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If your nails naturally fall on the short side, or you simply like the sleek, long-mani look, nail extensions are probably something you’ve either already tried or are strongly considering.

Hard gel nail extensions

Thinner and more flexible than acrylics, hard gel nail extensions allow for a more natural look. Featuring a thick varnish consistency, these types of extensions are created with the help of a form or on top of plastic tips and then cured under a UV/LED lamp. Although they are available in many different colors, they are typically used to create a base over which a manicurist applies gel nail polish. Other pros of these types of extensions include self-leveling and being odorless. That said, hard gel extensions cannot be dissolved with acetone, meaning they require filing to be removed.

Polygel nail extensions, also known as acryl gel, are considered the perfect combination of acrylics and hard gel. Featuring a hypoallergenic and odorless formula, poly gel extensions are easy to create and shape, all while remaining strong and durable. A nail technician will sculpt them using forms, tips, or dual forms. Once this is done, they will need to be cured under a UV/LED lamp.