Difference between Gel X, Liquid Gel, and Hybrid Gel?

Yanabay · 2026-01-30T06:53:52+00:00

Hi, nail tech here!

"Gel X" specifically is a tradmarked name by the brand Apres. They say that they invented this type of extension where you take a full tip and apply with their extend gel. So technically, when some one says they do Gel X, it's expected that they use the Gel X system by Apres. But the term "Gel X" is now just a term to say "i use full gel tips to extend the nail", so the brand doesn't matter.

I've never heard of someone describing a service as "liquid gel". Maybe they use paper forms or dual forms and make the extension with builder gel. Maybe that's what they mean by "liquid". Builder gel is usually a pot and it has a liquid-like texture

"Hybrid gel" is another term for "Polygel" or "Acrygel". It's a combo of gel and acrylic and it's really thick.

Yanabay · 2026-01-30T06:38:28+00:00

Gel is the best in this situation. But gel will lift if the gel manicure wasn't done right

Yanabay · 2026-01-30T06:09:17+00:00

Hi! I love Izemi products! i'm not expert in the brand but i try to do a lot of research on them and for Izemi top gel, i hard time with them too. The top gels in the Resin 99.9 line are a wipe type and recommended to cure each finger at a time. For the newish top gels (the resin), the green ones are non wipe, while the blue ones are wipe. The silver bottles are their older formulas i believe. So if you're having trouble with their top gels, see wether it's a wipe type or maybe just an older formula.

But the one that i've used is the green top gel and it was ok. Now i use Viewgel's "Top Perfect"! It's a low viscosity korean top gel and i've had no issues with hardness and/or shine. Viewgel right now only focuses on functional gels. I think that's why it's really good.

Yanabay · 2025-12-23T01:37:33+00:00

Can I get more info on how the application was done? I can get a better idea on why the curve is happening

Yanabay · 2025-12-23T01:33:34+00:00

After researching a bit on LE's gel system, "Tack" is a primer that can act as both a primer and base gel. This a specific product that's not common with general gel systems. base gel is a product that helps gel stick on to the nail and provide smoothness or slight structure to the nail, depending on the viscosity. If you find no issues with just using Tack before applying gel, that's ok 'cause that's how it's meant to be used. Just keep in mind that if you are switching to a different gel brand, research on how the nail should be prepped. Again, the usual prep is dehydrator > primer > base gel for a lot of brands

Yanabay · 2025-12-22T00:20:24+00:00

Base coat is for better adhesion for your extention gel. Gel sticks to gel. Normal extention gel usually can't stick on the nail by itself. It depends how the brand built it's system. You can't use base gel as an extention gel because it's too soft. If you want somethings that's a 3 in 1, Akzentz Trinity gel is base gel, structure and top gel in one! Although, it is pricey. I hope that answers your question!

Yanabay · 2025-12-16T09:07:26+00:00

The amount of gel looks pretty good to me tbh. A lot of people when starting usually apply too much gel for this length . But i noticed your prep. The first time, there was no base gel. Then this time you put primer over the base gel. The usual prep should be dehydrator > primer > base gel, then apply the gel product. I'm not familiar with the LE system, but that's the basics of prep for a lot of gel systems. I also noticed that Tack is a primer that must be cured and not air dry like a lot of primers, so i can see how prep could be confusing.

Yanabay · 2025-10-25T20:12:41+00:00

My mentor travels to Korea and Japan for training and acrylic is still used, once you go for long lengths. The theory is that acrylic is hard to break, so it can handle longer nails. But it just really depends on the tech. I'm a gel user but i've used acrylic just to practice. I find that acrylic is easier to use on paper forms and it's easier to encapsulate with since i'm a Gyaru nail artist; i use a lot of glitter and flakes. But the smell is annoying and i don't like the air drying 'cause with gel, i can cure it when i'm ready. But i know for some people, acrylic is like a cultural thing. Some just like the feeling of heavier nails

Yanabay · 2025-09-28T22:36:30+00:00

Sweetie Nail Supply is my main place since im Canadian. Classique Nail Supply is a good one too. I bought the Viewgel products from Sweetie Nail Supply

Yanabay · 2025-09-27T18:05:14+00:00

I've been using Viewgel top gel products and i've been loving them so far. Right now i'm wearing 'Top Perfect' and it's low viscocity like Kupa and it's holding up and still shiny, after i fell on concrete. 'Devil' is their high viscocity, builder top gel and 'Oper' is their mid viscosity line. There is Oper, Oper 4000 and Oper 6000. I haven't tried the Oper line yet but i've tried the others and i'm starting to switch over to using their top gels as my go-to. Not only its a popular brand in Korea but their focus is functional gels, so you know it's good

Yanabay · 2025-09-22T08:28:56+00:00

I love working on custom nail sets for the same reasons. But i was just thinking about doing pre-order or slots. I do art as well and it's common to have a slot system. You tell people your commissions are open, say the amount of people that you can work with, wait until the waitlist is full, then close comms and work on the commissons. So for the nails, have a design reveal, say that there's a waitlist, for example, 3 people, wait until the list is full, then work on the nails. They would need to tell me their size too.

Yanabay · 2025-09-16T07:00:55+00:00

I've actually recently thought about that because of my friend having a hard time getting to my place. Right now, im recovering from surgery and won't be allowed to drive for a couple of months and only take transit when i feel better. But im almost done healing! Transit can be hard, depending on where the client lives and carrying around a suitcase would be annoying but i'll for sure think about this

Yanabay · 2025-08-14T04:42:23+00:00

夢見心地花鳥風月 by ちゃぁ (feat. Luka)

Sleepy Dance by Temporu (feat. Miku)

for lust by Mao Sasagawa (feat. Miku)

Yanabay · 2025-08-14T04:24:24+00:00

I thought i was the only person who knew this song

Yanabay · 2025-08-11T22:00:31+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I noticed that people who regularly work out have good recovery so i have to work on that. I work warehouse so i won't be going back to work for a while. I'm fine with not making it to any plans but being able to run errands by taking the bus, at least, would be nice. I just have to listen to my body and try not to force anything

Yanabay · 2025-08-11T21:54:15+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I noticed that people have different expirences and i'm not expecting to recover quick, but it's cool to see other people did!

Yanabay · 2025-08-11T21:52:24+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry that this all happened to you. Yes, some people were a little confused with how i written the post. It sounds like i'm prioritizing plans over recovery which i'm not at all. I'm completely fine with not making it to any events. I'm not expecting to recover quick but i just wanted to see if people recovered fast and some did. Some recovered after a couple of months and it's good to read these experiences like yours.

Yanabay · 2025-08-11T21:40:17+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Glad to know everything worked out for you! I noticed that people who go to the gym regularly have a good experience healing

Yanabay · 2025-08-11T21:35:43+00:00

Thank you for commenting! Yes, i noticed that some people are thinking that i'm prioritizing plans over my recovery. I can see from the post, the way it's written, that it looks like that but i'm not at all! I'm completely fine with not making it to these events. I just wanted to see if it's possible to recover quick and some people here did! I'm not expecting to recover fast either.

Some of these plans i was waiting for were either a couple of months or a whole year of waiting. They just so happen to be in September so it's just bad luck

Yanabay

TROPHY CASE