Solid Gel Polish & Ombre Gels

Solid gel polish, also known as cream gel, is a long-lasting nail finish in a gel form that leaves a vivid, gleaming finish ideal for creating attention-grabbing manicures and pedicures. With a thick viscose consistency, you’ll often find solid gel polish palettes featuring multiple colourways that will stay put and won’t run.

Unlike traditional nail colours, which are air-dried, solid nail gels are set by a UV or LED nail lamp to harden and cure, which helps to maintain their colour’s vibrancy and offers some resistance to chipping and peeling.

1. Prepare your nails

• Before you begin, ensure your nails are clean, dry and free from old polish or oils.
• Trim and shape your nails using a nail clipper and push back your cuticles gently with a cuticle pusher.
• Lightly buff the surface of your nails to create a slightly rough texture — this helps the solid gel nail polish better adhere to the natural nail.

1. Apply a base coat

• Using a gel base coat, apply a thin layer to each nail, making sure to cover the entire surface with an even layer while avoiding your cuticles and skin.
• Place your nails under a UV or LED lamp and cure the base coat according to the manufacturer's instructions — usually around 30 seconds to 1 minute.

1. Apply the solid nail gel

• Choose the solid gel polish colour and apply a thin layer evenly on each nail. Be precise in your application to prevent excess gel from touching the skin.
• Cure your nails under the UV or LED lamp for the recommended time — typically one to two minutes. Experiment with how vibrant you want your solid gel nail polishes to appear — a few layers offer a light filter of colour, or add additional layers for a high colour payoff. Ensure to cure each layer before applying the next.

1. Apply the top coat

• Once you're satisfied with the colour intensity, apply a layer of gel top coat to seal the solid gel nail polish and add shine to your nails.
• Cure your nails under the lamp for the specified time.

1. Wipe and cleanse

• After curing the top coat, use a lint-free wipe or cotton pad soaked in gel cleanser or isopropyl alcohol to remove the sticky residue — also known as the inhibition layer — left on the nails after curing.
• Finish by moisturising your hands and nails with cuticle oil or hand cream to keep them hydrated as the perfect canvas to showcase your new solid gel polish.

Remember to follow the specific instructions provided by your solid gel polish, as curing times and application techniques can vary between different brands.

Yes. Solid gel is thick, so it stays where you pat it and blends into a soft fade. Apply and cure your base colour on a matte surface, then dab the solid gel on with a lint-free sponge, heaviest where you want the strongest colour and lighter towards the fade. Cure for 60 seconds, add another layer for more depth, then top coat. Our Pat Pat Gel Mini Palettes also come as a kit with a claw tool and sponges.

In a well-ventilated area, use a nail file to roughen the topmost layer of your solid nail gel, enabling your acetone to penetrate the gel and speed up the removal process. Soak a cotton pad with acetone, let it sit on each nail, wrap your fingertips with aluminium foil, and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. After soaking, remove the pad and use a cuticle pusher to remove any remaining bits of polish. Wash your hands thoroughly and moisturise your hands and cuticles with a rich cream or cuticle oil.

Yes. Solid gel is a gel, so each layer is cured under an LED or UV lamp just like bottled gel polish.

Solid gel is a thick paste that sits in a jar or palette, so it will not run into the cuticle, and the colour tends to be dense. You apply it with a small brush rather than a bottle brush, which gives you more control for detail and French work.

A small gel brush. The Gel Brush For Solid Gels and Polishes is $9.95. Wipe it clean between colours so the shades do not mix.

A thick builder gel that comes in a jar rather than a bottle, used to add structure or length. The Miracle Gel In A Jar is $34.95, with 20g refill pods at $15.95, and the Hard Gel Pro Sculpting Builder - HEMA-Free at $24.95.

The Solid Gel Polish 16in1 Colour Palette holds 16 shades in one case, from $49.00, and the Solid Gel Polish 3in1 Colour Jar holds three for $19.00.