your coats are so much thinner than a stiff gel would be.Īnother huge benefit to this type of builder is that while it might not be as strong as traditional building gel, it can be soaked off with full-strength acetone so you don’t have to worry about filing off your gel.įind more Orly GelFX Builder in a Bottle information and reviews here.įor those looking for a high-quality product not made overseas, check out In.Hype UV Hard Gels. The thin formula and nail polish bottle make this an ideal product to overlay onto your natural nail for extra strength and durability. It’s stronger than gel nail polish but not quite as strong as thicker building gels making it a nice middle-ground for people looking to dip a toe into the world of gel extensions. Unlike both UV hard gels, Builder in a Bottle has the consistency of gel nail polish and can be applied with a normal nail polish brush. I’m featuring their clear hard gel because it’s impressively crystal clear but they have a range of colors available including white, pink, blush, natural, and ultra-white.Ī nail practice hand can be a great tool to help you perfect your technique without having to worry about working on a real client.įind more IBD UV Gel Clear Builder information and reviews here.įor something completely different and outside the box for hard gel, check out Orly GelFX Builder in a Bottle. Tip: if you do find the gel is running a bit more to your liking, hold your finger upside (parallel to the floor) for a moment so gravity can settle the gel into a more natural shape with a rounded curve near the center of your nail and then turn it over and give it a quick flash cure under your lamp. Most find IBD is best suited for applying tips or as an overlay and might be a little too thin for use with nail forms, especially if you’re not curing after each one.

For most purposes, it’s nice and easy to work with, not too thick or too thin. It has a thick, sticky consistency that is easy to float over your nail surface, self-levels well, and won’t immediately run all into your cuticles.

#TRANSLUCENT NAILS UPGRADE#
It cures harder and more durable than most other gels so if you’re having issues with breaking, you might want to upgrade your gel to this IBD formulation. IBD UV Hard Gel is one of the top brands in the industry and is trusted by both salon nail techs and home nail artists.
