Gel X — pre-shaped soft-gel tips, fitted to your natural nail.
Gel X (by Après) is a soft-gel tip extension system that comes in twelve precision-cut sizes per shape. Each tip is fitted to your natural nail, bonded with gel, and cured under LED. No sculpting, no filing dust, no odour — and a gentle acetone soak-off when you're ready for a change.
Inside Burwood One Shopping Centre · Easy from Burwood East, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Box Hill and the wider Melbourne east.
No filing, no dust
Tips arrive pre-shaped — there's no sculpting, no acrylic dust, no sharp odour. We blend the seam in seconds, not minutes.
Pre-shaped fit
Twelve sizes per shape, individually matched to each finger. The seam between tip and natural nail is barely visible.
Clean soak-off
Removable in around ten minutes of acetone wraps. No drilling, no aggressive filing — one of the gentlest tip systems available.
Trusted by clients across Melbourne's east.
Over 1,012 reviews across Google, Fresha & Facebook.
“Been getting Gel X here for months. Always perfect, always friendly. Best nail salon in the east.”
“I switched from acrylic to Gel X and never looked back. So much lighter, no smell, and they look just as good.”
“They sized each tip perfectly to my nails. The fit is so neat you can't even see the seam. Loved my chrome french.”
Gel X — soft-gel tips, fitted by hand.
The gentlest extension system we offer.
Gel X is a tip-extension system from Après — pre-shaped soft-gel tips that arrive in twelve sizes per shape, individually matched to each natural nail. Once fitted, each tip is bonded with a soft-gel adhesive and cured under our LED lamp. The result is a smooth, lightweight extension with a near-invisible seam.
Unlike acrylic, Gel X requires no sculpting or filing dust. Unlike builder gel, it has the structural strength of a full tip extension. Most clients describe Gel X as feeling more like a natural nail than any other length system — and the soak-off removal protects the nail bed underneath.
“ Pre-shaped, precision-fitted, and softly removable.
Or call 03 8838 8836 to chat about which system suits you.
Gel X, Acrylic & Builder Gel — at a glance.
Three of our most-asked-about length systems, compared honestly.
| Feature | Gel X | Acrylic | Builder Gel |
|---|---|---|---|
| System | Soft-gel pre-shaped tips | Liquid + powder, sculpted | Brush-on gel, tip optional |
| Filing & dust | Minimal — pre-shaped | Significant — sculpted by hand | Minimal — brushed on |
| Odour | None | Strong (monomer) | None |
| Wear time | 3–5 weeks | 3–5 weeks (with refills) | 3–5 weeks |
| Length | Up to longest tip in the tray | Any — sculpted to taste | Short to medium |
| Feel | Light, smooth, natural | Firm, structural | Light, flexible |
| Removal | ~10 min soak-off | ~20 min soak-off | ~10 min soak-off |
| Best for | Quick natural-feel sets | Long, sculpted shapes | Strengthening overlays |
Not sure which suits you? Call 03 8838 8836 or ask in store — a quick chat is usually the fastest way to decide.
Gel X is a great fit if…
- You want length without acrylic — lighter, gentler, cleaner application
- You're sensitive to fumes or dust — no monomer odour, no filing dust
- You want a natural-looking length — tips matched to your nail bed by size
- You travel often — Gel X handles humidity and flights well
- You want a gentle removal — soak-off in ten minutes, no drilling
- You like nail art — smooth surface for chrome, French, ombre
Looking for longer, sculpted shapes? Acrylic is the only system that builds extreme lengths from scratch.
How Gel X is applied at Adiva
A clean five-step ritual — about 60 minutes for a full set.
- 01
Size & match
Each finger is measured against the sizing tray to find the tip width and length that fits the natural nail bed exactly.
- 02
Nail prep
Cuticles tidied, the nail surface gently buffed, and a dehydrator applied so the gel adhesive bonds cleanly.
- 03
Apply the tip
Gel adhesive is brushed onto the underside of the tip, the tip is pressed onto the natural nail at the cuticle line, and cured under our LED lamp.
- 04
Shape & blend
A light buff blends the seam between tip and natural nail. The tip is then trimmed and shaped to your preferred length and silhouette.
- 05
Colour & finish
Your choice of gel polish, French, ombre, or chrome — each layer cured under LED, then a glossy top coat and cuticle oil to finish.
Sixty minutes, end to end.
A breakdown of where the time goes — proportional to how each stage feels at the chair.
For comparison, an acrylic full set at the same skill level takes ~75–90 minutes, with the additional time spent sculpting and filing by hand.
Gel X sets from our chair.
Live from Instagram — recent Gel X sets, French, ombre and chrome finishes from the salon.
Gel X pricing
Tip extension and finish, all in one appointment.
- Gel X Full Set — soft-gel tip extensions, 1 hr $65
- French on Gel X (add-on) — classic white or colour French from $10
- Chrome on Gel X (add-on) — mirrored metallic finish $20
- Ombre on Gel X (add-on) — gradient blend across the set from $20
- Custom Nail Art — freehand designs, glitter, embellishments from $5
- Remove Gel X — soak-off $20
Gel X is a soak-off-and-replace system; we don't refill in the traditional sense. Prices shown are indicative starting points and may vary by length, design, or add-ons. For the latest pricing, see the live menu on Fresha or ask in store.
To get the most from your set
Cuticle oil daily
Keeps the gel flexible and the natural nail bed soft underneath the tip.
Gloves for cleaning
Acetone, bleach and harsh detergents will weaken any gel system over time.
Don't pop a lifted tip off
Never pry an edge that's lifted — come in for a quick fix. Pulling lifts the surface of the natural nail.
Mind hot water
Long hot showers and saunas can soften the gel adhesive. Warm is fine; consistently hot is the enemy.
Refresh every 3–5 weeks
Gel X doesn't refill — when growth catches up, we soak off the set and apply new tips.
Questions, answered
Gel X (by Apres) is a soft-gel nail tip extension system. The tips arrive pre-shaped in 12 sizes per shape — your technician selects the right size for each finger, bonds it with a soft-gel adhesive, and cures the whole thing under an LED lamp. The result feels like a natural nail extension, without sculpting or filing dust.
Acrylic is liquid-and-powder, sculpted by hand, and it can be built to any length or shape. Gel X is a pre-shaped soft-gel tip that's bonded on — faster, lighter, and gentler, but limited to the lengths and shapes the tips come in. Most clients describe Gel X as feeling more natural; acrylic as feeling stronger.
Builder gel is brushed onto the natural nail as an overlay — it adds strength but not much length. Gel X is a tip extension — it adds real length using a pre-shaped tip. The two systems are often paired: a Gel X tip with builder gel applied over it for added strength.
When applied and removed correctly, Gel X is one of the gentlest tip-extension systems available. There's no heavy filing of the natural nail at application or removal. The most common cause of damage is popping a lifted tip off rather than coming in for a soak-off.
Three to five weeks for most clients. Gel X doesn't refill — when regrowth catches up, we soak the set off and apply new tips. Some clients prefer a clean refresh closer to three weeks; others stretch a full set to five with careful aftercare.
Absolutely. Gel X has a beautifully smooth surface — French, ombre, chrome, glitter and freehand designs all sit cleanly on it. Add-ons start from $10; the menu below has the breakdown.
A 10-minute soak in acetone wraps softens the gel adhesive enough to gently slide the tip off. No drilling, no aggressive filing, no prying. A removal appointment is $20 and protects the natural nail underneath.
Occasionally — usually after impact or if the bond wasn't fully cured. If a tip pops off cleanly, save it and book a quick fix; we can re-bond it. If it came off with a piece of natural nail attached, that's a sign the bond was stronger than the nail — let us know so we can adjust prep next time.
Book your Gel X appointment in Burwood East.
- Address
- Shop G41, 172–210 Burwood Highway
Burwood East, VIC 3151 - Phone
- 03 8838 8836
- hello@adivabeauty.com.au
- Hours
-
Mon–Fri · 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday · 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday · 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Easy from Burwood, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Vermont, Forest Hill, Ashwood, Blackburn & Doncaster East.