Proper nail preparation is crucial for long-lasting gel nails. What else is worth knowing to make nails last longer? I will give you many useful details. Read now!

How Long Do Gel Nails Last And How to Extend This Time?

Gel polish manicure is so popular that we probably don't need to describe what it is about in this blog. We will focus more on the technical elements. Gel polish should give you chip-resistant and shiny manicures that can last for up to 3-4 weeks. But how long can you expect your gel manicure to stay on point.? In this blog, we'll explore the elements that affect the longevity of gel manicures and provide valuable tips on how to make them last even longer.

How usually long do gel manicures last?

The question of how long gel or hybrid nails will survive is not adequate in the case of Semilac gels and hybrid varnishes (gel polishes). If the whole process is done fully correct.  Perfectly prepared nail plate and product application. You will want to change the color of your manicure or get rid of regrowth faster than to break another record for how long Semilac gel polish lasts without any chipping. Most top brands will last for about 2+ weeks. Semilac puts a lot of work into ensuring that they last around 3 weeks with shiny and deep color.

If two weeks is enough for you, you have quite a large selection of brands on the market. But remember if they offer you 2 weeks, it is usually up to 2 weeks, so it is possible that they will last less, for example 7 days ... and this is a big difference. On our social media, customers often tag us with Semilac manicures that are up to 5 weeks old. Yes, we know that it's definitely too long and that nails look beautiful, you need to renew your manicure more often. So why does Semilac last 3-4 weeks? We will explain everything below

How can I make my gel nails last longer?

Let’s unveil the top secrets to long lasting gel polish manicure and nails on toe. There are two keys to success, and it doesn't matter if it's a gel manicure, gel polishes, acrylics or similar products.

Number one:

it's your skills and commitment. Believe us that once you spend time on education, you will be able to make a beautiful manicure that will be very durable, and the quality of your work will attract others attention. Of course, you can improve your skills almost indefinitely. Manicure and nail art are a very extensive field.

Let's not waste time and get to the point. Here is the list of key technical tips for extending the life of your gel polish manicure.

1. Preparation of the nail plate. Give the right shape, file the end of the nail so the tip is delicate in touch. You can use a file with a larger grit. Remember, even tiny sharp edges can ruin your whole work. Nail cuticles perfectly pushed back and removed. You can help yourself with Semilac cuticle remover. It will soften the skin and you can easily remove it. It is often by application to the skin that the varnish chips off. You need to gently mat the nail plate, e.g. with a sanding block with a gradation of 180. Then the base will have better adhesion. But! After matting, you need to clean the nail and fingers. Just don't wash your hands! water will cause the varnish to peel off immediately. Use a dust brush and then clean the nails with a cleaner. Use a primer to be sure. If you are not very experienced, use our Vitamin Acid Free Primer. degreases and evaporates water, which will be an ideal base for varnish application.

2. Apply the product and control all movements. Too much will quickly spread to the sides of the nail and cover the skin. Polishes are too hard after curing in the lamp and the skin is too soft so it doesn't work well together with hard varnish.

In addition, the UV lamp may not cure a thicker layer even if you extend the curing time.

Apply the color in 2-3 layers.

Tips. After application, you can turn the nail over for a while. Varnish will even out nicely, and you'll get a good-looking arch. Then cure it.

3. Apply the polish starting from the center of the nail, push it up but not on the skin. Then spread it to the sides.

4. Free edge. This is a very important point after applying each layer, brush the end of the nail from one side to the other. This prevents air from entering between the paint layers.

Number two:

Good products! Achieving a flawless gel polish manicure not only requires skilful application but also relies on the quality of the products you use. From the base coat to the top coat and everything in between.

Did you know that one 7ml gel polish bottle of base, color and top is enough for about 10 manicures. By investing in professional Semilac varnishes, one manicure comes out to about 3-4 euros. So, saving a few euros and buying cheap and lower quality UV gels or gel polishes is not very profitable if we look at one nails set.

Reliable Base Coat:

A reliable base coats are the foundation of a long-lasting gel manicure. Look for a base coat that promotes adhesion and prevents staining of the natural nails. Semilac base coats have excellent bonding properties and smooth application.

Most manufacturers have 1-3 different bases on offer, but why if there are so many different nail plates. Short, long, hard, soft, uneven, brittle and many more. That is why Semilac, as a professional brand of manicure products, has developed as many as 14 different bases. They differ in formula, composition of active ingredients, properties and density. How long do at home gel polish nails last with the correct chosen base? Up to 21 days! A well-chosen UV base coat is important element for the entire system, which is why we have a Quiz for you that will help you choose the right base

Vibrant Gel Polish Colors and Top Coat

The beauty of gel polish manicures lies in their deep, vibrant, and long-lasting colors. Choose a proven brand that is chosen by many professional nail stylists. A high-quality top coat not only provides shine but also protects your gel manicure. Lasting nails is not only the matter of no chipping but also a beautiful looking manicure after 2 weeks.

What about pedicures? How long do gel toenails last?

What is the key in terms of lasting pedicure?

These are mostly the same elements as described above for lasting manicure. But there is one difference here. Nails are usually small and short and most of the bases are hard to spread perfectly. With a view to a durable pedicure, Semilac has prepared a special base with a formula that will facilitate your application. Try Semilac Pedicure Base and your pedicure will look beautiful for 2 weeks.

Wondering what products are the most durable?

Gel nails, how long do they last?

How long do hard gel nails last? – UV gel nails are one of the UV gel nails and are one of the most durable methods. Gels are a professional product and you need to have skills in making them. Gels last longer than hybrid varnishes and you can also supplement regrowth. UV gel should basically last on the nail until it's time to refill the regrowth or make a new manicure, which is 3-4 weeks. The UV gel also gives you a fantastic opportunity to extend your nails up to a few centimetres.

How long do soft gel nails last? Or for some, a product known as BIAB (builder in a bottle).

This is a fairly new type of product. Lovers of beautiful and durable nails quickly fell in love with it. It is a formula that is denser, harder and at the same time will last longer than the standard gel polish base coat. It comes in a bottle with a brush in the cap so you don't need to apply it with an additional gel brush as in the case of UV gels. With this product you can even extend the nail plate up to 1 cm. In the Semilac, these products are called Extend 5in1 because in one bottle we have a base, color, top . Also it gives us the option of extending nails and doing the overlay.

This varnish, properly applied to a well-prepared nail plate, will last 3-4 weeks.

How long do gel polish nails last? Perfection with nail prep and application is the key here. Selection of the base is also an important thing here. If you do nails very rarely and occasionally, you can choose the Semilac 2in1 base/top, you will save on buying an additional top, but this base will last up to 2 weeks. By choosing a standard base, we extend non chipping nails to 21 days. Bases such as Fiber base with nylon fibres can additionally protect your manicure and reduce the risk of chipping.

How long do at home gel nails last?

To do a salon quality nails at home salon, we need to get involved in the topic of nails. It is best to do a nail course, read blogs and watch a lot of video tutorials. If you give yourself time, you will train yourself. Then nails done at home will be as durable as those done in the salon. We are talking about a standard gel polish manicure here. If you are a beginner, start working on the gel polish system. Leave UV gels, poly-gels, acrylic nails to professional nail technicians.

What shortens the lifespan of the gel nails?

In addition to what has already been described above, how important technical elements are, there are still some points that are worth paying attention to.

1. The condition of your natural nails plays a role in how long your gel manicure lasts. So if you don't have fully healthy nails First step take care of them. There are many nail conditioners that can help you with this if you think your nails are too brittle to apply UV varnish.

2. Exposure to water and chemicals: Frequent and prolonged exposure to water, such as washing dishes without gloves, swimming, or soaking nails, can weaken the bond between the gel and the natural nail

3. Wrong curing times. Remember that glitter, colors, neon shades, some pastels and high pigmented colors need extended curing time. With a 48w lamp you may need to do 2x30sec curing time to fully harden the varnish. By choosing a good, branded UV lamp, For example Semilac 48w Diamond lamp , you may be able to extend the lifespan of your gel manicures by a few extra days or even a week with proper curing.