{"id":55128,"date":"2026-07-08T11:33:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/55128\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T11:33:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:33:08","slug":"japanese-gel-nails-are-trending-for-summer-2026-and-they-can-last-for-up-to-3-weeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/55128\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Japanese gel nails’ are trending for summer 2026 \u2013\u00a0and they can last for up to 3 weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a beauty editor living in New York City, I consider myself very in the know. I\u2019m the first to try the makeup trends<\/a> on NYFW runways, I get a res at all of the up-and-coming bars and restaurants, and I\u2019ve probably already been to whatever workout studio or spa is going viral on TikTok (like, months ago, TBH). So when a few beauty editor friends of mine were hemming and hawing about a new manicure spot downtown that offers Japanese gel nails, I immediately had to know: What\u2019s a Japanese manicure and when TF can I get an appointment? <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve tried shellac nails<\/a>, dip powder nails<\/a>, gel-X, Russian manicures \u2013 basically all the manicure options out there. But I was more intrigued by Japanese gel than anything else in a long time because it is allegedly better for your nails, lasts longer than traditional gels, and looks super shiny and smooth too. But is it actually better and worth the higher cost? I have thoughts! Keep reading for all the info straight from two nail artists, as well as a detailed review of the Japanese gel mani I got done at Mellow Bar<\/a> in Soho. <\/p>\n

What are Japanese gel nails?<\/p>\n

Japanese gel nails utilise a different type of gel than what we typically get at the nail salon (or DIY at home). Typically, these gels are made in Japan, and they come in a pot or jar, says nail artist Paola Ponce<\/a>. FYI, this was the original method of application for gel polish, but the American and UK markets quickly put them in standard nail polish bottles for faster application, whereas Japanese artists have preserved this method, says Ponce.<\/p>\n

The biggest difference in the formula is that Japanese gel is usually solvent-free, meaning it technically isn\u2019t actually a gel polish as we know it, says Ponce. \u201cGel polish is a hybrid gel consisting of resin and the use of polish-like ingredients, most often solvents,\u201d she says. Solvents are like acetone \u2013 they are really strong and evaporate quickly, meaning they could lead to quicker chipping, can change the consistency of your gel over time, and can dry out your nails, she adds.\u201cSolvents are not bad,\u201d she says. \u201cHowever, gels that don\u2019t incorporate them are more durable.\u201d Because of this (and a few other reasons that I\u2019ll get into), Japanese gel is typically longer-lasting and thought to be healthier for your nails. Which brings us to… <\/p>\n

Is a Japanese manicure good for your nails?<\/p>\n

A Japanese manicure could potentially be better for your nails than a standard gel manicure. \u201cDamage to the nail often occurs during the prep to the natural nail and the removal of the product,\u201d says Ponce. Most Japanese gel nail systems don\u2019t require a nail dehydrator before applying the base coat, which eliminates a step that significantly dries, explains Ponce. You still have to clean your nail bed with 90 per cent alcohol, she says, but that alone doesn\u2019t lead to damage to your nails. You also don\u2019t have to buff or file the nail plate down, she adds. Instead, the gel adheres to your natural nails easily, and most brands offer sanding-free bases. <\/p>\n

But! It\u2019s important to keep in mind that when applied, cured, and removed correctly, all gel nail types are not inherently unhealthy for your nails, says nail artist Julie Kandalec<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Everyone’s clicking on…What is the difference between gel and Japanese gel nails?<\/p>\n

Regular gel (AKA what we are used to using at salons and at home) and Japanese gel are fairly different for a lot of reasons. Japanese gel is usually in a pot or jar, instead of the more commonly seen bottles, says Kandalec. Because of this, your artist will dip a brush into the pot and apply it in thin layers on your nail, versus a brush inside a bottle. Typically, this makes the formula seem more pigmented on your nails, since the layers are a bit thinner. However, the actual gel itself is more viscous, explains Ponce, making it great for creating extensions, filling in ridges, or overall making your nails look super smooth. This can also help with longevity and chipping, since the nail feels a bit harder and less prone to breaking. <\/p>\n

Another major difference is how the product is removed. Japanese gel is a bit thicker than standard gel polishes, so it has to be filed down quite a bit to be fully soaked off. Typically, artists, like Ponce, recommend \u201crebalancing,\u201d aka filing the gel down thin and reapplying new gel on top. Typically, she only removes the gel fully when a client is taking a break from gel in general. This is entirely unlike traditional gel manis, where you remove and redo your gel every single time.<\/p>\n

With all of the above in mind, Japanese gel at the salon can take a bit longer. Think: An hour versus 45 minutes, for example. It might also cost more. (Expect a full manicure to be anywhere from \u00a330 to \u00a390, depending on your location, the salon, and if you get art, etc.).<\/p>\n

How long does the Japanese manicure last?<\/p>\n

A Japanese gel manicure should last a minimum of three weeks, says Ponce, \u201cbut often the product stays on until you’re ready to redo the nails again.\u201d Peep my review below to see if this happened for me (spoiler: It mostly did).<\/p>\n

Can you do a Japanese gel manicure at home? <\/p>\n

Yes, you can, so long as you have all the right tools and products. But that\u2019s not exactly easy for the standard person, let alone a professional, says Kandalec. \u201cMany sites require us to register and show proof of licensing first, and the top Japanese lines are not available on Amazon,\u201d she explains. So if you wanna try, go for it, but probs just leave it to the pros. <\/p>\n

My review:About my nails<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a recovering gel extension user, and my nail beds have been brutalised, to say the least. Like, they were basically breaking off every second and looked so horrendous, I didn\u2019t even wanna put press-on nails<\/a> on top of them. I knew I wanted to grow my nails to a slightly longer length and make them look a teensy bit healthier. <\/p>\n

But I\u2019ve done regular gel a zillion times over the years \u2013 usually, they just chip or break in a few days. I\u2019m super hard on my nails \u2013 my coworkers comment on how vigorously I pounce my fingers against the keyboard when I\u2019m writing a story, and I pry open a dozen packages a day for my job. Needless to say, I was intrigued but highly sceptical.<\/p>\n

The appointment<\/p>\n

I went to Mellow Bar in NYC, which is a hot spot for Japanese gel. The appointment was simple because I didn\u2019t have any gel on my nails already, so I didn\u2019t require any removal. It took about 45 minutes total, starting with a serious cleanup of my cuticles and shaping and cutting down my nails. <\/p>\n

\"japanese<\/p>\n

My technician prepped my nails with a base coat, then we immediately went into the polish. Japanese gel works in thin layers, so it was more than I was used to, even for a sheer style. This is why it takes a little bit longer, but it didn\u2019t really bother me. I listened to a podcast and enjoyed it. Everything was cured between layers, then we went over my nails with a top coat to seal it all in. Obvi, we ended with a damn good massage and my nails looked so shiny. <\/p>\n

My experience and results<\/p>\n

I tracked the progress of my nails for three weeks to see how they\u2019d fare over time to test the longevity claims on Japanese gel nails (pics below, ofc). <\/p>\n

\"japaneseBeth Gillette<\/p>\n

My nails after one week.<\/p>\n

After a week, I was mega impressed. My nails still looked basically perfect, when usually, they\u2019d be a bit dingy at this point. I also already had more growth than normal, too. Typically, if I wanted my nails to look amazing forever, this would be annoying. But as I\u2019m trying to grow out my nails a bit rn, this was a welcome surprise. <\/p>\n

\"japaneseBeth Gillette<\/p>\n

My nails after two weeks.<\/p>\n

The second week, my nails grew so long. I was shocked. And they still hadn\u2019t chipped. For a standard gel manicure, this was unreal. I\u2019ve never had a gel manicure that wasn\u2019t gel-X last any longer than two weeks on me. Hell, I\u2019m lucky to get a week and a half. So this was huge. My nails also still looked shiny. I wasn\u2019t shying away from posting pics with my hands on IG like I normally would with a grown-out, two-week-old manicure. <\/p>\n

\"japaneseBeth Gillette<\/p>\n

My nails after three weeks.<\/p>\n

By the third week, though, my nails were starting to look a lil worse for wear. My thumb chipped quite a bit (to be fair, I\u2019m in the midst of packing for a move, so my hands are being used for hard labour, RN). My growth is also seriously intense. This isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing \u2013 I want my nails to grow! \u2013 but it doesn\u2019t look cute, I\u2019d say. <\/p>\n

Final verdict<\/p>\n

I would definitely get Japanese gel again for how healthy it kept my nails. I cannot believe how much my nails have grown in only three weeks. And if I were going on a three-week vacation for some reason and wanted a long-lasting mani that wasn\u2019t gel extensions, Japanese gel would absolutely be my pick. It\u2019s a little bit more expensive and time-consuming, yes, but it\u2019s worth it for how much better my nails feel and the length of time I got out of this one manicure. Consider me influenced.<\/p>\n

Meet the experts: Why trust Cosmopolitan?<\/p>\n

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing nail stories that range from natural nail designs<\/a> to Bubble Bath nails<\/a>. For this story, she tested Japanese gel nails for three weeks, plus interviewed two leading nail experts to get the scoop on what a Japanese manicure is, what makes it different, and if it\u2019s healthier.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl<\/a> for four years. Follow her on Instagram <\/a>for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months.\u00a0<\/p>\n