Gel X Nail Extensions in Nottingham, MD
Real length, with your natural nails intact underneath. TLC Nails and Esthetics uses the professional Apres Gel-X system to bond flexible soft gel tips onto the natural nail, giving you extensions that look natural and hold for three to four weeks. A full set is $65, applied with a focus on nail health, proper structure, and lasting retention.
Why Clients Choose Gel X Nails
Gel X nails offer the balance of strength, flexibility, and natural wear that heavy tips can't match. The Apres Gel-X system bonds a pre-shaped soft gel tip onto the natural nail, forming a lightweight extension that moves with it and reduces lifting, pressure, and breakage. It also makes a smooth base for detailed nail art. Fills run $50 every three to four weeks after your first set.
Lightweight, Natural Comfort
Gel X nails feel flexible and natural on the nail plate, never thick or heavy.
Healthier Application and Removal
A soak-off soft gel system with gentle prep, designed to be kinder to natural nails than traditional acrylic.
Custom Shape, Length and Style
From short square to long stiletto, Gel X allows clean shaping and smooth structure to match the look you want.
Long-Lasting Wear
With proper prep and care, Gel X nails hold for three to four weeks without lifting or cracking.
How Gel X Nails Are Applied
Every Gel X service here is performed with a focus on structure, nail health, and long-lasting wear. Thiara carefully preps the natural nail to set up proper adhesion, then applies soft gel tips shaped to your desired length and style. The gel nail extensions are secured with a specialized gel and cured under LED light, creating a flexible, lightweight result that feels natural instead of heavy or rigid.
Gentle Nail Prep
The nail plate is prepared with care to protect its integrity and set up proper adhesion.
Customized Length and Shape
Together you select a look that fits your lifestyle, from short and practical to long and glamorous.
Secure Gel Application
Soft gel tips are bonded with a specialized gel and cured under LED light for maximum hold, reducing lifting and breakage.
Beautiful, Lasting Finish
Choose your gel nail polish color, add hand-painted nail art if you like, and leave with a smooth set, no visible line where the extension meets your nail, built to last.
Proper prep and structure are what make a Gel X set last three to four weeks.
What to Expect at Your Gel X Appointment
Your Gel X visit is designed to be simple, comfortable, and focused on long-lasting results. Arrive with clean, polish-free nails if you can, skip heavy oils or lotions that day, and try to leave your natural nails alone in the days before, since picking and peeling undo the clean base your extensions need to resist lifting.
During the appointment, Thiara gently preps the natural nail, customizes your length and shape, and applies the gel tips with a professional soft-gel bonding system, finished with gel nail polish for a glossy shine. Most clients return every three to four weeks for a fill, which keeps the length while the natural nail stays protected and costs less than a new set. When a set has run its course instead, our professional nail removal soaks it off gently.
Not sure Gel X is the fit? If you want lasting color on your own nails, that's a gel manicure. If you want strength while your natural nails grow, look at the BIAB structured manicure. If you want more length than BIAB comfortably holds but without a bonded tip, that's hard gel nails. Tell Thiara your goal when you book and she'll match you to the right one.
Ready for Lightweight, Long-Lasting Gel X Nails?
Gel X is a go-to choice at TLC for clients who want instant length. Every set is applied by a licensed nail technician and esthetician, one client at a time, in a suite that's prepped for you before you arrive.
Bring the inspo pic. Leave with the set.
Book Your Gel X Appointment
Pick the service and the calendar opens right here. The suite is set up for you before you arrive.
What Gel X Clients Say
Pulled from our 44 Google reviews. Hover to pause a row.
Say goodbye to your mediocre nail salon. Thiara is the best nail tech I've had since living in Europe and New York. She has built a gorgeous salon in her beautiful home that is clean and serene. She is knowledgeable, talented, and lovely. After having terrible experiences at literally 5 different nail salons in Bel Air and Forest Hill, I decided to try a private nail tech and I am here to stay. For the acrylic girlies, this is your sign to give Gel X a try. Thiara's system is well worth converting to. Plus, her prices are great.
TLC was exactly what I've been longing for over several years: a professional nail manicurist that is knowledgeable, skillful, and really cares about the health of my nails. Thiara was very patient, answered all of my concerns, and educated me on the particulars of BIAB. I love how my nails turned out and I finally can rest from shopping all around for a professional manicurist.
I had my first builder gel manicure with Thiara today, and I couldn't be more impressed. She is incredibly knowledgeable and clearly prioritizes the health and integrity of your nails. Her attention to detail is outstanding. The final result was absolutely impeccable, and she truly didn't miss a thing.
Just moved to the area and was looking for a new nail tech, insanely happy to have found TLC! I normally go for a square nail but we talked and I went for coffin, and I love them! I actually bumped up my timeline for my next fill just because I'm so excited to see how nice the next design looks
Thiara's work speaks for itself, and when it comes to designs, inspo, and work, she is a perfectionist which I love. Every time I get my nails done with her I am happy and satisfied. Her work area and space are always clean, her prices are reasonable, and her customer service is top tier.
I'm so glad I found Thiara as my new nail tech. I'm on my third hard gel set with her and I know they're going to last me a full 3 weeks until my next appointment. Her studio is super clean and she's very professional. She even mixed nail polishes to color match an inspo pic I showed her.
I had an awesome experience with Thiara. She is so nice and her shop is warm and welcoming. I love that she's into nail care, which is exactly what I need. I asked for a very intricate design and she nailed it. She's very professional and you can tell she really loves what she does.
Thiara did an amazing job on my manicure. Not only was she quick, but she was efficient. My Gel X service was done in less than an hour and I did not feel like it was rushed. Oh, and she made sure my nails are within Army regulations.
I've done my nails with Thiara several times and I am so happy with her work. I usually don't like other people doing my nails, but I'm comfortable with her. I've done extensions and natural nails and she excels at both.
I love my nails. She did it exactly like the picture.
She literally is amazing, and always fulfills my creative desires. 10/10.
10/10 would recommend. Her services are amazing and fast. Love her for nails and waxing.
My nails look lovely. I appreciate the attention to detail. I already booked my next appointment. Highly recommend.
I enjoyed my experience at TLC. Thiara is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her craft. I'll be sure to return.
It has been a pleasure to meet with T. I showed her an inspo pic and she exceeded my expectations. Can't wait to get my nails done by her again.
Thiara was very patient and willing to recommend what is best for you, and that was my favorite part. I left with fab nails and on my way to having healthier nails. Definitely recommend.
I really love the gel sets. They are less harsh on my nails and lasted a few days short of a month. The design was professional enough for work but also jazzy enough for everyday outings. I'll definitely be back.
Love this set, I can't wait for my next one. I've been searching for somebody to do this style correctly and I've finally found it. Simple, but no one can manage to get this length and these results. Super grateful.
Find TLC Nails and Esthetics in Nottingham, MD
A short drive from Perry Hall, White Marsh, Parkville, Middle River, Towson, and the rest of Baltimore County.
Have a Gel X question?
It goes straight to Thiara, and she answers these herself.
Gel X Extensions FAQ
Gel X extensions are full-cover soft gel tips bonded to your natural nail with gel and cured under an LED lamp. They add instant length without the powder, liquid, or heavy filing of acrylics, and the whole system soaks off with acetone when you're ready for a change.
Gel X extensions last three to four weeks with proper prep and care. Most clients book maintenance around that mark, which keeps the length consistent while the natural nail stays protected underneath.
A full set of Gel X nail extensions is $65 at TLC Nails and Esthetics, and a Gel X fill in is $50. Taking off an old set is $20, or $30 if it was applied somewhere else. Every service and price is listed in the booking widget on this page before you pick a time.
Yes, Gel X extensions can be filled instead of replaced, and a Gel X fill in is $50. Thiara files back the regrowth, rebalances the structure near the cuticle, and refreshes the gel polish, so you keep the same set while the natural nail underneath keeps growing. Most clients come in for a fill every three to four weeks.
Gel X is better than acrylic for most clients who want length with less weight and less filing, since it applies without harsh odors and soaks off gently. Acrylic still has a place for extreme length and heavy-wear durability. If you are unsure, Thiara will look at your nails and recommend the honest fit.
Gel X does not damage natural nails when applied and removed properly. The prep here is gentle, and removal is a soak-off rather than a pry-off, which is what protects the nail plate. Damage usually traces back to aggressive filing or to picking a set off at home.
A gel manicure is gel nail polish on your natural nail with no added length. Gel X bonds a full soft gel tip onto the natural nail first, then the color goes on top. If you want your own nails, just polished, book the gel manicure. If you want length, Gel X is the one.
Gel X is not the same as BIAB. Gel X bonds a soft gel tip onto your nail to add length, while BIAB is a structured manicure that builds a flexible layer of builder gel over your own nail with no tip and no added length. Book Gel X when you want instant length, and the BIAB structured manicure when the goal is growing your natural nails out with support.
Yes. Gel X makes a smooth, stable base for detailed nail art, so designs stay crisp for the life of the set. Bring an inspo pic and Thiara will match it, which is exactly what clients describe in the reviews further up this page.
A full Gel X set at TLC takes about an hour. Every appointment is one client at a time, so that hour is yours without waiting on another chair.
Arrive with clean, polish-free nails if you can, avoid picking or filing your natural nails beforehand, and skip heavy oils or lotions the day of your appointment. That is all the prep needed on your end.
Gel X should be soaked off with acetone, never popped or peeled off. Our nail removal service takes care of it gently, whether the set was done here or somewhere else, and your natural nails come out ready for whatever's next.
TLC Nails and Esthetics applies Gel X extensions at 9706 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD 21236, a short drive from Perry Hall, White Marsh, Parkville, Middle River, Towson, and the rest of Baltimore County. Appointments only. Call or text (347) 879-2075. También hablamos español.