Let’s cover gels first. Gel nails are made by a three-step process, which consists of brushing a base coat, nail polish, and top coat over your natural nails. With each coat, the nail is placed under a UV light for somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes to cure. Once cured, the layer of gel polish hardens and won’t smudge like a regular nail polish. The final result is nails that sport a glossy and freshly manicured look.

If you want to extend the length of your natural nails, gel nails also come in handy. Gel extensions, we’re looking at you! This popular technique consists of an extended tip, typically made of acrylic, that’s attached to the ends of your nails. Next, your nails undergo the normal process of applying a gel nail polish system and being placed under a UV lamp to set.