Note: Almond Nails is reader supported. If you make a purchase through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you. This includes links to Amazon.

Are My Nails Too Short For Gel Nails?

If you are considering getting gel nails, then you may be wondering if it is even possible for you to have them. Are you nails too short for them to be applied? Having Gel Nails regularly, it made me wonder if there was a minimal nail length required. I decided to conduct some research and here is what I have found.

So, are your nails too short for Gel Nails? There is no minimum natural nail length requirement to having gel nails. This is because of the way the gel is applied and attached over the top of your nail. Therefore, so long as your Gel Nails are applied correctly and appropriately, anyone can have them.

While looking at celebrities like Bella Hadid and Kardashians might make you believe that long nails are the only way to give your fingers a unique fashion statement; fortunately, this is just a myth.

Every professional around the world will agree with this.

This was all made possible due to the introduction of Gel Nails.

However, there are a lot of misconceptions around around Gel Nails.

One of them is that you must have nails of a specific size to get a gel manicure done. I’d like to address this misconception here today.

To understand why gel nails can even be applied to every length of nail, you must first understand what gel nails are exactly.

What Are Gel Nails?

Gel nails are essentially manicures whereby gel is applied to your fingertips. There are two types available; soft and hard – each providing a slightly different look and feel.

Hard gel is cured gel that is strong enough to be molded into a nail extension. This enables you to extend your nail, with false tips, past the edge of your natural nail and increase their overall length.

Soft gel refers to the use of gel products that are too soft to create a nail extension. This includes gel polishes and thicker gels meant for gel-overlay services.

Either way, gel nails are are gentle to the natural nail and the polish stays intact on the nail for at least a couple of weeks with high shine and no cracking, peeling or chipping.

In addition, they are super easy to apply, inexpensive, and have little or no impact on nail health.

Is There Any Specific Nails Size Required to Get Gel Manicure?

So back to our original question: are my nails too short for Gel Nails?

The answer to this question is – NO!

There is absolutely no “required” nails size to get a glossy gel manicure.

It’s crucial to understand that gel manicure is essentially a compound that is applied to nails.

So, regardless of how big, small, thin, thick, sharp your nails are, a gel manicure can be applied to all of them without any issues.

Moreover, if applied professionally regardless of how your nails used to look, gel manicure will offer the same level of shine and glossy look on every nail.

How Much Do Gel Nails Cost?

When it comes to fees, gel manicures usually cost between US$35 and $120.

However, the final price of any manicure depends on the region you live and also depends on how much you are willing to invest in the professional aspect and quality of the product.

For example, if you choose a classic monochromatic manicure gel, the starting price for the entire package is between US$35, and the cost increases as you add new shades.

However, it is easy to understand that the fees are quite high compared to the normal manicure to which you might be accustomed; however, you must understand that gel nails can last longer and have little or no effect on the natural growth of the nails and health.

If you are really enthusiastic about gel manicures, then you would like to have a corresponding art on your nails that can drag the total expense to over US$100.

Can You Do Gel Manicure at Home?

If you are a DIY enthusiast, you’d be surprised how easy it is to shop around for a professional-grade gel manicure home kit. I’ve actually documented the best kits in this guide here.

In the industry – which is already overpopulated with indies and professional brands, Gelish, SensatioNail and Modelones are among the few best-known, trustworthy brands you should be looking for.

Not only these gel manicure kits budget-friendly but are also used extensively in salons.

So, doing your gel manicure at home is a perfect option for you if you’re interested in saving extra money.

Furthermore, all these high-grade home kits seem to last about 10 to 12 days longer than what you would usually get from a salon manicure, in addition to being a great cost-saving option.

It is wise, however, to also note that the glossy look and overall feel of any DIY manicure won’t be as good as that salon and it’s quite understandable as professionals working in the salon have years of experience in this a specific job whereas you are just a DIY enthusiast.

That being said, you will ever get perfect at anything unless you make mistakes and when home kits are so cheap why you wouldn’t want to test and learn yourself

If you have always been a fan of perfectly shaped nails, you will certainly love gel manicures for how long they can last.

These beauties can usually last up to three weeks without any chipping, which is a common problem with nail polishes.

Moreover, if you are on a tight schedule and are expected at a number of events, then gel manicure is undoubtedly a perfect option for you.

One another great advantage of a DIY gel manicure is that you can apply test its effectiveness on any type of nail (short or long) without having to worry about the extra fees that you would have to pay to the salon.

As we have mentioned earlier, there are dozens if not hundreds of gel manicure brands in the market, but it’s always a wise decision to choose a product from a trusted brand because, in that way, you can be still sure of the safety and quality.

Also, recently, it has been found that some of the products usually within the cheap category contain what is called the toxic trio – which essentially is dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde.

So, it is highly recommended to be aware of the components of any brand before you choose to apply them to your nails.

A Word of Precaution

Your nails are a protective covering that protects the nerves, roots, and underlying blood vessels.

It is therefore imperative that you take care of them. Otherwise, you can experience extreme pain and serious medical problems.

Although polishing and gel applications seem to be fun and help you follow the ongoing fashion trend, you must give your nails enough time to breathe in the fresh air so that they can maintain their natural strength and appearance over time.

Experts recommend giving your nails a break from manicure gel and even nail polish for at least 4 to 6 weeks.

Conclusion

If you are looking at getting gel nails but until know you’ve been concerned with your natural nail length; you need not be worried.

As we’ve discussed in this article, gel is an option for everyone regardless of your nail shape, size or length.

If you are unsure or you aren’t able to achieve the desired look, highly suggested visiting a professional salon to get professional nail treatment and gel manicure.

Otherwise, consider getting yourself a good gel nail kit; it will save you a lot of time and your purse will be thankful!