Nail Glossary: Your Guide to Nail Enhancements
Which nail system is right for you?
Our glossary breaks it down, from Gel-X to structured overlays; so you can feel confident, informed, and in control of your self-care. Whether you're new to nails or a seasoned guest, we’re here to make everything crystal clear.
💅 Gel Polish
What It Is:
A soft, soakable gel that’s applied like regular polish and cured under a UV or LED light. It delivers a high-gloss finish and lasts about 2-3 weeks without chipping.
Why We Love It:
It’s light, natural-looking, and easy to remove; perfect for guests who want color that lasts without feeling heavy.
Great For:
Anyone who wants an elegant, low-maintenance manicure that won’t chip after a few days.
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💅 Structured Gel
What It Is:
Structured gel is a soft builder gel applied in thicker layers to reinforce and shape the natural nail. Unlike regular gel polish, it’s designed to create a subtle apex and add real strength without tips or extensions. It stays flexible, making it more comfortable to wear, and is fully soakable for safe, gentle removal. Structured gel is cured under a UV/LED lamp and often used to support nail growth, correct flat nail beds, or prevent breakage; all while maintaining a natural look and feel.
Why We Love It:
It offers invisible strength, like a supportive layer beneath your polish, making it ideal for nail recovery or long-term protection.
Great For:
Guests with bendy, brittle, or weak nails who want long-term strength without full extensions.
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Explore the beauty of structured gel →
💅 Hard Gel
What It Is:
Hard gel is a durable, sculptable gel that’s cured under UV or LED light and used to build structure, length, and custom shapes. Unlike soft gels, it’s non-porous and cannot be soaked off with acetone; it must be carefully filed down. Hard gel offers strength similar to acrylic but with a lighter, more flexible feel.
Why We Love It:
It’s ultra-durable, lightweight, and custom-shaped; a beautiful alternative to acrylics with a more natural feel.
Great For:
Guests who want long extensions or serious strength with a sleeker, lighter finish than acrylic.
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Explore the difference between gel and acrylic →
💅 Acrylic
What It Is:
Acrylic is a two-part enhancement system made by combining a liquid monomer with a powder polymer. The mixture hardens as it’s exposed to air, forming a durable, sculpted layer that can be applied over tips or directly onto natural nails. It doesn’t require a lamp to cure and must be removed through filing and soaking.
Why We Love It:
It’s strong, reliable, and incredibly customizable. Whether you want length, structure, or bold shapes, acrylic delivers staying power with style.
Great For:
Guests who want dramatic length, sculpted shapes, or long-lasting durability; especially those familiar with classic enhancements.
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Discover all the ins and outs of acrylic →
💅 Dipping Powder
What It Is:
Dip powder is a manicure system where nails are brushed with a bonding base, dipped into finely milled colored powder, and sealed with activator. It creates a strong, vibrant finish without the need for UV or LED light. The result is durable, long-lasting color with a natural feel and minimal drying time.
Why We Love It:
It delivers vibrant color and long-lasting wear; without the need for a lamp. It feels firm and holds up beautifully for 3+ weeks.
Great For:
Guests who want bold, chip-resistant nails with more strength and thickness than gel polish.
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Dive into the world of dipping powder →
💅 Gel-X
What It Is:
Gel-X is a soft gel extension system that uses pre-shaped, full-coverage tips adhered to the entire nail with gel and cured under a UV/LED lamp. It offers instant length and a flawless shape with a lightweight, flexible feel. Think of it as a faster, gentler alternative to traditional acrylics — with a clean soak-off removal and no sculpting required.
Why We Love It:
It’s fast, beautiful, and gentle — a low-damage way to get perfectly shaped extensions that pop off cleanly when it’s time for removal.
Great For:
Guests who want instant length and style, but value flexibility and nail health.
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See if Gel-X is right for you →
💅 Builder Gel
What It Is:
Builder gel is a product, not a service. It’s a thick, sculptable gel; soft (soak-off) or hard (file-off), used to strengthen and shape the natural nail. While many guests use “builder gel” to describe structured gel or hard gel, they’re technically different. What they all share is the ability to add structure, support, and durability to natural nails.
Why We Love It:
It creates strength and control; ideal for apex building, overlays, and light sculpting.
Great For:
Guests who want durable nails with a sleek, natural look.
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Learn more about hard vs soft gels →
💅 Overlay
What It Is:
An overlay is a strengthening layer of hard gel or acrylic applied directly to your natural nail without adding any extensions or tips. It reinforces the shape, adds durability, and gives your nails a polished, structured finish — all while keeping your natural length. Overlays are perfect for guests who want the look and strength of enhancements but prefer to maintain their own nail growth.
Why We Love It:
It reinforces and perfects your natural nails, giving them strength, shape, and a polished finish without the need for extensions. It’s your real nails, leveled up.
Great For:
Guests growing their natural nails who want strength and structure.
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See how overlays differ from dip →
💅 Fill vs Full Set
What It Is:
A fill is a maintenance service that refreshes existing nail enhancements by adding new product to the grown-out area near the cuticle. It keeps your nails looking seamless without removing the full set.
A full set, on the other hand, is a complete application of new extensions or overlays; either on bare nails or after removing a previous set. It’s often chosen when changing styles, shapes, or materials.
Why We Love It:
It helps guests understand how to book and care for their enhancements correctly.
Great For:
Anyone maintaining hard gel, acrylic, or structured overlays.
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💅 Soak Off | Removal
What It Is:
Soak off refers to the gentle removal of soakable nail products like gel polish, dip powder, soft builder gel, and Gel-X extensions. The process typically involves wrapping the nails in acetone-soaked cotton with foil or clips to safely break down the product without damaging the natural nail.
Not all products soak off. Hard gel and acrylic must be carefully filed down, sometimes followed by a partial soak. At BeautyBar, we match the removal process to the specific product and your nail health.
Proper removal is everything. It preserves the strength and integrity of your natural nails, especially between sets or when switching styles. No picking, no scraping; just professional, thoughtful care.
Great For:
Guests switching services, taking a break from enhancements, or looking for a clean, healthy reset.
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How to care for your nails after removal →
Not sure what suits your nails best?
Let one of our specialists guide you. We’ll take a look at your nail health, your lifestyle, and your goals; then recommend the perfect system just for you.
