Thank You for Your Patience – Restock News
Thank you to everyone who has been so patient during our recent restock delay. If you missed our previous updates, the delay was due to customs clearance of our newly updated glass packaging—designed for your convenience and ease of use.
We aim to complete our restock by the end of this week or sooner. Restocked items are clearly marked as “Pre-Order”, helping us manage high order volumes and ensure availability for everyone.
Getting Started with Gellifique® – Where to Begin
Over the past week, we’ve received many questions on social media about where to start with Gellifique®, especially around choosing the right Base Builder (BIAB), Base Coats, and Top Coats. This guide will help you build your starter set without overspending.
How to Choose Your BIAB
Identify Your System – Hard Gel or Soft Gel?
Not sure which system you're using? Here’s the Gellifique® golden rule: Soak-off gel systems should not be used on natural nails longer than 3 mm (free edge) and must be applied thinly. These gels are designed to flex with the natural nail while still protecting against damage. Gellifique® soak-off builder gels are non-rigid and perfect for short, natural nails. A rigid overlay on natural nails is more prone to lifting. That’s why all of our base builders are formulated to be elastic yet durable. While these products are not base coats, they are also not file-off builder gels, as true soak-off builder gels do not exist chemically. All our base builders are HEMA monomer-free and soak off in just 10 minutes.
Base Builder Comparison:
- Armour Base: Ultra-thin, rubber base–like texture. Great adhesion. Best for clients with lifting issues. Apply in thin layers only.
- Apex Build: Classic BIAB texture. Universal formula with excellent strength and adhesion. Best for regular overlays.
- Smart Base: Designed for damaged/sensitive nails. Medium strength, classic texture. Ideal for clients on medication or recovering from trauma.
- Fibre Base: Strengthening soak-off builder with nylon fibres and silica. Great for peeling, soft nails. Despite the name, contains no actual fiberglass.
How to Choose Your Hard Gel
If you're working with natural nails that extend beyond 3mm in free edge or with damaged nails that need a break from more flexible systems, we recommend using a hard gel system—but only if you are trained in hard gel application.
Hard gels polymerise into a rigid, durable structure, helping distribute daily wear-and-tear stress more evenly. This protects the natural nail from absorbing all impact, unlike soft gel products such as BIABs or gel polish.
At Gellifique®, we offer a wide range of hard gels suitable for different services. To get started, we recommend:
Light Structure Builder Gel
A highly elastic hard gel available in two viscosities:
- Medium viscosity – Ideal for nail techs who prefer a slower pace of application.
- Ultra-light viscosity – A thinner formula, perfect for colder environments where gels tend to thicken, eliminating the need to pre-warm.
Best suited for:
Medium-length nails in almond, oval, and square shapes. Flexible natural nails that experience poor retention.
Pro Care Builder Gel
A medium-viscosity hard gel with a rigid structure and excellent self-leveling properties.
Ideal for:
All types of extensions, including sculpted and dual form techniques. Suitable for strengthening long and very long nails, especially on clients with normal nail flexibility or damaged nails requiring extra reinforcement.
Speed Sculpt Builder Gel
A thixotropic sculpting gel with a mousse-like consistency that becomes self-smoothing upon application.
Allows you to:
- Quickly build structure and apex.
- Repair damaged or chipped nails.
- Extend nails using any form type.
Acrylic Gel System
Also known as Polygel, this system combines the benefits of acrylic and gel:
- Odorless and causes minimal heat-spike during curing—ideal for clients with brittle or sensitive nails.
- Unlimited working time before curing, making it perfect for complex shape correction.
- Excellent for adjusting nail architecture, such as downward- or upward-growing nails, and for extensions requiring more product volume.
Do You Need a Primer or Base Coat?
There is often confusion about so-called 2-in-1 primer and base coat products. These claims are usually marketing-driven rather than grounded in professional chemistry.
Modern base builders (e.g., BIAB) are hybrid systems that are semi-rigid and contain built-in adhesion promoters due to their formulation. This is why some brands market them as not requiring a base or primer—but we advise a more prescriptive approach.
At Gellifique®, we recommend applying a clear base coat underneath any coloured base builder. This:
- Prevents discoloration of the natural nail.
- Acts as a barrier in case of under-cured pigmented product.
All Gellifique® primers are acid-free. A primer is not required when using our base builders on short natural nails. However, if you're working with medium or long nails, or using hard gel systems, we do recommend primer to ensure maximum adhesion and long-term wear.
Which Base Coat Should I Use?
Clear base coats enhance flexibility, impact resistance, and provide a protective cushion between the natural nail and any rigid or semi-rigid gel overlay. They also help prevent mechanical damage, discoloration, and yellowing from overexposure to UV/LED light.
Base Coat Options:
- Microcrystal Base Coat: A thin, elastic base suitable for all nail types. Ideal for pedicures and as a base under sculpting products. Offers excellent adhesion and flexibility.
- Rubber Base Coat: Best for normal to flexible nails. The rubberised texture adds shock absorption and improves wear time by reducing the chance of breakage.
Which Top Coat Should I Use?
Both Gellifique® top coats are tack-free and offer a high-gloss finish. The main difference between them lies in rigidity:
- Armour Top Coat: Has a harder finish, making it ideal for use over soft gel systems like BIAB and gel polish.
- Microcrystal Top Coat: More flexible and best suited for use with hard gel systems, where some elasticity is still beneficial to prevent surface cracking.
Application Tip:
Always cure for a full 60 seconds at maximum lamp power. Let the top coat cool completely before applying cuticle oil to preserve gloss.
Why We Don’t Offer Starter Kits
Due to the extensive variety of professional products in our range, creating a one-size-fits-all starter kit isn't practical. Instead, we empower you to build your own tailored set with the help of our bulk discounts and special offers, available on our main website homepage.