Polygel for Nail Extensions

Polygel (also written poly gel) is a hybrid extension material: it has the body of acrylic and the working time of a gel. It comes out of the tube as a soft putty that holds its shape while you sculpt, and it only sets when it is cured under a UV or LED lamp, so there is no race against a drying liquid and no monomer smell in the room.

What is on this page

VIRAA Polygel comes in clear and six numbered shades, in two tube sizes. Clear is the one to start with: it builds any length and takes any colour on top. The Polygel Nail Extension Kit puts two tubes, soft gel tips, nail glue and two One Coat gel polishes in one box, which is everything for a first full set apart from the lamp.

Polygel is shaped with a brush that has a spatula on the other end. The 2-in-1 polygel brush is the everyday one, the Rainbow Crystal polygel brush is the special-edition version, and the 7-piece gel, polygel and acrylic brush set covers polygel along with gel and nail art. Nail fixing clips hold dual forms steady while the polygel cures.

How a polygel set goes

1. Prep the natural nail: push back the cuticle, remove the shine, dehydrate and prime. The prep system has each step.
2. Scoop a small bead of polygel onto the nail or into a dual form.
3. Spread and shape it with the brush end, using a little slip solution so it does not stick to the brush.
4. Cure under a UV or LED lamp for the time your lamp recommends.
5. File to shape, then finish with gel polish and a top coat.

Polygel, builder gel or tips?

Polygel suits technicians who want length without acrylic and like to sculpt slowly. Builder gel and BIAB are poured from a bottle and are best for strengthening natural nails and short overlays; they are on the builder gel and BIAB page. Soft gel tips are the quickest way to add length; see nail tips. If you are choosing what to learn first, read builder gel vs polygel, and for the full product list behind a set, what goes in a polygel kit.