OPI Gelcolor

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#181
Hi - I'm a newbie...

Years ago I did a manicure course and this Wednesday I will be doing the OPI gelcolor course.
I am looking to make this a bit of a flexible career to work around my newborn baby.
Just wanted to ask / I currently have a 36w UV lamp, will this cure the gelcolor well? I know you cure for longer under UV than LED, but want to make sure would be ok. I will in the future buy the led lamp, but as money is limited, I am planning to use the UV lamp until client base built a bit and money has saved.
Thanks ladies - any other advice appreciated too x
 
#182
For what it's worth, I have successfully used the 36Watt CND UV lamp to cure OPI Gelcolor.

But I understand that wattage only measures power consumption, not output so it isn't really the only important factor in whether a lamp will work. A lot of people have had problems with some generic 36Watt UV lamps. You might want to post more info about your lamp to see if anyone has experience with it.
 
#183
Gelish is way easier to soak off IF you use the gelish remover. i have no problems i soak cotton put it on my nail and i use finger cots to cover it... after 10-15mins. Comes up with a wood stick and just lightly pushing it..
 
#184
Sunrize said:
I haven't brought them up that close lately! The last time I did it, I ended up with polish on the tip of my nose. Good thing I noticed it before it cured, as I have a bad habit of checking to see if the LED light is on..and if my fingers are laying flat.. Once I get the 18G lamp (please mr postman!) I won't have to worry about having a full 5 finger + nose cure... as the top of the 18g closes down to protect your eyes (and nose).
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lol oh dear i havent had that happen to me yet! lol

Good luck with the Gelish 18G

i have a new lamp on order too!
 
#185
I have really had a hard time getting OPI gel to cure properly. It has lots of shrinkage and wrinkling. I am trying all the tips I have read on here. If anyone else has any more suggestions, I am open.

Thanks,

Stormdancer
 
#188
Bunny1212 said:
When I used the mini pro lamp, I had no problem curing my OPI colors except for Louvre me Louvre me not. That color didn't cure with either lamp, and it stained my nails! I later bought Vampsterdam which is almost identical to Louvre. That cured perfectly, and didn't stain. Sometimes dark colors don't cure well. And I shake those OPI gels till my wrists complain. Btw, one of the Lomasi reds wouldn't cure either, no matter which led lamp I used. At least that one didn't stain my nails.

Has anyone else had problems with OPI colors staining? So far, Louvre and Pink Flamenco have really given me problems with staining. It's really a pity because Pink Flamenco looks so good on me. :(
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Unfortunately yes some colors are stainers. It seems that some of those highly pigmented reds and pinks are the common culprits, but I've also had blues stain my nails.

kellybumphope said:
Hi - I'm a newbie...

Years ago I did a manicure course and this Wednesday I will be doing the OPI gelcolor course.
I am looking to make this a bit of a flexible career to work around my newborn baby.
Just wanted to ask / I currently have a 36w UV lamp, will this cure the gelcolor well? I know you cure for longer under UV than LED, but want to make sure would be ok. I will in the future buy the led lamp, but as money is limited, I am planning to use the UV lamp until client base built a bit and money has saved.
Thanks ladies - any other advice appreciated too x
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I use my CND shellac lamp so yes, your UV lamp will cure it.

stormdancer said:
I have really had a hard time getting OPI gel to cure properly. It has lots of shrinkage and wrinkling. I am trying all the tips I have read on here. If anyone else has any more suggestions, I am open.
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The shrinkage is something that's common to some OPI colors. And it seems a bit inconsistent - some will have trouble with a certian color while others don't. Wrinkling however is a problem of applying too thick of a coat of polish, so apply thinner and that should help the wrinkling. For the shrinking you can go back over the tips quickly just before curing, or flash cure each nail for a few seconds.
 
#189
sweetlilwolf said:
apparently that is a common problem.
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stormdancer said:
I have really had a hard time getting OPI gel to cure properly. It has lots of shrinkage and wrinkling. I am trying all the tips I have read on here. If anyone else has any more suggestions, I am open.

Thanks,

Stormdancer
Click to expand...

I have been having the same problem, especially with shrinkage at the tips. I did not invest in many colors because I developed allergies to Gelish and knew it was a big risk going back to another LED cure gel. I am wondering if the color (which I did find others reporting was difficult) is contributing, or if it's the base. Against my better judgement I did a Gelish mani yesterday. Awesome application, no trouble with the tips shrinking...and lifiting later. So annoying that I can't get the OPI to apply as nicely. I am seriously considering trying LeChat since I can use it with my OPI lamp.
 
#190
emilieann said:
I have been having the same problem, especially with shrinkage at the tips. I did not invest in many colors because I developed allergies to Gelish and knew it was a big risk going back to another LED cure gel. I am wondering if the color (which I did find others reporting was difficult) is contributing, or if it's the base. Against my better judgement I did a Gelish mani yesterday. Awesome application, no trouble with the tips shrinking...and lifiting later. So annoying that I can't get the OPI to apply as nicely. I am seriously considering trying LeChat since I can use it with my OPI lamp.
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LeChat is wonderful! I love their formula and their colors. It is a bit harder for me to find here than the others and I prefer to see the colors in real life before buying. But every LeChat color I have bought is a winner. I especially like Blood Orange (which isn't orange but is the color of an Italian Blood Orange), Madras, Queen Fierce and the color changing Angel's Breeze are my favorites. I also like that they all come with the matching rnp. I don't particularly like their base coat, so I use OPI GelColor base with all of them. I haven't tried them, but the pre-moistened remover pads look interesting.
 
#191
NancyG said:
LeChat is wonderful! I love their formula and their colors. It is a bit harder for me to find here than the others and I prefer to see the colors in real life before buying. But every LeChat color I have bought is a winner. I especially like Blood Orange (which isn't orange but is the color of an Italian Blood Orange), Madras, Queen Fierce and the color changing Angel's Breeze are my favorites. I also like that they all come with the matching rnp. I don't particularly like their base coat, so I use OPI GelColor base with all of them. I haven't tried them, but the pre-moistened remover pads look interesting.
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Well thank you! Since I hear that you *pefer* the OPI base, what the heck am I doing wrong!? I did a Gelish mani out of desperation - and to make sure I've still got it! LOL I noticed that the constitency of the Gelish base is thicker than OPI base and was actually easier to wipe off the brush to ensure a thin coat. Because I shake the OPI, the brush neck gets covered with product and it feels like I just can't get enough off the brush to do a thin coat. What would you say to applying a thin coat of the OPI base and then actually wiping some of it off with a clean brush before curing - almost like the Gelish dry brushing? I tried doing this after I cured the OPI base (like you do with Gelish) but found that the OPI base was literally dry. I actually noticed that it seems to air dry before I can get my hand under the lamp.


What don't you like about the base? Do you use LeChat top coat? Thanks!!!!!
 
#192
emilieann said:
Well thank you! Since I hear that you *pefer* the OPI base, what the heck am I doing wrong!? I did a Gelish mani out of desperation - and to make sure I've still got it! LOL I noticed that the constitency of the Gelish base is thicker than OPI base and was actually easier to wipe off the brush to ensure a thin coat. Because I shake the OPI, the brush neck gets covered with product and it feels like I just can't get enough off the brush to do a thin coat. What would you say to applying a thin coat of the OPI base and then actually wiping some of it off with a clean brush before curing - almost like the Gelish dry brushing? I tried doing this after I cured the OPI base (like you do with Gelish) but found that the OPI base was literally dry. I actually noticed that it seems to air dry before I can get my hand under the lamp.


What don't you like about the base? Do you use LeChat top coat? Thanks!!!!!
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OPI's base is different from many of the other gel polishes and I don't like most of the other gel polishes base coat, including LeChat. OPI is more like CND Shellac's in that it isn't a pure gel, but includes solvents. The solvents evaporating is what makes it seem to "air dry" as you've experienced. It is also what makes it easier to remove. When you apply OPI GelColor base, it should be so thin that you couldn't wipe it off, it kind of sinks in. I find that "scrubbing" it in works for me. Shake it well, but then let it sit for a minute or two. That allows the excess to drip back down, but it's not so long that the solvents settle out again. Oh, and I have used LeChat top coat and it is really shiny.
 
#193
NancyG said:
OPI's base is different from many of the other gel polishes and I don't like most of the other gel polishes base coat, including LeChat. OPI is more like CND Shellac's in that it isn't a pure gel, but includes solvents. The solvents evaporating is what makes it seem to "air dry" as you've experienced. It is also what makes it easier to remove. When you apply OPI GelColor base, it should be so thin that you couldn't wipe it off, it kind of sinks in. I find that "scrubbing" it in works for me. Shake it well, but then let it sit for a minute or two. That allows the excess to drip back down, but it's not so long that the solvents settle out again. Oh, and I have used LeChat top coat and it is really shiny.
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I will definetly let it sit for a minute. And if you've had success, maybe I can too! I will just be VERY careful to scrub on. I'll shake the heck out of it and let it rest. You mentioned your favorite LeChat's. Do you ever use a LeChat neutral like OPI's Bubble Bath? I am dying to buy Madras :) Thanks again, this is very helpful.
 
#194
emilieann said:
I will definetly let it sit for a minute. And if you've had success, maybe I can too! I will just be VERY careful to scrub on. I'll shake the heck out of it and let it rest. You mentioned your favorite LeChat's. Do you ever use a LeChat neutral like OPI's Bubble Bath? I am dying to buy Madras :) Thanks again, this is very helpful.
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I've been wanting to try La Princesse and Paloma,which are sheers. Bride-to-Be is a creme.
 
#195
emilieann said:
I will definetly let it sit for a minute. And if you've had success, maybe I can too! I will just be VERY careful to scrub on. I'll shake the heck out of it and let it rest. You mentioned your favorite LeChat's. Do you ever use a LeChat neutral like OPI's Bubble Bath? I am dying to buy Madras :) Thanks again, this is very helpful.
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I have LeChat Madras. It looks like a slightly pinker version of Shellac Negligee, or OPI Rosy Future. It is a sheer, pale pink with a blue flash (iridescence). It's very pretty.

Pisco Sour is closer to Beau. It's got a sheer whitish base with a violet flash. It's also close to IBD Just Gel Seashell, which has the same color flash.
 
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