Nail Gel

[Barmaid]

Painted my nails with ordinary nail polish earlier and in typical fashion have already messed up two of them.

I keep seeing "Nail gel" in Boots etc. What's the difference? Is this better? Do I need any special equipment? Am I less likely to mess them up after 2 hours?

[Buenchico]

Gel polish is 'set' by UV light:
http://leahlight.co.nz/gel-vs-polish/

See also here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN8DZGiegYk

[Prudie]

You can buy normal polishes that call themselves Gel but they mean gel effect ie very shiny, these don't need light treatment although some come with a special top coat. I don't believe anything you do yourself has the lasting effect that you get from gel nails in a salon. I'm always messing mine up too and it's for one reason, not letting them dry properly before you use your hands or add the second coat. patience, patience :-)

[puzzled54]

I have been using rimmel gel type polish, you use 2 coats of colour then a clear coat to set it. It is not the same as a salon manicure but it stays on better then the usual polish.