- I get manicures every month, and I prefer structured nails when I don’t do extensions.
- I spent $110 on a structured Gel-X set, which included soft builder gel, nail art, and cuticle oil.
- I liked the low maintenance of this manicure, and it lasted four weeks.
For most of 2024, I tested several different types of manicures, from Japanese and Russian to intricately painted press-ons and at-home gel. By the end of the year, I was thrilled to be going back to basics with my go-to Chicago nail tech.
For this appointment, I opted for a $110 structured Gel-X manicure with some added artistic flair.
A structured manicure is similar to a regular gel set, except there’s an extra layer of soft or hard gel to build up your natural nail before applying the polish. This layer creates an apex, making for a stronger foundation that lessens the likelihood of breakage.
With nail health and manicure longevity at the top of my priorities list, here’s how it went.
