Fancy impeccable, glossy and long-lasting nails, but still torn between classic nail polish and gel polish? No panic, we're here to help you weigh up these two types of nail polish and work out which one best suits your preferences, your lifestyle and your beauty routine. Wear time, ease of application and removal, finish, nail health… we're covering it all to help you choose the manicure that's right for you.
Classic or gel polish: the comparison in 6 key points
⏱️ The quickest to apply
Classic nail polish: allow 15 to 20 minutes for application and air-drying. With Green™ nail polish, you can speed up drying time by using Drying Drops.
Gel Polish: this depends on the power of the UV or LED lamp used to cure the layers of polish. With our Slim 24W foldable lamp, a Green Flash™ manicure takes around 30 minutes and with the Premium 36W foldable lamp, it only takes 20 minutes.
📆 The longest-lasting
Classic nail polish: around 7 days depending on the quality of the polish and how you use your hands day to day.
Gel Polish: 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the formula. With Green Flash™, you have a choice of 2 options:
- A mirror shine and a natural dome finish that lasts up to 12 days with Top Coat Green Flash™.
- A gel-effect shine, resistance and a dome finish that lasts up to 21 days with Top Coat Xtrem Flash™.
✨ The most beautiful finish
Classic nail polish : it all depends on the condition of your natural nails. On well-maintained, carefully prepped nails, classic nail polish gives a finish just as beautiful as Gel Polish. And with Green™ nail polish, you get to enjoy an intense colour and a to-die-for glossy finish.
Gel Polish : here too, nail maintenance and preparation matter, but Gel Polish has the advantage of being more opaque and better at hiding small imperfections in natural nails. You get a uniform texture, a radiant colour, and the curve and shine you've always dreamed of. And for a domed, "gel nails" effect, Top Coat Xtrem Flash™ is there to grant your wishes!
On well-prepped nails, every polish looks beautiful!
💅 The most nail-friendly
Classic nail polish : an excellent choice for preserving nail health, especially if you go for a vegan, bio-sourced polish formula such as Green™ nail polish.
Gel Polish : watch out for traditional Gel Polish formulas, which can contain sensitising molecules such as HEMA, TPO or other endocrine disruptors. Opt for alternative clean & safe formulas, like Green Flash™, a new-generation Gel Polish that's vegan and up to 84% bio-sourced.
👉 Note: the Vitaminised Base Coats Green™ and Green Flash™ feature patented KeraHCE+ technology which protects and strengthens nails beneath the polish.
🔄 The easiest to remove
Classic nail polish : a cotton pad soaked in gentle polish remover applied for less than a minute is all it takes to remove your classic Green™ nail polish in one go, with no acetone and no rubbing.
Gel Polish : buffing off or removing with acetone are best avoided if you want to protect your nail health. With its acetone-free gentle polish remover and its removal clips, Green Flash™ peels off in just 1 minute. We love it!
👉 Note : an Xtrem Flash™ manicure removes just as easily as Green Flash™ nail polish, with no buffing or acetone. Simply leave Green Flash™ gentle polish remover on the nail for 10 minutes.
🎨 The widest choice of colours and nail art
Classic nail polish or Gel Polish, both are equally good when it comes to colour choice and nail art possibilities. Classic red nails, pastel manicures or glazed, chrome or glitter nail art, anything is possible. With Green™ nail polish or Green Flash™, you have access to a palette of over 100 intensely pigmented polish colours to dress your nails through every season and trend.
Classic nail polish: an easy manicure
What are we talking about?
Classic nail polish is the big basic of manicures, easy to apply to natural nails, with no extra equipment or particular technique needed. The application technique is quickly mastered and the finish is instantly radiant, in short, it has everything going for it!
The application routine happens in 3 steps:
- A thin layer of base coat, treatment or not, to protect the nail plate.
- Two thin layers of your chosen colour of polish.
- A layer of Top Coat for a gel-effect shine and longer-lasting wear.
Unlike Gel Polish, traditional nail polish air-dries and is removed with a remover with or without acetone.
Simple, quick and basic, a classic nail polish manicure is accessible to everyone.
✅ The advantages of classic nail polish
- Quick & easy application and removal: no need for a UV lamp to dry your layers of polish, or any specific tools for removal. You can do your manicure at home, with no need to visit a salon.
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Choice of colour at a lower cost: change your polish colour whenever the mood takes you. A sensible choice if you want to try a wide range of colours or do quick touch-ups. An excellent option for treating yourself to a lovely manicure without breaking the bank.
Classic nail polish, ideal for playing with colours with a carefree spirit!
❌ The downsides to keep in mind
- Short wear time : classic nail polish lasts around 3 to 5 days, up to a week if you avoid exposing your nails to water and everyday knocks.
- Sometimes slow drying: depending on the application conditions and the state of your nails, polish dries faster or slower. Always make sure to properly prep and clean your nails before your manicure to optimise polish adhesion.
- Less durability : traditional nail polish tends to chip at the slightest knock, especially in the hours right after application. Prolonged contact with water, chemicals, hand sanitiser and so on can also affect your manicure.
- Regular touch-ups may be needed to keep your manicure looking flawless!
Gel Polish: the like-a-pro manicure for everyone
How does it work?
Gel Polish is the long-lasting version of traditional nail polish. Gel Polish application is done in 4 thin layers, just like classic nail polish, but each layer of product must be cured under an LED or UV lamp. This curing process helps fix the colour onto natural nails and create a solid, ultra-glossy film, worthy of a professional manicure.
The application routine for a Gel Polish manicure is therefore as follows:
- A layer of base coat and curing under a UV or LED lamp.
- Two layers of coloured polish with curing under a UV or LED lamp after each layer of polish.
- A layer of Top Coat for a perfect finish, cured under a UV or LED lamp.
Unlike classic nail polish, removing Gel Polish can require a bit more technique. You can either file or buff off the layers of polish, or dissolve them with an acetone-based remover. To avoid these methods, which are harsh on the nail, some Gel Polish formulas are designed to peel off, using an acetone-free remover.
In the Gel Polish application routine, curing under a UV or LED lamp is essential after every layer of product.
✅ The strengths of Gel Polish
- Perfect wear for up to 3 weeks.
- A glossy, even finish that gives the effect of a gel polish and a like-a-pro result.
- Unbeatable durability that ensuresa perfect, long-lasting manicure, the ideal solution for holidays or a wedding manicure.
Long-lasting wear and radiant colour, Gel Polish is a safe bet for your manicure.
❌ What to know before you get started
- Gel Polish application takes longer. It's essential to stick to the correct curing times, which vary depending on the UV lamp and the product being cured (base coat, top coat or polish).
- You'll need to invest in a good-quality UV or LED lamp.
- Watch out for sensitising molecules, such as HEMA/Di-HEMA (a.k.a. methacrylate monomers), found in some traditional Gel Polish formulas, which can cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin. In general, it's best to avoid applying Gel Polish too frequently, especially if you have sensitive nails.
- Removing Gel Polish can be tricky. To avoid damaging your beautiful nails, avoid scratching, filing or buffing off your polish at all costs, as well as acetone removal, which dries out nails and cuticles. Instead, opt for a Gel Polish formula that can be removed by peeling off with a gentle remover, safe for your nails.
So, which one should you choose?
It all depends on your needs and expectations. Here are a few different nail addict profiles, you might just recognise yourself in one of them:
👱 I want a manicure that lasts and stays flawless for as long as possible => Xtrem Flash™ is the ideal solution here. Applied over your chosen Green Flash™ colour, Top Coat Xtrem Flash™ forms a shield that protects your manicure in all circumstances, even the trickiest! With its ultra-glossy domed finish, you get a pro-worthy manicure for 3 weeks.
👩 I want a polish that's both high-performing and safe for my nails => With its formula that's vegan and up to 84% bio-sourced, a mirror shine and radiant colour, perfect wear for up to 12 days and a gentle, quick removal with no acetone, Green Flash™ ticks every box for a high-performing manicure that protects your nails.
👩🏻 I want a polish that's quick to apply and the freedom to change colour often => When you don't have the patience to cure every layer of polish under a lamp, and the joy of a manicure lies above all in being able to change colour on a whim, Green™ nail polish is the best solution. Easy application with no special equipment, air-drying, quick removal and a choice of over 100 colours, colour addicts are obsessed!
In short, if you need a quick manicure, easy to apply, to shine for the length of an evening or a weekend, classic nail polish will be the best option. On the other hand, if you want a flawless, sturdy and ultra-glossy manicure that lasts a long time without chipping, Gel Polish is the smarter choice. There you have it, you're now a nail expert, so the choice is yours 💅🌈✨!
