If you love keeping your nails polished and manicured, but don’t have the budget to visit a salon for professional gel polish sets every month, then a polygel nail kit might be just what you need!
Polygel nails offer an affordable and easy at home alternative to professional gel or acrylic manicures. With a polygel nail kit, you can create beautiful manicures just like the pros! Keep reading to learn more!
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Polygel Nail Kit – What it includes & how much it costs
If you’re looking for a way to achieve a beautiful, professional-looking manicure without having to leave your home, the Polygel Nail Kit is definitely worth considering. I recently purchased a polygel nail kit and have been having a lot of fun experimenting!
This innovative kit includes everything you need to create stunning and durable nails, including a polygel base coat, top coat, slip solution, nail brush, a nail clipper, nail filers and a uv light.
What’s more, the kit also comes with easy-to-follow instructions and nail tips, making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned nail enthusiasts alike. As for the cost, the kit is relatively affordable compared to salon prices, making it a cost-effective solution to achieve the perfect nails.
My kit was approximately $26 and offers a variety of shades ranging from clear to dark pink for a natural look. Most kits online are in the range of $20-$30 which is pretty reasonable. Overall, the Polygel Nail Kit is a great investment for anyone who wants to achieve a salon-quality manicure at home.
Polygel Nails VS. Acrylic Nails: Which Is Better?
The main difference between polygel nails and acrylic nails is the composition of each. Polygel nails are made from a combination of polymers, monomers, and gel elements that provide flexibility and strength to the nail.
Apparently this makes them much more durable than traditional acrylics, which only use a polymer-based liquid solution to harden on the nail. However, I’m not so sure how much of that is actually true. I find that while they’re pretty durable for temporary nails, they’re also quite easy to remove and also tear if I really tried to.
Although, polygel nails are a much easier application compared to acrylics and offer a more natural look with less odor and dust during the process. Ultimately if what you want are durable strong nails that are long lasting you’ll probably want to go with acrylic nails professionally done at the salon.
But, if what you want are beautiful nails with a more natural look, that are more secure than your store bought press-on nails, then polygel nails are it!
Polygel Nails VS. Gel Nails: Which Is Better?
Polygel nails are a type of manicure that combines the best of both worlds: the durability and longevity of an acrylic manicure and the flexibility of a gel one. Compared to other types of gel nail treatments, polygel nails are gentler on natural nails and can cause less damage over time.
The main difference between polygel and gel nails is the composition. While both are made with a combination of polymers and monomers, polygel nails utilize a thicker, more viscous formula that is designed to create strength and flexibility.
Gel nails, on the other hand, have a thinner consistency and are designed to be more fluid, allowing for a more natural-looking set.
Although acrylic powder gel nails are long-lasting and popular among many people, they can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking. So going with a polygel manicure means you’ll get the durability and longevity of an acrylic manicure without being so hard on your nails.
Are Polygel Nails Safe On Your Nails?
Yes, Polygel nails are safe and non-toxic. They are also gentler on your nails, making them an ideal choice for people who have sensitive skin or nails that tend to be brittle.
The combination of polymers and gel elements used in the application make them flexible and strong enough to protect your natural nails from breaking.
I do have to say that the UV light used to cure the gel can be of some concern and exposure to UV rays for long periods of time can be harmful. So, it is important to protect your hands with sunscreen when you use the UV light as you would in the sun.
how to apply polygel nails
The way it works is that the polygel is applied to each nail in thin layers and then cured under a UV light. This method ensures a secure bond between the gel and the nail, and ensures that your manicure will last for up to two weeks.
You can watch this easy step-by-step guide to get a better understanding of how it works. With just a few supplies and a little bit of patience, you’ll be able to achieve flawless, long-lasting gel nails.
Not only will you save money by skipping pricey salon visits, but you’ll also have the added satisfaction of knowing you nailed it all on your own!
Step-by-step guide
1. Prep your nails: Start by removing any existing nail polish, filing, and buffing the surface of your nails to make sure they are clean and smooth.
2. Apply a base coat: Apply a base coat to protect your natural nail from the polygel mixture.
3. Apply the polygel to the nail form: Use a brush evenly apply the slip solution to the polygel mixture. Make sure to only apply a thin layer so that it doesn’t form bubbles. And then apply the nail form to your own nail.
4. Cure the polygel: Use a UV/LED light for up to 120 seconds. Make sure to cure each nail separately so that the light is able to penetrate the polygel layers.
5. File and shape your nails: Once the fill in polygel has cured, you can use a nail file to shape your nails according to your liking.
6. Apply top coat: Use a top coat to seal the polygel and give your nails the natural shine.
7. Clean up: Finally, use an alcohol-based cleanser to remove any excess product on your nails and around it. Now you are ready to show off your beautiful polygel nails!
Tips and tricks for getting the perfect set of nails with this kit
Achieving the perfect set of nails can be a challenge, but with the right tools and techniques, you can create a flawless look. I would say the nail forms are helpful in getting the desired shape for your nails.
And I must admit the ease of this nail enhancement in the ads are what got me. I loved the flexible nature of these nail enhancements and definitely have more fun every time I do my nails now.
Take your time when applying each layer and use thin, even strokes to prevent streaking. For extra precision, try using the brush available to clean up any mistakes or smudges. Don’t forget to seal the deal with a top coat to protect your nails and add shine. With a little practice and these helpful tricks, you’ll be able to create picture-perfect nails in no time.
Durability review
When investing in a product, durability is always an important factor to consider. Nobody wants to spend money on something that will wear out quickly or break down after a few uses.
So when it comes to products that are meant to last, it’s essential to understand how long they can realistically hold up and what steps you can take to extend their lifespan.
I find that the durability is at a medium-high level with Polygel nails. Generally speaking, they can last up to two weeks with proper care and maintenance. I have been enjoying actually changing them up with all of the different shades in the set.
So I find that the removal process of these nails are not that difficult to remove which may speak to their ability to hold up longer term. To keep them looking perfect, I would suggest using a cuticle oil or moisturizer and applying it daily.
I think moisture is probably a factor with polygel nails and how durable they are. The reason being that they are so hardened onto your nail.
That’s great because they don’t end up damaging your nails, however, that also means that they’re probably more likely to lift up from the nail bed from the various activities you do like washing dishes or taking a shower. That’s just my opinion though and I’m sure maybe that will vary depending on the brand.
Pros and cons of using a Polygel Nail Kit at home
I will start with the cons I think you should consider before purchasing a polygel nail kit. I find that my biggest gripe with polygel nails is that you need to be extremely careful when applying the polygel to avoid any air bubbles or uneven layers. And that can be hard to do unless you have someone helping you with your nails.
I find that it’s difficult to hold the shaping acrylic with the polygel in place and slide it under the uv light without moving the nail. It’s also difficult to hold the nail in place while trying to smooth out the back of the nail as well.
I’ve definitely gotten the sticky polygel all over my fingers and it’s annoying. Lastly, the cuticles tend to be the most obvious sign of these being fake nails because they tend to be the first thing to wear.
However, despite these cons there are several pros to using polygel nails at home. I love that I can get longer nails in no time. For being someone that likes a bit more flexibility when it comes to my nails, this is perfect for me. I like to change them up quite often and I never really ever go for a regular gel manicure for that reason alone.
For starters, you can change up your look as often as you’d like without needing to visit a salon. Plus, the polygel nails are much more comfortable than acrylics or gels because they provide a thin layer of protection for your natural nail, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking as easily.
Additionally, the polygel nails last a lot longer than traditional gels. And finally, as long as you follow the instructions and take care of your nails properly, you can have a professional-looking mani without too much money.
Cons:
- Requires extra care when applying
- Difficult to hold in place and slide under UV light
- Messy cuticles can be a giveaway
Pros:
- Easy to change up looks
- Comfortable and thin protection for natural nails
- Longer-lasting than press on nails
- Cheaper alternative to salon visits
- Don’t damage the natural nail
- Are flexible and can be easily changed
Best Polygel Nail Kits To Shop On Amazon:
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons and if a Polygel Nail Kit is the perfect solution for your at-home nail care needs.
As someone who use to spend a minimum of $100 per acrylic set every salon visit, I wanted to find a cheaper alternative I could easily have done at home. The polygel nail kit has been a great investment for salon ready nails.
Overall, at a little under $30 you can’t really go wrong with this easy and fun nail enhancement beauty hack. They are for anyone looking to try a nail look without making a big commitment and without spending $100 at a salon. With proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy weeks of stunning nails without much effort.
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