Category: Gel Polish

The professional nail market is shifting decisively toward 21-free and HEMA-free gel polish in 2026. With the global vegan cosmetics market projected to reach USD 5.75 billion this year and EU TPO restrictions in force, salons that have not yet switched are falling behind client expectations.

Builder gel and BIAB (Builder In A Bottle) have become the most talked-about salon services of 2026 in Europe and the US. Driven by the Clean Girl aesthetic and demand for 4-week wear without damage, the category is reshaping salon menus from Berlin to London.

UK regulators have confirmed that manufacturers must remove TPO from gel nail products by 15 August 2026. With six months remaining, brands including The GelBottle Inc and Glossify are accelerating reformulation — and salon owners face an urgent stock audit.

Hi everyone, I’m Starry. Okay, let’s get to the point. Can we skip the base coat for nail art? Which top coat do we use—wipe-on or no-wipe? And what if our base coat does not dry at all—have we fallen victim to a fake product? Today, we’re going to cover all the essential information we […]

Hi everyone, I’m Starry, a nail supply and formulation professional with 8 years of hands-on experience in the nail industry. I work with gel polishes, light-cured raw materials, and global compliance standards every single day, and I’ve seen countless techs and beauty lovers run into issues like allergies, damaged nails, and constant worry over hidden […]

Hello, I’m Starry. If you’ve had friends or clients ask you lately, “Cat eye gel has metal particles in it. Does that mean it conducts electricity?” I’m not just going to give you a quick “no.” Instead, I’ll break down the real material science behind it, share what I’ve observed over years in the industry, […]

If your manicure is chipping within a few days, or the color never looks quite as vibrant as it did in the salon, I’d put money on it being a top coat problem, not a gel problem. I’ve seen it so many times: someone invests in a beautiful gel color, grabs the cheapest top coat […]

Is gel polish really more damaging than regular nail polish? Can UV nail lamps cause skin cancer?What’s the difference between nail polish and gel polish formulas, and which should I choose? Nail material specialist Starry breaks down the formulas, risks, and expert nail care tips you actually need to know. You’ve probably stood in a […]

Hi, I’m Starry.As a nail materials specialist with nearly 8 years in the game, I’ve heard every single shrinkage horror story from nail techs. You follow every step to a T, hit the cure button, and then watch in frustration as the gel pulls away from the cuticles, leaves bare edges, or bubbles into an […]