What's the difference between soft gel and hard gel?

Soft gel extensions are pre-shaped, flexible tips bonded to your nail, so they feel light and look natural. Hard gel and polygel are sculpted by hand into a rigid, very strong nail, which suits longer lengths and heavy nail art.

Which one lasts the longest?

They all last about the same: 2 to 3 weeks before a refill, depending on how fast your natural nails grow.

Will extensions damage my natural nails?

Applied and removed properly, they shouldn't. Most damage comes from picking, peeling or biting extensions off at home, which pulls away layers of your natural nail. Always have them removed in the lounge.

Can I switch from soft gel to hard gel, or the other way?

Yes. Your technician removes your current set first, then applies the new one. Removing an existing set is ₱499 (Extension Removal on our price list).

How are they removed?

Each type can be removed with an e-file or soaked off, and your technician will choose the gentlest method for your nails. Please don't peel or pick them off at home, as that pulls layers off your natural nail.

BIAB stands for Builder In A Bottle, a thick builder gel applied over your natural nails. It doesn't add length, it adds strength, so it's a good choice if you want to grow your own nails out without them breaking.

Soft Gel vs Hard Gel

Soft gel, hard gel, polygel or BIAB? They all give you strong, glossy nails, but they're made differently, feel different and suit different nails. Here's how to choose.

At a Glance

The first question is simple: do you want extra length, or stronger natural nails? Extensions (soft gel, hard gel, polygel) add length. Overlays (BIAB, hard gel overlay) strengthen the nails you already have.

	Soft Gel	Hard Gel / Polygel	BIAB	Hard Gel Overlay
What it is	Soft gel tips bonded on	Sculpted hard gel or polygel	Builder gel on your own nails	Hard gel on your own nails
Adds length?	Yes	Yes	No	No
Strength	Flexible	Strongest	Strong	Very strong
Look	Thin, natural	Sculpted, any shape	Natural, glossy	Natural, even
Lasts	2–3 weeks	2–3 weeks	2–3 weeks	2–3 weeks
Removal	E-file or soak-off	E-file or soak-off	E-file or soak-off	E-file or soak-off
From	₱1,199	₱1,699	₱1,399	₱1,699

Prices are the starting price for a base set. Swipe the table sideways on your phone.

Each Option Explained

Soft Gel Extensions

Pre-shaped, full-cover soft gel tips bonded to your natural nail with gel. Lightweight and flexible, with a natural, thin finish.

Lightweight and comfortable from day one
Natural-looking, thin and flexible
Quick to apply, in a wide range of shapes and lengths

Best for: first-timers, everyday wear and a natural look.

long sculpted coffin nails with 3D flowers at AyuriNails Beauty Lounge, Poblacion Makati

Polygel & Hard Gel Extensions

Built and sculpted by hand onto your nail. Hard gel is a dense, durable gel, and polygel is a gel-acrylic hybrid shaped like putty. Both cure into a very strong, rigid nail.

The strongest option, ideal for long lengths
Hand-sculpted, so the shape is fully custom
Holds up well to heavy hand use and detailed nail art

Best for: long or dramatic shapes, heavy nail art and anyone who breaks soft gel.

natural-length coral ombre nails at AyuriNails Beauty Lounge, Poblacion Makati

BIAB Overlay

Builder In A Bottle: a thick builder gel layered over your own nails, no extension. It adds strength so your natural nails can grow without breaking.

Strengthens weak, thin or peeling nails
Keeps your natural length, no extension
A natural, glossy finish, or add colour on top

Best for: thin nails, and growing out natural nails that bend or split.

even peach almond nails at AyuriNails Beauty Lounge, Poblacion Makati

Hard Gel Overlay

A durable hard gel layer over your natural nails. Stronger and more rigid than BIAB, and your technician can even out the nail shape.

Maximum protection on natural nails
Corrects and evens uneven nail shapes
A strong base for nail art on short nails

Best for: nail biters, very weak nails and uneven shapes.

Which Is Right for Me?

"I want length, but natural and light." Soft gel extensions.
"I want long, dramatic nails or lots of nail art." Hard gel or polygel extensions.
"My nails are thin and keep breaking." BIAB overlay.
"I bite my nails." Hard gel overlay.
"My nails are very weak or uneven, and I want them short." Hard gel overlay.
"My nail is broken or partly missing." Nail reconstruction.

Our team's tip: BIAB is our go-to for thin nails, and a hard gel overlay is best for nail biters: it's tough enough to stand up to biting while your own nails grow back underneath.

Why I Choose Hard Gel

Crissy, AyuriNails Beauty Lounge

Gentler on Natural Nails
Helps keep nails strong and healthy.
Lightweight & Comfortable
Feels natural, not heavy.
Beautiful, Glossy Finish
Crystal clear and modern.
Odorless Application
A more pleasant experience for both client and artist.
Long-Lasting Results
Stays flawless with the right application and care.

Pricing

Soft Gel Extensions

Base₱1,199

Medium₱1,299

Long₱1,399

Extra Long₱1,499

Refill
fill in regrowth, within 3 weeks₱1,199

Polygel & Hard Gel Extensions

Base₱1,699

Medium₱1,799

Long₱1,999

Extra Long₱2,499

Refill
fill in regrowth, within 3 weeks₱1,699

Overlays (no extension)

BIAB Overlay
Builder In A Bottle, strengthens natural nails₱1,399

BIAB Refill
fill in regrowth, within 3 weeks₱1,399

Hard Gel Overlay
durable gel layer to protect & extend natural nails₱1,699

Hard Gel Overlay Refill
fill in regrowth, within 3 weeks₱1,699

French tip, chrome, cat eye and nail art designs are priced separately. See our full price list →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for something else? Nail Reconstruction Guide · Russian Manicure Guide · Nail Art Guide

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