15 BEST Builder Gels For Nails [2023]

best builder gels

Here are the best builder gels for a DIY manicure. If you're looking for the perfect nail art supplies to help you achieve a strong DIY manicure, look no further than builder gels. We work with builder gels all the time and have some great first hand information to share with you.

Builder gels are different than regular gel nail art kits. It is specially formulated to create a strong and long-lasting manicures on natural nails and nail tips & forms.

Have you ever wanted to give yourself a beautiful DIY manicure but didn't know where to start? Well, we are here to help! In this blog post, we will be sharing some of the best selling builder gels for creating the perfect at-home mani.

This is a very helpful builder gel article for beginners and professionals.

best builder gels for nails

So whether you're a beginner or an experienced nail artist, read on for some inspiration! These are some of the best builder gels that even salons use for their nail art supplies.

Before using a builder gel, it's very important to prep the nail properly. If you skip that step, the manicure is not going to last the full 3-5 weeks. Always follow the manufacturer's directions for prepping the natural nail or nail forms.

After you pick out your favorite builder gel, head on over to the builder gel tips and ideas to make your manicure last as long as possible. Here are our top picks for the best builder gels on the market.

BEST BUILDER GELS FOR A DIY MANICURE

1. MOROVAN BUILDER GEL

Check Price On Morovan Here

Here is a hard builder gel that is thick enough so it won't run, and also and self leveling. Morovan's formula is easy to spread onto the natural nail or form. And it will go on smoothly when using a medium brush.

This is one of the best builder gels for lengthening your nails or for nail embeds.

best builder gel for nails

2. MOROVAN BUILDER GEL NAIL KIT

Check Price On Morovan Here

Morovan also offers a builder gel kit with 6 jelly polish colors to choose from. They have several different color combinations on the same listing so you can choose what colors you like. These colors would look so cute for a unicorn nail art idea.

With these builder gel kits, you also get a brush, nail file and forms. The forms are good for building up the gel if you are not using nail tips. If you have not used builder gel before, it does take practice to get the nails perfectly shaped.

After curing, there will be a sticky layer on the nail surface. You just need to wipe the surface of the builder gel nail with a slip solution or rubbing alcohol to remove it easily.

best builder gel for nails

3. SAVILAND BUILDER GEL IN A BOTTLE

Check Price On Saviland Here

What builder gel comes in a bottle? For those who are looking for a builder gel that comes in a a bottle, this gel from Saviland is a great one to try. There's many different ways to use this builder gel too.

You can use this for extending your natural nails, nail repairs, or to reinforce thin nails.

If this is your first time with a builder gel, you might find that a brush on gel might be easier to apply to your nails or forms than the builder gels that come in pots. 

best builder gel for nails

4. SAVILAND BUILDER GEL IN A POT

Check Price On Savaland Here

Looking for a builder gel that won't run out quickly? Look no further than this builder gel for nails! This large pot of builder gel is perfect for building up your natural nails or nail forms. This builder gel is long-lasting and crack resistant.

We have used Saviland products before and regularly use their fine liner nail brush sets to get a perfect line by the cuticle area.

best builder gel for nails

5. SAVILAND BUILDER GEL COLOR KIT

Check Price On Saviland Here

Saviland also offers a clear, pink and nude builder gel sets like this one. This set comes with three colors of hard gel for nails, a 15ml top coat base coat, 100pcs nail forms, 1pcs gel nail brush and 1pcs nail file.

So if you are looking for a great gift idea for someone who is just starting out with a builder gel, then this is a good set to start out with.

This clear nail extension gel is made of high quality resin materials. It has high transparency and high glossiness.

best builder gel for nails

6. BORN PRETTY EXTENSION GEL

Check Price On Born Pretty Here

Let's head on over to the Born Pretty shop. We have worked with this brand and did a full Born Pretty nail art review on their builder gels in pots. If you need just a clear builder gel, this shop has an extension builder gel that will give you a hard finish once cured.

best builder gel for nails bornprettya

7. CNDESIGNER DIPS BUILDER GEL FOR NAILS

Visit Etsy Shop

CN Designer Dips also carries builder gels including clear and pink. This builder gel is HEMA free. Many people find that HEMA-based builder gels have a strong, unpleasant odor. HEMA-free builder gels typically have a lower odor or are odor-free, making them more pleasant to use.

HEMA-free builder gels may have improved adhesion properties, which can result in a longer-lasting and stronger nail enhancement.

We have a super helpful article about how to make a gel polish manicure last longer that you will definitely want to save for later.

best builder gels

8. BEETLES BUILDER GEL IN A BOTTLE

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Here is a builder gel that comes in a bottle. These kinds of builder gels are easy to use since you just brush them on. When you need a quick coat onto your natural nail to help strengthen, then this is the way to go. Beetles builder gel is lighter than acrylic and hard gels so they are very beginner friendly.

Can last just as long as acrylic as long as it is taken care of and if the product is applied correctly.

best builder gel for nails

9. BEETLES SET OF 3 BUILDER GEL

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For those just getting into builder gels, Beetles also has a set of three that comes with the foundation, builder gel and the top coat.

When it comes to builder gel, starting with a base prep is essential. Without taking the necessary steps to properly prepare your nails and polish them off accordingly, you could waste valuable time and energy during the builder gel application process.

Plus, it's necessary in order for builder gels to stick and adhere to the natural nail bed. 

beetles builder gel set

10. IBD CLEAR BUILDER GEL IN A POT

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IBD also has the best selling builder gel that comes in a pot. This is thicker than regular builder gel that comes in a bottle. And you can use this for building up a natural or fake nail tip. This gel is also good for embeds and adding loose glitter elements to your manicure.

best builder gel for nails

11. MODELONES HARD BUILDER GEL

Check Price On Modelones Here

This is a very popular builder gel because it's so easy to use. You get quite a lot in this pot so it will last for a while when you are doing manicures at home. This set comes with some forms and also a brush.

You can use this builder gel for nail extensions, nail carving and nail art decorations like dried flowers. It's quite thick so it will pretty much stay in place while you are working with it until it cures.

best builder gel for nails

Watch our video on how to use the Modelones builder gel and Modelones review builder gel article.

12. MIA SECRET BLUSH BUILDER GEL

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Looking for a professional builder gel to create gorgeous nails at home? Look no further than this builder gel by Mia Secret. This self leveling gel is perfect for creating nail art extensions.

Their gel is easy to apply with a brush. It's consistency is easy to work with to make nail extensions using sculptural nail forms.

best builder gel for nails

13. MAKYNAIL BUILDER GEL

Visit Etsy Shop

We've ordered from this shop before on Etsy. They offer so many cool and fun nail art supplies including builder gel. If you are looking for some fun ways to use builder gel, then definitely check out this shop.

They offer builder gels in many different colors so you can pick out your favorites to try for your manicures.

best builder gel for nails

14. Milky White Builder Gel

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Milky white builder gel is one of the most unique and beautiful shades when it comes to manicures.

It's a cool tone that often looks great with any outfit or style. Although milky white can look simple and elegant, it also works well with other decorations for more dramatic effects.

It's an especially good choice for a French mani because it helps bring out the contrast between the pinky-white tip and natural color of your nails.

best milky white builder gel

15. IBD PINK BUILDER GEL IN A BOTTLE

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Another easy to use builder gel that comes in a bottle. Here is the IBD hard gel nail extension gel. This is formulated to self level slowly so that it will stay in place but also level out properly. You can brush this on and then with your brush, refine the nail before curing.

IBD focuses on building stronger relationships with the best salons and professionals the world has to offer, changing the way we experience beauty and nail care one salon visit at a time.

best builder gel for nails

 

WHAT IS NAIL BUILDER GEL?

Nail builder gel is a thick, self leveling formula that is used to create more length, thickness and strength to the natural nail. It will build nail extensions. Builder gel provides a long lasting, high gloss shine for up to 3-5 weeks.

Builder gel is generally easy to use so it's great for beginners and professional nail techs. It is more thick than a regular gel polish so you can use it to build up the nail and also embed nail art elements like decals, rhinestones and glitter.

HOW LONG DOES BUILDER GEL FOR NAILS LAST?

A good builder gel that is properly formulated with a thicker consistency will last between 3-5 weeks. Builder gel is crack & chip resistant. As long as the nail bed is prepared properly, you can expect to get a long lasting manicure. When using builder gel, always read the instructions for the specific company you are purchasing from.

Check out our section of nail brand reviews to see how builder gel works with tutorials and videos. 

Purchase builder gel and the base coat from the same company if possible. Their formulas are meant to work together. You can still use other base coats, but sometimes you might find that certain brands just don't work together. This goes the same with gel nails too.

We have a helpful article of the most common builder gel questions.

DO I NEED TO CURE BUILDER GEL?

Yes, builder gel requires a LED or UV lamp for curing. Most builder gels will have a sticky layer once cured that will need to be removed by a builder gel slip solution or rubbing alcohol.

CAN I GO OVER BUILDER GEL WITH REGULAR NAIL POLISH?

Yes, but be aware that regular nail polish will wear off within a week.

Thank you for reading! We hope you found this article helpful. Please bookmark this page so you can find us again. 

Here's a pin for your nail art boards

best builder gel pin 

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