Pop Quiz: You’re at the salon for a manicure when the nail technician asks, “Would you like a polish or a gel?” What do you say? As more and more DIY nail gels hit the high street to do battle with classic polishes, we give a little helping hand to those who have always been baffled by the differences between these two options.
Nail Polish
Dating back to 3000BC when it was made of beeswax and vegetable dyes, a simple nail polish is the classic manicure choice. Thankfully the technology has updated somewhat in modern times and the range of colours, textures and finishes seems never-ending.
The Pros:
- Making the most of all those colours means a lot of taking off your polish so you can reapply another one. Luckily this is super easy with nail polish, which comes off quickly with standard nail polish removers.
- Polishes are super easy to use and can be applied in the comfort of your own home.
- Nail polishes can be long lasting. With lots of brands bringing out newer and higher quality polishes like CND Vinylux, normal nail polishes don’t always have to mean a less long-lasting manicure.
- Plus, they’re cheap!
The Cons:
- Despite all that, it’s still undeniable that a normal polish won’t last as long as an acrylic or a gel.
Gel Polish
An innovation in nail art, gels are created to be long-wearing and chip-resistant. But is that price tag worth it?
The Pros:
- Yes, it is! Sorry normal nail polishes, but gel polishes pip lacquers to the post when it comes to longevity. Designed to last for up to two weeks, a gel polish should also stay chip and scratch-free.
- Gel polishes give a smoother, more professional finish.
- Gels are no longer restricted to salon use. You can now buy them to use at home.
The Cons:
- Unlike nail polishes, gels require much more work to safely remove them without damaging your nails. Not so good if you like to change up your colour all the time!
- Because they last longer and tend to look more polished, gels can also be a bit pricier.
So which team are you on? Team Polish or Team Gel? Personally we think it depends on the occasion: polishes for when we want to change our colour every day and gels for big occasions or for that perfect long-lasting holiday mani. Can we have both, please?
