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At that moment, I didn’t know what pop in of manicure to ask for.
My manicurist appeared to be on the same wavelength.
After taking a peek at my flimsy nails, she said, “Want to try hard gel?”
There was a long pause.
Anneke Knot’s bare nails.
“It will help your nails grow out,” she assured me.
“And the manicure will last a month,” she said.
I glanced at my peanut-length nails… that sounded pretty good.
Anneke Knot’s nails after a hard gel manicure.
Meet the experts:
What Is a Hard Gel Manicure?
As the name suggests, hard gel is much more durable than its little sister shellac.
For those who are struggling to get their nails to grow, this treatment creates a protective shell.
What Is the Difference Between Hard Gel And Gel Extensions?
), my barely-there tips were ready to be painted.
After just one layer, my nails looked abnormally thick, but I remained patient.
Anneke Knot’s bare nails.
Anneke Knot’s nails after a hard gel manicure.
A week passed, and my manicure was still pristine.
The everyday digging into my wallet or prying open a lid on a jar didnt cause the regular chips.
By week six, I was pushing it, but they were still chip-free and had doubled in length.
How to Remove Hard Gels
Leave it to the professionals.
Hard gels are built to last, so Inzerillo cautions against peeling or picking at your paint job.
“Gel manicures can damage your nails if they are applied incorrectly and removed incorrectly,” Inzerillo says.
Peeling or biting off a gel manicure ensures damage to the nail bed."
Unlike soft gels, hard gels cannot be removed by soaking in acetone.
“An electric file is necessary,” she says.
After all that, “you should have your natural nails back,” Inzerillo says.
To help maintain strong nails, Dr. Gohara recommends giving your nails a “holiday” in between treatments.
On average, a hard gel manicure costs between $80 and $125.
Here’s some inspiration for your next manicure.
Now watch model Quannah Chasinghorse’s beauty routine.
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