Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Gelly gel nail strips are designed to be long-lasting, gentle on your nails, and easy to remove—all thanks to an advanced adhesive that ensures a perfect fit while allowing for effortless removal when you're ready for a change.

A Secure, Flexible Hold
Each strip features an ultra-thin adhesive layer that gently molds to your nail. As you press it into place, the adhesive activates, creating a firm yet flexible bond. Once cured under UV light, the strip sets to your nail’s shape, ensuring a seamless, natural-looking finish that lasts.

Effortless Removal Without Damage
Unlike traditional gel polish, which bonds directly to your nail bed and requires soaking or filing for removal, Gelly’s adhesive acts as a protective barrier. It holds strong during wear but is designed to dissolve when exposed to oils. A few drops of cuticle oil, acetone-free remover, or even cooking oils gently break down the bond, allowing the strip to lift away smoothly—no scraping, no damage.

Developed to Meet High Safety Standards
Gelly’s adhesive has been carefully formulated in line with European safety standards and assessed by a third-party testing body. It is free from harsh chemicals, making it a trusted choice for regular use on natural nails.

No, Gelly’s semi-cured gel nail strips are not press-on nails.

Traditional press-ons are usually pre-formed artificial nails made from acrylic or plastic that attach to your natural nail using glue or adhesive tabs. In contrast, our gel strips are real gel nails, crafted from the same gel ingredients found in salon gel nail polish. They're flexible, adhesive-backed gel layers that cure under a UV lamp for a natural look, superior comfort, and longer-lasting wear.

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.

Yes, they’re designed to!

Each box of our semi-cured gel strips includes a wide range of strip sizes to ensure a fit that works for most nail shapes and widths. That’s why every box contains multiple strips in different sizes—so you can find your perfect match.

• All fingernails include 20 strips, ranging in width from 9mm to 17mm
• All toenails include 32 strips, ranging from 6mm to 19mm in width
  

The strips are flexible and semi-cured, so they contour naturally to your nails and can be trimmed easily if needed. If you're curious about the specific sizes in more detail, you can check out our Gel Nail Strip Size Guide.

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.

If you're new to semi-cured gel nail strips, applying them might take a bit longer as you get the hang of it. However, after a little practice, a full application typically takes around 30 minutes, and removal just 10–15 minutes.

For the best results and helpful tips, check out our easy-to-follow application guide and removal instructions.

You don’t need a base coat—Gelly semi-cured gel nail strips are designed to adhere securely to your natural nails without any extra layers underneath. In fact, using one may actually interfere with adhesion. Just follow our application guide for the best results, and you’re good to go.

As for top coats, our semi-cured gel strips are made to be glossy, durable and long-lasting on their own. However, if your hands do a lot—constant typing, frequent handwashing, or daily wear—our Gloss Top Coat can help reinforce the edges and provide extra protection.

It’s also a must if you’re adding Nail Art Stickers or other embellishments, as it helps seal everything in place for a polished finish.

And if you’re one of those people who believes there’s no such thing as too much gloss, we say let it shine!

Gelly semi-cured gel nail strips come in a variety of sizes to ensure a seamless, full-coverage fit for different nail shapes.

Each sheet includes multiple strips in a range of widths, giving you the flexibility to find the perfect match for your nails.

• Fingernail strips: 20 gel strips, ranging from 9mm to 17mm in width
• Toenail strips: 32 gel strips, ranging from 6mm to 19mm in width

For a detailed breakdown of strip sizes, check out our gel nail strip size guide.

To get the best fit, choose a strip that matches your nail width without overlapping onto the skin or cuticle. If you’re between sizes, opting for a slightly smaller strip ensures a seamless look and strong adhesion.

Any excess length can be trimmed and filed after application for a natural, polished finish.

With a variety of sizes on each sheet, you’ll have plenty of options to customize your fit—whether you’re doing a manicure, pedicure, or both!

Yes. Gelly semi-cured gel nail strips are designed to work on all nail types, including oily nails.

If you have excess oil, proper prep is key—make sure to cleanse your nails with an alcohol-based wipe (one is included in your Gelly box) or non-acetone cleanser to remove any residue.

For extra oily nails, you can also use a nail dehydrator before application. Lightly buffing the nail surface and ensuring your nails are completely dry will further help the strips adhere securely.

All gel nails—whether gel polish or gel strips—require UV curing to fully set the gel. When the gel is fully set, it hardens into a glossy and durable finish.

The great thing about semi-cured gel nail strips is that much of the work is already done for you. This means less mess, an easier application, and a shorter curing time compared to traditional gel manicures.

Not only does that save you time, but it also minimizes UV exposure without compromising on results.

For best results, we recommend curing your nails under a UV lamp for 60–90 seconds per hand. If needed, you can spot-cure individual nails for a few extra seconds to ensure they’re fully set.

To avoid overcuring—which can make gel nails brittle—stop once your nails feel firm and properly hardened.

Once cured, your nails are ready to go, but we recommend avoiding heavy use or excessive pressure for about 10–15 minutes to allow them to fully set and cool.

Try to hold off on activities like washing dishes, using cleaning products, or rummaging through your bag for keys during this time to prevent unnecessary stress on the strips.

Compared to traditional gel polish—which requires multiple layers and longer curing times—semi-cured gel strips need far less downtime. Since they’re already partially cured, you don’t have to worry about smudging or tackiness, but giving them a little extra time ensures the best long-term wear.

No, Gelly semi-cured gel nail strips are gentle on your nails and won’t cause damage when applied and removed correctly.

Since they don’t require harsh chemicals or drilling, your natural nails stay healthy and strong. The key to keeping them in great condition lies in proper prep, application, and removal—all of which we cover in our dedicated, easy-to-follow application guide, and removal guide.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out or e-mail us at hello@gelly.co.za—we’re happy to help!

A great hold starts with a great foundation. Gelly semi-cured gel nail strips are designed to adhere firmly, but how you prep and apply them can make all the difference in longevity.

A clean, smooth nail surface is key—gently exfoliating, cleansing with an alcohol-based wipe, and ensuring your nails are completely dry helps create the perfect base.

Placement also matters; applying the strips just above the cuticle prevents lifting and helps them grow out naturally.

Once applied, pressing the strips down firmly and curing them fully under a UV lamp locks them into place. And for those looking for extra durability, a Gloss Top Coat can reinforce the edges and add an extra layer of protection.

Want to perfect your technique? We’ve put together step-by-step tips on application and gentle removal methods to help you get the most out of your Gelly wraps!

About 10–15 minutes for a full manicure—no harsh soaking, no complicated steps.

A quick soak in warm, soapy water starts loosening the adhesive, and a bit of oil helps the strips slide off effortlessly. You can use cuticle oil, baby oil, acetone-free nail polish remover, or even household oils like olive or coconut oil. The richer the oil, the better it seeps under the edges for a smooth lift.

For the best results, our 5ml Gelly Cuticle Oil Pen with a precision bristle applicator makes removal even easier while nourishing your nails in the process. The bristle tip is key—it allows the oil to reach any fine gaps between the gel strip and your nail bed, helping to break down the adhesive faster.

If you’re using cuticle oil (ours or another), we highly recommend choosing one with a bristle applicator.

Yes, and that's exactly the point!

Unlike gel polish, which often requires soaking in acetone, scraping, or even drilling, Gelly strips come off gently and without damage.

All it takes is warm, soapy water to loosen the adhesive and a rich oil—like cuticle oil, coconut oil, or baby oil—to help the strips glide off. No harsh chemicals, no acetone soaking, no drilling—just an easy, nail-friendly removal process that keeps your nails in great shape.

Gelly strips can also be a great option for weak or brittle nails, offering a layer of hardened gel protection without the long-term damage that gel polish can cause. Since they don’t require buffing or dehydrating primers, your nails stay intact and can actually grow stronger underneath.

That’s just a thin layer of the gel adhesive—the stuff that keeps your strips securely in place.

Unlike traditional nail glue, this adhesive is pressure-sensitive, meaning it forms a strong bond while still allowing for gentle, damage-free removal. Most of the time, it comes off completely when you remove your strips, but depending on factors like nail temperature and wear time, a little may stick around.

If you notice any residue, a little cuticle oil or acetone-free nail polish remover will help break it down, making it easy to wipe away. If needed, a light buff with a nail file will smooth things out, but you shouldn’t need to scratch or scrape—a little oil goes a long way!

Gelly nail strips are designed for single use, ensuring a fresh, flawless look every time. Since they’re made with real gel, once cured, the adhesive and structure aren’t meant to be reapplied.

You can view our complete shipping policy here. It includes all the details about our shipping options, costs, dispatch times, and delivery estimates.

Yes, you can track your order. Once dispatched, we'll send you tracking details via email so you can follow your new gel strips' journey in real time.

Unfortunately we only ship within South Africa and do not offer international delivery.

Our full Return and Exchange policy can be found here.

Yes, you can return it within 30 days of delivery if the product is unused, the UV pouch is still sealed, and everything is in its original packaging with all accessories.

Yes, as long as the black UV pouch inside the box remains sealed and the product is unused and undamaged, you can return it within 30 days of receiving your order.

However, if the UV pouch has been opened, we unfortunately cannot accept a return. Since semi-cured gel strips are light-sensitive and hygiene-sensitive, once the seal is broken, they can no longer be returned.

Returning your order is simple. Just email hello@gelly.co.za with your order number, and we’ll provide the return details. If your item is defective, please include clear photos of the issue so we can resolve it quickly.

To ensure a smooth return, please pack the product in its original packaging, including all accessories inside the Gelly strip box. Returned products that are incomplete or damaged may not be accepted.

Once we receive your return, we’ll inspect it within 2–3 business days to ensure it meets our return policy. If approved, we’ll process your refund within 5–7 business days to your original payment method. Processing times may vary depending on your bank or payment provider.

If you’ve requested an exchange, your replacement item will be shipped within 2–3 business days after approval. Delivery times will depend on your location and the courier service.

For non-defective returns (such as a change of mind or incorrect color choice), customers are responsible for arranging and covering the return shipping cost. We recommend using a reputable courier with tracking, as we cannot accept liability for lost returns.

For defective products, we will cover the return shipping cost once the defect is confirmed. If approved, we’ll reimburse you for the shipping costs.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at hello@gelly.co.za.