Getting gel nail extensions involves painting hard gel over a natural nail and curing the polish with UV light. Then, the manicurist uses a nail form, which is a sticker that goes under the free edge (the tip) of the nail to extend the length of the nail. Top manicurists like Davis and Seney also rely on a newer method.

Gel extensions add length to your natural nail with hard gel. The process involves a technician extending the length of your nails using nail forms. These are adhesive stickers applied to the nail beds that act as a temporary base for product.

Gel nail extensions are used to build your natural nail to be a different length and/or shape. There are two ways to add length with a gel product. Builder Gel: Your nail tech will use a nail form to do this. The sticker goes under your nail’s free edge so that they can sculpt a longer nail with the gel before curing it with a UV lamp.