{"id":686,"date":"2025-05-22T07:07:49","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T07:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/?p=686"},"modified":"2025-05-22T15:04:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T15:04:52","slug":"everyone-is-getting-a-structured-gel-manicure-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/22\/everyone-is-getting-a-structured-gel-manicure-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Everyone Is Getting A \u201cStructured\u201d Gel Manicure \u2014 Here\u2019s Why"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It seems like every time I go into a nail salon<\/a>, there\u2019s yet another option on the menu. Recently, I came across dip powder nails<\/a>, silk wrap nail extensions<\/a>, and the controversial Russian manicure<\/a>. This summer, however, nail enthusiasts are interested in one particular trend: the structured gel manicure. <\/p>\n

On TikTok<\/a>, the manicure technique has millions of views, and there has been a steady rise in Google search traffic around structured gels, too, with people looking for more information about the process including the pros, cons, and the cost.<\/p>\n

What is a structured gel manicure?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve heard of builder in a bottle<\/a> (BIAB), then you\u2019ve heard of a structured gel manicure; it\u2019s just different branding. The same way that CND made Shellac a household name (it\u2019s really just a soft gel manicure using CND\u2019s system), The Gel Bottle has branded a builder in a bottle, or BIAB, which is a structured gel. Some salons will call the service builder gel or BIAB, others will call it a structured gel, while CND calls it \u201cplexigel<\/a>\u201c. Essentially, though, it means the same thing: a thick or hard gel manicure.<\/p>\n

\u201cA structured gel manicure uses a builder gel product to create a long-lasting and super durable nail enhancement,\u201d explains London-based session manicurist Ami Streets<\/a>. \u201cBuilder gel is a thicker viscosity than other gel-based products and allows sculpting, shaping, and extending of the nail as desired.\u201d Applying a structured gel over your natural nails will lend them a plumper appearance and result in a long-wearing manicure. You can also use a structured gel to add length to the tip of your nail. This involves applying the gel over a plastic nail tip, creating a gel extension.<\/p>\n

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@_evhnails_<\/a> Structure gel mani!!!! One of my favorite services to give \ud83e\udd70\ud83d\udc85I\u2019m using @nailzkatkat rubber base in natural #structuregelmanicure<\/a> #rubberbase<\/a> #rubberbasegel<\/a>#nkknails<\/a> #stepbystep<\/a> \u266c Borderline \u2013 Tame Impala<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The structured gel polish goes on thick and looks almost rubbery due to its ingredient profile. \u201cStructured gel polish typically contains a combination of ingredients such as oligomers and monomers (polymers which are found in acrylic nail formulas), and photo initiators [molecules that react to UV] allowing the substance to cure and set under UV or LED light,\u201d explains Streets. That thicker consistency will typically offer a longer wear time while reinforcing the strength and structure of the natural nail underneath.<\/p>\n

What happens during a structured gel manicure?<\/h2>\n

Getting a structured gel manicure is like getting soft gel or Shellac polish, but there\u2019s a little bit more shaping and molding with the thicker gel. You simply pick your color and then the prep and application begins.<\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on the system [or] brand, a priming product is usually used to dehydrate [the nail] and create better adhesion for the base coat, which is applied and cured before the building gel is used,\u201d explains Streets. \u201cThe gel is applied at the base of the nail and down the length from side to side to build and create structure.\u201d Because there\u2019s extra thickness to the polish, the process involves molding an Apex, or the highest part of the nail, to provide balance and strength, says Streets. There\u2019s certainly some artistry in sculpting here.<\/p>\n

You can add nail art to your structured gel, too. A French manicure<\/a> using structured gel polish is especially popular.<\/p>\n

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@nailzkatkat<\/a> <\/p>\n

Structured gel manicure \u2728<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 NailzKatKat<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How long does a structured gel manicure last?<\/h2>\n

On average, a structured gel manicure will last for three weeks, but you can probably push it to four (I have). \u201cThe rate of natural nail growth will impact the time between removals,\u201d explains Streets. \u201cI\u2019d recommend keeping three weeks as a maximum timeframe to retain a regular maintenance routine for optimum results.\u201d The real benefit of a structured gel is its longevity. Because the gel is thick and applied in layers, it won\u2019t peel or lift the same way a soft gel might. However, the downside is that you have to get a structured gel manicure professionally removed. This is important because poor at-home removal can cause damage to your nails. It does mean you\u2019re looped into the gel cycle that can be time-consuming and expensive, though. <\/p>\n

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@celestialnailz<\/a> Talk through a natural nail appointment \ud83e\udd0d #nails<\/a> #natiralnails<\/a> #nailtech<\/a> #nailvlog<\/a> #HowIBathAndBodyWorks<\/a> #ChimeHasYourBack<\/a> #fyp<\/a> #fyp\u30b7<\/a> #foryoupage<\/a> \u266c Love Nwantiti(Dance Ver) \u2013 FYP \ud83e\udd0d\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfa<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How much does a structured gel manicure cost?<\/h2>\n

\u201cStructured gel manicures are slightly more expensive than more traditional polish or other gel color services offered in a salon,\u201d explains Streets. \u201cThe price reflects application time for sculpting, enhancing, or extensions, and the increased durability you can expect from this type of manicure.\u201d In New York City, you can expect to pay around $100 all in, but costs will vary from salon to salon. If you add gel removal and art, it can become more expensive. <\/p>\n

Are there any downsides to a structured gel manicure?<\/h2>\n

The cost can be prohibitive, as is the time spent on removal and reapplication. Moreover, if you\u2019re looking to avoid UV exposure and nail lamps<\/a>, this might not be a service for you. However, Streets says that if you\u2019re looking for the best bang for your buck when it comes to longevity and durability (for instance, you\u2019re going on a two week vacation and don\u2019t want to have to worry about your nails) a structured gel manicure is a great idea. <\/p>\n

\u201cStructured gel manicures are ideal for those looking for a long-lasting service that can add strength and support to weak and brittle nails,\u201d Streets says. She thinks that regularly using a building product like a structured gel can help with nail growth by supporting, reinforcing, and strengthening the nails to withstand wear and tear. Essentially, it acts as a protective layer over the natural nail.\u00a0This is based on getting a professional application and removal every three weeks. If TikTok is anything to go by<\/a>, it certainly seems to be working for those who commit to the maintenance.<\/p>\n

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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These 11 Summer Nail Trends Are Cute & Wearable<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It seems like every time I go into a nail salon, there\u2019s yet another option on the menu. Recently, I came across dip powder nails, silk wrap nail extensions, and the controversial Russian manicure. This summer, however, nail enthusiasts are interested in one particular trend: the structured gel manicure. On TikTok, the manicure technique has…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":688,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=686"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":689,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686\/revisions\/689"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/baldheadedgirls.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}