PUG stands for Planet Ultimate Gel. It is our most durable hard gel formula, making it great for clients exposed to water or chemicals such as nurses and hairdressers. A single process hard gel that offers low to no heat during curing, PUG applies effortlessly smooth, self-levels, and can form nail extensions in one step. It combines the adhesion of a base gel, the strength and durability of a hard builder, and the high-gloss scratch resistance of a top glaze — all in one product. Provides up to 4 weeks of flawless wear. Available in multiple viscosities. Low odour. Applied from a jar with a separate gel brush.

Application — Standard Protocol

Removal

PUG is a hard gel — file off only. Cannot be soaked directly in acetone.

PUGGLE is a hard gel liquid builder — the same file-off hard gel strength as PUG, in a fluid brush-on bottle format. Its enhanced self-levelling formula glides from the built-in oval brush, self-levels beautifully, and on the right client can deliver a finished result with little to no filing. For technicians used to BIAB-style application, the familiar brush-in-a-bottle format makes the transition to hard gel much more accessible.

PUGGLE can be used on any client as a hard gel builder for overlays, tip overlays, infills, and sculptures. The no-file or minimal-file finish is a bonus the formula makes possible — not a requirement for choosing it. When shape correction or filing is needed, file as normal. Available in Clear, Linen (sheer nude), and Petal (sheer pink).

Application — Standard Protocol

Removal

PUGGLE is a permanent hard gel — file off only. Cannot be removed with acetone.

PUG Fortify is the thixotropic hard gel in the PUG family. Unlike self-levelling hard gels, Fortify stays exactly where you place it — it holds its position on the nail and only becomes fluid when actively worked with the brush. The moment you stop, it holds. This makes it the precision tool in the range — ideal for armouring, restoration, dual forms, and sculpting where you need the gel to stay put while you work.

Fortify is suitable for any nail technician and any client. Because it doesn't flow on its own, it gives techs more working time and control compared to self-levelling gels — an advantage for techs still building confidence. The only consistent difference: Fortify will always need to be filed to finish. There is no no-file result with Fortify. Available in Clear, Milky, Bliss and Rosy.

Application — Standard Protocol

Removal

PUG Fortify is a permanent hard gel — file off only. Cannot be removed with acetone.

Lastik is Planet Nails' cult-favourite soft gel builder system. It combines the flexibility of a rubber base with the strength of a builder gel — a true flexible hybrid that can be used as a rubber base (Step 3), a builder (Step 4), or both in the same service. Soak-off with acetone, making it kinder to the natural nail than hard gel systems.

Lastik is the recommended starting point for most clients. Its flexible cure means it moves with the nail rather than against it — making it particularly well suited to thin, brittle, flexible, or short nails. For medium or longer nail builds, Lastik's flexibility becomes a limitation and Lastik Plus or a hard gel is the better choice.

The Four Lastik Variants

Application — Standard Protocol

Removal

Lastik is a soft gel — soak off with acetone.

Stick 'n Float is a rubber base only — it cannot be used as a builder and has no builder properties. Its role is Step 3: bonding to the natural nail with a flexible, rubbery grip and providing a foundation for whatever builder goes on top.

Stick 'n Float has the highest acid content of the Planet Nails rubber bases, giving it exceptionally strong inherent adhesion. This makes it the strongest option for oily, sweaty, or problem nail plates — but it is not the recommended default for every client. Lastik is the recommended starting point for most clients. For the most sensitive clients, Lastik HF is recommended over Stick 'n Float due to its larger adhesion molecule size.

HEMA-free and TPO-free. Soak-off with acetone. Use as a rubber base under Lastik, PUG, PUGGLE, Fortify, Planet Vogue, and Iconic. Also suitable for gel dipping services, glitter and chrome encapsulation, gem adhesion, and partial foil work.

Planet Iconic is a HEMA-free polygel — a putty-like gel hybrid that combines the best qualities of acrylic and hard gel without the drawbacks of either. It sculpts like acrylic without the smell, and cures like gel without any heat spike. It is a hard, permanent product that must be filed off — not soaked.

Iconic has a thick paste-like consistency with no self-levelling properties, giving you unlimited working time. It won't run or spread on its own and only hardens when cured under the lamp. No liquid-to-powder ratios — simply squeeze, slice, and place. An excellent acrylic alternative for techs who want the workability of acrylic without monomer liquid.

Iconic works beautifully for extensions over forms, extreme shapes, dual form extensions, and nail repairs. It works in perfect synergy with the full PN gel system — for example, Lastik as a rubber base, Iconic sculpted at the free edge for reverse French or extension, PUG Clear over the top for encapsulation, and Luxe Gloss Top Coat to seal. Available in Clear and a range of colours. Pigments, gel polish, and glitters can be mixed directly into Iconic for custom colour.

Application — Standard Protocol

Removal

Planet Iconic is a hard gel — file off only. Cannot be soaked directly in acetone.

What is the difference between hard gel, soft gel and polygel?

Hard gel (PUG, PUGGLE, PUG Fortify) is file-off and solvent resistant — it cannot be soaked in acetone. Soft gel (Lastik range, Stick 'n Float) is soak-off with acetone and flexible in nature. Polygel (Planet Iconic) is a hard/file-off hybrid with putty-like workability, no liquid monomer required, and no heat spike.

Are all Planet Nails gel products vegan and cruelty-free?

None of our gel products contain animal-derived ingredients and none are tested on animals. The one exception in the broader PN range is our Sable Hair (Kolinsky) Acrylic Brushes.

Why do nail plates sometimes curl when soaked in acetone?

When the nail plate is soaked in acetone for 10 minutes or more, approximately 2–3% of the nail's water content is temporarily removed, which can temporarily alter the shape of the plate. Once acetone is removed, moisture from the underlying nail bed replaces what was lost — usually within eight hours — and the nail plate returns to its original shape. More noticeable on thin or flexible nail plates.

Do I always need primer?

Planet Nails recommends primer — Sticky Bond or Sticky Bond HF — before the rubber base in most cases. Its job is to remove surface oils and prepare the nail plate to accept product. Not every client will show a problem without it immediately, but some will — and you can't predict which one until lifting occurs. Always follow the manufacturer's recommended steps.