Nails · 2 min read

Making a gel manicure last three weeks

Prep is ninety percent of it. The rest is gloves and cuticle oil.

By Aditi Kulkarni · Wed, 2 Sept, 2026

A gel lifts when it is applied to oil, dust or a cuticle that has not been pushed back. That is why we spend more time on prep than on polish.

At home Wear gloves for washing up, use cuticle oil every night and never pick a lifted edge. Book a soak-off rather than peeling, which takes layers of nail with it.

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