Your Guide to Gel Polish Training

By Louisa Flanagan, Dublin salon owner

Gel polish is the most requested nail service in Irish salons. Clients love it because it lasts two to three weeks without chipping, and it is one of the quickest treatments to learn, which makes it the natural first step for anyone starting a nail career.

What is a gel manicure?

A gel manicure uses a coloured gel polish that stays soft until it is cured under a UV/LED lamp. Once cured it is hard, glossy and chip-resistant. Unlike BIAB or gel extensions, gel polish does not add length or strength. It is colour on the natural nail. (Not sure which service to learn first? Read our guide to BIAB vs gel nails.)

Gel polish vs BIAB vs gel extensions

  • Gel polish: colour on the natural nail, lasting 2 to 3 weeks. The quickest to learn and the ideal starting point.
  • BIAB (builder gel): a thicker gel that strengthens the natural nail and helps it grow. One of the most in-demand nail services in Ireland right now.
  • Gel extensions: builds extra length and shape using gel. More advanced, and priced higher.

Many of our students start with gel polish, add BIAB next, and move on to extensions once they are confident.

What you will learn on a gel polish course

  • Nail anatomy, hygiene and contraindications (when not to treat)
  • Cuticle and nail plate preparation, the step that stops lifting
  • Applying base, colour and top coat cleanly without flooding the cuticle
  • Curing correctly under a UV/LED lamp
  • Safe removal that protects the natural nail
  • Aftercare advice for your clients

Can you really learn gel polish online?

Yes, if the course is built properly. Our Gel Polish Online Course was designed by Louisa Flanagan, who has run busy Dublin nail salons for over 25 years. Every technique is filmed step by step the way we do it with real clients, so you can pause, rewatch and practise at your own pace. You keep lifetime access.

Will I be qualified and insured?

The course is accredited by AIT (Associated Irish Therapists) and ABT (Associated Beauty Therapists). Once you complete the course and pass your case studies, you can apply for professional insurance. Requirements vary between insurers, so confirm with your chosen provider before you start treating clients.

How much does it cost?

The Gel Polish Online Course is €100, or €195 with a professional kit so you have everything you need from day one. You can pay in 3 with Klarna at checkout. Want to go further? Our Build A Beautiful Nail bundle puts popular nail training together at a lower price.

Ready to start? View the Gel Polish Online Course or browse all our online nail courses in Ireland.