Gel Polish Manicure

Gel polish - what Turkish salons call kalıcı oje, and what you may know as a shellac or gel manicure - is colour that is cured under a UV/LED lamp instead of air-drying. You walk out with fully dry nails, no smudges, and a finish that usually stays glossy for 2-4 weeks depending on how fast your nails grow. At Renew & Revive Beauty on Abide-i Hürriyet Avenue in Şişli, we apply it on top of a proper manicure and remove it without thinning the nail. We are a few minutes from Mecidiyeköy and Nişantaşı.

Gel Polish vs Regular Polish

Regular polish air-dries and starts chipping at the tips within days. Gel polish goes on in thin layers - base, colour and top coat - and each one is cured under the lamp. The result is tougher and shinier, and it copes much better with dishes, showers and typing. Curious about shellac specifically? Our article Shellac Gel Manicure at Renew & Revive explains it.

How We Apply It

1. Prep: nails are shaped, cuticles gently pushed back and the surface lightly buffed. Good prep is what makes gel last.
2. Cleanse: oils and dust are removed from the nail plate.
3. Base coat: helps the colour grip, cured under the lamp.
4. Colour: usually two thin coats - thin layers prevent lifting and wrinkling.
5. Top coat: gloss or matt, followed by cuticle oil.

A single-colour gel manicure takes around 45-60 minutes. French tips, ombré or nail art take longer depending on the design.

How Long Does It Last?

On fingernails, typically 2-4 weeks. It depends on how quickly your nails grow, how much your hands are in water and whether you use your nails as tools. When a gap appears at the base or an edge starts lifting, it is time for a refill. Toenails grow more slowly, so a gel pedicure usually lasts even longer.

Is It Right for You?

• You want nails that look done for weeks without touch-ups
• Your natural nails are a reasonable length and fairly strong
• You have a holiday, wedding or busy stretch at work coming up

If your nails are very short or break easily, nail extensions may give you a better result. Compare both in Acrylic Nails or Gel Polish?

Aftercare

• Use cuticle oil daily - flexible nails crack less.
• Wear gloves when cleaning.
• Never peel off a lifting edge; it takes the top layers of your nail with it.
• Don't leave it too long between appointments - overgrown gel can make the tip snap.

More tips in our gel nail aftercare guide.

Removal

Gel polish should be soaked off, not scraped: the top coat is lightly opened and the gel is softened with the right solution. Forcing it off at home is the most common reason nails end up thin and bendy - see How to Remove Gel Polish: Common Mistakes. For salon removal, see our nail removal service.

If You Suspect a Nail Infection

Gel polish can cover a problem but won't fix it. If your nail is discoloured, thickened, lifting from the nail bed or the skin around it is red and sore, please see a dermatologist first; we can book your gel manicure once your doctor gives the all-clear.

To book a gel polish manicure in Şişli, message us on WhatsApp or call - you can pick your colour at the salon.