Gel Overlay

Salons build overlays in soft gel, builder gel or hard gel depending on how much structure you want and whether you prefer soak-off or file-off removal. A set generally looks good for two to four weeks. It is often chosen by people growing out their own length, or by anyone whose nails have ridges or an uneven surface they would like smoothed under colour.

The free edge is shaped, the cuticle area is tidied, the shine is buffed off and the surface is dehydrated. A bonding base is cured first, then the overlay product is floated across the nail — often with a slightly thicker point over the stress area — and cured. The layer is filed smooth, and colour and top coat go on afterwards. How it is taken off depends on the product: soft gel soaks, hard gel is filed back.