Guide for nail technicians and salons
What you need to start offering gel services in South Africa
Short answer: to offer a gel polish service you need an LED lamp, prep products (a dehydrator and, if you like, a primer), a base coat, a range of gel polish colours, a top coat, a cleaner for the sticky layer, lint-free pads and acetone, files and cuticle tools, and cuticle oil. Add a removal routine and proper training, and you can offer gel manicures that last three weeks or more.
Your gel service checklist
Swipe the table sideways to see every column
| Step | What you need | Laloo product |
|---|---|---|
| Cure | An LED lamp | LED Lamp 24/48W |
| Shape and prep | Cuticle pusher, a 150/180 file and a buffer | Aurora Cuticle Pusher Set, Emily File 150/180, Buffer Grey 100/150 |
| Clean and dehydrate | Pure acetone, lint-free pads and a dehydrator | Capitone Lint Free Pads, Anti Fungal |
| Bond (optional) | An acid-free primer | Primer Bonder or Primer HEMA Free |
| Base | A gel base coat | Graphen Base or Base Coat |
| Colour | A core range of gel polish shades | Gel Polish 15ml |
| Seal | A gel top coat | Lampsi, Top Coat Non Wipe or Matte Non Wipe |
| Finish | Cleaner for any sticky layer, and cuticle oil | Nail Cleaner, cuticle oils |
| Remove | A 100/180 file, pure acetone, foil or wraps, a pusher and a buffer | Nail files |
Why each step matters
Prep
Most lifting starts with prep. Removing the shine and dehydrating the nail plate with Anti Fungal gives the base something to grip. Primer Bonder is optional under gel polish but adds extra adhesion on oily or difficult nails.
Base and top coat
The base bonds the colour to the nail and the top coat seals and protects it. Laloo’s non-wipe top coats, Lampsi and Top Coat Non Wipe, leave no sticky layer and cure in 60 seconds under an LED lamp.
Lamp
Laloo gel products are cured under a lamp. Graphen Base cures in 90 seconds under an LED lamp, and gel polish in 60 seconds LED or 120 seconds UV per coat, so an LED lamp keeps the service quicker.
How many colours should you start with?
Clients choose from a colour wall, so three or four bottles is not enough. Start with a core range that covers the requests you will get most:
- Nudes and soft pinks for everyday and office clients, such as No.195 Powder Nude and No.482 Pink Nude.
- A true white and a black for French tips and nail art: No.001 True White and No.018 Black.
- Classic reds, such as No.149 Ferrari Red.
- Seasonal and fashion shades, plus a few shimmers and glitters, added as you learn what your clients ask for.
Browse the full gel polish range by number.
A Laloo gel polish service, step by step
- Prep. Complete the manicure, buff off the shine and clean the nail with a lint-free pad soaked in pure acetone.
- Dehydrate. Apply Anti Fungal, then clean again with acetone.
- Prime (optional). Apply Primer Bonder or Primer HEMA Free, keeping it off the skin.
- Base. Apply a thin layer of Graphen Base and cure for 90 seconds under an LED lamp.
- Colour. Apply two thin coats of gel polish, curing each for 60 seconds (LED) or 120 seconds (UV).
- Seal. Apply Lampsi or Top Coat Non Wipe and cure. With a non-wipe top coat, let the hand cool for about 1.5 minutes for maximum shine. If you use a top coat with a sticky layer, wipe it off with Nail Cleaner.
- Finish. Massage in cuticle oil.
How to remove gel polish
- File off the top coat with a 100/180 file.
- Wrap each nail in a pad soaked in pure acetone and wait about 10 minutes.
- Gently push off the softened gel with a pusher, without forcing it.
- Smooth the nail with a 100/150 buffer, clean with Nail Cleaner and finish with cuticle oil.
You can also remove gel with an e-file and a suitable bit, taking care not to thin the nail plate.
Shop prep, base and top coat
Shop starter colours
Shop the lamp, tools and finishing
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a UV or LED lamp for gel polish?
Laloo gel polish cures under either: 60 seconds per coat under LED or 120 seconds under UV. Graphen Base and Laloo’s non-wipe top coats are given LED cure times, so an LED lamp is the practical choice.
Do I need a primer under gel polish?
It is optional. Anti Fungal is the essential prep step. Primer Bonder adds extra adhesion and is worth using on oily nails or clients who tend to lift.
How long does a gel manicure last?
With good prep, a Laloo base and a Laloo top coat, gel polish wears for three weeks or more.
How many coats of gel polish do I need?
Two thin coats give full colour. Thin coats cure properly and are less likely to wrinkle or lift.
Is Laloo gel polish HEMA-free?
Yes. Laloo gel polish is HEMA-free, vegan and cruelty-free. See our HEMA-free guide for the full list of HEMA-free products.
Should I also offer BIAB or builder gel?
Many techs add a strengthening service once their gel polish service is running. Our guide to BIAB vs builder gel vs Graphen Base explains which one suits which client.
Do I need training to offer gel services?
Training is the fastest way to get prep, application and removal right, which is what prevents lifting and protects the natural nail. The Laloo Training Academy runs professional nail courses; enquire for the next course.
Ready to set up your gel station?
Order everything online with courier delivery across South Africa, free on orders from R1,700. Compare acrygel and acrylic when you are ready to add extensions.
Sources
- Application and removal steps from Laloo Cosmetics, Greece and Laloo product labels.
- Beauty Hair, Setting up a professional nail station.