Nail the look, love the style!
Which Gel is Best for You?
Gel nail polish is a special type of nail polish that does not air dry like traditional nail varnish. Instead it requires curing or drying with a UV or LED light. This process hardens and fixes the polish in place meaning it doesn't smudge or chip. Gel polish lasts much longer than traditional nail varnish with results typically lasting between 2-3+ weeks depending on the method and type used.
At Gels By Esther we offer three types of gel nail polish each with their own functions. It is not the case that one gel type is better than the other, but rather certain gels have different functions.
Soft Gel Polish
This is the type of polish that most people think of when having a Gel Manicure. It is traditional gel polish which is cured with an LED/UV light and can be soaked off. This is the thinnest form of gel polish and is not strong enough to be used to sculpt or build a nail extension. Whilst it does offer some protection for your natural nails compared to regular polish it is not as hard as builder or hard gel. Popular brands include Shellac and soft gel polish is often known as a “Shellac manicure”. Shellac is a brand name for soft gels and there are many different brands available. Soft gel polish typically lasts at least 2 weeks, but it can depend on how exposed your hands are to oils and moisture. Soft gel polish is soaked off using pure acetone or lightly buffed off using a file block. An electric file (known as an e-file) should never be used on soft gel nails or natural nails alone.
Builder Gel
This is a type of polish which is stronger than soft polish and is designed to be built up in layers (as the name suggests). Builder gel is a great way to strengthen your nail because it creates a hard, durable layer over the nail plate which can protect it preventing nail breakages. Clear builder gel can be used as a strong base with a soft gel colour on top, or I have a small range of builder gel colours in natural tones too. Builder Gel is also known as B.I.A.B (Builder In A Bottle), this is again the brand name and there are actually many different brands available. Build gel polish can typically last 3 + weeks and is removed by filing the layers down and soaking the nails in acetone. An e-file should only be used on the top layer of builder gel to remove the bulk if it is particularly thick. An e-file can be used on nail enhancements with builder gel. If the gel is not lifting or cracked then infills can be done instead of full removal and reapplication.
Hard Gel
This is another type of builder gel but is the thickest of its kind. It is less likely to be in a bottle and more likely to come in a pot and be applied via a separate nail brush. This gel can be sculpted and shaped to artificially lengthen your nail and works well with extensions or enhancements. It too can be used alongside soft gel polish as a strong clear base with a soft gel colour on top. Hard gel nails can achieve a similar look to acrylic nail extensions but use less chemicals and are therefore considered better for your nails. Hard gel is more flexible and durable than acrylics and can cause less damage to the nail plate than acrylics. Hard gel nails typically last 3+ weeks and can either be infilled or removed. Hard gel nails need filing down with a coarse block file or an e-file and cannot be soaked off. Due to their durability they can be difficult to remove and nails may feel weak or fragile after.
Sculpting
Depending on the shape and length of the natural nail a nail extension can be sculpted out of builder or hard gel (normally using a form template as a guide). This technique is normally used for nail repairs, however if the client requests we can sculpt a full set. Price will depend on the amount of work required to sculpt each nail and the type of gel used.
Manicures
At Gels By Esther we offer everything from Express to Luxury Spa Manicures. A dry manicure rather than a spa manicure is recommended before any gel application as oils and moisture from products used in a spa manicure can cause lifting in gels. If the nail bed is not prepared properly then the gel will not last as long as it should. We do however use water based products where possible, rather than oil based, to mitigate this and will ensure the nail is fully cleansed with a preparation solution before applying gel.
Express Manicure
This should last approximately 30 minutes and includes a shape and polish only, with the desired gel.
Dry Manicure
This is slightly more detailed than an express manicure and includes cuticle work. This is the preferred manicure before applying any gels. The time it takes for this will depend on the gel service required.
Spa Manicure
This includes a short soak, scrub, cuticle work, buff, file, shape, with the option of bare nails, clear strengthener, soft gel, builder gel or hard gel.
Luxury Spa Manicure
This includes a soak, scrub, hand mask (additional 15 minutes required for the mask to work), massage, cuticle work, buff, file and shape, with the option of bare nails, clear strengthener, soft gel, builder gel or hard gel.
Pedicures
At Gels By Esther we offer a range of pedicures which can be booked alone or paired with a hand treatment. We have a limited range of traditional nail varnishes and are happy for the client to supply their own. It is recommended that either traditional varnish or soft gel polish is used on the feet. There is no need for builder gel or hard gel on toenails unless the nails are particularly weak.
Express Pedicure
This includes a nail shape and polish only with either traditional nail varnish or soft gel polish.
Spa Pedicure
This includes a soak, scrub, foot file, cuticle work, file and shape with the option of no polish, traditional nail varnish or soft gel polish.
Luxury Spa Pedicure
This includes a soak, scrub, foot file, foot mask (additional 15 minutes required for the mask to work), massage, cuticle work, file and shape with the option of no polish, traditional nail varnish or soft gel polish.
Removal
There are a number of ways to remove gels and the method will depend on the gel type and thickness. We prefer not to use an electric file unless absolutely necessary, and only then will it be used to remove the bulk of an enhancement. An electric file should never be used on natural nails and our preferred method is using a hand file in the first instance. Removal of gels or enhancements not done by us may incur an extra charge (in addition to the removal charge) if difficult to remove.
Soft Gel
Soft gel is removed by lightly buffing the surface of the nail, soaking the fingertips in acetone (either in foils or in a dish) and then scraping the dissolved gel off.
Soft gels can also be removed by filing off completely with a hand file (especially if they are already dry and lifting). An electric file (e-file) should never be used to remove soft gels from natural nails.
Builder Gel
Builder gel is removed by filing the top layers of gel off to reduce the bulk and then soaking and scraping the remaining gel off with acetone. Like soft gel, builder gel can also be removed by using a hand file. An e-file may only be used to remove top layers of builder gel, especially if particularly thick. A hand file is then used closer to the natural nail bed.
Hard Gel
Hard gel is only removed by filing and cannot be soaked off. You can use either a hand file or e-file to remove the bulk of the hard gel and then use a hand file towards the natural nail.
Steam Method
We are experimenting with a new technique using acetone steam which reduces the damage caused to the natural nail from drying out through prolonged acetone exposure. If successful this technique may be used to remove your soft gel nail polish.
Brands & Products
We stock a range of products and gel brands including Gel Girls, IBD and Mylee. Due to the huge range of colours on the market we only stock a limited range of colours in each brand. If you are looking for a specific colour or brand please contact us. We are always expanding our colours, products and services.
Gel Girls
Gel Girls is a new and exciting brand of hard wearing gel base and top coats, gel polishes and B.I.A.B. that lasts up to 4 weeks!
Gel Girls is for professional use only and not available to the open market. We are currently the first and only stockist of Gel Girls in the local area and are proud to hold their builder gel accreditation. We are fully trained and certified in all their products and are looking forward to introducing their brand to you.
Client Consultation & Medical History
A full client consultation will take place at the beginning of any treatment. Certain treatments may not be able to take place if there are signs of broken, damaged or infected skin (on both the hands and feet). We may advise you to see your GP, Podiatrists or Chiropodist before any treatments can begin.
Please inform us of any relevant medical history or if you are allergic or sensitive to anything, including nuts. Some products including cuticle oils contain nuts and are therefore not suitable for use if allergic or sensitive. Due to the wide range of products used and the salon space we cannot guarantee an allergen free environment.
A copy of our client consultation can be found here. Please take the time to complete it as accurately as possible. This will enable us to provide the most appropriate service for you.
Possible Contraindications
A contraindication is a condition that prevents a person from receiving a treatment because it could be harmful.
Contraindications can be related to a person's medical history, age, gender, or other factors. It is therefore vital that you disclose any relevant medical history before any treatments commence.
Types of contraindications
Absolute contraindication
A condition that makes a treatment too risky and should be avoided. For example, someone with a skin infection (either fungal, bacterial or viral), broken sore skin in treatment area, nail separation, allergies and bruising or broken bones. In this case we would recommend you see your GP for further advice.
Relative contraindication
A condition that makes a treatment risky, but may still be appropriate if the benefits outweigh the risk. For example if skin is weak and prone to bruising or breakage then care will be taken with the pressure applied and use of nail tools.
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