Guide for nail technicians and salons
Acrygel vs acrylic: which should you use?
Short answer: acrylic is a powder and liquid monomer that set on their own, giving hard, strong extensions with a noticeable smell. Acrygel is a ready-mixed paste that stays workable until you cure it under a lamp, with low odour and easier removal. Choose acrylic for fast, rigid sculpting if you already work with it. Choose acrygel if you want more working time, less smell or an easier start.
Acrygel and acrylic at a glance
| Acrygel | Acrylic | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A hybrid paste that combines acrylic strength with gel handling | Acrylic powder (polymer) mixed with acrylic liquid (monomer) |
| How it sets | Cures under a lamp: LED 60 s or UV 120 s per layer | Sets on its own as powder and liquid react, no lamp needed |
| Working time | Stays workable until you cure it | Limited. Laloo’s medium-speed liquid gives time to shape |
| Liquid used | Acrygel Liquid, a slip liquid that stops the brush sticking and takes no part in curing | Acrylic Liquid, the monomer that hardens the powder |
| Odour | Low | Monomer smell; Cherry Almond Drops reduce it |
| Feel on the nail | Usually lighter and a little more flexible | Harder and more rigid |
| Filing dust | Minimal | More than acrygel |
| Removal | Soak-off, easier to remove than acrylic | Filed down, then soaked off |
| Best for | Beginners and experienced techs, extensions and natural nail strengthening | Strong sculpted extensions and built-in French |
How each system works
Acrylic
You dip the brush in acrylic liquid, pick up a bead of powder and place it on the nail. The liquid (monomer) and powder (polymer) react and harden in the air, so you shape quickly before the bead sets.
Acrygel
The material is already mixed. You place a small amount on the nail and shape it with a brush dipped in Acrygel Liquid, which only stops the brush sticking. Nothing hardens until you cure the layer under an LED or UV lamp.
Which should you choose?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Are new to extensions and want time to get the shape right | Acrygel |
| Work in a small or shared space where smell matters | Acrygel |
| Want to strengthen natural nails without a lot of length | Acrygel |
| Already sculpt fast with acrylic and want the hardest finish | Acrylic |
| Want a built-in French using pink and white powders | Acrylic |
| Offer both and want to match each client | Both: keep acrygel for natural looks and acrylic for long, strong sets |
A Laloo acrygel set, step by step
- Prep. Push back the cuticle, buff off the shine and dehydrate with Anti Fungal.
- Prime. Apply Primer Bonder over the whole nail plate. Laloo states the primer is essential for acrygel.
- Base. Apply a thin layer of Graphen Base and cure.
- Build. Place acrygel on the nail or form and shape it with a brush dipped in Acrygel Liquid. Cure each layer: LED 60 s or UV 120 s.
- Finish. File to shape, remove the sticky layer with Nail Cleaner, then seal with Top Coat Non Wipe or Lampsi.
A Laloo acrylic set, step by step
- Prep. Push back the cuticle, buff and dehydrate with Anti Fungal.
- Prime. Apply Primer Bonder or Primer HEMA Free.
- Build. Fit a form or tip. Dip your acrylic brush in Acrylic Liquid, pick up a bead of powder and shape it before it sets. Use White for the smile line and Cover Pink for the nail bed for a built-in French.
- Finish. Once set, file to shape and seal with Top Coat Non Wipe or Lampsi, cured under an LED lamp.
Shop the acrygel system
Shop the acrylic system
Frequently asked questions
Is acrygel as strong as acrylic?
Acrylic sets harder and more rigid. Acrygel combines the durability of acrylic with the handling of gel and is lighter and a little more flexible, which suits natural looks and natural nail strengthening. For long, very rigid sculpted sets, acrylic is the traditional choice.
Does acrygel soak off?
Yes. Laloo acrygel is a soak-off product and is easier to remove than acrylic. Filing off the top layer first speeds up removal.
Is acrygel the same as polygel?
They are the same type of product: a hybrid of acrylic and gel that you shape with a slip liquid and cure under a lamp. Brands use different names for it.
Do acrylic nails need a UV or LED lamp?
No. Acrylic sets as the powder and liquid react. You only need a lamp for gel products used on top, such as a gel top coat. Acrygel always needs a lamp.
Can I use acrylic liquid with acrygel?
No. Use Acrygel Liquid. It is made for acrygel, keeps the brush from sticking and takes no part in curing, so you only need a little. Acrylic liquid is a monomer made to react with acrylic powder.
Which is easier for beginners?
Acrygel. It does not run, stays workable until you cure it and has a low odour, so you can take your time with the shape.
Is Laloo acrygel HEMA-free?
Yes. Laloo acrygel is HEMA-free, vegan, cruelty-free and dermatologically tested. See our HEMA-free guide for the full list.
Want to learn both systems?
The Laloo Training Academy runs Acrygel System and Full Acrylic System courses on request. Order acrygel and acrylic online with courier delivery across South Africa, free on orders from R1,700.
Sources
- Product information from Laloo Cosmetics, Greece and Laloo product labels.
- NAILS Magazine, 10 things to know about polygel.