Which of these means gel nail polish?

[YellowDots]

I’ve never had a manicure so I thought I’d make an appointment for one. I want to have my nails tidied up a bit and then gel nail varnish maybe. On my own actual nails. Is that shellac?

I can’t make head nor tail of the seemingly endless options. I’ve done some googling but that just seems to lead to more vocabulary and the; I had to Google that!

Forgot the photos!

Shellac is a brand of gel polish I think. So looks like they have gel plus shellac.

Thanks. So I could have 'shellac manicure'.

I think 'gel bottle application' is what you want. £23 is about right.

I thought Shellac was slightly different to gel? More expensive anyway?

I agree their price list is confusing! I thought it is the third one down, Gel Bottle Application? If you don't already have gel on that needs removed first.

Where I live you'd pay £18-25 for a gel manicure, maybe £30 somewhere really expensive.

Why are there so many options! I've googled 'builder gel' but got nowhere!

Unless you’re planning to go regularly, I’d be asking for polish that looks and performs like gel but is easy to take off at home by myself.

See what they suggest?

You want gel bottle application I would say if you just want the shellac on your nails. If you want an actual manicure too, you should pick shellac manicure (I think!)

Shellac is a brand of gel polish. It’s the same as saying you use a Hoover rather than a vacuum cleaner

I think "builder" is where your own nails aren't good and you need them building up artificially?

The manicure one will be a full manicure plus shellac polish.

Theres a CND shellac hands on the 2nd page or you could have the gel bottle application

Builder gel is extensions from a gel paste thing, as opposed to acrylic extensions (talons) which are powder and solvent. You want gel bottle which is also a brand, like shellac just cheaper

Yes, I do want the actual manicure part. I can't ask them questions as it might get even more complicated.

Gel bottle and shellac are 2 different brands of fairly similar gel polish. Builder or BIAB is a strengthening nude product by gel bottle which can be used alone or under a colour. It’s more expensive I believe hence the supplement.

I’d suggest shellac manicure if you want cuticles etc done

"Gel bottle", "shellac" and "vinylux" are all brands of cured gel nail varnish.

"Builder gel" by the gel bottle is also called "builder in a bottle" and is a pale pink/nude type colour that helps strengthen your nails. Like a bad layer under your chosen colour or used as a colour (usually a thicker layer than normal gel polish)

I usually get the gel bottle and have the builder in a bottle applied first. Some times I have a colour on top, sometimes I just have the builder.

If you're not sure what option you should go for, give them a call and explain what you're looking for and they'll be able to advise

Yes I'd go shellac manicure if you want a manicure plus the gel nails

Ok, I'll do that. Shellac manicure.

Thanks for the help everyone. I was completely bewildered.

I prefer The Gel Bottle to Shellac by far but it's personal preference.

Vinylux isn't gel - it's regular nail polish with a special top coat. It comes off with regular nail polish remover. It's by CND - the same manufacturer as Shellac.

I’m a nail technician

BIAB - builder in a bottle. Suitable for shorter natural nails that need strength.

Vinylux - standard polish But more hardwearing that is suppose to last as long as gel.

Shellac - the brand for gel polish nails. Most common manicure

Gel mani- could be another name for another gel manicure but the brand used isn’t CND shellac.

Hard gel - usually for extensions and enhancements to add length to the natural nails.

The gel bottle is great pigment but most professionals don’t use it anymore as they are a lot of horror stories of clients and technicians nails dropping off / fungal infections / nails separating from the nail bed.

Knowing that CND are the makers of Shellac is very helpful as I thought CND was another variable.

I definitely don't want my nails dropping off! 😲

@YellowDots

Why are there so many options! I've googled 'builder gel' but got nowhere!

I have builder gel when I get my nails done. I’ve got very thin, weak nails and the builder polish sort of reinforces them. I then have gel polish on top (you can just have builder if you want but it’s boring). I pay £25 for this.

CND also own Vinylux. So you will find most colours in CND shellac are also available in Vinylux. I do find that sometimes just a few colours don’t match exactly.

The Gel Bottle is really popular and some places/ technicians still use it as the colours are fantastic and the pigment is second to none. A lot of cases have been found of severe reactions after using this brand. Some therapists believe it’s just unfortunate as equally other therapists who use it for years develop no reaction. But I would definitely advise you to stick to CND/ OPI/ MAGPIE as they contain less Hema meaning less chance of reaction.

Enjoy your mani