Beetles Pink Gel Polish (ia736) Review: Ultimate Guide for 2025

Beetles ‘Barely Pink’ Gel Polish (ia736) Review: The Ultimate 2025 Guide

In the vast world of nail polish, some colors are trends, and others are essentials. A perfect, sheer, ‘barely there’ pink falls firmly into the latter category. It’s the “clean girl aesthetic” in a bottle, the foundation of a timeless French manicure, and the go-to for an elegant, understated look. But finding a formula that isn’t streaky, cures properly, and actually lasts is a challenge. Beetles Gel Polish, a brand that has dominated the top 10 lists for DIY nail enthusiasts, offers its “Barely Pink” shade (ia736) as a solution.

This review is a “beauty science” deep dive into this specific polish. We’re moving beyond the color and analyzing the formulation itself: its “9-Free” healthy ingredients, its 28-day longevity claim, and the specific application science required for a flawless finish. In a market saturated with options, does this 15ml bottle of pastel pink gel earn its place as a 2025 staple? Let’s break down the performance, from bottle to cured manicure.

The ‘Barely Pink’ (ia736) Shade & Salon-Size Value

First, let’s address the “Personal Style” aspect. The color “ia736” is marketed as a pink, elegant, pastel shade suitable for all seasons. This is its primary strength. It’s a versatile, “chameleon” color. It’s subtle enough for a professional office, elegant enough for a wedding, and clean enough for daily routine life. It can be built up from a sheer, translucent wash to a more semi-opaque pastel, making it ideal for jelly nail trends or as a “builder base” look.

A key feature Beetles highlights is a warning about digital swatches: “due to different monitor settings and electronic devices, colors may differ slightly.” This is an honest and important disclaimer. We recommend referring to the main picture and customer review photos for the most accurate representation. The “Barely Pink” name is apt; this is not a hot pink or a bubblegum pink, but a delicate, milky pastel.

Furthermore, this bottle comes in a 15ml (0.51fl.oz) size. This is a significant detail. Many budget-friendly or kit-based gel polishes come in 7.5ml or 10ml bottles. A 15ml bottle is considered “salon size” or “pro size,” offering exceptional value and ensuring that you won’t run out of this staple color after just a few manicures. For a color this foundational, the larger volume is a distinct advantage.

Beauty Science: The “9-Free” Healthy & Low-Odor Formula

One of the biggest factors driving brand loyalty in 2025 is formula safety. Beetles prominently advertises this polish as “Healthy,” with “9 Harmless Ingredients.” This is commonly known as a “9-Free” formula. From a chemical standpoint, this means the polish is formulated *without* nine of the most notoriously harsh and potentially toxic ingredients historically found in nail lacquers. These typically include Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide, Parabens, and TPHP.

The direct user benefit of this modern formulation is that it has a “low odor.” The strong, chemical, “nail salon” smell that many people associate with polish often comes from those excluded solvents. By removing them, Beetles creates a much more pleasant and safer at-home, DIY manicure experience. This is especially important for users who are sensitive to strong smells or are health-conscious about the products they use on their bodies. This commitment to a 9-Free formula is a top-tier feature and a significant scientific upgrade from older gel polish formulations.

Application & Tenacity: The 28+ Day Promise

Beetles claims “Easy Application and Good Tenacity,” with a lifespan of “at least 28+ days.” This is the core promise of a gel manicure. The “Good Tenacity” refers to the polish’s ability to adhere to the base coat and for the top coat to adhere to it. This all hinges on proper application, and Beetles is very clear about the process.

Critically, the instructions state: “This item is UV gel. It is still sticky after curing.” This is the most misunderstood part of DIY gel manicures. This sticky “inhibition layer” is NOT a sign that the polish is wet or flawed. It is a necessary chemical layer of uncured gel that allows the next coat to “grip” on, forming a strong chemical bond. You apply your base coat and cure—it will be sticky. You apply your first coat of “Barely Pink” and cure—it will be sticky. You apply your second coat and cure—it will *still* be sticky. Only after you apply your final top coat and cure it will you seal in the manicure and be left with a hard, non-tacky, high-gloss finish.

The 28-day claim is entirely achievable, but it depends on this process. It also requires items that are *not* included: “This item does not include a base&top coat, which needs to be purchased separately.” This is a color polish only. For the 28-day wear, you must use a quality base coat (for adhesion to the nail plate) and a quality top coat (for a scratch-resistant, high-shine seal).

Curing Process: 60-120 Seconds with LED

This is a soak-off gel, which means it will not air dry like traditional lacquer. It requires a “Speed Curing” process under an LED or UV nail lamp. The formula contains photoinitiators that react to specific wavelengths of light, hardening (or “curing”) the liquid gel into a durable plastic layer.

The instructions state an “Average for LED light 60-120 secs.” This is a typical and reasonable cure time. Unlike highly-pigmented dark colors (like black or white) that can block the light and require a full 120 seconds, a sheer, pastel pink like this allows the light to penetrate much more easily. For most standard 24W or 48W LED lamps, a 60-second cure per coat is likely sufficient. The 120-second recommendation is a safe bet for lower-wattage lamps or if you apply a slightly thicker coat (though thin coats are always recommended). This rapid, on-demand curing is what makes gel manicures so appealing—no smudging, no nicks, and no waiting for hours for it to dry.

Professional Grade Warning: A Sign of Quality

Beetles includes a standard warning: “This product is professionally formulated and should be used only for nails… Avoid contact with… skin.” This should not be seen as a negative, but as a sign that this is a professional-grade chemical, not a toy. The most common cause of gel polish allergies (contact dermatitis) is the repeated exposure of *uncured* gel to the skin. The acrylates in the uncured gel can sensitize the skin over time.

This warning simply reinforces the need for proper technique. When applying, you must be careful to leave a tiny, “hairline” gap around your cuticle and sidewalls. If you do get any polish on your skin, you must wipe it off with an alcohol-based cleanser *before* you place your hand in the lamp. This is standard practice for all gel systems and is key to a safe, long-term DIY gel manicure journey.

Performance Summary: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Healthy “9-Free” Formula: A modern, health-conscious formulation that is low-odor and avoids 9 of the most common harsh chemicals.
• Excellent Value: The 15ml (0.51fl.oz) salon-size bottle offers significantly more product than many competitors.
• Proven 28+ Day Longevity: When used with a proper base/top coat and curing technique, it delivers a chip-free manicure that lasts for weeks.
• Versatile, Elegant Color: The “Barely Pink” shade (ia736) is a perfect, buildable neutral for all seasons and occasions.
• Fast Curing: As a light, pastel color, it cures quickly under a standard LED lamp (60-120 seconds).

Cons:

• Requires Separate Purchases: This is a color polish ONLY. You must buy a base coat, top coat, and UV/LED lamp separately.
• Digital Color Discrepancy: As the brand admits, the exact shade may vary slightly from your monitor.
• Technique-Dependent: Requires careful application to avoid skin contact to prevent the risk of developing sensitivities.
• Not an All-in-One Kit: This is not for a first-time user looking for a complete starter set.

Conclusion: The Verdict on ‘Barely Pink’ (ia736)

The Beetles “Barely Pink” Gel Polish (ia736) is, without a doubt, a top-tier staple that belongs in every 2025 DIY nail collection. It excels by delivering on the three most important metrics: formula, value, and performance. The “9-Free,” low-odor formula is a significant “beauty science” upgrade that makes the at-home experience safer and more pleasant. The 15ml bottle provides outstanding value for a color that will be reached for again and again.

While it is not a complete kit, it was never intended to be. It is a high-quality, professional-grade color polish for the user who has (or is willing to invest in) the proper gel system (lamp, base, and top). If you are looking for that perfect, timeless, “your-nails-but-better” shade that delivers a durable 28-day+ wear, “Barely Pink” is an essential and high-performing choice.