Clear builder gel – what a transparent formula gives you

Clear builder gel, also called builder gel clear, is completely transparent and does not change the colour of the natural nail plate. That is its main advantage and the reason it is often the most used gel at the nail desk.

Transparent gel works well in three situations. The first is strengthening the natural nail plate – the nail still looks like your client's own. The second is a structural layer under colour. The third is extensions on a nail form or a dual form.

Two clear gels in our range – Master and Tixy

This category has two transparent gels with completely different characteristics. They are not variants of the same product.

Master Clear Gel has a pudding-like consistency: very thick, with only minimal levelling. The product stays exactly where you place it, so you can build the nail calmly and without rushing – and with practice you can build several nails at once. It holds the C-curve without pinching. Available in 15 and 30 ml.

Tixy 1-phase clear is a one-phase gel with thixotropy. One-phase means that you can also use it as a base – you do not need a separate product underneath. Thixotropy means that in the jar the gel is thick, under the movement of the brush it becomes pliable, and when you stop working with it, it returns to a thicker form and stays in place. It was created in 2018 for the no-file technique. Also in 15 and 30 ml.

Infills on clear gel

When you do an infill, you remove the colour together with the part of the gel that has become lifted by air – not just the colour layer.

A builder gel of medium thickness is the safest choice to start with. A thinner one needs watching because it runs, and a thicker one takes practice to spread.

Which clear gel to choose for your work

Choose Master Clear if you build structures and want full control over the product. The thick consistency does not run, the C-curve holds by itself, and not having to pinch makes the service shorter.

Choose Tixy 1-phase clear if you work with a technique that limits filing or want one product instead of two. The one-phase formula replaces the base, and thixotropy makes it easier to place the product without it running towards the cuticles.

Both are suitable for extensions on a nail form and on dual forms, and for building up the natural nail plate. Tixy is also more flexible, so it copes better with bending in clients who put a lot of strain on their nails.

How to work with clear builder gel

• Prepare the nail plate and remove all the dust after filing.
• Degrease the nail plate with a dehydrator, then apply an adhesion-boosting product.
• Apply the base and cure. With Tixy 1-phase you can skip this step – the gel is one-phase.
• Pick up the gel with the brush and spread it over the nail plate, building the apex in the right place.
• For extensions, work on a nail form or a dual form.
• Cure in the lamp. For Tixy it is 120 seconds in a 36W UV lamp or 60 seconds in a 48W DUAL LED lamp; for Master, check the time on the product page.
• Wipe off the sticky (inhibition) layer with a nail cleanser, then refine the shape with a nail file. Apply gel polish over the finished shape or leave the set natural.

If your client reports a burning sensation in the lamp, take the hand out for a few seconds and put it back in. The burning comes from the curing reaction and can be stronger with a thicker layer – splitting the curing into two stages eases it.

Clear gel and other consistencies

Besides the transparent ones, we also have opaque gels. Cover builder gels mask the colour of the nail plate and even out its look – choose them when your client has discolouration or wants a set without colour but with an even tone.

You will find the whole range of consistencies in the builder gels category, and if you are looking for a product that levels by itself, in the self-levelling gels.

Safety when working with gel

Builder gels are for professional use only. Avoid contact of uncured product with the skin around the nail – it may cause an allergic reaction. If the product gets onto the cuticles, remove it with the brush before curing.

When filing cured gel, work with a nail dust collector. Store the products in tightly closed packaging, away from direct light. The full list of ingredients is given on each product page.

Clear gels – frequently asked questions

Can you make nail extensions with clear gel?

Yes, on a nail form and on a dual form.

Does clear gel replace the base coat?

Only Tixy 1-phase clear – it is one-phase, so it can do both jobs. With Master Clear you apply the base separately.

Does clear gel have a sticky layer?

Yes. After curing, you wipe it off with a nail cleanser.

Which clear gel is harder?

Master Clear. Tixy is medium-hard and more flexible, which can be an advantage on nails that are under a lot of strain.