Extensions Damaged the Eff Out of My Nails—This Treatment Completely Reversed It

If Gel-X nail extensions had a fan club, I'd be the president. Over the past few years, I've worked with my incredible nail artist, Stephanie, to re-create some of my favorite nail trends to date, and Gel-X played a huge role in them turning out as polished as they did. However, I've recently realized there's a major downside to getting them done so often. Spoiler: Cracked nails are not worth it. I know nail artists have said that these particular types of extensions are better for you, but after quite some time getting them, my nails aren't in the best shape. That said, I recently decided to give them a rest and go a different route.

The salon I go to offers builder gel—a thick nail-gel offering that adds strength to the nails. I gave builder gel a go, and my nails are in much better shape. If you've been thinking about getting it and would like to know more about it and the process, keep scrolling. I'm giving all the details ahead.

What Is Builder Gel?

To fully understand builder gel, I asked celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec to break it down. "Builder gel is a gel product that has a thicker viscosity that is able to be used to lengthen the nails as well as build strength at the apex period," she says. "I recommend builder gel for clients who like to have an enhancement that is a little more on the flexible side as compared to acrylic, which is a great product but is harder. Builder gel is sort of like if you take a plastic dish and drop it on the floor, it'll bounce back, versus an acrylic dish—if you drop it, it'll crack. Builder gel is good for people who are heavy lifters (meaning their nails lift easily on the side) because it's more flexible."

Builder Gel vs. Extensions

I'll admit that there are so many different types of nail gels out there that it's hard to know the difference between them or which one is right for your particular nails.

Kandalec went into a little more detail. "Builder gel frequently is a hard gel," she says. "Hard gel is a nonporous gel that has to be filed off. Builder gel can either be soft gel or semi-hard gel or hard gel. … Builder gel you can sculpt with, apply it over a tip, or you can just do a structured manicure with it to give the apex the shape and the strength."

One the other hand, the popular alternative, called Gel X, consists of pre-shaped nail extensions that are applied using a gel-based adhesive. This means you can't customize the shape. However, the application process is significantly faster than builder gel. Think of these as a similar option to press-ons, as they're not as durable and last anywhere from two to three weeks with proper care.

Builder Gel vs. Dip Powder

Dip powder is another great no-cure nail enhancement option that's chip-resistant and adds a bit of thickness and durability to the nails. Unlike builder gel or even Gel-X extensions, it doesn't require UV light for curing. All that's required is a base coat and then the nail is dipped into a powder solution a few times before being sealed with a topcoat. Dip powder also lacks flexibility, unlike builder gel, which is extremely buildable and flexible. The removal process is also a bit more demanding than builder gel. I have gotten dip powder many times in the past but still think I prefer the finish of builder gel.

Now that you have a little more background, read on for my experience getting builder gel for the first time.

My Experience With Builder Gel

Before:

I know—my extensions look extremely grown out in the above photo. Needless to say, it was nice to finally get them taken off—my nails felt like they could breathe again. I'd never really gotten builder gel before this, only a lighter, less buildable form of gel, Gel-X extensions, and regular gel nail polish. What I didn't realize before getting builder gel is that it's actually pretty similar to hard gel—the only difference is that builder gel is a bit stronger than regular hard gel. Both can also add extra strength to the nails, which comes in handy if your nails are as damaged as mine after getting extensions for years.

Say it with me: Breaks are necessary. I decided to give builder gel a try since my nails were becoming extremely brittle and thin and starting to crack easily. That was my cue to give the extensions a rest. Sure, Gel-X extensions are considered one of the better options for preserving nail health, but as you can see in the above photo, mine were still pretty shot after getting them for an extended period of time.

During:

The process of getting builder gel definitely went by quicker than getting extensions since she just painted the gel onto my natural nails. She did several coats of the gel, which I liked since my natural nails tend to break a bit easier these days. Doing a few coats also adds more strength to the nails and created the perfect base for the pink French mani I decided to go with.

After:

The Products Used

As you can see, my nails are now a lot shorter than when I had extensions, but they're also a lot healthier. I won't lie; it's also a lot more manageable now doing everyday activities. I love the results of builder gel because it feels a lot lighter than Gel-X extensions and really does add extra strength to my weak nails. It also lasts a long time and doesn't chip. The below photo is what my nails looked like after two weeks. Still pretty good, right? There are no chips whatsoever. Sure, they're a tad grown out, but it still looks like a neat and polished manicure. In terms of price, I paid $75 for the builder gel and an additional $20 for art. Everyone's prices will differ, but that should give you a decent baseline.

If you're a nail enthusiast interested in trying builder gel yourself or want to bring your own to the salon, keep scrolling for a few other great-quality gels and some at-home nailcare items I've been using and loving.

After 2 Weeks:

More Great Builder Gels + At-Home Nailcare Products

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.