How do you apply polygel and remove it?

Q: How do I prevent too much polygel from being at the bottom of the tip?

Prevent excess product by dipping your brush in some slip solution before curing and carefully going along the sides, cuticle, and underside of the nail. This way you remove the excess polygel and prevent the product from touching the skin or becoming too thick at the ends.

Q: Can you have an allergic reaction?

Our products are free from HEMA and TPO , but do contain acrylates which can, in rare cases, cause an allergic reaction upon skin contact. For safe use, it is important that the product does not come into contact with the skin . Therefore, always watch our instructional videos , read the FAQ and blogs for tips on safe use, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions — we are happy to help you further 💅

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📄 Download French instructions

APPLYING POLYGEL

Polygel is a fantastic product for creating beautiful and strong nails. Polygel is a hybrid between gel and acrylic, giving it the strength of acrylic and the flexibility of gel. In this instruction blog, we offer you an extra-detailed step-by-step guide on how to apply and remove Polygel.

Glamnailsprofessional Health & beauty > Nail care > Nail gel Polygel Starter Set | 3+3 Free Colors

STEP 1: Nail preparation

Proper nail preparation is very important when applying polygel. Therefore, treat your nails as you would when applying gel polish. File your nails where necessary with a good nail file, gently push back the cuticles, and remove the shine from the nail surface with the file.

STEP 2: Applying base coat

Apply Basecoat - Apply a thin layer of base coat to your nails and cure under an LED lamp for 60 seconds. Base coating helps the polygel adhere better to your nails.

STEP 3/4: ‘Sandwiching’ Polygel

Applying polygel is also known as the sandwich technique because the polygel sits between your natural nail and the nail tip like a sandwich. There are 2 methods, but we recommend the following one because it provides better distribution and the least chance of air bubbles.

METHOD 1 - see step 5 in the video at the bottom of the page

Push a pea-sized amount of polygel (depending on the size of your own nail) out of the tube and gently press it onto your nail. Then take the nail tip and press it evenly over the polygel from the cuticle, so that the polygel forms itself along the length of the nail tip. Now place the included nail clamp over the tip to hold it firmly in place.

TIP: Do not press too hard, as this can cause air to get underneath or push the gel outside the sides of the tip.

METHOD 2 - see step 5 in the video at the bottom of the page

Take a pea-sized amount of polygel from the tube and place it in the nail tip. Dip the brush of the multitool into the slip solution and shape the polygel to the desired thickness and length. Make sure you do not apply the polygel too thinly or too thickly, and that it tapers nicely and thinly near the cuticle. Then place the nail tip on your nail, press it down gently, and use the included nail clamp to hold the tip neatly in place.

STEP 5: Perfecting the Polygel

Now that you have placed the tip, dip the brush into some slip solution and remove any excess polygel along the cuticle. You can also continue modelling the gel in the tip until you achieve the desired thickness and length.

STEP 6/7: Curing and removing the tip

Once you are satisfied with the shape of your nails, cure the polygel under an LED lamp for 60 seconds. Then carefully loosen the nail tip by gently moving it back and forth away from your nail. If desired, cure once more without the tip for extra adhesion.

STEP 8: Finishing

Once the polygel has fully cured, you can further perfect the shape of your nails with the file. File carefully and gradually in one direction until you achieve the desired shape. Do not file too hard to avoid damaging the nail. You can optionally buff the surface with a buffer since a top coat will be applied for shine in the next step.

STEP 9: Finishing touch

Finally, apply a thin layer of top coat to protect your nails and give them shine. The Top Coat also needs to be cured under the LED Lamp.

SAVING TIP: Order a starter set and get all the tools you need for the perfect manicure at once! This way, you will never need an expensive salon treatment again and can easily create your own designs from home whenever you like!

Glamnailsprofessional Health & beauty > Nail care > Nail gel Polygel Starter Set | 3+3 Free Colors

REMOVING POLYGEL

Now that you know how to apply polygel, it is also important to know how to remove it. Below you will find a step-by-step guide with and without the removal set.

WITH THE REMOVAL SET:

Step 1: Preparation - First, carefully file off the top layer of your Polygel.

Step 2: Creating heat - Fill the black outer bowl with warm water (not boiling) and place the inner bowl with finger slots back inside.

Step 3: Acetone & cotton balls - Soak the cotton balls in acetone and place them in each slot.

Step 4: Soak it off - Place your fingers in the bowl and gently move them over the cotton balls. Leave them to soak for 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Removal - Push away the softened residue with a cuticle pusher or file.

Step 6: Care - Finish with Glamnails Cuticle Oil for healthy, hydrated nails.

WITHOUT THE REMOVAL SET:

Step 1: File the top coat - Use a nail file to remove the top coat. This allows the acetone to penetrate the polygel more effectively.

Step 2: Soak the polygel - Soak a cotton pad in pure acetone and place it on your nail. Wrap your nail in aluminium foil and let it soak for approximately 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Remove the polygel - After 10-15 minutes, you can remove the aluminium foil. Use the double-sided nail tool to push the softened polygel off your nails. Be careful and do not press too hard to avoid damaging the natural nail.

Step 4: File the nail - File off any remaining polygel and shape your nails as desired.

Apply petroleum jelly to the cuticles beforehand to protect them from the drying effect of the acetone. After the removal process, it is important to care for your nails properly with a nourishing cuticle oil to keep them in top condition.

Have questions or need further advice? Feel free to send us a message!
We will help you until you are 100% satisfied.

Perfect nails in 8 simple steps 💅

Watch our step-by-step video and learn exactly how to apply Polygel – even if you have never done your nails yourself before.

Easy to follow

No experience needed

Professional result

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See the removal tutorial below

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my nails lifting?

When nails lift, it is almost always due to one of the causes below. Fortunately, it is easy to prevent if you know what to watch out for 👇

1. Product too close to the cuticle

Always keep a 2 to 3 mm distance between the product and the cuticle.
The gel or acrylic should never touch the skin — as soon as this happens, it loses its adhesion and lifts. Therefore, work carefully and avoid touching the skin.

2. Too thick edges

After application, check if the edges are smooth and thin.
If you feel a thickening at the edge, air will form there within a few days. So apply the gel in thin, even layers, especially on the sides and nail edge.

3. Too thick base gel or primer

For primer and base gel: less = more.
A too thick layer actually causes lifting. Wipe your brush well — what remains on it is enough for 4 to 5 nails. A thin layer adheres better and dries faster.

4. Poor preparation of the natural nail

Good adhesion starts with good preparation:

Push back cuticles so the entire nail surface is free.
Lightly roughen the nail with a buffer — this helps the product adhere better.
Degrease the nail with cleanser or alcohol to remove oil and dust.

A weak or damaged natural nail is like a poor foundation — no matter how good your product is, it will lift faster.

5. Insufficient curing or wrong conditions

Let each layer cure completely before applying the next.
Use a powerful LED lamp and do not move your hands during curing. Too humid or cold rooms can slow down the process, so preferably work at room temperature.

6. Poor aftercare

Avoid contact with water or cleaning agents immediately after application.
Use cuticle oil daily to keep the natural nail flexible and prevent cracks.

💡 Glamnails Tip:
With lifting, the problem is rarely in the product, but almost always in the preparation or application. Take your time with each step — and your nails will stay perfect for weeks!

How do I optimally prepare my nails (prep)?

The preparation of your nails determines 90% of how well your manicure stays in place. Even the best products won't work if your nails are not properly prepped.
Follow these steps for a perfect adhesion and a result that really lasts for weeks 👇

What you need

Metal cuticle pusher or cuticle sticks
(Optional) cuticle nipper
File 100/180
Buffer block
Cleanser or Alcohol

1. Push back cuticles

Gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher.
Remove the thin skin on the nail plate — this seems small but is one of the main causes of lifting if left on.
The cleaner your nail surface, the better the adhesion.

2. Filing and shaping

File your nails into the desired shape and remove unevenness.
Finish with a soft file for a smooth edge — this prevents polygel or gel polish from chipping later.

3. Light buffing

Make the natural nail matte, not thin.
Use a buffer to lightly remove the shine layer.
Go over each part only once — the goal is a dull surface, not a thin nail.

4. Remove dust

Wipe all dust off your nails and table.
Dust particles in your product cause unevenness or small air bubbles.
Optionally use a soft brush or briefly wash your hands without soaking them.

5. Degrease (most important!)

Use a lint-free cellulose pad with cleanser or alcohol (70%) and thoroughly clean each nail.
After this step your nails are completely grease-free — do not touch them anymore! As soon as the nails are dry, you can start immediately with your base coat or polygel.

💡 Glamnails Tip:
Do not use cotton pads, they leave lint!
Cellulose pads or a clean tissue work best.
As soon as your nails are matte and dry, you can start directly with the base gel or polygel.

What should I do if the nail tips/dual forms do not fit?

Does the nail tip/dual form not fit perfectly?

No problem — carefully trim it with nail scissors, so that it fits nicely on your natural nail.

How do I prevent too much polygel from being at the bottom of the tip?

Prevent excess product by dipping your brush in some slip solution before curing and carefully going along the sides, cuticle, and underside of the nail.
This way you remove the excess polygel and prevent the product from touching the skin or becoming too thick at the ends.

Can you have an allergic reaction?

Our products are free from HEMA and TPO, but do contain acrylates which can, in rare cases, cause an allergic reaction upon skin contact.
For safe use, it is important that the product does not come into contact with the skin.
Therefore, always watch our instructional videos, read the FAQ and blogs for tips on safe use, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions — we are happy to help you further 💅

What should I do if I have an allergic reaction?

An allergic reaction can be unpleasant, but with the right steps, you usually recover quickly.
Always follow these guidelines 👇

1. Immediately remove the product from your nails.
Use a remover or have it professionally removed to prevent further irritation.

2. Contact your general practitioner.
If necessary, ask for a referral to a dermatologist for a patch test. This can determine which ingredient you are sensitive to.

3. Follow the doctor's advice.
The dermatologist can prescribe ointments or medication to relieve itching, redness, or blisters.

💡 Important:
An acrylate allergy can also suddenly develop, even if you have used our products multiple times without problems.
Do you experience symptoms such as redness, itching, or blisters? Then stop using immediately and follow the steps above.