After Gel-X vs. Kokoist Gelip: what's the difference?

This article was originally written and published in English by Paola Ponce, Apres Gel-X vs Kokoist Gelip: What’s the difference?. We have translated and adapted it into French with her permission. The links include products reformulated according to regulations from 2025 in Europe.

Full-coverage soft gel extensions: which are the best and what are their differences?

We're going to compare Kokoist Gelip and Apres Gel-X extensions.

Hello everyone and welcome. If you're new here, my name is Paola and I help aspiring independent nail technicians master gel nail application, exclusively with Japanese gels!

I'm often asked which I prefer between Kokoist Gelip and Apres Gel-X.

While I used to simply recommend one over the other for this or that reason, I eventually realized that there's a real difference between the gel products themselves and the tips of each brand. This is a observation I made after using both products for some time.

Let's quickly review the obvious similarities.

Both types of extensions are full-coverage soft gel tips that are attached using gel resin rather than nail glue.

This is where a very common and much-debated question arises...

Are these tips made of plastic or soft gel?

Let's establish some key points.

All tips are made from a "plastic-like soft gel" material. Think about it: have you ever worked with a "hard gel" tip that doesn't dissolve when removed? Probably never.

Whether your tips come from Amazon or major brands like Apres and Kokoist, they are both plastic and soft gel.

Some brands, including Apres, claim that their tips are made from the same gel resin used for bonding; this is why they call them soft gel tips.

But, generally speaking, all tips are soft gel, and soft gel resin is a form of plastic, just as gel polish and acrylic resin are plastic materials. So, whether you wear Gel-X, Polygel, or acrylic, you're wearing plastic nails.

As long as you understand this, call them what you like.

For me, all tips are soft gel and plastic; this doesn't bother me at all, and my clients care even less.

Now let's discuss the differences between these two lines.

I want to clarify from the outset that I won't favor one over the other, especially because two decisive factors come into play when choosing.

To begin, Kokoist Gelip does not use the same resin for its tips as is used for classic gel manicures; the tips and the bonding gel are therefore two distinct products.

Kokoist Gelip tips are made from high-quality ABS plastic.

What does ABS stand for?
ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.
Compared to PVC, ABS plastic is robust and absorbs shocks well, probably thanks to its ability to bend under impact.
Furthermore, according to some sources, ABS is among the easiest plastics to handle, machine, paint, sand, or process. This seems to me to be the ideal material for nail tips.

Keep this in mind when I show you, in a moment, the Gelip application technique. Indeed, all these characteristics of ABS are a real asset for full-coverage tip application.

Speaking of tips: are there other differences between the models of the two brands?

Yes, absolutely. The Apres Gel-X system offers a wide range of tips, from short and simple styles to extreme lengths. They also offer tips with a natural C-curve as well as models with a sculpted C-curve. This is a major advantage for those looking for extreme, immediate, and potentially temporary length.
However, keep in mind that with sculpted models, if your nails (or your client's) don't naturally have significant volume — like a pronounced C-curve — you'll need to add a significant amount of bonding gel under the tip to fill the empty space.
It's therefore crucial to adapt the tip's curve to that of the natural nail. If you or your client have flat nails, natural curve models will probably be more suitable. Finally, be aware that "double zero" (00) sized tips are now available for people with wide thumbs. It's essential to have some in stock, especially if you are a professional offering this service to paying clients.

The Kokoist Gelip system does not offer pre-sculpted tips or original extreme lengths (editor's note: as of 2026, Kokoist has expanded its range to include extreme lengths and original shapes such as Cluster, Cat Claw, or Prism Cut). However, you can absolutely customize the tips to achieve extreme length or a more pronounced C-curve; this is where the properties of ABS plastic come into play.
Remember that ABS is a flexible and easy-to-handle plastic. Thus, to achieve a sculpted look on the natural nail with the Gelip system, simply roll the tip slightly and maintain this curve while avoiding excessive pressure when applying it to the nail.
To create extreme length with Gelip, simply position the tip further forward, away from the eponychium area, then cover it with a layer of gel. As for the choice of gel to bond the tips, I strongly recommend using the one from the brand you purchased them from. I've seen many videos mentioning inexpensive alternatives ("dupes") or using any clear gel for application; if you practice at home and this suits you, feel free to do as you please.
However, if you are a professional, I believe you owe your clients a certain level of professionalism and accountability, supported by your chosen brand.
That said, I have successfully used Apres "Extend Gel" to bond Gelip tips. They held up well. I think the "alternative" (or "dupe") method simply involves getting any base gel—online or from another brand that doesn't offer quick tips—and using it as an adhesive. Again, feel free to do as you please.

Personally, I wouldn't use anything other than Apres Extend Gel for my Gel-X applications, with the possible exception of Kokoist's gel (editor's note: Super Gelip Bond); I might try this product, as it's what's used to bond Gelips.
But, for my part, I prefer not to experiment too much with gel tip adhesives. For me, it's either Apres Extend Gel or (editor's note: Super Gelip Bond) from Kokoist.

This brings me to the next very common question regarding Kokoist Gelips: what gel should be used to bond them? Some time ago, Kokoist launched a new base called "Mega Stick Base." Before its arrival, we used "Platinum Bond Duo" to bond our tips. Platinum Bond Duo acts a bit like a hard gel; however, in my opinion, its rigidity didn't match the flexibility of Gelips and my natural nails, making it difficult to achieve hold for more than two weeks. If you encountered problems, switch immediately to (editor's note: the new formula: Super Gelip Bond): you'll notice a radical difference in terms of hold (editor's note: up to 3-4 weeks without lifting if applied correctly).

I haven't used Kokoist's Mega Stick Base with Gel-X tips, but I imagine it works; if you've tried it, feel free to share your experience in the comments.

The application principle is essentially the same for both systems: a gel designed to ensure adhesion is used.

However, there's a slight difference.

Apres' Gel-X system requires prior application of a dehydrator and primer (bonder), whereas Kokoist's Gelip system does not.
This is also true for all Japanese gels I've used: no dehydrator or primer is required.

For me, this characteristic of Japanese gels is truly a game-changer.

It's been years since I systematically used a dehydrator or primer (bonding agent) for my services.
And even if other soft gel systems are perhaps starting to evolve in this direction, I've always appreciated this unique characteristic of Japanese gels and Bio Sculpture Gel — the pioneer of potted soft gel systems —; this is also why I adopted this system nearly six years ago.

Systems using dehydrator and primer extract moisture from the nail, making it brittle and fragile. Of course, if you opt for a quick tip application once a month, you can limit this damage, regardless of the system used.
Furthermore, soft gel tips are generally "less aggressive" for the nail, provided a gentle preparation is carried out.

By the way! Kokoist's "Gelip" tips are already matte and have a pre-roughened inner surface; therefore, you just need to clean them with 90% alcohol before application.

Finally, here's one last piece of information that I think will really help you decide if you're torn between two systems; that said, there's room for both brands to be immensely successful, each with its own loyal clientele.

For this, I suggest we take a closer look at each brand's tips.

Notice that Apres tips are slightly thicker; if you've tried them yourself, you know their fit is unmatched.
It truly feels like they've been custom-molded for you. That's why Apres is an excellent system for applying tips and quickly moving on to the fun stuff, like nail art.
This is also why Apres is very popular with the DIY community here on YouTube: as long as the application is straight and even, the result offers the look and comfort of a professional salon manicure.

In a salon, however, as a professional, I felt obligated to refine the cuticle area a bit more and even slightly narrow the shape... but that's entirely optional.
Again, it's simply a step I deemed necessary for my clients as a pro.

Kokoist's Gelip system, on the other hand, takes into account this professional concern for perfection and encourages the optional application of a top gel layer after applying the Gelip tip. For this reason, Kokoist recommends applying the tips 2 or 3 millimeters (or more, if desired) from the cuticle area; this allows for a fluid transition between the cuticle and the tip, while ensuring no lifting at the sidewalls. That said, if you absolutely want to place the tips up to the eponychium — especially to create "press-ons" — nothing prevents you from doing so; it's entirely possible with Gelip.

Since applying a top coat and pinching the Gelip tip are highly recommended, you'll find that Kokoist tips are relatively thinner than Gel-X. This doesn't bother me at all, as a single layer of cured gel is enough to make Gelip tips thicker and stronger.
It is certainly possible to apply a top coat over Apres tips (provided you thin them out a bit by sanding or filing), but Apres Gel-X tips do not require it, and I personally would not do it.

As for whether these full-coverage tips can be cut... the short answer is yes... but my professional recommendation is a resounding "NO"!... That said, you know my motto: do as you please.

Cutting tips (whether Gelip or Gel-X) without precaution or without respecting the correct angle risks cracking them or causing lifting. Make sure to choose — with your client — the ideal style, shape, and length before starting the service; if a length adjustment is necessary, use a nail file rather than a tip cutter.

So, which to choose: Apres Gel X or Kokoist Gelip? Tell me what you chose after reading this article! Feel free to let me know in the comments. Have a great week! See you soon!