FAQ : About Gel Nail Strips

Yes! Gelly’s gel nail strips are designed to be gentle on natural nails while delivering the long-lasting wear of a salon gel manicure. They are free from formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP)—ingredients often found in traditional nail products.

Made from acrylic-based gel resins that cure under UV light, our formula offers a less invasive removal process that helps prevent nail thinning or peeling. When applied and removed correctly, they minimize the risk of damage to your natural nails.

Our semi-cured gel strips have also been independently tested and meet strict European cosmetic safety standards, including REACH and CLP regulations.

What about skin sensitivity?
Our gel strips contain ingredients commonly used in salon gel products. While safe for most users, those with sensitive skin or known acrylic allergies may experience mild irritation. If you have a history of sensitivities, we recommend doing a small patch test before full application.

Our semi-cured gel nail strips are designed to last up to 14 days with proper application and care. Their durability depends on factors like nail preparation, daily activities, and exposure to water or oils. For the longest wear, ensure a clean, dry nail surface before application, and cure the strips fully under UV light.

While our gel strips are designed to be worn without a top coat, if your nails experience heavy daily use or strain, we recommend sealing them with our optional High Gloss UV Top Coat for extra protection and durability.

Gelly strips use a high-performance adhesive that forms a secure, flexible bond when pressed onto the nail. Once cured under a UV light, the strip molds perfectly to your nail shape for a seamless, long-lasting finish.

Unlike traditional gel polish, our adhesive acts as a protective layer. It grips firmly during wear but breaks down gently with oils like cuticle oil or even cooking oil, so you can remove the strips easily and without damage.

The adhesive is free from harsh chemicals and meets EU safety standards, making it safe for regular use on natural nails.

With Gelly, you don’t need hours—or salon skills.

• Applications: First time? Give yourself about 30 minutes. Once you’ve got the hang of it, most people complete a full mani in 20 minutes or so.
• Removal: No harsh chemicals or soaking, just a bit of oil and a gentle lift. It usually takes 10–15 minutes, start to finish.
  For a smooth experience, check out our step-by-step application guide and removal instructions.

No, Gelly semi-cured gel strips are not press-ons. Press-ons are rigid plastic nails that sit on top of your natural nail and are held in place with glue. Gelly strips are flexible layers of pre-cured gel polish that wrap around the natural contour of your nails.

Once applied, each Gelly wrap adheres securely to your nail, molds to its shape, and is then given a final cure under a UV lamp. The result is a seamless, long-lasting, salon-quality finish - all done at home.

Your gel nail strips are designed to be applied directly onto your natural nails for a salon-quality gel manicure. They don’t function as traditional extensions, but you can apply them over builder gel or nail extensions if you prefer longer nails.

Unfortunately not. Although Gelly’s strips are pre-cured to a semi-cured state for ease of application, the final curing step under a UV or LED lamp is essential. This process fully sets the gel, ensuring durability, shine, and a long-lasting finish. Skipping this step may compromise the performance of the strips.

Yes, they’re designed to! Each box includes a wide range of strip sizes to suit most nail shapes and widths, so finding your perfect fit is easy.

• Fingernails: 20 strips, from 9mm to 17mm wide
• Toenails: 32 strips, from 6mm to 19mm wide

The length of the strips is generous across all sizes, so they’ll comfortably cover even longer nails. And because they’re flexible and semi-cured, they contour naturally to your nail shape and can be trimmed for an exact fit.

If you're curious about the specific sizes in more detail, you can check out our Gel Nail Strip Size Guide.

Absolutely! For the best results, we recommend filing after curing, as the strips will be fully set and easier to shape. Use a fine-grit nail file (a disposable one is included in your Gelly box) and file around the nail to ensure a smooth, seamless edge.