Gel vs Shellac vs Regular Polish: Which Manicure Lasts Longer?
Gel, Shellac or regular polish — which should you book?
All three are polish, but they behave differently. Knowing the difference makes it easier to book the right service and to plan your next appointment.
Gel manicure
A gel manicure uses a colour gel cured under an LED lamp. On healthy natural nails, it typically lasts 3 weeks and holds its shine the whole time. It is the right choice for anyone who does a lot of housework, typing or gardening — and for anyone who wants their manicure to look perfect until the next session.
Shellac and soft gel
Shellac is a brand name that describes a similar UV-cured system. In practice, most salons in Toronto use "gel" and "shellac" interchangeably. Ask your technician which product they actually use.
Regular polish
Traditional polish dries by evaporation, not by UV. It lasts roughly a week before chipping, and it is the easiest to change colour at home. It is a good match for a quick refresh.
What makes the difference is the prep
No matter which polish you choose, the technician's prep work is what decides how long it lasts. A Russian-style dry manicure with precise cuticle work gives polish an anchor to hold onto — which is why gel applied on top of a Russian manicure outlasts gel applied on top of a wet one.
The clean, chip-free result you see in high-end nail photos comes from the prep work, not the polish bottle.
Book at K.T Nail Spa
K.T Nail Spa in Toronto offers gel manicures, gel pedicures and gel/polish refreshes. Prices start from $30 for a regular polish refresh and $75 for a gel manicure. We are at 797 King St W, Toronto, ON, M5V 1N6, open seven days a week, 8am - 10:30pm. Call +1 (647) 879-4163 or book online.
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