FAQs

Glow Luxe Manicure is my signature service — a premium Builder Gel, Gel X or Gel Polish appointment with high-attention manicure prep, careful shaping and intricate design options.

Every set includes extra time for prep, focusing on your nail health first and then creating a clean, long-lasting finish. It's not an add-on — it's included in every appointment as standard.

Builder Gel — often known as BIAB (Builder in a Bottle) — is a builder gel applied directly to your natural nail to add strength and structure. It's ideal if you want to grow your own nails with extra support.

Gel X uses pre-formed tips applied to the whole nail, giving you instant, even length and shape — perfect if you want longer nails or a quick shape change.

You can choose Glow Luxe Builder Gel or Glow Luxe Gel X depending on whether you prefer to strengthen your natural nails or wear extensions.

Yes — Gel Polish is a classic gel colour manicure applied directly to your natural nails, without extensions or builder gel. It's a lighter, shorter-wear option compared to Builder Gel or Gel X, with Glow Luxe Manicure prep included.

Gel Polish starts at £32 for a Tier 1 set. Art tiers and add-ons apply in the same way as Builder Gel and Gel X — see the prices page for the full breakdown. It's also included in the introductory 20% off offer for new clients.

One unified tier system applies across Builder Gel, Gel X and Gel Polish — so it's easy to choose your set:

Add-ons such as chrome, cat eye, French, embellishments, 3D art and charms are charged separately on top of your chosen tier — see the prices page for the full add-ons breakdown.

Most Glow Luxe Manicure sets take around 3–6 hours, depending on whether you choose Builder Gel or Gel X, your length and your art tier. Maintenance and rebalance appointments are detailed appointments — I file back 80–90% of the product and rebuild your structure and design with the same level of care, so they take a similar amount of time.

I allow longer appointment times so I can focus on prep, nail health and design quality — rather than rushing through your set.

A longer Glow Luxe appointment suits you if you care about nail health and longevity, love clean prep and intricate details, and are happy to set aside a few hours for a calm, unhurried experience. If you prefer very fast appointments, my services may not be the best fit — and that's okay. I focus on fewer, more detailed sets rather than high-volume, quick-turnover appointments.

Yes. Your appointment is your time, and you can choose the atmosphere that feels best for you.

• Quiet focus / silent appointment — minimal conversation, just occasional check-ins for comfort
• Work-from-home vibes — bring your laptop or tablet to work while I do your nails
• Watch or listen — Netflix, podcasts or music. I can put something on, or you can bring your own

For music, I'm happy to play calm playlists, soft R&B, lo-fi, or Christian worship music if you'd like. My faith in Jesus shapes how I show up in this space — with care, warmth and no pressure. You choose whatever feels most comfortable.

Let me know your preference when you book or at the start of your appointment.

• Please declare in your booking form if you have any existing product on your nails — this allows me to build removal time into your appointment and ensure I have the right supplies, as I won't know in advance what product was used. If you arrive with undisclosed product, an additional removal charge will apply and extra time will be required. Where this can't be accommodated in the booked slot, we'll do what we can in the time available or you may need to reschedule.
• Avoid picking or peeling at your nails or cuticles before your appointment
• If you'd like to discuss your design further or have any questions, feel free to reach out. If you need to make any changes to your design before your appointment, please give Gil as much advance notice as possible.
• If you have any nail or skin concerns, just mention them before we start so I can adapt prep and products

Not sure which shape to go for? View the nail shape guide →

If something happens, message me as soon as you can with a clear photo.

• Within 72 hours — free repairs on the affected nails with the same design
• After 72 hours — repairs from £4–£6 per nail, depending on length and design complexity

This helps me honour the time I put into each set while still looking after you if something unexpected happens.

No — I only infill on my own previous work. I can't guarantee the quality or safety of product applied by someone else, and building on an unknown base risks your nail health and the longevity of the new set.

If your current set was done elsewhere, please book a full set with removal and I'll take everything off safely and start fresh.

I also ask that infills are booked within 3 weeks of your last appointment. After that, the structure needs rebuilding from scratch and a new set will be required — priced accordingly.

If you have product on that needs removing before your new set, a small addition applies:

• Own work — I did your last set: +£10
• Foreign removal — nails done elsewhere: +£15

Foreign removals take extra time and care because I can't predict how the product was applied. If you're unsure, mention it in your booking form and I'll confirm when we speak.

Yes — physical pieces are the only extras added on top of your design tier:

• Charms & gems (charms, rhinestones, pearls) — from £2–£5 per piece
• 3D flowers, moulded or hand-sculpted — from £4 per nail

Everything painted or created in your design — including 3D gel line art, embellishment clusters and embossed work — is already covered by your tier, no extra charge. Full chrome/aurora finishes and magnetic cat-eye gel are +£5 speciality effects; see the prices page for the full breakdown.

Please use the booking request form on this site — it takes you through each step from service type to timing preferences. If you need any help with the form at any point, feel free to reach out via DM on Instagram and I'll be happy to assist.

As an introductory offer, I'm giving 20% off your first 3 Glow Luxe Manicure sets (any Builder Gel, Gel X or Gel Polish, any tier, any length) — as a thank-you for trusting me with a more detailed, extended appointment.

You still receive the full experience — high-attention prep, focus on nail health and intricate design — at an introductory rate while I build my regular client base. The 20% discount is applied when I confirm your booking.

Glow by Gil is a home studio in Orpington, South East London. To protect the privacy and security of the studio, the full address is only shared once your appointment is confirmed and your deposit has been received.

Once your deposit is paid, Gil will send the address to you directly. This is a standard practice for home-based studios — I appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you.

A £20 deposit is required to confirm your appointment — or £5 for a standalone Removal Only. Once Gil has reviewed your booking request and sent through the details, she'll share bank transfer information. Your deposit is deducted from your total on the day.

If you cancel or reschedule with more than 48 hours' notice, your deposit is fully refunded or transferred to your new date. Within 48 hours of the appointment, or for no-shows, it is forfeited. Full details are on the Policy page.

Good aftercare is what makes a set last. The key habits: treat your nails like jewellery (not tools), wear gloves for dishes and cleaning, apply cuticle oil every day and book maintenance every 2–3 weeks.

Never pick or peel — always book a professional removal. If anything feels off — lifting, soreness or a break — reach out rather than trying to fix it yourself.

View the full aftercare guide →