GelX Nail Extensions:  

Gel-X Nail Extensions are full-coverage, pre-shaped soft gel extensions that are applied directly to your natural nail with a special gel adhesive.

However, before we go further into detail, GelX is actually the brand name of the company who first created this soft gel Nail Enhancement. While Ella D Nails do stock the Official Apres GelX Nail Extensions, we also offer a range of other Professional Gel Extension brands. 

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Soft gel extensions offer the durability of acrylics but feel much lighter, are more flexible and have no strong chemical odor during application. The gel nail is cured under a UV/LED lamp and will typically last up to 3 weeks or longer (depending on growth rate and lifestyle).

GelX Nail Extensions are healthier for natural nails because unlike acrylics, GelX requires minimal filing or buffing of the natural nail plate. The soft gel flexes with your natural nail and because they are less rigid, they are less like to break harshly across the middle of the nail plate.

GelX Nail Extensions can be infilled after a few weeks of growth to extend the life of your nails or they can be soaked off with acetone and replaced with a new set.

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Recommended for short to medium length and Ladies who have a good size nail plate. While these enhancements are ideal for those with less active jobs or lifestyles, they may need extra reinforcing for more physical jobs and active hands. 

Polygel Forms: 

Polygel Forms are the most advanced nail technology available. Polygel Forms are shaped to your nail using molds called "Forms", or "Preforms". Because the nail is preformed in a mold before attaching to the nail plate it saves time in filing and shaping each nail afterwards.

Though Polygels are considered a Hard Gel and can't be soaked off, a Rubber Base Gel is used under the Hard Gel, which can be soaked off, so no harsh filing of the nail plate is needed. Polygel Forms are infilled once nail plate growth appears usually at 3 weeks (depending on growth rate).

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Polygel Forms are recommended for short to extra long nails. They are perfect for those with small nail plates and highly recommended for bitten nails, or very thin and weak nails.

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These Nail Enhancements are most suitable for those who have active lifestyles and jobs. However, that said, they are a great all rounder in Nail Enhancements and if you have trouble with your retention of GelX (no matter which Nail Tech you visit) it might be time to give Polygel a try. 

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Check out my Polygel Nail Art videos on my Youtube Channel, you can have so much fun with them! ....or of course you can simply have a beautiful set of French Tips too. 

BIABs (Builder Gel in a Bottle):

Builder Gels/BIAB are a range of strengthening gels designed to act as an overlay on your natural nails to help give them strength and durability.

Builder Gels are both Soft and Hard gels and offer your nails a tough, flexible shield that stops natural nails from breaking and helps to promote growth.

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Builder Gels can also be used to reinforce Nail Enhancements like GelX and Polygel Forms and can also create a beautiful apex on very flat nail plates. 

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The Builder Gel system may be the ultimate solution for anyone struggling to grow out their natural nails, however for chronic nail biters or any ladies with very thin and weak nail plates, Polygels and Hard Gels are recommended. 

Just as with the Hard Gel Polygels, a Soft "soak off" Gel Rubber Base is used under the Hard Gel, so no harsh filing of the nail plate is needed.

BIAB easily lasts 3 to 4 weeks (depending on length and lifestyle) and can be continuously infilled, so constant removals of tips are not required at all.

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BIAB soft Builder Gel is recommended for those with medium to strong natural nails and less active lifestyles. 

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Hard Builder Gel is recommended for thin, weak nails that flake and chip easily and those who are more active with their hands.