The Polygel Nails Trend Is Taking Over Salons

From see-through jelly nails to long-lasting powder dip nails, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to viral manicure trends and new techniques. While acrylics and gel nails are arguably still the most popular, there's another manicure trend on the block and it's much kinder on your nails than other professional treatments. Enter: polygel nails.

According to award-winning nail artist Metta Francis, polygel nails are a gel-acrylic hybrid. "They are also often referred to as 'acrygel' nails but essentially, polygel is a putty-like consistency, which is applied to the nails using a liquid solution. This helps smooth the polygel onto the nail." Your manicurist is likely to employ a small, flat brush to shape and secure the putty onto your nail, in a similar way to applying acrylics.

"Polygel colours are typically clear, pink and white but this can be mixed with gel polish to create colours," adds Metta. "Or you can simply create nail art on top with gel polish or regular nail paint."

Take inspiration from nail artist Miss Laj with bold, teal, square nail extensions or keep things nude with subtle nail art, like Metta.

"Polygel nails feel much lighter and are a lot more flexible than acrylic and dip powder nails," says Metta. "They also look and feel more natural. If you accidentally nick your polygel nails, they are less likely to crack right through the middle like some acrylic nail systems."

If long nail extensions aren't your thing, the polygel nail technique can also be adapted on shorter, natural nails, says Metta – just like gel polish. "Polygel can be used as a natural nail overlay to give nails a stronger coating, which then protects them."

"Polygel nails can last a few weeks but it's recommended to have a maintenance or an infill appointment approximately every three weeks, depending on how quickly your nails grow," says Metta. This is similar to acrylic nails, which often require infills after three weeks and replacement after around six to eight weeks, while gel nails typically last for two weeks.

Opting for a natural base and pastel French tips like this style created by nail art specialist Ferdaws on Instagram means you're less likely to notice much regrowth at the cuticle.

Metta mentions that unlike acrylics, there is no offensive odour or vapour with polygel nails, however because polygel nails are essentially a 'hard' gel, they can't be soaked off to be removed. "Polygel nails would have to be filed off. Because of this, there is a certain amount of commitment required." Nails might also be susceptible to similar damage caused by removing acrylics, such as weak nails or a bumpy nail bed.

Metta advises: "For one-off nail extensions or overlays, it’s best to go for a soak-off solution that can be easily removed."

In Australia, basic gel manicures can cost anywhere from $60, while acrylics are a little pricier. Polygel nails are similar. For a full set of polygel extensions, you could be looking at anything from $120 to $150 upwards, depending on the nail salon and technician.

Polygel is still a relatively new nail service, so isn’t offered at all nail salons in Australia yet. Check in with your local salon via its website or on social media.