Visualize yourself on a sunny beach, drink in hand, and palm trees swaying above. Everything is perfect, but when you look down to grab your drink, chipped nail polish stares back at you.
There’s a reason why structured gel manicures are trending on TikTok and magazines. While the name seems intimidating, Refinery29’s article about the manicure explains that it simply is a ‘hard or thick’ manicure with a sturdy base. While branded in the past as BIAB (builder in a bottle) or Shellac (its house name), the revamped trend encompasses all manicures under the umbrella of having a thick base.
So, what’s the difference between paying for a normal manicure versus a structured gel? When you get a structured gel manicure done, it is long-lasting and gives a ‘plumper’ look, as Refinery29 states. A LED light is used to set the gel underneath, which cures it and allows for color to be painted over top. Prior to the light being applied, many salons use a drying solution to help the gel stick. These manicures last around three weeks, Refinery29 explains, which is ages more than the classic at-home manicure with traditional polish.
You can also have your nail tech add length to your natural nails, adding gel to the tip similar to the classic acrylic process. The gel on top keeps the natural nail strong and sturdy while allowing for customizable designs and colors on top. A setback of the structured gel is that doing a DIY removal can lead to damaged nails. In a sense, it creates a cycle where you have to keep getting your nails done. However, to me and many other women who keep their manicure up-to-date, it is a better and more bang-for-your buck option.
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