Frequently asked questions
What product lines does Aprés make?
Aprés at ND covers two main lines across 496 SKUs. The Gel Colors line carries 262 shades in the 4xx, 5xx, and 6xx code ranges, priced $12.75 each at wholesale (was $14.99 MSRP). The Gel-X system carries 230 SKUs of soft gel tips, bonding gel, primer, and complete extension kits. A small Base and Top line (4 SKUs) completes the foundation-to-finish workflow.
What makes Aprés Gel-X different from acrylic extensions?
Three things. The finished extension feels lighter on the hand than acrylic because soft gel weighs less per square millimeter of coverage. The application is odorless because there is no liquid monomer step (no EMA vapor in the work area). Removal is gentler: soak in acetone for 15 minutes, gentle lift, no aggressive drilling at the nail bed. Most salons that switch from acrylic to Gel-X report the service ticket goes up because clients read Gel-X as a premium tier.
Which Gel-X tip shape should I stock for a new salon?
Stock Square as the foundation shape. Square is the most versatile (fits broader and narrower nail beds), the easiest to apply for new tip technicians, and the most-requested shape in surveys. Add Coffin as the second shape because it carries the highest demand among Instagram-active clientele. Add Almond if your salon serves clients wanting feminine elongation, and Stiletto last because it has the highest skill bar and the most polarizing demand profile.
Do I need a UV or LED lamp for Aprés Gel-X application?
Yes. The Extend Gel adhesive that bonds the tip to the natural nail cures only under UV or LED light. A 48W LED cures the bond in 60 seconds. A 36W UV cures the same bond in 120 seconds. The Aprés Gel-X Extension Kit at $99.99 includes a starter lamp, so a new salon can begin Gel-X service without a separate lamp purchase. Existing gel-equipped salons can use any standard LED or UV lamp.
How long does a Gel-X manicure last on the client?
Three to four weeks of full wear is the standard window when applied correctly with proper tip sizing, full primer prep, and adequate Extend Gel coverage. Wear shortens to 10 days if clients skip cuticle oil or wear cleaning gloves inconsistently. Past four weeks the tip-natural-nail seam starts to separate at the cuticle and lift. Rebook for fill at week three or full removal at week four to keep the look clean.
What's in this Aprés all-products hub
This hub carries the full 496-SKU Aprés catalog stocked at ND, covering two distinct product lines under one brand: gel colors and the Gel-X soft gel extension system.
Aprés is the brand that made soft gel tip extensions a mainstream salon service. The Gel-X line uses pre-shaped soft gel tips bonded to the natural nail with a UV-cure adhesive, finishing lighter and more natural-feeling than acrylic.
The two main Aprés product lines
Aprés Gel Colors (265 SKUs)
The core gel polish line in 262 shades, organized in the 4xx, 5xx, and 6xx code ranges. Salons stock these alongside the Gel-X tips so the extension service finishes with a matched color in one workflow.
Each shade runs $12.75 against a $14.99 MSRP at the wholesale tier, a flat 15 percent discount across the line.
Aprés Soft Gel & Nail Tips (230 SKUs)
The Gel-X tip system: pre-shaped soft gel tips that bond to the natural nail with UV-cure adhesive. Tips ship in four shapes (Square, Almond, Coffin, Stiletto) across multiple lengths and curves to fit different nail beds.
Tip boxes run $29.99 each. The Extend Gel adhesive (15ml) for bonding tips runs $22.50, and a complete starter kit including tips, gel, lamp, and prep products runs $99.99.
Aprés Base & Top (4 SKUs)
The foundation and finishing system: Non-Acidic Gel Primer at $8.99 for nail prep, plus base and top coats compatible with both the Gel-X service and standalone gel manicures.
Why salons stock Aprés Gel-X over traditional acrylic
Gel-X tips finish lighter on the hand than acrylic, which makes the wear feel more natural to clients accustomed to gel manicures.
The application is odorless. There is no liquid monomer step, so the work area stays free of the EMA vapor that some clients find intolerable.
Removal is also gentler. Soak in acetone for 15 minutes, gentle lift, no aggressive drilling needed at the nail bed.
Application time runs about the same as acrylic but the service ticket sits higher because Gel-X reads as premium to clients who research nail systems online before booking.
The four Gel-X tip shapes and when to pick which
- Square: the classic flat tip, fits clients with broader nail beds or shorter natural nails. The most versatile shape and the easiest for new tip technicians to apply.
- Almond: tapered to a soft point, fits clients with narrower beds or those wanting a feminine elongated look without sharp edges.
- Coffin: the trend-driven flat-tipped shape with tapered sides. Most popular among Instagram-active clients who follow nail influencer feeds.
- Stiletto: the sharpest tapered point, fits clients comfortable with the longest extension look. Highest skill bar to apply correctly.
Pricing at ND for Aprés
Aprés prices by product type rather than a flat per-color tier.
Gel Color shades run $12.75 each at the wholesale tier. Gel-X tip boxes run $29.99 across all four shapes. The Extend Gel adhesive at 15ml runs $22.50. The complete Gel-X Extension Kit including tips, gel, lamp, and prep products runs $99.99.
Free shipping triggers on every order over $99. No business license required, no minimum order. In-stock Aprés products ordered before 2pm Pacific weekdays ship same day.
Step-by-step Gel-X application workflow
- Prep: shape the natural nail, push back cuticles, gentle buff to remove surface shine.
- Primer: apply Aprés Non-Acidic Gel Primer, air dry 30 seconds. Skip on oily nail beds.
- Tip fit: select the correct tip size for each nail from the box. The fit should cover the natural nail edge to edge without overhang.
- Adhesive: apply a thin layer of Extend Gel on the inside of the tip plus a layer on the natural nail.
- Bond: press the tip onto the natural nail at the cuticle, roll down to the free edge, hold 5 seconds, cure 60 seconds at 48W LED.
- Shape and finish: file the tip length and shape, refine with a smoothing buffer, then apply Aprés gel color and top coat over the tip as a normal gel manicure.
Pro tip: sizing the tip correctly is the most common failure point. If a tip overhangs the natural nail edge, the bond will lift within 7 days. Spend 30 extra seconds matching the tip to each nail before applying adhesive.
Care and longevity for clients
- Wear cleaning gloves for dishes, bathroom scrubs, and garden work. Gel-X tips wear 3 to 4 weeks normally, but solvents shorten that to 10 days.
- Apply cuticle oil daily, twice daily for the first week. Hydrated cuticles prevent lifting at the proximal edge of the tip.
- Rebook at week three for a fill or full removal. Past three weeks the tip-natural-nail seam starts to separate and lift.
Salon storage and shelf life
Keep Aprés gel bottles upright at room temperature out of direct sun. Heat over 80F thins the gel viscosity and shortens cure consistency.
Tip boxes should sit in a temperature-stable area away from humidity. Tips themselves do not expire but the packaging keeps them clean and shape-stable.
Unopened gel bottles last 24 months from the manufacture date. Opened bottles stay usable 18 months at room temperature.
Related Aprés collections at ND
Cross-link to the Aprés drilldowns by product type and season below.