OPI Gelcolor

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#467
VodkaSoda said:
I just opened my bottle of OPI Gelcolor A Grape Fit recently and saw that it is seperating and somewhat faded to an ugly gray. I shook the heck out of it but it doesn't seems to have helped. I'm quite saddened by this since I really like this color and have yet to use it. Anyone else have this problem with A Grape Fit???
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No, that didn't happen to me! :( I even bought my bottle second hand--so who knows how old it is, and used it just earlier this year (I posted swatches of it, too).

I feel like Gelcolors separate pretty easily when they sit for a while, but if you already shook it I'm not sure what else there is to do! Sometimes I warm my gels up before shaking so they become more fluid and mix easier. I don't know.
 
#468
For those of you who use OPI gel, is it normal for it to be a lot thicker than gelish to apply? I decided to try it after seeing comments of those who said it was lasting two weeks . I am lucky to get 7-8 days with Gelish or other brands. I bought a new color ( Next Stop the Bikini Zone) which should not be old stock from a reputable seller on Amazon, and it seems quite thick in application.
 
#469
sweetlilwolf said:
It is slightly thicker but opi needs to be shaken a lot. Warming before application helps. Wear is I think determined by your base coats if you are t getting good wear with gelish try another brand. I tried 6 different brands before getting opi and that's the only thing that lasts on me for 2 weeks.


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Thanks for the response. I did use the OPI base gel coat which I got made for Sephora. Should this be the same as the regular OPI gel base? I did order that too, but just got it , so haven't had a chance to use it yet . I tried the OPI base with Gelish polish before I received my OPI gel and didn't notice that much difference in wear time. I then used the OPI color for the next manicure .I used two coats of the base and dry brushed between coats , cured under the CND UV light, because that is the one I have. I cured base coats for one minute, colors and topcoat for two minutes. Now after only eight days I have some slight chipping on the edges of a couple nails. I also used the finger paints bonder only on the tips, because that is where they seem to chip first. Any advice you could give me would be appreciated. Thank you. I have been using the Gelish top coat . I don't know if that makes a difference .
 
#470
VonniRnc said:
Thanks for the response. I did use the OPI base gel coat which I got made for Sephora. Should this be the same as the regular OPI gel base? I did order that too, but just got it , so haven't had a chance to use it yet . I tried the OPI base with Gelish polish before I received my OPI gel and didn't notice that much difference in wear time. I then used the OPI color for the next manicure .I used two coats of the base and dry brushed between coats , cured under the CND UV light, because that is the one I have. I cured base coats for one minute, colors and topcoat for two minutes. Now after only eight days I have some slight chipping on the edges of a couple nails. I also used the finger paints bonder only on the tips, because that is where they seem to chip first. Any advice you could give me would be appreciated. Thank you. I have been using the Gelish top coat . I don't know if that makes a difference .
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Also , I had one more question. I was considering buying an LED light, but some people have said OPI takes longer to cure , up to 90 seconds. If this is the case, then there would be no point to it , because it cures now under my CND light in two minutes. I do have a smaller LED light I use for travel and has worked well for Gelish, Fingerpaints etc, but you can only cure four fingers at a time , and I was going to get a larger one. Can you answer this ? Thanks
 
#471
VonniRnc said:
Thanks for the response. I did use the OPI base gel coat which I got made for Sephora. Should this be the same as the regular OPI gel base? I did order that too, but just got it , so haven't had a chance to use it yet . I tried the OPI base with Gelish polish before I received my OPI gel and didn't notice that much difference in wear time. I then used the OPI color for the next manicure .I used two coats of the base and dry brushed between coats , cured under the CND UV light, because that is the one I have. I cured base coats for one minute, colors and topcoat for two minutes. Now after only eight days I have some slight chipping on the edges of a couple nails. I also used the finger paints bonder only on the tips, because that is where they seem to chip first. Any advice you could give me would be appreciated. Thank you. I have been using the Gelish top coat . I don't know if that makes a difference .
Click to expand...

I used to have a lot of issues with lifting and found several things I was doing wrong. Personally I have only used the OPI gel base b/c it has been what I have. I make sure that my nails haven't been in water in the past two hours (I used to think that washing led to better adhesion, but I was WRONG). I then ensure to scrub my nails with a lint free wipe with 99% alcohol right before I get ready to polish. Then I use OPI Bond-Aid (http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Bond-Aid-5oz/dp/B000HHOPDE). From there I use the base coat and then color and I use Gelish top coat (used to use OPI, however I've found better success with the Gelish). For those who tend to have more chipping b/c they're harder on their nails or have oily nails, I put EZFlow Bond-It-On down before my gel base: http://amzn.to/1lbRmpv

Here's a thread on here that may help: http://forum.purseblog.com/nail-car...off-gel-information-for-beginners-729204.html

I agree with Sweetlilwolf that OPI needs to be shaken. I have had a HARD time getting polish to go right and broke down to buy the ProShaker and I haven't regretted it for one second. It's a life (and arm) saver: http://www.proshaker.com/.

As far as the LED light goes, I have the OPI LED light and I love it. But it's the only "sturdy" light I've had. I had a cheaper ($55) one from Amazon and it took forever. But my OPI light only takes 30 seconds per coat, although I have found on some colors (Big Apple Red and darker colors) may take a little longer like 45 seconds. I absolutely love my OPI light and find it super easy to use.
 
#472
CindyLeigh said:
I used to have a lot of issues with lifting and found several things I was doing wrong. Personally I have only used the OPI gel base b/c it has been what I have. I make sure that my nails haven't been in water in the past two hours (I used to think that washing led to better adhesion, but I was WRONG). I then ensure to scrub my nails with a lint free wipe with 99% alcohol right before I get ready to polish. Then I use OPI Bond-Aid (http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Bond-Aid-5oz/dp/B000HHOPDE). From there I use the base coat and then color and I use Gelish top coat (used to use OPI, however I've found better success with the Gelish). For those who tend to have more chipping b/c they're harder on their nails or have oily nails, I put EZFlow Bond-It-On down before my gel base: http://amzn.to/1lbRmpv

Here's a thread on here that may help: http://forum.purseblog.com/nail-car...off-gel-information-for-beginners-729204.html

I agree with Sweetlilwolf that OPI needs to be shaken. I have had a HARD time getting polish to go right and broke down to buy the ProShaker and I haven't regretted it for one second. It's a life (and arm) saver: http://www.proshaker.com/.

As far as the LED light goes, I have the OPI LED light and I love it. But it's the only "sturdy" light I've had. I had a cheaper ($55) one from Amazon and it took forever. But my OPI light only takes 30 seconds per coat, although I have found on some colors (Big Apple Red and darker colors) may take a little longer like 45 seconds. I absolutely love my OPI light and find it super easy to use.
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Thanks for the reply . I do use the Gelish ph bonder before base coat as well as the Fingerpaints one to the tips and sides. Do you dry brush the base after curing or use two cots of base ? I read this suggestion on here somewhere, and found the dry brushing prior to color application was helpful as far as making it stay on longer . Maybe I just have nails that don't hold the polish well. I used to get 12-14 days with Gelish , now lucky to get a week, I have gotten almost two weeks with sensational , but wasn't crazy about the colors. I am diligent about moisturizing cuticles etc with CND solar oil and also Burt's Bees cuticle cream.
 
#473
VonniRnc said:
Thanks for the reply . I do use the Gelish ph bonder before base coat as well as the Fingerpaints one to the tips and sides. Do you dry brush the base after curing or use two cots of base ? I read this suggestion on here somewhere, and found the dry brushing prior to color application was helpful as far as making it stay on longer . Maybe I just have nails that don't hold the polish well. I used to get 12-14 days with Gelish , now lucky to get a week, I have gotten almost two weeks with sensational , but wasn't crazy about the colors. I am diligent about moisturizing cuticles etc with CND solar oil and also Burt's Bees cuticle cream.
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That's very strange that you're having such an issue. I wonder if it's an issue of the fact that OPI for Sephora may not be the best quality. I use the professional version of the OPI Base coat and I don't dry brush at all. I do ensure it's a very thin layer, but even when it gets older and thicker it doesn't have any issues. I have one friend who goes three weeks between getting them done and she hasn't had a chip yet - just growth. I generally go at least two weeks with no chips as well.

I'd suggest trying the professional version of the base coat: http://amzn.to/1omtJAZ and seeing how that goes. I'd assume that the Gelish Ph and Fingerpaints bonder would be good products. Also, do you make sure to clean your nail plate with alcohol before using those products?
 
#474
CindyLeigh said:
That's very strange that you're having such an issue. I wonder if it's an issue of the fact that OPI for Sephora may not be the best quality. I use the professional version of the OPI Base coat and I don't dry brush at all. I do ensure it's a very thin layer, but even when it gets older and thicker it doesn't have any issues. I have one friend who goes three weeks between getting them done and she hasn't had a chip yet - just growth. I generally go at least two weeks with no chips as well.

I'd suggest trying the professional version of the base coat: http://amzn.to/1omtJAZ and seeing how that goes. I'd assume that the Gelish Ph and Fingerpaints bonder would be good products. Also, do you make sure to clean your nail plate with alcohol before using those products?
Click to expand...

Yes, I do clean my nails first with alcohol and then the ph bond. I will try again with the OPI gel base that I just received and see if I get better wear . Thanks for your response.
 
#476
VonniRnc said:
Thanks for the reply . I do use the Gelish ph bonder before base coat as well as the Fingerpaints one to the tips and sides. Do you dry brush the base after curing or use two cots of base ? I read this suggestion on here somewhere, and found the dry brushing prior to color application was helpful as far as making it stay on longer . Maybe I just have nails that don't hold the polish well. I used to get 12-14 days with Gelish , now lucky to get a week, I have gotten almost two weeks with sensational , but wasn't crazy about the colors. I am diligent about moisturizing cuticles etc with CND solar oil and also Burt's Bees cuticle cream.
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I bought the SOPI base last year or even before that, but returned it a couple of weeks later because my polish chipped off, like it was cracking off. I can use the OPI base with no problems.
 
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