Hard Gel

Hard Gel

Hard Gel Rebalance – Introduction

A Hard Gel Rebalance is a maintenance service for an existing set of French Hard Gel Enhancements (usually around 2-3 weeks old – these could be tipped or sculpted). The area of new growth near the cuticle is filled in with more clear or pink Hard Gel, and the French tip, which will have grown out to a point that looks unnatural, is shifted further back (‘rebalancing’ the pink to white ratio).

This service can also be completed on natural extensions to turn them into French extensions, you just need to imagine an existing, grown-out smile line.

What are the Pros and Cons?

Pros from the Nail Tech’s Perspective
Cons from the Nail Tech’s Perspective
  • Hard Gel has no odour
  • You are able to continue making money from the same client by rebalancing
  • Rebalances are super quick in general, especially with Hard Gel which self settles
  • Exothermic reactions are less likely with rebalances because you are using so much less product
  • The client is less likely to obtain damage as a result of their nails, keeping your reputation intact.
  • Instant dry/cure time means clients won’t ruin their nails on the way out
  • Clients are happier as chipping is less likely
  • You don’t need to add time for colour because the French finish is sculpted into the nail
  • If the last set had bad smile lines (because you’re still learning), you get to improve them this time
  • Hard Gel is sticky and can be messy to work with
  • There are a lot of steps
  • Rebalances can be time consuming
  • If the original set wasn’t very good (hey, you’re still learning!) then a rebalance can take a long time. Eventually when you have experience, you will have no lifting to fix and very little filing and rebalances will become quicker.
  • New nail techs tend to apply too much product which leads to a lot of filing
  • Filing leads to a lot of lifting. Lifting MUST be fixed at the time of rebalance.
  • You must use a full system. Eg primer and gel are all of the same brand
  • You need to understand chemistry
Pros from the Client’s Perspective
Cons from the Client’s Perspective
  • Rebalances have a lower risk of exotherm than a full set
  • Rebalances are faster than getting a new full set
  • There is no damage to your natural nails
  • Lasts 2-3 weeks without chipping
  • French matches everything
  • No visible regrowth at the base
  • Classic, clean, professional look
  • Much thicker than natural nails (although there is a common misconception that acrylics are thick, this doesn’t need to be the case, but compared to natural nails they are definitely thicker)
  • Longer appointment time to factor in compared to natural nail services
  • Higher cost to factor in compared to natural nail services
  • White tips can discolour
  • If you start painting over them in a few weeks the underside will still be bright white

How much should I charge?

‘Low’ and ‘High’ Prices are indicative of prices we see other salons of varying quality charging for similarly described services.

Low Price Your Price High Price
$55 – A lot of NSS salons don’t actually offer rebalances (or Hard Gel for that matter), they only do full sets. A lot of their clients remove their last set unsafely in order to then get a new full set put on. This could be avoided by rebalancing! If looking for a low price for rebalanced French you’d be looking at around $55, which would be a newer Nail Tech with great training who lacks confidence. $15-20 more than you charge for a Backfill $115

‘Your Price’ recommendations are approximate and you should work out the specific price of each of your services. How to Set Your Prices is a good online course that can show you exactly how to cover all of your costs and set your prices accordingly. You can enrol in this course here.

Who should I offer this service to?
Who it is best suited for Who is it not suited for
  • People who already have Hard Gel on
  • People who aren’t your clients yet but who have discussed the damage they have received from previous unsafe removals
  • Clients who like the classic french look
  • Clients who hate regrowth
  • People with a spare hour+ a fortnight and reasonable disposable income
  • People who would rather have their nails removed

Got a Question?