Après Gel-X vs Kiara Sky Gelly Tips: Which to choose?

Aprés Gel-X and Kiara Sky Gelly Tips are the two most popular systems for American nail application. If you're looking to find out which is better? how to choose which brand? Keep reading... I'll give you some answers to inform you and make your choice easier!

Gel Tips: a little simplified chemistry...

Aprés and Kiara Sky tips are made from the same material.
The term "gel" can be misleading, as in reality, all the gels used for artificial nails are chemically formed by acrylate molecules, a type of plastic.
For the manufacture of these thin pre-formed tips, a sufficiently solid plastic-derived gel is used, which then allows adhesion to the nail through the polymerization (UVA rays from a UV or LED lamp) of another viscous gel (Aprés Extend Gel or Kiara Sky Gelly Tip Builder).

The term "gel tips" is therefore more meaningful to describe the product's function to the public, but be aware that if you wear gel or resin (acrylic) artificial nails, regardless of the brand, you are ultimately wearing plastic nails... yes! and you have to own it, there's nothing wrong with that ;)

General Sizes and Shapes

Shapes available from Aprés:

Round, Square, Coffin and Stiletto

These shapes are available in two versions:

- Natural (standard curve)
and
- Sculpted (more prominent curve)

Lengths: Short, Medium and Long (some shapes are also available in X Long and XXLong).

Shapes available from Kiara Sky:

Almond, Coffin, Stiletto, Square

No different versions, so a simpler choice. Kiara Sky Gelly Tips have a standard curve.

Lengths: Short, Medium (only Coffin is available in Long)

Comparison

Protocol

Aprés	Kiara Sky
Natural nail prep. Ph Bonder (dehydrator) Acid-free primer Tip prep (filing the inside or optional Tip primer sold separately) Gel Extend + Tip application + curing under UV/LED lamp Color application, nail art... (not included in the kit) Top Gelcoat	Natural nail prep Prep (dehydrator) Acid-free primer Tip prep (filing the inside) Gelly Tip Builder Gel + Tip application + curing under UV/LED lamp Color application, nail art... (not included in the kit) Gelly Tip Top Coat

Size Differences

Aprés tips seem a little more "robust", especially the Sculpted ones. Kiara Sky tips are thinner - yet strong - and seem smaller in width, but slightly longer in length.

Let's look at the size differences between Medium and Long for the Coffin and Stiletto shapes from both brands:

Coffin

Above, in order: Aprés Coffin Natural and Sculpted Long, followed by Kiara Sky Coffin Medium and Long.

C Curve

Durability

Officially, a properly applied Aprés Gel-X tip application lasts at least 4 weeks; in practice, it can last even longer.

Kiara Sky Gelly Tips officially last up to 3 weeks when properly applied, without lifting. In practice, the application can last much longer!

Mini LED Lamp

Both brands include a mini LED lamp in their kit for quick curing in a few seconds.

Aprés X-Lite LED lamp

- Color: gold or white - USB cable included - Power 6W Press and stays on for 30 seconds max. Pros Can be used wirelessly Compact, flat and lightweight Cons Discharges quickly Sometimes it's difficult to hold it with one hand while holding the finger and the tip with the other...

Kiara Sky Beyond Pro Flash cure LED lamp

Color: white USB cable included Power: 4W Press and stays on for 45/60 seconds max. Pros Extremely easy to use hands-free as you don't have to hold it Very small and lightweight Cons Cannot be used wirelessly

Kit Price

Aprés Gel-X: Kit price shown without tips.

Kiara Sky Gelly Tips: Kit price shown with tips.

Conclusion

When I'm asked which of the two American nail application systems is better or which to choose, between Aprés Gel-X or Kiara Sky Gelly Tips... here's my answer:
Both! Each brand objectively has its own little extras that will make you prefer one over the other according to your personal preferences. In any case, both American nail application systems offer an excellent range of quality products.