If you want long nails and your natural nails won't get there on their own, extensions are the answer. No waiting three months hoping they don't snap. No babying them through every door handle and zip. You walk in with short nails and walk out with the length and shape you want.
Nail extensions add physical length beyond the end of your natural nail using a product that's either sculpted on or attached as a pre-made tip. They're not the same as gel polish (which is just colour) or BIAB (which adds structure but doesn't add significant length). Extensions are specifically for adding length.
At Aesthete Beauty in Dundee, nail extensions are booked by length: Short, Medium or Long. Each length is built in Polygel, BIAB or Builder Gel, and the right system for your nails is chosen with you at your appointment. Radina Ignatova has over 11 years of experience and her work has been featured in Scratch Magazine and Who What Wear UK. Prices start from £97, and the price is the same for a new set or an infill. All appointments are booked online.
If you've been reading about nail extension damage online, there's a whole section on that further down. Short version: how extensions are applied, looked after and removed makes far more difference than the product itself.
You also won't find acrylics here. That's a deliberate choice, not a gap in the menu: the salon is kept free of the strong monomer smell that comes with traditional acrylic systems, and Polygel is offered instead. More on that below.
Nail extensions are exactly what they sound like. They extend the length of your nail beyond where your natural nail ends. The added length is created using a product that bonds to your natural nail and gets shaped into whatever style you want.
Unlike gel polish, which is a thin colour coating that sits on top of your existing nail, extensions physically add material that builds the nail out longer. And unlike BIAB, which creates a structural overlay that protects your natural nail while it grows, extensions give you length right now in one appointment.
You can have extensions in any shape. Almond, coffin, stiletto, square, ballerina, round, whatever you're after. The length and shape get decided at the start of your appointment and Radina will advise what works best with your natural nail and lifestyle.
Once the extensions are on, they can be finished with gel polish in any colour, French tips, chrome, cat-eye, or nail art. The extension is the structure. The finish goes on top.
People ask this a lot. Aesthete Beauty does not offer acrylic nails. Traditional acrylic systems use a liquid monomer with a strong odour, and the salon is deliberately kept as a fresh, odour-free environment for every client.
Polygel is the alternative. It gives the strength needed for extensions without monomer, it is odourless during application and lighter on the nail. BIAB and Builder Gel are also used where they suit your nails better. The products used are HEMA-free and TPO-free.
Radina chooses the system with you at your appointment, based on the length you want, your natural nails and your lifestyle.
Nail extensions at Aesthete Beauty are booked by length. The price is the same whether it is a new set or an infill.
Short Nail Extensions / Infill (£97). Up to 3 mm past the fingertip, and the extension must finish past the fingertip. Shapes: round, square or squoval. Systems: Polygel, BIAB or Builder Gel. For anything longer than 3 mm, choose Medium.
Medium Nail Extensions / Infill (£107). Up to 8 mm past the fingertip, a medium length that visibly extends beyond the fingertip. Shapes: round, square, squoval, almond or ballerina. Systems: Polygel, BIAB or Builder Gel. For anything longer than 8 mm, choose Long.
Long Nail Extensions / Infill (£137). Between 8 and 15 mm past the fingertip, a long length that extends well beyond the fingertip. Shapes: round, square, squoval, almond, coffin, ballerina, stiletto or Russian almond. Systems: Polygel or Builder Gel.
If you have a question about which length to book, send us a WhatsApp message first. Appointments are booked online.
Bit late writing this but got nail extensions and art done about 3 weeks ago and they're still looking great. No lifting, no chips. Radina was really nice too, we just chatted the whole time. Not one of those awkward silent appointments. Will be a regular from now on I think.
Lorraine McDonnell
·
★★★★★
·
Google Review
Polygel extensions, modern almond shape
This is the question everyone asks. You choose the length when you book, and the system is decided with you at your appointment, based on your natural nails, the length and shape you want, and your lifestyle.
Polygel is sculpted onto the nail, so Radina can build exactly the shape and thickness you need. It is lightweight, odourless during application and strong enough for longer lengths. Best for: longer and more structured shapes, active lifestyles, and clients moving away from acrylics. Available at every length.
BIAB can be used to build a shorter, natural-looking extension. Best for: Short and Medium lengths, and clients who already wear BIAB and would like a little more length. BIAB is not used for Long extensions.
Builder Gel is used for sculpted extensions at every length, including Long.
A note on suitability.
If your nails are weak, damaged or bitten very short, Radina will check them at the start of your appointment and tell you honestly which option will work for you.
Instant length. This is the main reason people get extensions. You don't have to wait for your natural nails to grow. You don't have to worry about them breaking halfway there. One appointment and you have the length you want.
Any shape you want. Almond, coffin, stiletto, square, ballerina, or anything in between. Extensions give you enough material to sculpt shapes that short natural nails can't achieve. Radina can create precise, symmetrical shapes on every nail.
Lighter than traditional acrylics. Polygel and builder gels are lighter than traditional acrylic extensions, feel more natural on the nail, and there is no strong chemical smell during the appointment.
Infills instead of full replacement. Extensions don't need to be completely removed and redone every time. As your nails grow out, the gap near the cuticle gets filled in with fresh product, which means less repeated filing and removal. Infills are generally recommended around every three weeks, and you will be advised what suits your nails.
HEMA-free and TPO-free products. The extension products used at Aesthete Beauty are HEMA-free and TPO-free.
Professional dry preparation. Every extension appointment starts with dry e-file cuticle preparation. No water soaking. This gives the product a stable, clean surface to bond to from the first layer.
Over 230 gel polish colours. Choose your finish from over 230 gel polish colours. All HEMA-free. Chrome, cat-eye, and ombre finishes are available as add-ons.
French almond extensions by Radina
Russian manicure preparation. Extensions can be combined with Russian manicure preparation for an exceptionally clean, precise finish around the cuticle. It is not required, but many clients choose it for the extra detail.
Shapes you can't get with natural nails. Round, square, squoval, almond, ballerina, coffin, stiletto or Russian almond. The shapes available depend on the length you book, with the longest lengths allowing the most dramatic shapes.
This is the most searched question about nail extensions, so here's a direct answer.
Applied, maintained and removed properly, extensions are designed to sit on your natural nail without harming it. How they are prepared, looked after and taken off makes the biggest difference.
The horror stories you read online are real, but they are usually about what happened after the appointment rather than the extensions themselves: peeling them off in the bath, picking at a lifted edge until it comes away with layers of nail attached, or trying a DIY removal with a metal scraper.
That's where most damage comes from, rather than from the product sitting on your nail.
Here's what actually causes problems:
Picking or peeling off extensions. This is the big one. When you peel an extension off, it doesn't come away cleanly. It takes the top layers of your natural nail with it. Your nails end up thin, rough, splitting, and painful. It can take three to six months for the damage to grow out completely. If you take one thing from this section, make it this: never peel them off.
Over-filing during preparation. Preparation should lightly texture the nail surface for adhesion, not strip it back. At Aesthete Beauty, Radina uses an e-file for precise, controlled preparation.
Skipping infills for too long. When extensions grow out past four weeks, the product shifts away from the cuticle and the balance of the nail changes. The stress point moves to the wrong place. That's when nails get weak, start lifting, and water gets underneath. A UK professional nail trade publication explains it clearly: grown-out product puts pressure on the natural nail and creates a weak structure that's prone to breaking.
Bad removal. Professional removal at Aesthete takes 20 to 30 minutes using controlled filing and acetone soaking. DIY removal with a credit card and no patience is how people end up spending three hours and still leaving their nails feeling terrible. If you want your extensions off, book the removal appointment. It's £20 and it helps protect your nails.
The technique matters more than the product. Radina has been doing this professionally for over 11 years. Preparation is precise, products are HEMA-free, and removal is always available as a proper service. Your natural nails are looked after before, during, and after.
Short Nail Extensions / Infill £97. Medium Nail Extensions / Infill £107. Long Nail Extensions / Infill £137. The price is the same for a new set or an infill.
Single nail repair £9. Removal £20.
Finishes: Classic French £5, Deep French £15.
Add-ons: Chrome from £7, cat-eye from £7, nail art from £7.
All current pricing is in the online booking system. Pick your length, choose your time, done. All appointments are booked online. If you have a question before booking, message us on WhatsApp (for questions only; bookings are made online).
Not sure which system suits your nails? You don't need to decide when booking: Radina will look at your nails at the start of your appointment and recommend the best option.
I went to get my nails done yesterday by Radina, she was so kind! You can really tell from the service that she genuinely cares about the health of your nails. Will definitely be going back!
If you've never had extensions before, here's exactly what happens.
Allow about 1 hour 50 minutes for Short, 2 hours for Medium and 2 hours 20 minutes for Long. The time is the same for a new set or an infill.
You'll get a digital consultation form by email before your appointment. Quick one. It asks about your nail health, any previous extensions, allergies, and what length and shape you're thinking about. Radina reads it before you sit down so your appointment time goes entirely on your nails.
Clean air, clean tools. Vodex dust extraction runs throughout all e-file work during your appointment, pulling nail dust from the air at the source so the room stays clear and there's no chemical smell. Every client gets fresh disposable files and buffers, metal tools are thoroughly cleaned and hygienically prepared between appointments, and Radina wears gloves for the whole service. “A very clean place” and “a friendly, clean boutique salon” come up repeatedly in client reviews.
Individually prepared tools for each client
Radina will discuss what you want. Length, shape, type of extension, and finish. If you're not sure, she'll look at your natural nails and recommend the best option. Bring photos of what you like if that helps.
Your natural nails get shaped and the surface is prepared. E-file cuticle preparation is done dry, no water soaking.
For an exceptionally clean, precise finish around the cuticle, ask about adding Russian manicure preparation.
This is where the length gets built. Polygel is sculpted onto a form and shaped by hand before curing. BIAB and Builder Gel are built up in layers to create the extra length.
Once the extensions are cured, Radina files and shapes them to get the exact length and profile you want. This is where the precision happens. Every nail gets checked and refined individually.
Gel polish in any colour, French tips, chrome, cat-eye, nail art, or left in a natural shade. The finish goes on after the structural work is done.
Cuticle oil daily. Gloves when cleaning. Don't use your nails as tools. Don't pick or try to remove extensions yourself. Infills are generally recommended around every three weeks; Radina will advise what suits your nails.
Extensions need a bit of looking after. Not much, but the basics make a real difference to how long they last and how your natural nails hold up underneath.
First 24 hours. Be a bit careful. Don't soak your hands in hot water, avoid the gym if you can, and try not to test the new length by opening cans or pulling zips with your nail tips. The bond is strong from day one, but giving it a full day to settle doesn't hurt.
Cuticle oil, every day. This is one of the most useful things you can do. A drop of cuticle oil on each nail, rubbed into the skin around the extension and the cuticle area. It keeps the natural nail hydrated underneath the product and helps maintain flexibility. Dry nails are brittle nails, even under extensions.
Almond shape extensions
Gloves for cleaning and dishes. Hot water and cleaning chemicals break down adhesion faster than anything else. Rubber gloves every time. It takes two seconds and it'll add days to the wear time of your set.
Don't use your nails as tools. Extensions aren't bottle openers, parcel tape peelers, or keyboard scrapers. The length is tempting but the product is bonded to your natural nail. If the extension catches on something and bends backwards, your real nail goes with it.
Come back for infills on time. Around three weeks is generally recommended, and you will be advised individually. Your nails grow roughly 3mm a month, so after four weeks there's visible regrowth at the cuticle and the balance of the extension has shifted. Leaving it longer than four weeks means the stress point moves too far from where it should be. That leads to lifting at the edges, water getting under the product, and in the worst case, bacterial discolouration underneath.
If you want them off, book a removal. Extensions removal at Aesthete is £20 and takes about 30 minutes. Radina will file the bulk of the product down and soak the rest with acetone. Your natural nails get checked and tidied up. Most clients find it comfortable, and professional removal helps protect your natural nails. Never peel, pull, or pick them off at home.
Swimming and holidays. Extensions are fine in pools, the sea, and hot tubs. Chlorine and salt water won't dissolve them. Just dry your hands properly after and keep up the cuticle oil. If you're going away and won't have access to a nail tech, get your infill done before you leave rather than trying to stretch it out.
If any of these sound familiar, nail extensions are what you need:
Extensions aren't the right choice if you just want colour on your natural nails (gel polish is better for that) or if you just need support without added length (BIAB is the one). Extensions are specifically about length.
If you've never had them before, don't worry. Radina will walk you through everything and help you choose the right type, length, and shape for what you want.
I was really impressed with the end product as my nails are stunning. My nails were not in the best condition but Radina took great care and gave me really good advice on how to look after them going forward.
Nail extensions are booked by length: Short (up to 3 mm past the fingertip), Medium (up to 8 mm) and Long (8 to 15 mm). Short and Medium can be built in Polygel, BIAB or Builder Gel, and Long in Polygel or Builder Gel.
Short £97, Medium £107 and Long £137. The price is the same for a new set or an infill. Removal is £20. All current pricing is in the online booking system.
Short finishes up to 3 mm past the fingertip, Medium up to 8 mm and Long between 8 and 15 mm. Longer lengths also allow more shapes: Short suits round, square or squoval; Medium adds almond and ballerina; Long adds coffin, stiletto and Russian almond. If you have a question before booking, send us a WhatsApp message.
Yes. As your natural nails grow, the regrowth near the cuticle is filled with fresh product. Infills are generally recommended around every three weeks, and an infill is the same price as a new set at the same length.
Polygel, BIAB and Builder Gel extensions are carefully filed down. Removal is always done professionally to protect the natural nail underneath, and costs £20.
It depends on the length you book. Short: round, square or squoval. Medium: also almond and ballerina. Long: also coffin, stiletto and Russian almond.
Yes. Classic French (£5), Deep French (£15), chrome (£7), cat-eye (£7) and nail art (from £7) can be added.
Yes. Russian manicure preparation gives an exceptionally clean, precise finish at the cuticle line. It can be added when you book.
Applied, maintained and removed properly, extensions are designed not to. Most damage comes from peeling extensions off, aggressive filing, or leaving them too long between infills. At Aesthete Beauty, preparation is done with a precision e-file and removal is always available as a professional service.
Infills are generally recommended around every three weeks, and you will be advised what suits your nails. Your natural nails grow roughly 3 mm a month, so regrowth at the cuticle changes the balance of the extension over time.
Often, yes. Polygel and builder gels are sculpted directly onto the nail, so they can work on short nails. Radina will check your nails at the start of your appointment and tell you honestly what will work.
Aesthete Beauty does not offer acrylics. Traditional acrylic systems use a liquid monomer with a strong odour, and the salon is kept odour-free. Polygel is offered instead.
Yes. The extension products used at Aesthete Beauty are HEMA-free and TPO-free.
My first time at Aesthete beauty salon and it will not be my last! I will definitely be coming back. My nails look amazing and Radina was so lovely and professional.
Nikola Lewandowska
·
★★★★★
·
Google Review
Every set photographed in the salon. Polygel, BIAB and Builder Gel extensions in a range of shapes and finishes.
All photos taken at Aesthete Beauty, 76 Bell St, Dundee
If you want long, beautifully shaped nails without waiting months for them to grow, nail extensions are the way. Short, medium and long extensions, HEMA-free products, professional preparation and precise shaping.
We serve clients from across Dundee and the surrounding areas including the West End, Broughty Ferry, Newport-on-Tay, Monifieth, Carnoustie, and further afield.
