Polygel or acrylic — which should I pick?

Polygel if you want lighter nails, no smell, or you've had acrylic lift on you before. Acrylic if you want maximum rigidity at extra long lengths. Ask the artist and she'll tell you honestly which suits your nail.

Does polygel last as long?

Yes — three to four weeks to refill is normal, same as builder gel and acrylic.

Can polygel go on very short nails?

It can. Dual forms mean there's no need for existing length to work with.

Nails

Polygel nails in Nairobi

From KES 3,550 · mobile appointment at your home, hotel or Airbnb

Polygel is the hybrid: it has the strength of acrylic but is spread and shaped like a putty rather than raced against a setting time, and it only cures when it goes under the lamp. That means the artist can take her time getting the apex and the sidewalls right, which is most of what separates a set that lasts from one that lifts in a week.

It's also the lightest of the three products on the nail, and it doesn't carry the monomer smell — worth knowing if you're being done at your desk or in a small flat with the windows shut.

Sets are built on dual forms or over tips, at whatever length you want. As with our other extension work, it's priced by length and refilled every few weeks rather than replaced.

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Long square grey chrome nails with black star art by Eilish Bratz

Blue almond nails with silver chrome swirl art by Eilish Bratz

Deep red square nails with black leopard print art by Eilish Bratz

Almond nails with pastel yellow French tips and cherry art by Eilish Bratz

Nude stiletto nails with silver chrome tips and gems by Eilish Bratz

Short almond nails with glitter French tips and black polka dots by Eilish Bratz

What to expect

Dual-form or tip application, shaped under control rather than against the clock
Noticeably lighter on the hand than acrylic, with no monomer smell
Short/medium, long or extra long, priced by length
Refills every 3-4 weeks
Colour, French, cat eye, ombré or full creative art on top

Questions

Polygel or acrylic — which should I pick?: Polygel if you want lighter nails, no smell, or you've had acrylic lift on you before. Acrylic if you want maximum rigidity at extra long lengths. Ask the artist and she'll tell you honestly which suits your nail.
Does polygel last as long?: Yes — three to four weeks to refill is normal, same as builder gel and acrylic.
Can polygel go on very short nails?: It can. Dual forms mean there's no need for existing length to work with.