Correctly storing nail products determines how long UV gels, shellac and liquids keep their quality. Stored incorrectly, gels become stiff or cure in the pot, shellac thickens in the bottle and liquids evaporate. Here you'll learn how to store your products in the best way – and what to avoid to protect them from spoiling too early.

Why is correct storage so important?

• Longer shelf life: products stored incorrectly can dry out, change consistency or become unusable.
• Easier application: properly stored products keep their consistency and are easier and cleaner to work with.
• Reliable results: a gel that has already started to cure adheres less well and can lead to lifting.
• Cost efficiency: correct storage avoids waste and saves money.

The 6 best tips for storing nail products

1. Protection from light

UV and LED gels as well as UV polishes (shellac) contain photoinitiators that react to light. Even daylight or the work lamp can start curing them in the pot.

• Keep gels and shellac in a dark cupboard, a drawer or a light-proof box.
• Close gel pots and bottles immediately after use. Some gels are particularly reactive – for the BNC High-Gloss Finish Gel without sticky layer, the product description explicitly points out that even strong daylight can trigger a reaction in the pot after a short time.
• Never leave open pots next to the curing lamp or under a bright work light.

2. The right temperature

Extreme temperatures affect the consistency of nail products. Heat makes gels runnier so they flow into the side walls; cold makes them thick and hard to work with.

• Store your products at room temperature (around 18–25 °C), somewhere cool and dark, as many product descriptions recommend.
• Keep them away from radiators, windowsills and hot cars.
• If a gel has become too stiff from the cold, let it warm up slowly at room temperature – don't put it on the radiator.

3. Always close containers tightly

Open containers let in air, dust and light. Solvents such as cleaner, acetone and acrylic liquid evaporate, and shellac can thicken in the bottle.

• Close bottles, pots and tubes tightly after every use.
• Keep bottle necks and threads clean, otherwise the cap won't seal properly and may stick.
• It's best to decant cleaner into a pump dispenser – that way you only take what you need and the bottle stays closed.

4. Store products upright

Upright storage prevents leaks and sticky caps. Always keep shellac bottles, gels and liquids upright on a shelf or in a drawer.

5. Work cleanly – avoid contamination

• Never wipe filing dust, cleaner or other gels on the rim of the pot, and don't put leftovers from the brush back into the pot.
• Don't pour used acrylic liquid back into the bottle. Only fill a dappen dish with as much as you need for one treatment.
• If you want to decant gels for travel or mixing, use clean, tightly closing pots such as the BNC 6 ml designer pot with inner lid and keep them in the dark. You'll find more containers under empty containers.
• Clean gel brushes with cleaner after work and store them covered and away from light – otherwise gel residue will cure in the bristles.

6. Keep things organised

Tidy storage means you quickly find what you need and products don't stay open longer than necessary.

• Use organisers, boxes and shelves to sort gels, shellac and liquids by category.
• For rhinestones, glitter and nail art, a compartment box such as the BNC 3-tier nail art storage box is ideal. More solutions are available in the display and storage category.
• Write the opening date on new products. The open-jar symbol (e.g. “12M”) shows how many months a product should be used after opening.

Overview: how to store each product

What should you avoid?

• Direct sunlight: even a short time can start curing UV gels and UV polishes in the pot or bottle.
• Storing in the bathroom: high humidity and temperature changes affect consistency.
• Open containers: they lead to evaporation and contamination.
• Decanting into unsuitable containers: solvents can attack some plastics; gels belong in light-protected pots.
• Pouring leftovers back: used liquid or gel from the brush contaminates your whole supply.

FAQ: storing nail products

How long do UV gels last?

It depends on the product. Check the open-jar symbol on the packaging and note the opening date. Stored correctly, gels stay workable for much longer.

Can I store gels in the fridge?

That's not necessary. A cool, dark cupboard at room temperature is enough. Gels that are too cold become stiff and have to warm up slowly before use.

My gel has gone hard in the pot – can I still use it?

No. Partly cured gel can't be made liquid again and adheres poorly. Even if only a thin skin has formed on the surface, the rest has often already been affected – if in doubt, replace it.

Why is my shellac getting thick in the bottle?

Shellac or UV polish reacts to light: if the bottle was left open or in a bright spot, for example next to the lamp or by the window, the contents can slowly start to cure. Heat and a messy bottle neck that stops the cap from sealing properly also take their toll. Store the bottle dark, upright and at room temperature, keep the neck clean and roll it between your hands before use instead of shaking it. If the shellac has become stiff or contains partly cured bits, it can no longer be applied cleanly – in that case, it's better to replace it.

Find out more about correct application in our articles How to apply colour gel correctly and Cleaner, primer, nail prep & remover – what to use when?.