If your acrylics feel like they weigh a ton and you're sick of the chemical smell every time you sit down for a fill, you're not stuck with them. You just haven't tried the right alternative yet.
Polygel is a hybrid nail product that was built to fix everything people hate about acrylic. It's lighter. Genuinely lighter, not "marketing says it's lighter." Clients who switch say they forget they're wearing extensions by the time they get home. There's no monomer involved, so the application doesn't stink out the room. And because the product stays soft until it's cured under the lamp, your technician isn't scrambling to shape it before it hardens. She can take her time. Get it right.
The catch with polygel has always been that it's harder to apply well than it looks on YouTube. The DIY kits make it seem simple but the forums tell a different story. Bubbles. Lifting after three days. Eight hours to do one set. The product works, but it needs proper nail preparation and a trained hand to get salon-quality results. That's the difference between a £15 Amazon kit and a professional appointment.
At Aesthete Beauty in Dundee city centre, Radina Ignatova has been doing nails professionally for over 11 years. She's been featured in Scratch Magazine and Who What Wear UK, and she sculpts every polygel set by hand, shaping each nail individually. Not from a mould. Not from a tip. From scratch, on your finger, to whatever length and shape you want.
All products are HEMA-free. Polygel extensions start from £58. Infills from £53 every three to four weeks. Book online or call 01382 217888.
Polygel is a hybrid nail product that sits somewhere between acrylic and hard gel. It was developed to solve the main problems with both. Acrylic is strong but heavy, smells terrible during application, and starts hardening the second you mix it, which gives your technician almost no time to get the shape right. Hard gel is lighter but runs everywhere before you can cure it, floods your cuticles, and doesn't hold its shape well for longer extensions.
Polygel does neither of those things. It comes in a tube as a thick, putty-like formula. Your technician squeezes it out, shapes it with a brush dipped in slip solution, and it stays exactly where she puts it. No running. No flooding. No clock ticking. It stays completely workable until she places it under the LED lamp, which means she can take as long as she needs to get the cuticle line clean and the shape exactly right before curing.
Polygel extensions sculpted into a modern almond shape
Once cured, polygel is strong enough to support length but light enough that you genuinely don't feel it. Clients who switch from acrylic almost always say the same thing: "I forgot I was wearing them." That's the whole point. Extensions that look and feel like your own nails, just longer and shaped exactly how you want.
The product bonds to your natural nail through a primer applied to a properly prepared nail plate. The better the prep, the longer the set lasts. At Aesthete Beauty, Radina takes her time with nail preparation before any product goes on, cleaning and dehydrating the nail plate so the polygel bonds directly to a clean surface. This is why salon polygel lasts three to four weeks without lifting.
Polygel works for almost any length and shape. Short and natural. Medium almond. Long stiletto. Coffin, ballerina, Russian almond, square. Radina sculpts each nail individually rather than using pre-made tips, so you're not limited to whatever sizes came in a box. If you want all ten nails identical or each one slightly different, that's your call.
Three things put most people off nail extensions: the weight, the smell, and the rushing. Polygel fixes all three.
It's genuinely lightweight. A full set of polygel extensions weighs noticeably less than acrylic. Your nails don't feel thick or heavy. You can type normally, do up buttons, put in contact lenses, get on with your day without that constant awareness of something sitting on the ends of your fingers. This matters more than most people realise until they've lived with heavy acrylics for a fortnight and can't wait to have them taken off.
Polygel nail extensions at Aesthete Beauty, Dundee
No smell. Acrylic application involves liquid monomer, and if you've ever sat through that, you know exactly what we're talking about. It fills the whole salon. It gets in your hair, your clothes. Some clients get headaches from it. Polygel has virtually no odour at all. The appointment is actually a pleasant experience to sit through, which shouldn't be a bonus but somehow still is.
Your technician isn't racing the clock. With acrylic, the product starts hardening the moment powder meets liquid. Your technician has seconds to shape each nail before it sets. That pressure leads to shortcuts. Polygel stays completely soft and workable until the LED lamp tells it otherwise. Radina can spend as long as she needs getting the cuticle line clean, the surface smooth, the apex in the right place, and the shape exactly what you asked for. No rushing. No "that'll have to do."
It lasts. A properly applied polygel set lasts three to four weeks. It resists chipping better than regular gel and doesn't crack the way acrylic sometimes does if you catch a nail on something. When it's time for maintenance, Radina does infills rather than ripping the whole set off and starting again. That keeps your natural nails healthier over months of continuous wear.
I switched from acrylics to polygel after years of heavy, uncomfortable nails. The difference is incredible. They feel so natural and light, I actually forget I'm wearing extensions. Radina is so precise with the shaping too. Won't be going anywhere else.
If you've tried a polygel kit at home and ended up with lumpy, bubbled nails that lifted within a week, you're not alone. Reddit and TikTok are full of women sharing the exact same story. "Took me eight hours." "Bubbles everywhere." "The dual forms kept sliding off." One woman said she'd been doing her own polygel for five years and still couldn't finish a set in under three hours.
The product isn't the problem. The preparation is.
DIY kits tell you to push back your cuticles, maybe buff the nail, then stick the polygel on. That's not enough. The number one reason polygel lifts is invisible cuticle tissue left on the nail plate. Your eye can't see it. The product absolutely can. Moisture and oil get trapped underneath, and within days the edges start peeling.
Professional nail preparation makes the difference. At Aesthete Beauty, Radina properly cleans, dehydrates, and primes every nail before any product goes on. The nail plate is completely clean and dry so the polygel bonds directly to the surface with nothing in between. This is why salon sets last three to four weeks while home kits barely survive one.
The other issue with DIY is shaping. Polygel in a dual form looks simple on YouTube. In practice, getting even thickness across all ten nails without air pockets takes training and repetition. Radina sculpts freehand when the shape calls for it, adjusting the apex placement and sidewall structure for each individual finger. Try doing that on your non-dominant hand with a tutorial playing at 1.5x speed.
Some things genuinely need a trained pair of hands.
This is the question that stops most people from booking extensions for the first time. Will my nails be wrecked afterwards?
Honest answer: it depends entirely on how they're put on and taken off.
Polygel itself doesn't damage your nails. It sits on top of the nail plate and bonds through a primer, not through a chemical reaction that eats into the surface. Compared to acrylic, the whole application process is gentler, with less filing during prep and no harsh liquid monomer anywhere near your skin.
Where damage actually happens is during removal. Picking, peeling, or ripping off polygel tears layers of your natural nail away with it. This is true for every type of nail enhancement. If someone tells you their nails were "ruined by polygel," ask them how it was removed. Nine times out of ten, they pulled it off themselves.
At Aesthete Beauty, removal is done carefully with an e-file. The product is taken down in thin layers without touching the natural nail underneath. If you're coming from another salon or from a DIY set, Radina will assess the condition of your nails first and may recommend an IBX nail treatment to strengthen them before applying a new set.
All products used are HEMA-free. HEMA is a chemical found in many cheaper gel and polygel products that can cause contact dermatitis and allergic reactions over time. The salon switched to HEMA-free products across the board. That matters if you're someone who plans to wear extensions regularly.
A new set of polygel extensions starts from £58 and takes approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. That covers consultation, nail preparation, sculpting, curing, shaping, and a gel polish colour or clear finish. If you want longer lengths or more structured shapes like stiletto, Russian almond, or edge designs, those fall under Advanced Modern and Long Shapes from £95, which takes around 1 hour 40 minutes because of the extra sculpting work involved.
Infills are from £53 if you come back within four weeks. The appointment takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. If it's been longer than four weeks or you're coming from another salon, infills start from £55 and take 1 hour 25 minutes because there's more regrowth to deal with and potentially some restructuring needed.
If you want to add permanent French tips to any extension service, that's £10 extra and about 20 minutes of additional work. Single nail repairs are £5 and take 15 minutes. Full removal starts from £20 and takes half an hour.
Infill pricing may vary depending on regrowth, lifting, or structural repairs needed. Radina will always let you know before starting if there's any change to the quoted price.
Book online at aesthetebeauty.book.app or call 01382 217888. The salon is at 76 Bell Street, Dundee, DD1 1HF.
If you've never had polygel extensions before, or you're switching from another type, here's exactly what happens so there are no surprises.
You'll get a digital consultation form by email before your appointment. It covers your nail health, any allergies, what length and shape you're after, and whether you've had extensions before. Takes a couple of minutes. Radina reads it before you arrive so the appointment starts straight away.
Pick your finish from over 230 gel polish colours. All HEMA-free. Chrome, cat-eye, ombre, and glitter finishes available as add-ons.
Vodex dust extraction runs during all e-file work on your nails. Polygel sculpting creates fine dust when it's shaped and filed, and the extraction system pulls it from the air at the source. No cloud, no smell. Fresh disposable files and buffers for every client. Metal tools cleaned and sterilised between appointments. Radina wears gloves throughout, and clients notice. 'A friendly, clean boutique salon.' 'A very clean place.' You'll see a stainless steel tray with your tools prepared individually when you sit down.
Every client gets a freshly prepared tool tray at Aesthete Beauty
Choose your service and pick a time that works. If you're not sure whether standard polygel or advanced shapes is the right option, don't worry about it. Radina will talk through everything when you arrive.
Radina will look at your natural nails and the condition of your cuticles. If you're coming from acrylics or a DIY set, she'll check for damage and let you know honestly whether your nails need treatment first. Then she'll clean and prepare the nail plate, removing any dead cuticle tissue and dehydrating the surface so the polygel bonds properly.
Radina squeezes the polygel from the tube, places it on your nail, and sculpts it into your chosen shape using a brush dipped in slip solution. Each nail is shaped individually, not pressed into a generic mould. The polygel stays soft until she's completely happy with the shape, then it goes under the LED lamp for curing. This is repeated for all ten nails.
After curing, the nails are filed to refine the shape, buffed smooth, and finished with your choice of gel polish colour or a clear glossy top coat. One final cure under the lamp, cuticle oil around the edges, and you're done. The whole appointment takes about 1 hour 25 minutes for a new set.
Your polygel extensions will handle daily life without any drama. A few small habits do make a noticeable difference to how long they last, though.
Wear gloves for cleaning. Household products with bleach or strong detergents will gradually break down the top coat. A pair of rubber gloves when you're scrubbing the kitchen takes two seconds and saves your nails for weeks.
Don't use your nails as tools. Opening cans, peeling stickers off jars, scraping labels. They're strong, yes, but they're not scrapers. Use the pad of your finger or grab something from the drawer.
Keep your cuticle oil handy. A drop once a day keeps the skin around your nails hydrated and the bond between product and nail plate healthy. Dry cuticles shrink slightly and can create tiny gaps where lifting starts.
Book your infill on time. Three to four weeks is the sweet spot. Leave it longer and the regrowth gap gets wide enough for moisture to creep underneath. That's when lifting and breakage happen. The infill appointment is shorter and cheaper than a full new set, so staying on schedule saves you money.
If a nail breaks or lifts, don't pull it. Call the salon. A single nail repair is £5 and takes fifteen minutes. Pulling a lifted nail takes half your natural nail plate with it.
Aesthete Beauty offers three types of nail extensions. Each one suits a different situation. Radina will recommend the right option based on your nails, your lifestyle, and what you want them to look like.
Polygel extensions (from £58): Best for medium to long lengths. Clients who want lightweight but durable extensions. Anyone who dislikes the weight of acrylic. Sculpted freehand or with forms. Strong enough for longer shapes like almond, stiletto, or coffin. Infills available every three to four weeks. Odourless application.
Builder gel / BIAB extensions (£59): Best for shorter to medium lengths. Clients wanting natural-looking strength. Applied in layers over your natural nail or over a tip. Slightly more flexible than polygel. Gives a glossy, natural finish. Brilliant for people who want their nails to look like their own nails, just stronger and a bit longer. Infills every three to four weeks.
Soft gel tips / Gel X (£50): Best for short to medium lengths. Clients wanting a quick appointment. One-off events. Pre-shaped gel tips adhered to your natural nail with gel. Quickest application time. Not suitable for very long lengths, weak nails, flat nail beds, or bitten nails. No infills. The full set is removed and reapplied each time.
Not sure which one suits you? Book a consultation or ask when you arrive. Radina can assess your nails and advise on the spot.
Had acrylics for years and finally tried polygel on Radina's recommendation. So much more comfortable and they last just as long. The infills are quick too. Really happy I made the switch.
Polygel works well for most people. But it's worth being honest about who it suits best.
Polygel is a great choice if you want extensions that feel light and natural on your fingers. If you can't stand the smell of acrylic. If you want a strong set that lasts three to four weeks between appointments. If you like longer or shaped nails. If you've had bad experiences with acrylic cracking or feeling bulky. If you want infills rather than full removal every visit.
You might prefer something else if you want the absolute shortest appointment time. Soft gel tips are quicker. If you only need a subtle bit of added strength on short nails, builder gel handles that better. If your nails are severely damaged, they may need rebuilding before any extensions go on.
Polygel isn't the cheapest option and it isn't the quickest. What it is, honestly, is the best balance between strength, weight, comfort, and longevity in nail extensions right now. Most clients who try polygel after years of acrylic say the same thing. They're not going back.
First time getting polygel done properly and I'm obsessed. So light compared to the acrylics I used to get. Radina took her time getting the shape perfect. Booking my infill already.
Three to four weeks with proper care. Infill appointments keep them looking fresh without full removal. Most clients book every three weeks.
They're lighter, odourless, and more flexible. Acrylic is slightly harder and may suit people who need maximum impact resistance, but most clients prefer how polygel feels day to day.
Not when applied and removed properly. Damage happens when extensions are picked or peeled off at home. Professional removal with an e-file protects your natural nail.
A new set of polygel extensions at Aesthete Beauty is £58. Advanced shapes and longer lengths start from £95. Infills are from £53.
Yes. Polygel can be sculpted onto very short nails to build length gradually. Radina will assess your nails and recommend the best approach. If they're severely bitten, she may suggest an IBX treatment first.
Builder gel is applied in thinner layers and works well for shorter, more natural lengths. Polygel is sculpted and holds its shape better for longer or more structured extensions. Both are available at Aesthete Beauty.
A new set takes approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. Infills take about 1 hour 10 minutes. Advanced shapes may take up to 1 hour 40 minutes.
Yes. Polygel is sculpted by hand, so you can have almond, coffin, stiletto, square, ballerina, Russian almond, or any custom shape. Radina will advise on what works best with your nail bed.
Yes. All nail products used at Aesthete Beauty are HEMA-free, which reduces the risk of contact dermatitis and allergic reactions from repeated exposure.
Infills are recommended. They're quicker, cheaper, and kinder to your nails. Full removal and reapplication every time means more filing, which wears down your natural nail over months.
Call the salon and book a single nail repair. It's £5 and takes about fifteen minutes. Don't try to glue it at home or pull off the broken piece.
Polygel is designed for fingernails. For toes, gel polish or BIAB overlay works better. Check the gel polish pedicure page for toe services.
Nothing special. Come with clean, dry nails. Don't apply oils or hand cream beforehand. If you have existing extensions from another salon, mention that when booking so extra time can be allocated for removal.
Yes. Polygel gives an excellent surface for nail art. Hand-painted designs, chrome, cat eye, ombre, glitter, foil. Nail art is charged separately depending on the design.
Polygel is an extension product that adds length beyond your natural nail. BIAB is an overlay that sits on top of your natural nail to strengthen it without adding length. Polygel is sculpted from a tube using a brush and slip solution. BIAB brushes on from a bottle. Both are available at Aesthete Beauty and Radina can help you decide which suits your nails.
It's neither. Polygel is a hybrid that sits between the two. It's lighter and more flexible than hard gel but stronger and more structured than soft gel. Doesn't self-level. Doesn't soak off. Removal at Aesthete Beauty is done with a safe e-file technique that takes the product down in layers without touching your natural nail.
Yes. The old acrylic gets removed first, your nails are assessed, and the new polygel goes on in the same visit. If your nails need recovery time after the acrylic removal, Radina will tell you honestly rather than putting product straight onto damaged nails. She may suggest an IBX treatment or a short break before the new set.
If you want the strength of extensions without the weight, smell, and brittleness of acrylics, polygel is the one. Sculpted by hand, cured under the lamp, and shaped to exactly what you want.
We serve clients from across Dundee and the surrounding areas including the West End, Broughty Ferry, Newport-on-Tay, Monifieth, Carnoustie, and further afield.
