Why Choosing the Right Brand Matters
Using high quality brands is essential for durability, prep safety, and long lasting results. The right products will make application easier, reduce lifting, and help you achieve consistent, professional looking sets.
Disclaimer:
The brands listed in this section are based on my professional experience and what I personally trust in my salon. You do not need to use these exact brands, feel free to choose alternatives that suit your budget and availability, as long as they meet quality and safety standards.
Base Coat & Top Coat (My Most Used Pair!)
Beetles Foundation Base Gel
Personal Opinion:
I’ve gone through more bottles of Beetles Foundation Base Gel than I can count. It’s genuinely one of the most reliable and affordable bases I’ve ever used. I’ve never had issues with adhesion, lifting or curing, and it works beautifully with gel polish.
Benefits:
A flexible, strong bonding base gel that works beautifully under gel polish. Smooth application and even curing making it perfect for both beginners and advanced techs.
Beetles Top Gel
Personal opinion:
This is my everyday top coat. It performs like a premium product, stays shiny, and is so affordable that I never feel bad about using lots of it.
Benefits:
A non wipe, high shine top coat with great durability and is scratch resistance. Ideal for sealing gel polish, BIAB and Gel X, leaving a glossy, long lasting finish.
BIAB (The Only BIAB you Need!)
Dream Nail Store (Original Formula)
Personal Opinion:
The Dream Nail Store clear BIAB is an absolute show-stopper. Since switching to it, I’ve had zero lifting, it self levels beautifully and performs better than anything else I’ve tried. It is on the pricier side, but honestly, I couldn’t recommend it more. Sometimes you really do have to spend money to make money. Clients love this product and the way it provides long lasting results.
Benefits:
This product has self levelling formula designed to create a smooth, flawless base under gel polish. It acts as both a primer and base, offering long lasting strength and support to natural nails while maintaining a clean, seamless finish.
This builder gel can be easily refilled or soaked off, wears for up to four weeks, and cures under UV or LED. Available in both 15 ml and 30 ml, it’s a vegan, cruelty free product made for professional use. The original formula is known for its durability and exceptional application quality.
Gel X Nail Glue (Affordable & Effective!)
Beetles Nail Glue for Nail Tips
Personal Opinion:
There are so many expensive Gel X and soft gel bonding products on the market, but this nail glue has honestly surprised me in the best way. Even though it’s affordable, it has performed just as well, if not better, than some premium brands I’ve tried. It cures evenly, adheres extremely well, and I’ve had sets last weeks without lifting or popping off. For the price, the results have been incredible, and it has completely served its purpose in my kit.
Benefits:
This gel adhesive provides strong, flexible bonding for soft gel extensions, ensuring secure wear and reliable curing. Its smooth consistency makes application easy and controlled, while the formula offers excellent retention without excessive heat spikes. It is an ideal option for both beginners and professionals looking for long lasting results at an affordable price.
Gel X Tips (Only The Best!)
SHEIN Soft Gel Tips
Personal opinion:
Shein is often looked down on in the nail world, but I can honestly say their Gel X style tips have been some of the best I’ve ever used. They fit beautifully, work well on every nail type I’ve tried them on, and perform just as reliably as higher end branded tips. They’re extremely affordable, and at the end of the day, most soft gel tips are made from the same materials, the difference is usually just the brand name and the price tag.
Benefits:
These soft gel tips provide a consistent fit, great flexibility, and reliable adhesion when applied correctly. Their uniform thickness and easy to work with shape make application smooth and predictable, and the material cures well with gel adhesives. When paired with Beetles nail glue, they form an incredibly effective combination, offering strong bonding, long lasting wear, and a professional finish at a fraction of the price of premium systems.
Gel Polish (My Favourite Brands!)
DND Gel Polish
Known for its rich pigmentation and smooth application, DND offers incredible coverage in just one–two coats. It’s long lasting, beginner friendly, and extremely affordable for the quality you get. This is my favourite brand to use and they have an amazing range of colours.
OPI
A global salon favourite, OPI delivers consistent, professional results with reliable wear time and a huge colour range. Their formulas are smooth, durable, and backed by strong industry reputation. My favourite colour in there range is Bubble Bath. The most perfect sheer pink and my most popular colour.
Other Brands:
Colour Me Pretty (Barely There is the most perfect nude base colour!), Born Pretty, Beetles, Gelish, BlueSky, Billionaire, Modelones and Wave Gel.
Dehydrator & Primer (The Best Duo!)
Modelones Dehydrator & Primer
Personal Opinion:
In my personal experience, the Modelones dehydrator and primer have been incredibly reliable. I’ve used them for the longest time, and they’ve never failed me, they always give me a clean, balanced nail plate and a strong foundation for any product I apply. For something so affordable, the performance is genuinely impressive, and I always feel confident using it on clients.
Benefits:
The Modelones dehydrator and primer effectively prepare the natural nail by removing excess oils and balancing the nail plate, which helps promote strong adhesion and reduce lifting. Despite being a budget friendly option, they perform to a high standard and are suitable for both beginners and experienced nail technicians looking for reliable prep products.
Shopping Within your own Country
It’s always best to buy products from suppliers in your own country. This ensures the products meet local regulations, are stored correctly, and arrive quickly without damage. I’m based in Australia, so I purchase from Australian suppliers and I recommend you do the same wherever you're located. Most products listed can be found/purchased from any country!