The gel-x system is one of the most beginner-accessible nail extension methods there is — but getting started means buying the right things in the right order. This is the shopping guide: not a tutorial (that's our Complete Gel-X Nails Guide) and not a pricing guide (see How Much Do Gel-X Nails Cost) — just a clear breakdown of what you need, what each product does, and where to find it.
We carry five soft-gel tip brands at Beyond Polish: Aprés Gel-X® (the original), OPI Gelevate, Gelish Soft Gel Tips, Kokoist Gelip, and TGB DesignEx. This guide leads with Aprés because it has the most starter kit options, the widest shape library, and the most tutorials for first-timers — but every system below is linked for all five brands.
A starter kit is the right first purchase because it gives you everything that needs to work together in one box, at better value than buying the components separately. Each kit includes a selection of tip shapes and sizes, the Extend Gel (the UV-cured adhesive), and the prep products needed to bond the tips properly.
Every step of the gel-x process — the bond gel, the Extend Gel, any gel color on top, the top coat — requires UV/LED curing. You need a 36W or higher dual-source lamp for full, consistent cures. Underpowered or aging lamps are the most common cause of early lifting and poor adhesion.
Your starter kit includes one tip shape. Once you know which shape you love, refill bags let you restock just the sizes you use. Each brand below has its own tip library — Aprés is the widest, with 11 shapes; Gelish runs a tighter assortment; OPI GELevate ships tips as part of its starter system.
Not sure which shape is yours? Our Gel-X shape guide matches hand types to tip shapes with side-by-side photos. Browse all Aprés tips →
After your first kit, you'll restock Extend Gel and tips most often. Prep products — primer, pH bonder, prep solution — last much longer and don't need replacing as frequently. For our full picks across Extend Gel formulas (including HEMA-free options for sensitive skin), see Best Gel-X Nail Glue. Here's what to keep on hand.
Extend Gel refills
Prep products
Aprés is the original, but the right brand depends on what system you already use and what you're after. Here's where to start for each.
All five brands are in one place on our soft-gel tip category page — browse, filter by brand, and compare side by side.
Free shipping on orders $75+ (continental US, after discounts). Most starter kits clear that threshold on their own — and stocking up on tip refills and Extend Gel in one order means fewer restocks and better value per set. Beyond Polish ships in 1–2 business days from California.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a kit, or can I buy the products separately?
A kit is meaningfully cheaper for a first set and removes the guesswork of which products work together. Once you've done 3–5 sets and you know your preferred shape, lamp wattage, and gel formula, buying components separately (refill tips, larger Extend Gel bottle) is more cost-efficient. Start with a kit; graduate to component purchasing.
Which brand is easiest for first-timers?
Aprés Gel-X is the most documented and most-tutorialized brand on YouTube and TikTok — community knowledge for troubleshooting your first set is unmatched. Their Signature Kit is also the most complete starter package. Once you're comfortable with the system, you can experiment with OPI Gelevate, Gelish, Kokoist, or TGB based on your preferences.
How many sets does one starter kit cover?
An Aprés Signature Kit typically does 3–5 full sets before you need to restock the Extend Gel and replenish the tips you've used most. The lamp doesn't deplete; it's a multi-year purchase. After the initial kit, ongoing per-set cost runs $12–$22 in consumables — see How Much Do Gel-X Nails Cost for the full breakdown.
What lamp wattage do I actually need?
36W minimum, dual-source (UV + LED) recommended. A 36W lamp cures Extend Gel in 30–60 seconds per layer. Underpowered lamps (24W or budget single-source) are the #1 reason at-home sets lift early — under-cured gel doesn't form a full bond. A 48W lamp is overkill for most users but cures faster.
Can I use my old gel-polish lamp for gel-x?
Probably yes, if it's 36W+ and dual-source. If it's a small portable lamp under 24W, it may technically cure soft-gel but slowly and unreliably — and the gap between 'cured' and 'fully cured' is exactly where lifting happens. If you're already invested in doing gel-x at home regularly, a dedicated 36W+ lamp is a worthwhile upgrade.
Everything you need is here.
Five brands, all the tips, all the gels — authorized retailer, fast shipping.
