Gel extensions, press-on or salon: which to choose this winter

NOOVES Magazine · Nails at home

Salon length, no appointment

Press-ons come with their shape. Gel extensions adapt to yours. And the salon is still there when you feel like it. This is the guide to decide without going in circles.

In one sentence: a gel extension is a piece of real semi-cured gel, 60% cured at the factory, that you mold onto your nail and finish curing with a lamp. A press-on is a false nail with the shape already made. A salon extension is built by a professional during an appointment.

Hands with long almond-shaped nails in garnet holding a ceramic mug on a gray knit blanket, NOOVES winter mood

Three ways to get more length

If you want more length, you have three routes today. There's no right one: there's the one that fits your week.

Press-on

False nails that arrive with their shape already made. They go on with a sticker or glue.

NOOVES gel extensions

Real semi-cured gel. You mold it to the curve of your nail, cure it with a lamp, and it comes with its own adhesive, no separate glue.

Salon manicure

A professional does your nails by appointment. A tailored result, with the time and travel that involves.

Seasonal colors help you choose the finish, not the system. This week Hola rounds up the deep reds (cherry, wine and scarlet) and, a few days earlier, aubergine as November's star shade and a glazed French manicure that, according to the same piece, works on every length. The length is up to you.

The table to save: extensions, press-on and salon

Comparison of press-on, gel extensions and salon manicure
	Press-on	Gel extensions	Salon
Shape	Comes with its shape already made	Real semi-cured gel that molds to your nail	Defined by the professional's technique
How it attaches	Sticker or glue	Own adhesive, no separate glue	Depends on the salon's technique
How long it takes	Depends on the system	10 to 15 minutes depending on your practice, plus 60 seconds under the lamp	One appointment
How long it lasts	Depends on the system	Over 14 days	Depends on the technique
Removal	Depends on the system	Acetone-free, with Nail Remover or NOOVES cuticle oil	At the salon
Where	At home	At home	At the salon

Where the table says “depends on the system”, it's because every press-on and every salon works differently. Here we only give figures for what NOOVES can guarantee.

Extensions vs. press-on: the difference is the shape

A press-on arrives with its shape already made. A semi-cured gel extension is molded onto your nail, so it ends up with the curve of your nail and not the one from the box.

What goes underneath changes too. Press-ons attach with a sticker or glue. NOOVES extensions come with their own adhesive, no separate glue. And they are HEMA Free, vegan and cruelty free.

Strips dress. Extensions lengthen.

Torn between strips and press-on? We compared them in gel strips, press-on, stickers and salon and in UV gel vs. press-on.

Extensions vs. salon: no appointment, no commute

The salon has its own thing: expert hands and a tailored result. Extensions offer something else: doing it at home, on your schedule, in 10 to 15 minutes depending on your practice.

You don't need acetone to remove them. Just use the Nail Remover or NOOVES cuticle oil. We don't compare prices with salon prices: they change too much from place to place.

Choose by your plan

One recommendation from us per plan, with the shape we think suits each case best. It's a style suggestion: the choice is yours and you can see the color on each product page.

Rose Cloud gel extension - light pink oval nails with a white tip, French style, on a white background, NOOVES

Your first time

Rose Cloud · Oval

Oval is the shape with the most designs in the collection (9 of 13), a good starting point.

See Rose Cloud →

Cherry Noir gel extension - glossy dark red oval nails on a white background, NOOVES

Work dinner or holidays

Cherry Noir · Oval

For anyone who wants a deep red, in line with what Hola is featuring this week.

See Cherry Noir →

Pure Canvas gel extension - glossy milky white almond nails on a white background, NOOVES

Typing all day

Pure Canvas · Almond

An almond, which lengthens without overdoing it.

See Pure Canvas →

Midnight Merlot gel extension - glossy dark burgundy square nails on a white background, NOOVES

A wine shade with a straight shape

Midnight Merlot · Square

Square, for anyone who prefers a more understated line.

See Midnight Merlot →

Want to switch things up often? There are 13 designs. Browse by shape: Oval (9 designs), Almond (2) or Square (2).

What you need and how to apply them

In the box: 32 pieces, 2 wipes, 1 orange stick and 1 mini file.
Curing: 60 seconds with the Shaping Lamp. The extensions arrive 60% cured from the factory and you finish them.
Top coat, if you want to finish: the Nail Beauty Pen 2 in 1. Add 30 more seconds under the lamp.
Removal: acetone-free, with Nail Remover or NOOVES cuticle oil.

Applying them takes between 10 and 15 minutes depending on your practice. They mold onto your nail, cure, and last over 14 days.

Quick questions

How is a gel extension different from a press-on?

A press-on arrives with its shape already made and attaches with a sticker or glue. A semi-cured gel extension molds onto your nail and has its own adhesive, no separate glue.

Do I need a lamp?

Yes. Semi-cured gel finishes curing under a lamp. With the NOOVES Shaping Lamp it takes 60 seconds, and 30 more if you finish with top coat from the Nail Beauty Pen. They also work with compatible lamps.