Each layer is tacky. I'm convinced that those clients that claim they didn't do anything to compromise the gelish polish are kidding us and themselves on. I've had clients with good and d eliminated nails all whose gelish has lasted. There are some like my family members who simply don't appreciate that gel nails are not indestructible and dipping them in bleach or using them to open cans of juice, scrape art ex from their ceilings, or scraping ice from their windscreens will eventually wear down the layers of capping chipping the polish. Grrŕ