Looking for flawless, shiny, long-lasting nails, but still torn between classic polish and gel polish? Don't worry, we're breaking down both types of nail polish to help you decide which one best fits your style, lifestyle and beauty routine. Wear time, ease of application and removal, finish, nail health… we've looked at everything to help you choose THE right manicure for you.
Classic vs gel polish: 6 key comparisons
⏱️ Fastest to apply
Classic polish: allow 15 to 20 minutes for application and air-drying. With Green™ polish, you can speed up drying time by using Drying Drops.
Gel polish: this depends on the power of the UV or LED lamp used to cure each layer of polish. With our Slim 24W foldable lamp, the Green Flash™ manicure takes around 30 minutes, and with the Premium 36W foldable lamp, it takes just 20 minutes.
📆 Longest wear time
Classic polish: around 7 days, depending on polish quality and daily hand habits.
Gel polish: 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the polish formulas. With Green Flash™, you can choose between 2 options:
- Mirror-like shine and a natural plump look that lasts up to 12 days with Top Coat Green Flash™.
- Gel-like shine, durability and a plump effect that lasts up to 21 days with Top Coat Xtrem Flash™.
✨ The most beautiful finish
Classic polish: it all depends on the condition of your natural nails. On well-cared-for and carefully prepped nails, classic polish delivers a finish just as beautiful as gel polish. And with Green™ polish, you enjoy intense colour and an utterly stunning shiny finish.
Gel polish: here too, nail care and prep are key, but gel polish has the advantage of offering higher coverage and better concealing minor natural nail imperfections. You get an even texture, radiant colour, with the plumpness and shine of your dreams. And for a plump, gel-nail effect, Top Coat Xtrem Flash™ is here to make your wish come true!
On well-prepped nails, every polish looks gorgeous!
💅 Gentlest on nails
Regular nail polish: an excellent choice for keeping your nails healthy, especially if you choose a vegan, bio-sourced nail polish formula like Green™ nail polish.
Semi-permanent nail polish : watch out for traditional semi-permanent polishes, which may contain sensitising substances such as HEMA, TPO or other endocrine disruptors. Choose alternative formulas without HEMA or TPO, like Green Flash™ semi-permanent nail polish, a new-generation semi-permanent polish that is vegan and up to 84% bio-sourced.
👉 Good to know: Green™ and Green Flash™ vitamin-infused base coats feature patented KeraHCE+ technology that protects and strengthens nails beneath your polish.
🔄 Easiest to remove
Classic polish: a cotton pad soaked in gentle remover applied for less than a minute is all it takes to remove your classic Green™ polish in a single swipe, acetone-free and without rubbing.
Gel polish: nail drills and acetone soak-offs are best avoided to preserve nail health. With its gentle, acetone-free remover and removal clips, Green Flash™ peels off in 1 minute. We love it!
👉 Good to know: an Xtrem Flash™ manicure is just as easy to remove as Green Flash™ polish, with no buffing or acetone needed. Simply leave Green Flash™ Gentle Remover on the nail for 10 minutes.
🎨 Widest choice of colors and Nail Art
Whether you choose regular or semi-permanent nail polish, both offer plenty of colours and Nail Art possibilities. Classic red nails, pastel manicures or glazed, chrome or glitter Nail Art — anything goes. With Green™ nail polish or Green Flash™, you have a palette of over 100 intensely pigmented nail polish shades to dress up your nails through every season and trend.
Regular nail polish: an easy manicure
What are we talking about?
Classic nail polish is the ultimate manicure basic, easy to apply on natural nails with no extra equipment or special technique required. The application method is quick to pick up, and the finish is instantly radiant—in short, what's not to love!
The routine takes just 3 application steps:
- One thin layer of Base Coat, treatment or standard, to protect the nail plate.
- Two thin coats of polish in the shade of your choice.
- A layer of Top Coat to achieve gel-like shine and extend wear time.
Unlike gel polish, traditional polish air-dries and can be removed with remover, with or without acetone.
Simple, fast, and classic: a regular nail polish manicure is easy for everyone.
✅ Benefits of regular nail polish
- Quick & easy application and removal: no UV lamp required to cure your layers of polish, and no special tools needed for removal. You can easily do your manicure at home without visiting a salon.
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Colour choice at an affordable price : change your polish colour according to your wishes and mood. A smart choice if you want to try a wide range of colours or touch up quickly. An excellent option for treating yourself to a beautiful manicure without breaking the bank.
Regular nail polish: perfect for playing with color without the commitment!
❌ Drawbacks to keep in mind
- Shorter wear time: classic polish typically lasts 3 to 5 days, up to a week if you protect your nails from water and daily wear and tear.
- Drying can sometimes take a while: depending on application conditions and nail condition, polish dries more or less quickly. Always make sure to properly prep and cleanse your nails before your manicure to optimise polish adhesion.
- Lower durability: traditional polish tends to chip at the slightest bump, especially in the hours following application. Prolonged contact with water, household chemicals, hand sanitiser, etc. can also compromise your manicure.
- Regular touch-ups may be needed to keep your manicure looking flawless!
Semi-permanent polish: a pro-level manicure for everyone
How does it work?
Gel polish is the long-lasting version of traditional nail polish. Gel polish application involves 4 thin coats, just like classic polish, but each layer must be cured under an LED or UV lamp. This curing process locks in the colour on natural nails and creates a durable, ultra-shiny film worthy of a professional manicure.
The routine for applying a gel manicure is as follows:
- One coat of base coat and cure under a UV or LED lamp.
- Two layers of colour polish and curing under a UV or LED lamp after each layer.
- A layer of Top Coat for a flawless finish, cured under a UV or LED lamp.
Unlike classic polish, removing gel polish can require a bit more technique. You can either file and buff away the layers of polish, or soak them off with an acetone-based remover. To avoid these harsh methods, some gel polishes are formulated to peel off using an acetone-free remover.
In a semi-permanent routine, curing under a UV or LED lamp is essential after each coat.
✅ Benefits of semi-permanent polish
- Flawless wear for up to 3 weeks.
- A shiny, uniform finish that delivers a gel-like effect and a pro-level result.
- Unbeatable resistance fora perfectand long-lasting manicure, the ideal solution for holidays or a wedding manicure.
Long-lasting wear and radiant color: semi-permanent polish is a sure bet for your manicure.
❌ What to keep in mind before you start
- Applying gel polish takeslonger. It is essential to follow the curing times carefully, as they vary depending on UV lamps and the products to be cured (base coat, top coat or polish).
- You'll need to invest in a good-quality UV or LED lamp.
- Watch out for sensitising molecules, such as HEMA/Di-HEMA (a.k.a. methacrylate monomers), found in some traditional gel formulas, which can trigger allergic reactions on sensitive skin. As a general rule, it's best to avoid overly frequent gel polish applications, especially if you have sensitive nails.
- Gel polish removal can be tricky. To avoid damaging your lovely nails, avoid scraping, filing or buffing off your polish at all costs, as well as acetone removals that dry out nails and cuticles. Instead, opt for a gel polish formula that can be peeled off with a gentle remover, completely safe for your nails.
So, which one should you choose?
It all depends on your needs and expectations. Here are different nail addict profiles—maybe you'll recognise yourself in one of them:
👱 I want a manicure that lasts and stays impeccable for as long as possible => Xtrem Flash™ is the ideal solution in this case. Applied over your choice of Green Flash™ shade, Top Coat Xtrem Flash™ forms a shield that protects your manicure in all circumstances, even the most challenging ones! With its ultra-shiny curved finish, you can enjoy a professional-looking manicure for 3 weeks.
👩 I want a nail polish that is both high-performing and safe for my nails => With its vegan, bio-sourced formula of up to 84%, mirror shine and vibrant colour, flawless wear for up to 12 days, and gentle, quick acetone-free removal, Green Flash™ ticks every box for a high-performance manicure that cares for nails.
👩🏻 I want a quick-to-apply polish and the freedom to change my polish often => When you don’t have the patience to cure each coat of polish under a lamp and the joy of a manicure lies above all in being able to change colour whenever you feel like it, Green™ polish is the best solution. Easy application with no special equipment, air-drying, express removal and over 100 colours to choose from: colour addicts love it!
In short, if you need an express manicure that's quick to apply for an evening out or a weekend, regular polish is your best bet. On the other hand, if you want a flawless, strong, ultra-glossy manicure that lasts without chipping, semi-permanent polish is the way to go. You're now a manicure pro—time to paint your nails 💅🌈✨!
