The 24 best acrylic gel brands
Mia Secret, Gelish and Cuccio lead our ranking of 24 acrylic gel brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Acrylic Gel brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
Mia Secret
Pigmented acrylic powders in a bright six-shade set, with an acid-free primer that suits nail art work.
Top products: No-Burn Acid-Free Primer Xtrabond· Acrylic Nail Art Powder
Website: miasecretnails.com |Brands like Mia Secret
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
Gelish
Gel polish pioneer whose PolyGel enhancement range covers builder gel for extensions and overlays.
Top products: PolyGel Nail Enhancement
Website: gelish.com |Brands like Gelish
Popularity 4.6/10
-
3
Cuccio
Italian nail and skin care label with salon-focused hand and foot treatments alongside its nail systems.
Top products: T3 LED/UV Gel· Pro Powder Polish Dip System· Pro Ultraclear Nail Tips
Website: cuccio.com |Brands like Cuccio
Popularity 4.4/10
-
4
Sally Hansen
Mass-market at-home nail kits sold in pharmacies and supermarkets, with Hard as Wraps as a flagship strengthening treatment.
Top products: Hard as Wraps· Power Acrylic Gel Nail Polish
Website: sallyhansen.com |Brands like Sally Hansen
Popularity 3.7/10
-
5
IBD
Professional gel polish and builder gel range sold mainly to salons, with a long history in nail care.
Top products: Intense Seal UV Gel· Pro-Hybrid Nail Control Gel· LED/UV Hard Gel Builder Gel
Website: ibdbeauty.com |Brands like IBD
Popularity 3.5/10
-
6
MelodySusie
Online-only maker of gel polish colours with nail art decals, stickers and glitter finishes for home use.
Website: melodysusie.com |Brands like MelodySusie
Popularity 3.5/10
-
7
LECHAT
Perfect Match gel polish pairs each shade with a matching regular lacquer, so both finishes line up.
Website: lechatnails.com |Brands like LECHAT
Popularity 3.3/10
-
8
CND
Salon-focused system brand whose UV gel and acrylic brushes are a staple in professional nail kits.
Top products: ProSeries Liquid & Powder Round Brush
Website: cnd.com |Brands like CND
Popularity 2.8/10
-
9
Young Nails
Protein Bond primer plus builder gel and tip systems sold to nail technicians for enhancements.
Top products: Protein Bond Adhesion
Website: youngnails.com |Brands like Young Nails
Popularity 2.5/10
-
10
Kiara Sky
Dip powder specialist whose no-lamp colour system is applied by dipping, then sealed with activator.
Website: kiarasky.com |Brands like Kiara Sky
Popularity 2.4/10
-
11
OPI
Well-known lacquer brand whose GelColor line needs a UV or LED lamp to cure.
Website: opi.com |Brands like OPI
Popularity 2.3/10
-
12
NSI
Polygel tubes and nail art kits that salons buy in bulk for sculpted tips and chrome finishes.
Website: nsinails.com |Brands like NSI
Popularity 2.2/10
-
13
Medicool
Maker of electric nail file machines, and its sanding bands are used to remove acrylic and gel.
Top products: Pro Bands Acrylic/Gel Sanding Band
Website: medicool.com |Brands like Medicool
Popularity 2.2/10
-
14
EzFlow
San Diego nail brand with acrylic and gel systems, plus a practical range of files for enhancements.
Top products: Grey Wolf Nail Files
Website: ezflow.com |Brands like EzFlow
Popularity 2.1/10
-
15
SuperNail
Starter kits bundle liquid, powder, forms and tip cutters, aimed at people doing enhancements at home.
Website: supernailprofessional.com |Brands like SuperNail
Popularity 1.8/10
-
16
L.A. COLORS
L. A COLORS brings a pop of color into the dull and monotonous life. It is a cosmetics brand that plays with bright pigments. They are committed to providing their customers with a broad color palette and not only the...
Website: lacolors.com |Brands like L.A. COLORS
Popularity 1.8/10
-
17
Harmony
Harmony has been harmonizing for so many years that they are now synonymous with music. They have been in operation since 1892, which makes them a company standing for more than a century. They make musical instruments that are one...
Website: harmony.co |Brands like Harmony
Popularity 1.8/10
-
18
essie
essie makes nail polish in many colors, including holographic and seasonal shades. Its lineup also includes topcoats, strengtheners, and treatments for nail care. Each shade is designed to help people match their polish to their outfits and mood.
Website: essie.com |Brands like essie
Popularity 1.8/10
-
19
Nails inc
Nails Inc. is the most popular nail brand in the United Kingdom, bringing you fashion-forward nails to suit every mood and occasion. Their innovative products are designed for services from manicures, pedicures, and nail art to specialist treatments like their...
Website: nailsinc.com |Brands like Nails inc
Popularity 1.4/10
-
20
Seche
Innovation and high performance are the pillars of Seche. They develop every nail product with attention to the most delicate details, so each product gets the perfection it deserves. They have never stopped designing and engineering ground-breaking products with a...
Website: seche.com |Brands like Seche
Popularity 1.2/10
-
21
SensatioNail
SensatioNail helps you get those nails of your dreams. Who doesn't like a good manicure? You can now have manicure-worthy nails from home with the collection of nail polishes and nail tools that the company sells. They have a lot...
Website: sensationail.com |Brands like SensatioNail
Popularity 1.1/10
-
22
Tammy Taylor
Tammy Tailor has been in the industry since 1983. They have taught hundreds of people with more than 5000 classes. They have also been making products of the highest grade. Nails are essential, and the company creates products and tools...
Website: tammytaylornails.com |Brands like Tammy Taylor
Popularity 1.1/10
-
23
KUPA
In recent years, the nail industry has taken a turn and is growing as a vast industry. Nails are considered the new standard of beauty among younger generations. Found in 1984, KUPA Inc is now a well-established company that supplies...
Website: kupainc.com |Brands like KUPA
Popularity 1.0/10
-
24
Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman is always at the top of the leaderboard of the latest trends. They are incredibly fashion-forward and offer a large variety of nail accessories, such as artificial nails, nail art kits, treatments and nail polish. They have a...
Website: prettywomannyc.com |Brands like Pretty Woman
Popularity 1.0/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mia Secret | miasecretnails.com | /miasecretnails | miasecret | – | Mia Secret |
| Gelish | gelish.com | /GelishProfessionalPage | GelishProfessional | @GelishPro | – |
| Cuccio | cuccio.com | – | – | – | – |
| Sally Hansen | sallyhansen.com | /sallybeauty | sallybeauty | @sallybeauty | – |
| IBD | ibdbeauty.com | /ibdbeauty | ibdbeauty | – | ibdbeautypro |
| MelodySusie | melodysusie.com | /MelodySusieOfficial | melodysusie_official | @MelodySusie1 | MelodySusieOfficial |
| LECHAT | lechatnails.com | /LeChat-Professional-Nail-Design | lechatnails | @lechatnails | – |
| CND | cnd.com | /CNDofficial | cndworld | @cndworld | – |
| Young Nails | youngnails.com | /youngnailsinc | youngnailsinc | @youngnailsinc | – |
| Kiara Sky | kiarasky.com | /kiaraskynails | kiaraskynails | – | – |
Acrylic Gel Buying Guide
Acrylic gel is a popular medium used by artists and crafters for various applications, ranging from painting to sculpting. It is a versatile material that can mimic the properties of traditional oil and acrylic paints while offering unique characteristics, such as transparency, viscosity, and texture. However, choosing the right acrylic gel can be challenging, especially for beginners or inexperienced users. In this buying guide, we'll explore the essential factors to consider when selecting acrylic gel, including its types, properties, safety, and compatibility with other media.
Types of Acrylic Gels
Acrylic gels come in various forms, each with its own properties and uses. Understanding the differences between these types can help you determine the best acrylic gel for your project:
- Acrylic Medium: This is a basic acrylic gel that is often used as an extender or thinner for acrylic paints. It can be mixed with acrylic paints to increase their transparency, glossiness, or viscosity, depending on the desired effect. Acrylic medium is available in various consistencies, from liquid to gel, and can be used with other acrylic media, such as gesso or modeling paste.
- Modeling Paste: This type of acrylic gel is thick and opaque, making it ideal for creating texture and volume in paintings or sculptures. Modeling paste can be applied with brushes, palette knives, or other tools to create a range of effects, such as impasto, relief, or stenciling. It can be mixed with other acrylic media to modify its texture or color, but it should not be used as a thinning agent or a glaze.
- Gloss Gel: As the name suggests, this acrylic gel has a high gloss finish that can enhance the luminosity and depth of acrylic paints. Gloss gel can be used as a transparent glaze or varnish over dried paints, or it can be mixed with paints to create a custom gloss effect. It dries clear and may be applied in several layers to achieve the desired shine.
- Matte Gel: This type of acrylic gel has a matte, non-reflective finish that can tone down the glossiness of acrylic paints or add a velvety texture to surfaces. Matte gel can be used as a glaze, paint extender, or texturizer, depending on the proportion of gel and paint used. It dries clear and can be layered to increase its opacity or depth.
- Retarder Gel: This acrylic gel is designed to slow down the drying time of acrylic paints, allowing for more working time and better blending. Retarder gel can be mixed with paints, mediums, or modeling paste to extend its drying time by several minutes or even hours, depending on the amount used. It is particularly useful for painting large areas or intricate details that require more time to perfect.
Properties of Acrylic Gels
Acrylic gels have several properties that affect their performance and suitability for different applications. Here are the most important properties to consider:
- Viscosity: This is the thickness or flow rate of the gel, which determines its texture and handling characteristics. Thin gels have a liquid consistency that can be easily spread, while thick gels are more like a paste that can be molded or sculpted. Depending on the project, you may want to choose a gel with a specific viscosity to achieve the desired effect.
- Transparency: This is the degree of see-through or opaque quality of the gel, which affects its ability to mix with other colors or media. Transparent gels allow light to pass through them, which can make them appear more vibrant or luminous when mixed with paints. Opaque gels block light and may need to be mixed with other colors or white paint to achieve a desired shade or tint.
- Drying Time: This is the time it takes for the gel to dry or set, which can be affected by humidity, temperature, and other environmental factors. Some gels dry faster than others, which may be helpful for certain techniques or circumstances. However, faster drying gels may also limit the time you have to blend or manipulate the paint.
- Adhesion: This is the ability of the gel to stick or bond to different surfaces, such as canvas, paper, wood, or plastic. Some gels have better adhesion than others, depending on their formulation, and can prevent the paint from flaking or peeling off. Adhesion can also be influenced by the surface preparation, such as priming or sanding, and the condition of the surface, such as dampness or texture.
- Flexibility: This is the ability of the gel to bend or stretch without cracking or breaking, which is particularly important for sculptures or other dimensional works. Some gels are more flexible than others and can withstand bending or twisting without losing their shape or adhesion. Flexibility can also be affected by the thickness or layering of the gel, as well as the curing time or temperature.
- Toxicity: This is the potential health risks associated with using the gel, such as inhaling fumes or absorbing chemicals through the skin. Some gels may contain harmful or irritant substances, such as solvents, pigments, or preservatives, that can cause eye, nose, or skin irritation, as well as respiratory or systemic problems. Therefore, it is essential to read and follow the safety instructions and precautions provided by the manufacturer, such as wearing gloves, masks, or goggles, working in well-ventilated areas, or handling the gel with care.
Safety Considerations
Acrylic gels, like any other art material, should be used with caution to minimize the risk of accidents, injuries, or health problems. Here are some safety tips to follow when using acrylic gel:
- Read and follow the safety instructions and precautions provided by the manufacturer.
- Wear protective gear, such as gloves, masks, or goggles, when handling the gel.
- Work in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling fumes or dust.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke while working with the gel.
- Keep the gel out of reach of children and pets.
- Dispose of the gel in accordance with local regulations and waste management guidelines.
- If you experience any adverse reactions or symptoms after using the gel, seek medical attention immediately.
Compatibility with Other Media
Acrylic gel can be used with other media, such as watercolor, oil, or pastel to create layered effects or mixed media works. However, not all acrylic gels are compatible with all media, and some combinations may produce unpredictable results or cause damage to the materials. Here are some tips on how to use acrylic gel with other media:
- Watercolor: Acrylic gels can be mixed with watercolor paints to add texture, body, or dimension to the washes. However, the gel may alter the transparency or fluidity of the watercolor, depending on the amount used. It is recommended to test the mixture on a small area before applying it to the entire work.
- Oil: Acrylic gels are not recommended to be mixed with oil paints or used on top of them, as they may cause cracking or adhesion problems. Oil paints require a flexible medium that can withstand the slow drying time and constant movement of the paint layers.
- Pastel: Acrylic gels can be used to create an underpainting or a textured ground for pastels. They can also be used as a fixative or a final varnish to protect the pastel layers from smudging or dust. However, the gel may alter the absorbency or the color of the pastel surface, and should be used in moderation.
Conclusion
Acrylic gel is a versatile and exciting medium that can enhance your artworks and unleash your creativity. By understanding the types, properties, safety, and compatibility of acrylic gels, you can select the best gel for your project and use it safely and effectively. Whether you want to create a textured painting, a layered mixed media work, or a dimensional sculpture, there is an acrylic gel that can help you achieve your vision. So go ahead, experiment, and enjoy the endless possibilities of acrylic gels!
