AQUOL / Water-based vs gel
GuideWater-based vs gel:
what actually differs.
The biggest differences are how the color sets and how it comes off. Here is a plain comparison, and where AQUOL's two bases fit.
| Typical gel polish | AQUOL Long-Wear | AQUOL Peel-Off | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it sets | Cured under a UV or LED lamp | Air-dries, no lamp | Air-dries, no lamp |
| Typical wear | Often two weeks or more | Up to 2 weeks* | About a week* |
| Removal | Usually soaking in acetone, often with filing | Alcohol pad wrap for a few minutes, then wipe | Peels off by hand |
| Where it is used | Salons and home kits with a lamp | Home or travel | Home or travel |
*Wear varies with nail type, coat thickness and daily use. Gel products vary by brand; follow each product's own instructions.
Which one should a customer pick?
A customer who wants salon-length wear and already owns a lamp may stay with gel. A customer who wants shine without a lamp, and removal without filing, fits AQUOL Long-Wear. A customer who changes color every week fits AQUOL Peel-Off.
A note from our founder
Color is a weekly ritual — a new shade for a new week, a new mood, a new outfit. AQUOL wears beautifully for one to two weeks, then comes off in minutes with an alcohol pad, or simply peels away.— Wei Yan, Founder, AQUOL
Questions
Is water-based polish the same as gel?
No. Gel is cured under a UV or LED lamp. AQUOL water-based polish air-dries with no lamp.
Does AQUOL need acetone?
No. Long-Wear comes off with an alcohol pad; Peel-Off peels off by hand.
Which lasts longer?
Gel often lasts longer. AQUOL Long-Wear wears up to 2 weeks and Peel-Off about a week, with easier removal.
Keep reading
Long-Wear base
Up to 2 weeks; removes with an alcohol pad.
Read more →
Peel-Off base
About a week; peels off by hand.
Read more →
For Amazon sellers
Brand authorization and document pack.
Read more →
Talk to AQUOL
B2B pricing, samples and the document pack — arranged on WhatsApp or by email.