Remember press-on nails of years past? Well they just got a major upgrade. The newest and most innovative way to get more length without the use of nail-destroying acrylic makes use of soft gel extensions and is by far one of the coolest thing we’ve seen in the nail world in quite some time.
Celebrity manicurist Mazz Hanna introduced us to the Aprés Nail Gel-X Extensions and they’re as easy—and just about as fast—to apply as a regular gel manicure (they’re cured with a light, too). “The extensions are adhered to your natural nails with actual gel polish. And, unlike acrylics or hard gels, there is no sanding or refilling so your nails aren’t damaged in the process,” says Hanna. That means no funky odor, either.
You May Also Like: This New Diamond Trend Will Give You Major Nail Envy
To create length, a thin layer of gel is brushed on to the nail, then cured for two minutes under a LED lamp before it’s filed down. Next, the gel tip is pressed on top of the natural nail and set in place with a small LED flashlight and then cured again with a more traditional LED lamp.
Lasting about two to three weeks, the extensions, which cover the entire nail and don’t ‘lift’, are soaked off just like gel polish. Perfect for when you want a little extra length without any major commitment, not only do gel extensions look natural and pretty, but anytime you see a celebrity or model sporting perfectly clear nails, this is their secret.
