Can You Put Regular Nail Polish Over Gel?

If you’ve gotten a gel manicure, you may be wondering if you can put regular nail polish on top. Gel manicures use a special gel formula that is cured under UV light to give you shiny, chip-resistant nails that can last 2-3 weeks without chipping. Regular nail polish is the classic lacquer that simply air dries but tends to chip more easily within days. So can you safely paint regular polish over your long-lasting gel manicure?

The answer is yes, you can layer regular nail polish over a gel manicure without damaging the gel underneath. The gel polish is fully hardened and cured, so putting regular polish on top will not affect the gel.

Here’s why you may want to use regular polish over gel and how to do it properly.

Reasons to Use Regular Polish Over Gel

There are a few good reasons to use regular nail polish over your gel manicure:

Add Fun Pops of Color

Regular polish allows you to change up your look for events, parties, holidays, or whenever you want a new color without having to fully remove the gel. You can paint on trendy brights, sheer glitters, seasonal shades, or French tips to instantly transform your gel manicure into a fresh style.

Hide Imperfections in Gel

If your gel manicure develops any chips, cracks, or flaws, a coat of regular polish is an easy fix. The regular polish hides imperfections in the gel for a smooth, even look.

Experiment with Nail Art

You can play around with nail art techniques like ombre, water marble, or stamping more easily with regular polish. Trying new nail art looks allows you to get creative without having to soak off gel polish right away.

Test Drive Colors

Use regular polish to try out trendy colors without fully committing to them for 2-3 weeks with gel. If you end up not liking the shade after a few days, regular polish makes it easy to remove and switch up your nails.

How to Apply Regular Polish Over Gel

When layering regular polish over gel manicures, follow these tips:

• Apply very thin coats of regular polish. Too much polish will look thick and heavy over the gel. Sheer application works best.
• Let the regular polish air dry instead of putting hands under UV light. UV light will not set or cure regular nail polish.
• Use acetone-free polish remover when ready to take off the regular polish. This keeps the gel manicure intact.
• Avoid using dark colors like black, navy, or dark red which can streak over gel. Opt for lighter shades.
• Don’t apply regular polish all the way to the cuticles – leave a small gap near cuticles and sides of nails.
• Add a top coat over the regular polish to help extend wear and add shine.

Considerations When Using Regular Over Gel

While you can safely use regular nail polish over gel manicures, keep these factors in mind:

• Durability – Regular polish may not last as long or be as chip-resistant over gel as it does on natural nails. Expect possible chips or peeling faster than usual.
• Touch-ups – You may need to reapply regular polish over gel more frequently to fix small chips and flaws.
• Removal – Take care when removing regular polish over gel using acetone-free remover and cotton balls instead of foil. Don’t tug or pick at polish.
• Reapplication – When reapplying regular polish over gel, thoroughly remove any remaining traces of old polish so new layers adhere properly.
• Dry time – Regular polish takes longer to fully dry over gel manicures than on bare nails. Ensure each layer dries completely before adding another.

Gel Polish Over Regular Polish

While you can safely put regular polish over gels, it’s not recommended to layer gel polish over regular manicures. Here’s why:

• Waste of gel – Gel polish is designed to last 2-3 weeks without chipping. Applying over regular polish that may only last a few days is a waste of gel’s durability.
• Adhesion issues – Gel polish adheres best to natural nails. Layering over regular polish can lead to poor bonding and lifting.
• Can’t remove regular polish first – You can’t just remove the regular polish to expose natural nails again for gel application because acetone remover damages gel.
• Extra soak-off needed – The only option is to fully soak off the gel polish and start over with a fresh gel manicure.

If you want to extend the wear of a regular manicure, use a gel top coat instead of full gel polish. This adds a layer of gel over regular polish to help it last longer without chipping.

Gel Manicure Do’s and Don’ts

To safely layer regular nail polish over gel manicures:

DO:

• Use acetone-free remover to take off regular polish over gel
• Apply very thin coats of regular polish
• Let regular polish air dry fully
• Add a gel top coat over regular polish for extended wear
• Touch up chips and flaws with more regular polish

DON’T:

• Soak off gel polish just to reapply regular polish
• Apply thick globs of regular polish over gel
• Cure regular polish under UV lamps
• Pick or peel at regular polish over gel
• Apply gel polish over regular manicures

Conclusion

In summary, it is perfectly safe to paint regular nail polish over an existing gel manicure without damaging the gel. Regular polish allows you to temporarily change your nail color, fix flaws in the gel, and experiment with new looks. For best results, use thin coats of regular polish and let it air dry fully. Avoid excessive buildup.

When you’re ready, use acetone-free remover to safely take off the regular polish without affecting the gel underneath. While you can layer regular over gel, it’s not recommended to put gel over regular polishes. A gel top coat is the best way to make a regular manicure last longer. With the right technique, you can safely enjoy the best of both worlds – long-lasting gel polish and fun regular polish colors.