Salt Lake City
Aprés Gel-X® Nails
The Aprés Gel-X® system is how we do length at Soleil. A soft-gel full-cover tip is fitted to your own nail, bonded and cured under a lamp, then shaped and finished — light to wear, gentle to remove, and no acrylic monomer anywhere in the building.
Book NowWhat it actually is
A Gel-X tip covers the entire nail rather than sitting on the free edge, and each one is sized to your individual nail bed before it goes on. It is bonded with soft gel and cured under a professional lamp, so nothing is mixed with a liquid monomer and nothing smells.
Because it is a soft gel, it comes off the way it went on — by soak-off, slowly, rather than by filing it away. That is the part that protects your natural nails over a year of sets, not just one appointment.
We do not offer acrylic. No liquid-and-powder monomer and no MMA means no chemical smell in the room — for you, for the client next to you, and for the artists who are here all day.
We work with the Gel-X system every day, and the service we build around it is our own. Tip fit, shape, length, structure and apex, the finish and any art are decided for your nails at your consultation — no two sets leave here the same.
Why we use Gel-X for length
Length today, without acrylic
Gel-X is how we give you length. There is no liquid-and-powder acrylic and no MMA anywhere in the building, so the length does not come with the fumes.
Light on the nail
A soft-gel full-cover tip sized to your nail bed sits closer and thinner than a sculpted extension. Most clients stop noticing them within a day.
Designed to be soakable
The tips are made to be soaked off. Depending on what is layered over the top — color, art, chrome, a builder overlay — your artist may gently reduce that surface layer first so the remover can reach the gel. Controlled, unhurried, and watched the whole way.
Minimal filing to apply
Because the tip bonds to a prepped surface rather than an etched one, your natural nail underneath stays intact.
A real canvas for art
The flat, even surface of a fitted tip is the easiest thing to paint on, so detailed inspo photos usually live best here. Hand-painted art is not limited to extensions though — it works on short natural nails too.
Clean air while you sit
We are a low-odor studio by design. Everything on the enhancement menu is gel-based and cured under a lamp.
What the appointment looks like
Consultation
We look at your natural nails first — thickness, flexibility, anything peeling or sore — and agree on shape and length before anything is applied.
Removal, if you have product on
Anything from another salon comes off slowly and gently. Book a removal alongside your set so the time is on the schedule.
Dry cuticle work and prep
Cuticle work is done dry, then the nail plate is lightly prepped. Gel-X bonds to a clean surface, so there is no heavy filing of your natural nail.
Tip fitting
Each full-cover tip is sized to your own nail bed individually. A tip that fits properly is why the set feels light instead of bulky.
Bonding and curing
The tip is bonded with soft gel and cured under a professional lamp. No liquid monomer, so there is no chemical smell in the room.
Shaping and finish
Shaped to the length and silhouette you asked for, then finished in gel color, art, or left clean.
Hot towels and a lotion massage
Every single service at Soleil ends the same way — hot towels and a lotion massage.
Gel-X, or something else?
Our Gel-X extension service
A soft-gel full-cover tip bonded to the natural nail, then shaped and finished. Light, comfortable, and removed by soak-off.
Length now · 3–4 weeks
Structured Gel Manicure
A builder gel base over your own nail to reinforce weak spots and build a proper apex. An overlay for strength — not added length.
Growing your own · 3–4 weeks
Gel Manicure
Dry cuticle work, shaping, nail prep and gel color cured under a professional lamp.
Color that lasts · 2–3 weeks
Want strength instead of length? Read about builder gel overlays, or see the full service menu.
Art on any medium
We have a hand-painted artist on the floor, and hand-painted work is not something that only happens on long extensions. Short natural nails, a gel manicure, a structured gel manicure, hard gel and Gel-X all take art the same way — freehand designs, French and fine line work, chrome, 3D and gems.
Art is booked in tiers so the time and the supplies are on the schedule. Pick the tier that matches your inspo photo, or send it to us and we will pick for you. See the art tier guide.
Questions we get
- What actually is Gel-X?
- A soft-gel full-cover tip that is sized to your natural nail, bonded with gel and cured under a professional lamp, then shaped and finished. It covers the whole nail rather than being glued to the tip edge.
- How long does a Gel-X set last?
- Typically three to four weeks, depending on your nail growth, what you do with your hands, and how the set is cared for in between — cuticle oil most days, gloves for cleaning, and nails used as nails rather than tools. Your artist builds them to last; the aftercare is what gets them there.
- Is Gel-X the same as acrylic?
- No. Acrylic is applied with a liquid monomer — that is where the salon smell comes from. Gel-X is a cured soft gel and the tips are designed to be soaked off. We do not offer acrylic, liquid-and-powder or MMA.
- Will it damage my natural nails?
- The application needs very little filing, and the tips are made to soak off, which is the gentler path on both ends. Any surface layer over the gel may be gently reduced first so the remover can work — that part is done slowly and by eye. What we cannot help with is a set picked off at home; come in for a removal instead.
- Should I get Gel-X or a structured gel manicure?
- If you want length now, Gel-X. If you want your own nails to get longer and stronger over time, a Structured Gel Manicure supports them while they grow. We use builder and hard gel as overlays for strength, not to sculpt extensions.
- Can I get nail art on Gel-X?
- Yes, and it is the best surface for it. Book nail art with your appointment so we have the time and the right supplies — pick the tier that matches your inspo photo, or send it to us and we will pick for you.
- How do I take them off?
- Book a removal — please do not pick them off. If you are getting something new, book the removal with your new service; if you are taking a break, book a removal with a Naked Manicure so your natural nails are left cared for rather than bare and rough.
- I want art but not long nails.
- Then you are in good hands. Our hand-painted work is not tied to extensions — short natural nails, a gel manicure, a structured gel manicure or hard gel all take art just as well. Book the art tier with your appointment and bring the inspo photo.
- Do you do fills on Gel-X?
- It depends on the set. Some can be rebalanced with a builder gel fill; others are better taken off and reapplied, especially if there is lifting or you want a different shape or length. Send us a photo or ask at your consultation and we will tell you which one to book.
Aprés and Gel-X are trademarks of Aprés Nail. Soleil Nail Studio is an independent studio that uses the Gel-X system and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Aprés Nail.