Gel polish bases differ in thickness, hardness and flexibility. A well-chosen base means the set lasts four weeks. A badly chosen one means the nail starts to break, or the colour lifts at the nail fold after a few days.

A base for builder gel – how it differs from an ordinary gel polish base

Not every nail base is suitable under builder gel. An ordinary gel polish base only carries a thin layer of gel polish. A base for builder gel carries the whole structure, so the requirements are higher.

A good base for builder gel should be clear and pigment-free. Pigment absorbs part of the UV or LED light, which makes curing a thicker layer of material unreliable. It should also give strong adhesion to the natural nail plate, because it is what holds the gel set in place.

The second difference is how the base is applied. Under builder gel it is applied with the rub-in method – thinly, massaging the product into the nail. A thick layer of base under the structure is the most common cause of lifting at the nail fold.

Two bases for builder gel from Julia Nessa

In this category you will find two gel polish bases with different characters. Both are clear and both work well under builder gel, but they handle differently.

Thin Base 2.0 is the hardest gel polish base in the Julia Nessa range. It has a thin, runny consistency and is designed for the rub-in method – you spread the product thinly and massage it into the natural nail plate. This kind of application bonds the base thoroughly to the nail and evens out the nail surface before the next products.

The new formula creates a strong protective layer, so this nail base works well on brittle, weakened nail plates that break easily. The hard layer makes the manicure more resistant to mechanical damage, lifting and breakage. The product is economical – in most sets one thin layer is enough. After curing in the lamp, a sticky (inhibition) layer remains, which helps the next material bond. The ergonomic brush, with bristles of the right width and flexibility, spreads the product evenly over the plate. Available in 8, 15 and 50 ml.

Rubber Base Clear is a clear rubber base with a medium-thick consistency. The thickness gives you full control over the material and lets you build the apex – the highest point of the nail – freely. The product is flexible, partly camouflages imperfections in the nail plate and gives the effect of natural, healthy-looking nails.

This rubber base was created with weak and brittle nails in mind. It can be used as a base under builder gel – with one condition: the first layer must be applied with the rub-in method. It also combines with the other products in the Rubber line. Volume: 8 ml.

Which base for builder gel is right – matching it to the nail type

Choose Thin Base 2.0 if you want the maximum hardness of the foundation and you work on nails that break quickly. The thin consistency and the hard layer after curing give the strongest foundation under a gel set. It is also a good choice when you want one product for both gel polish and gel nails – this gel polish base works under both kinds of material.

Choose Rubber Base Clear if you need flexibility and want to gently build up the natural nail plate already at the base stage. The medium-thick consistency lets you build the apex without reaching for a builder material – for short, natural sets that is sometimes enough. The rubber formula copes better with nail plate flexing on clients who put a lot of strain on their nails.

It is worth choosing the base to suit your client's nail type and individual needs. A thin, soft plate that flexes under pressure will benefit from a hard foundation. A rigid nail that is prone to cracking copes better with a flexible base. If you are only just looking for a base for your nail desk, start with the 8 ml size – it is the cheapest way to see how the product works on your clients.

How to apply a gel polish base step by step

• Prepare the nail plate and carefully remove all the dust after filing – the preparation of the plate decides everything that follows.
• Degrease and dehydrate the nail with Nail Fresh.
• Once the product has evaporated, apply SuperBond or a primer, choosing it to suit the condition of the plate.
• Start the base with a rub-in layer – massage the product into the nail and do not leave a thick layer.
• With Rubber Base Clear you can add a second layer, building the apex and evening out the natural curves of the plate.
• Curing the base in the lamp: 30 seconds in a 48W DUAL LED lamp or 120 seconds in a 36W UV lamp.
• With Thin Base 2.0, one thin layer is enough in most cases.
• Move on to the builder material or the colour – the sticky (inhibition) layer will bond the products together.

Match the amount of product to the size of the natural nail plate. On a small nail the same portion makes a thicker layer than on a large one.

The most common mistakes when using a base

Too thick a layer. A base applied like a polish, without rubbing in, does not bond well with the plate. The result is lifting at the nail fold after a few days of wear.

Skipping the degreasing step. Oils and moisture on the nail form a barrier between the base and the plate. Even high-quality bases cannot make up for a badly prepared nail surface.

Air bubbles in the layer. It is easy to trap air in the product by stirring it vigorously in the bottle. The bubbles transfer to the nail and stay in the layer permanently after curing. Take the base from the bottle gently.

Curing for too short a time. An undercured base stays soft under the structure and the whole set starts to move. Check the time for the power of your lamp.

Product flooding the cuticles. A base that touches the nail fold lifts together with the skin and opens a way in under the set. Leave a minimal gap from the cuticles.

Different types of gel polish bases

A nail stylist uses several types of base. It is worth knowing the differences so you can match the product to the job.

A thin base has a runny consistency and serves only as a foundation – it prepares the nail but builds nothing. This is how Thin Base 2.0 works.

A rubber base is thicker and flexible. Besides adhesion, it lets you build up the plate and build the apex. This is how Rubber Base Clear works.

A builder base has an even thicker consistency and allows short nail extensions. For longer structures and more serious nail extensions you need a builder gel.

Coloured bases contain pigment and shorten the set – the colour goes straight onto the base. They work well as a base under gel polish, but not under a builder material, because the pigment makes it harder to cure a thicker layer.

Strengthening and protein bases are a separate group, used when caring for nails badly weakened by treatments.

Safety at work

Gel polish bases are for professional use only. Avoid contact of the uncured product with skin and eyes – it may cause an allergic reaction. Use a nail dust collector when filing a cured set. Our products are made in Europe, and the full ingredients list is given on each product page.

Bases for builder gel – frequently asked questions

Is every gel polish base suitable under builder gel?

No. A base for builder gel should be clear and pigment-free, because pigment makes it harder to cure a thicker layer. It should also give strong adhesion to the nail plate, because it carries the whole structure.

Which base is best for weak and brittle nails?

Both work, but in different ways. Thin Base 2.0 gives a hard protective layer that stiffens the nail. Rubber Base Clear is flexible and works together with the plate instead of blocking it.

Can Rubber Base Clear be applied in the usual way, not rubbed in?

Under gel polish, yes, but under a builder material always apply the first layer with the rub-in method. It is the condition for good adhesion of the whole structure.

How many layers of base should I apply?

With Thin Base 2.0, one thin layer is enough in most sets. With Rubber Base Clear you can apply a second one if you want to build the apex.

Does the base leave a sticky layer?

Thin Base 2.0 does – this is deliberate, because the sticky (inhibition) layer helps the next product bond. Do not wipe it off before applying the builder material.

How long should I cure the base in the lamp?

Rubber Base Clear: 30 seconds in a 48W DUAL LED lamp or 120 seconds in a 36W UV lamp. We give the times for the other products on their product pages.