Which BrillBird gel?
- Kornél Fenyvesi
- Dec 19, 2025
- 4 min read
Complete guide to Rubber, Liquid Future, Future, Bouncy, No File, Next Level and classic builder gels.
Choosing the right builder gel can feel a bit like opening a magical box full of promising materials, everything looks great, but each product behaves differently, and the real question is: which one is right for your technique and for your clients?
This guide walks you through the most important BrillBird builder gel families so you can confidently select the right one based on structure, behaviour and ideal salon use. At the end, you’ll also find a clean comparison table with all technical details in one place.
Rubber Base Gel
Flexible strengthening, but not a builder gel
Rubber Base is one of the most beloved salon products, but it’s important to clarify what it actually is and is not.
Although its texture feels strong and supportive, Rubber Base Gel is not a builder gel. It was never created to build nail extensions or to hold architectural structure. Instead, it was specifically developed for natural nail strengthening and for improving the durability of gel polish services.
Its rubber-like flexibility makes it perfect for:
natural nail overlays
adding strength to thin or flexible nails
smoothing small surface imperfections
creating a reliable base under gel polish
available in more than 35 beautiful shades, so it can be worn on its own without any gel polish, perfect for fast, natural-looking services
Because Rubber follows the natural movement of the nail plate, it is very comfortable to wear, but the same flexibility means:
it is not suitable for building length,
it can collapse under pressure if used for extensions.
Liquid Future Gel (Liquid Polygel)
Between Rubber and Future, but functionally closer to Rubber
Even though it belongs to the Future Gel family, the Liquid Future Gel behaves very differently from the classic Future Gel.
Its soft, fluid, easy-to-spread texture makes it ideal for:
natural nail strengthening
building short length nails
fast salon services with little filing
clients who need something stronger than Rubber, but softer than a hard builder gel
Think of Liquid Future as a hybrid between Rubber and a builder gel:
stronger and more structured than Rubber
soft and self-levelling
It is not a replacement for Future Gel when you want to build medium or long lengths. Instead, it shines in natural overlays and short structured enhancements.
Future Gel (Polygel)
A polygel that combines acrylic strength with gel flexibility
Future Gel is not just another builder, it is a polygel, a hybrid material that blends the best qualities of acrylic and gel into one highly controllable product.
Because it is a polygel:
it has the strength and sculptability of acrylic,
but it cures only under UV/LED,
which means you can work with it as long as you want until the shape is perfect.
no odor
This gives nail techs incredible control:
it doesn’t move or run,
it holds exactly where you place it,
you can form the entire hand in one go,
and refine the structure calmly and precisely before curing.
Once cured, it has the durability of acrylic, but the flexibility and natural feel of gel, making it ideal for both salon and advanced work.
Choose Future Gel when you need:
strong, rigid architecture
building short, medium, long or extra long lengths (L–XL)
babyboomer or French structures
precise sculpting or reverse tip techniques
a material that gives you time
No File Gel System
Fast, practical, almost file-free salon work
The No File system was created to speed up salon work and reduce dust.
Choose this family when:
you want a clean, self-leveling surface
you work with short salon shapes
you want to reduce or eliminate filing
you prefer fast, efficient services
The range:
No File → a clear, transparent builder gel
Easy No File Cover → a light, natural cover shade
No File Cover → a slightly darker, more pigmented cover tone
All three offer the same fast, file-saving performance and are ideal for quick salon services, overlays and short natural-length nails. You simply choose the version based on the visual effect you want on the nail.
Next Level Gel
The upgraded, more powerful version of No File
Next Level takes everything good about No File, and elevates it.
Compared with No File, Next Level is:
more stable
stronger
more precise in self-levelling
smoother in zero-file work
more durable on S–M lengths
more professional in handling
In simple terms:
No File = fast & simple
Next Level = fast & strong, more refined
If you want the convenience of No File but with higher performance, choose Next Level.
Bouncy Gel
Soft but controlled, one of the most user-friendly builders
Bouncy Gel spreads softly and smoothly, but doesn’t run, making it extremely comfortable to work with.
Why techs love it:
it allows working on several nails before curing
it doesn’t flood
it creates an even surface effortlessly
it’s strong enough for full building
precise sculpting or reverse tip techniques
Perfect for beginners and advanced techs who want predictable behaviour.
Classic Builder Gels
The strongest and most structured options
These gels are the heavyweights of the BrillBird builder family.
They are:
very dense
extremely stable
ideal for long or aextreme shapes
perfect when you need a gel that stays exactly where you place it
If you love sculpting, these will give you maximum control.
Comparison Table
Curing times, viscosity and best uses
Product Family | UV Cure | LED Cure | UVLED Cure | Viscosity (1–5) | Best Use |
Rubber Gel | 3 min | 1.5 min | 1 min | 3 | strengthening (not building) |
Liquid Future Gel | 2–3 min | 1–2 min | 1 min | 2–3 | strengthening + short length building |
Future Gel | 2–3 min | 1–2 min | 1 min | 5 | real building, including long L–XL lengths |
Bouncy Gel | 3 min | 2 min | 1–2 min | 4 | easy full building with controlled flow |
No File System | 2–3 min | 1 min | 1 min | 2–3 | fast, almost file-free salon work |
Next Level Gel | 2–3 min | 1–2 min | 1 min | 3 | upgraded, stronger No File system |
Classic Builders | 3 min | 2 min | 1 min | 4 | dense, strong builder for sculpting and long nails |
Final Thoughts
For fast salon work: No File or Next Level
For strengthening: Rubber or Liquid Future
For building, especially long lengths: Future or Classic Builders
For the most user-friendly texture: Future and Bouncy
For an upgraded No File experience: Next Level
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