What sort of nail varnish/manicure sets like a false nail?

[glitterbiscuits]

I'm a bit clueless what to look for.
I had my nails done with a varnish that was applied like a jelly with a paintbrush. It was set under a lamp.
Then my nails had a protective shell on them which meant my real nails grew underneath, they are normally to thin to grow. It never chipped. It was amazing! Eventually the varnish lifted off and it was if I had a false nail, it came off in one piece. It cost £20 and lasted nearly 3 weeks.

I thought it was gel. I went somewhere else and she used gel varnish that set under a lamp. It was no better than ordinary varnish that air dries. It lasted 2 or 3 days before chipping.

So, what do I need to ask for? Help please

Acrylic powder

Shellac

Gel nails cured with a UV nail lamp I.e. CND, Shellac. When gel nails chip after a day or two it means either the technician did it wrong, the lamp was not working properly or the polish was too old.

The gel that chipped wasn't thick like the first one.
The first one was like a false nail.

The second one was not a great deal different to ordinary nail polish.

I have gel overlays, which is what you describe. She puts thick clear gel over my own nail, cures that under the light, files it into shape, then adds a colour, which is also cured, then a top coat, also cured.

Acrylic or gel overlays are what you want then gel polish.

Gel overlays and shellac

Gel overlay sounds right

Thanks so much

It might be a builder gel.

Yes, gel overlays. Wonderful things.