Gel manicure and gel nails in Dubai
Gel colour that lasts three to four weeks, builder gel for weak or short nails, hard gel for length and strength. Prices from AED 150, three technician levels, one standard. A Russian manicure with gel colour takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Gel polish, builder gel, hard gel. Which one do you need?
Gel manicure (often searched for in Dubai as a Gelish or Shellac manicure, both brand names for gel polish) is a manicure finished with gel colour cured under an LED lamp. It does not chip, keeps its shine and lasts until your nail grows out, usually three to four weeks. At CHOOSE ME every gel manicure can be done with the dry e-file technique, so the colour sits under the cuticle and the regrowth line stays clean longer.
Builder gel (you may know it as BIAB, builder in a bottle, or bio gel) is a thicker gel applied over the natural nail to strengthen it. It suits nails that peel, break or need a bit of length without extensions. Hard gel is firmer again: it holds length, builds an apex and protects the nail under daily load. Both are infilled every 3 to 4 weeks instead of removed, which keeps the natural nail healthy.
Japanese manicure is the opposite end: a no-colour treatment that polishes the nail plate with mineral paste and powder for a natural shine and helps brittle nails recover. We offer all four, and reception will tell you honestly which one your nails need.
Step by step, every time
Removal without damage
Old gel is filed off with the e-file, never soaked in acetone for 20 minutes or peeled. The nail plate stays intact.
Prep and cuticle
Dry cuticle work with sterile bits. Shape, length and surface are prepared so the gel bonds and lasts.
Thin, even layers
Base, colour, top. Each layer cured fully. No bulk at the cuticle, no shrinkage at the free edge.
Hand massage
Our 15-minute hand massage finishes every gel manicure. Hands leave lighter as well as prettier.
Prices in AED, three technician levels
| Service | Master | Top Master | Brand Master |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gel manicure, soak-off prep (no e-file) | 150 | 175 | 190 |
| Gel manicure with removal, soak-off prep | 175 | 200 | 215 |
| Russian manicure with gel colour | 180 | 205 | 220 |
| Manicure with builder gel strengthening (BIAB) | 210 | 235 | 250 |
| Manicure with builder gel and removal | 235 | 260 | 275 |
| Manicure with polygel strengthening | 190 | 215 | 230 |
| Japanese manicure | 130 | 150 | 160 |
| Service | Master | Top Master | Brand Master |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gel removal, within a service | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Gel removal, separately | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Gel colour only | 110 | 125 | 135 |
| Luxio premium gel colour only | 140 | 155 | 165 |
Gel manicure AED 150/175/190 by technician level, with removal AED 175/200/215. Builder gel strengthening AED 210/235/250. Prices in AED, VAT included, opening price list; final prices are confirmed at opening.
Questions Dubai asks about this service
How much is a gel manicure in Dubai?
At CHOOSE ME a gel manicure is AED 150 with a Master, AED 175 with a Top Master and AED 190 with a Brand Master; with removal AED 175, 200 and 215. The Russian e-file version with gel colour is AED 180 to 220. VAT included, no extras at the desk.
Builder gel vs gel polish: what is the difference?
Gel polish is colour: a thin coat that protects a little and looks good for 3 to 4 weeks. Builder gel is structure: a thicker layer that strengthens the natural nail, adds a small apex and can add a few millimetres of length. If your nails break at the tip or peel in layers, builder gel. If they are healthy, gel polish is enough.
Is builder gel the same as hard gel?
Not quite. Builder gel (BIAB, sometimes sold as bio gel) is a soft-medium gel that files off easily and is meant for strengthening natural nails. Hard gel is firmer, does not soak off, holds longer length and is closer to an extension material. For most clients builder gel is the right first step.
How long do gel nails last?
Three to four weeks on healthy nails with correct prep. The limiting factor is regrowth rather than chipping. With the Russian technique the colour starts right at the cuticle, so the regrowth gap appears later than with a classic manicure.
Is gel bad for your nails?
Gel itself is not. Damage comes from aggressive removal (peeling, over-filing, long acetone soaks) and from skipping the base coat. We file old gel off carefully, keep a thin layer of base on the nail and never thin the natural plate.
Do you do nail strengthening in Dubai?
Yes: builder gel and polygel strengthening over the natural nail, plus the Japanese manicure for nails that need to recover without colour. Ask reception for a recommendation.
Want to book a service?
We are opening in Dubai in 2027. Join the waitlist and get 10% off your first visit.
Want to work with us?
We are hiring nail technicians, receptionists and a studio manager for the Dubai flagship.
Want to open a studio like this?
One founding partner in Dubai, preferential terms, founder on site for the launch.
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