Worried about gel manis? 3 alternatives to make nails look chic and keep them healthy
Keen to ditch gel manicures after recent negative headlines? Whether you’re concerned about chemicals or the cost and time involved, there are alternatives to heading to the salon. Here are three fresh ideas
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission. Image: Fette Nails
Gel manicures have been under the spotlight recently, thanks to an EU ruling to ban an ingredient found in many top coat polishes used to seal gel polish in place. The ingredient, trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), has been deemed unsafe because some studies have linked the ingredient to infertility. However, it is very important to stress that TPO has only been studied on animals, and the risk has not been confirmed in humans. However, salons across Europe have had to remove all existing stock and replace with non-TPO alternatives. Here in the UK, the ban hasn’t come into play just yet, but from August this year, manufacturers and brands are prohibited from launching any new products containing TPO and from February 2027, professional nail distributors and salons will no longer be able to buy them.
But there are other reasons that you might be considering ditching salon appointments and looking for gel manicure alternatives. Firstly, there’s the cost. With a decent gel manicure costing anywhere from £30 upwards and needing to be redone every three weeks, that’s quite the financial commitment.
Then there’s the potential damage to your natural nails. When removed carefully, safely and properly by a nail technician, there is little to no damage done. But let’s have a moment of honesty: how many of us are guilty of picking and peeling the gel polish off ourselves? I certainly am. And when gel polish isn’t soaked and lifted off the nail bed properly, and roughly pulled off instead, it lifts the top layers of nails away, leaving what’s left behind very damaged, thin and brittle.
So, what do you do if you still want your nails to look nice but you’d prefer to ditch the gel? Here are 3 excellent alternatives that will save you time, money and leave your nails in the same state as before, if not better.
3 gel manicure alternatives
The new-generation stick-on nails
If the last time you used stick-on nails was years ago then it’s time to rethink everything you think you know about them – and that’s thanks to Fette. Forget naff colours, Fette nails are hand-painted and come in all the shades and designs you would’ve chosen at thesalon, and unlike old-school false nails that came in one size fits all (which they didn’t), you can choose a size that truly fits your nail, for a far more natural look.
Most of the designs come in four sizes and there is a handy online guide to help you measure your nails to ensure you purchase the correct size. They also come in three lengths – short, medium and long – and five nail shapes – oval, square, coffin, almond and stiletto. I would say that the shortest length is still fairly long (they were longer than my natural nail bed length), so if you prefer a short natural nail, these are not for you. But if you need instant length, without the commitment factor that, say, acrylics offer, they are an absolute winner. They adhere to the nail with small sticky dots that are strong enough to keep the nails in place for up to five days (depending on how much washing up etc you do) but also gentle enough to peel off, without creating any damage.
Buy NowThe all-in-one polish you can do at home
Nails Inc 1 Step Gel Manicure Nail Polish in Billie, £10
Before you come for me, I am acutely aware that normal nail polish is never going to last as long as a gel manicure. However, if saving time is your main aim (plus the potential nail damage from gel manicures), then this nail polish is ideal because it has a base coat, colour and top coat all built in. No need for three different bottles, you only need this. Plus, it has been formulated to look fabulous with just one coat – however, I do think two looks better, especially with the deeper colours. There are 22 shades to choose from ranging from barely there nudes (a great option for those whose painting skills are a little haphazard), bright red, pink and coral, pastel blue, grey and black; and you can get a decent five days out of this, if you’re careful.
Buy NowNo-damage nail wraps that last a fortnight
For those that aren’t looking for additional nail length, but find conventional nail polish not long-wearing enough, these nail wraps hit the sweet spot. These clever pre-cured gel polish stickers (so you’re getting your gel manicure just with the buffer of the sticker in between) give the effect of polish but without chipping or smudging. Plus, they’re really easy to apply and remove. There is a little bit of prep: you need to lightly buff the surface of the nail and then sweep an alcohol wipe over (to remove any oil which prevents the wrap from adhering properly). Then you press the wrap to the base of the nail, smooth it over the length, cut away the excess at the tip and file away the edges to create a smooth natural look. On average, they last up to two weeks (swimmers take note, excess water will cause the wraps to lift sooner) and when you want to take them off you apply the remover oil around the edges, which causes the glue to break down and gently lift the wrap up and off the nail.
