ootdfashion
People often ask me about my gel nails—what color I use, where I get them done, and how much they cost—so I decided to compile all the details in one easy-to-find post. These aren’t your typical gel nails, which might not be what you expect.
These nails are practically indestructible, always look perfect, and don’t discolor. They’re made with a builder gel from Young Nails that creates a whole new base over your natural nail. This makes them ideal for fixing damaged nails, like those of marathon runners who might lose part of their toenails. The builder gel provides incredible strength and lets the technician expertly shape and correct the nail surface, essentially crafting a new nail above the original one.
It’s not the easiest routine to maintain, though. I visit the salon every four weeks to have the old layers buffed off and fresh ones applied. But between visits, there’s zero upkeep, and when I return for a new appointment, my nails still look flawless. There are no chips, cracks, or lifting—only the growth at the base hints at how long it’s been.
Instead of picking different colors each time, I stick with the same shade: Beige 102 from Young Nails. Some might think that’s dull, but I see it as smart. It closely matches my natural nail color, so any regrowth is barely noticeable. I can’t praise this gel and color combo enough, though I feel a bit too pleased with myself, so something might go wrong eventually. That’s just how it goes.
The downside is that you absolutely have to attend your appointments since the builder gel can’t just be soaked off. Filing it off by yourself would be risky. Plus, the nails stay so perfect-looking that you might want to stretch the time between visits, but then you risk nails getting too long, making simple tasks challenging and potentially hazardous.
Another bonus with Beige 102 is that you only need one coat, unlike many colors that require full opacity. This keeps my nails looking sleek and natural, not bulky and awkward.
As for getting these incredible nails, I go to Martha at The Suite in Bath. Finding a salon that offers this type of gel nails can be tricky, though. Many places only provide standard gel nails that last a couple of weeks and might damage your natural nails. I’ve Googled “synergy gel nails near me,” but it yielded many places that didn’t actually offer them, and oddly enough, didn’t mention The Suite in Bath either. You might need to call around to find a spot, but I’ll try to list some options in the comments for a start, though I’m not endorsing them as I haven’t tried them out.
Each session costs me £33. While I sometimes wish I could just stay home rather than travel to Bath, it forces me to get out. I end up running errands, handling some tasks, or maybe grabbing lunch, which makes it worthwhile. Most importantly, from a beauty standpoint, my nails are always picture-perfect, which is great for videos and photos. Before, I was always trying to hide chipped polish.
If you’re curious about how Martha works her magic, I filmed my nail session, and you can watch it in my vlog.
