OPI Gelcolor

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#481
sweetlilwolf said:
Honestly with opi I've noticed with opi that using the full line meaning probond base and top whatever in the middle for color seems to work better and removal is much better with opi remover than with gelish or cnd remover....
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I would agree about the remover. I use both the foils, mitts and fluid and the removal is great. For me though, b/c I do nail stamping, I've found that the top coat isn't always the best for me in terms of covering the stamped portion, thus why I switched top coats. But you're correct - anytime you use a system from start to finish is the best and you get the best results.
 
#483
sweetlilwolf said:
No problem. I use opi top coat over my stamping haven't had any wear issues


Come join our OPI gelcolor polish group!!! We're just getting started so invited friends!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OPIGelcolorlovers/
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I wonder what I'm doing wrong. Haha. I topcoat and then stamp (so I can easily wipe it off without affecting the color) and then top coat after I stamp. But even with the Gelish top coat I'm seeing it "streak" as in it won't adhere to certain areas - no rhyme or reason to it. So I tend to double top coat over stamping. It's strange. I always clean with 99% alcohol after top coating before stamping to ensure it's a clean surface. Strange to me.
 
#484
CindyLeigh said:
I wonder what I'm doing wrong. Haha. I topcoat and then stamp (so I can easily wipe it off without affecting the color) and then top coat after I stamp. But even with the Gelish top coat I'm seeing it "streak" as in it won't adhere to certain areas - no rhyme or reason to it. So I tend to double top coat over stamping. It's strange. I always clean with 99% alcohol after top coating before stamping to ensure it's a clean surface. Strange to me.
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It sounds like your RNP isn't dry. If you are using Mundo you need to wait at least 30'. When I use SHID or something like that, I can top coat pretty quickly with no problems.
 
#485
DellaDog said:
It sounds like your RNP isn't dry. If you are using Mundo you need to wait at least 30'. When I use SHID or something like that, I can top coat pretty quickly with no problems.
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sweetlilwolf said:
Hmm how long do you wait between stamping and top coating? And what stamp polish are you using?


Come join our OPI gelcolor polish group!!! We're just getting started so invited friends!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OPIGelcolorlovers/
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It's actually happened with a lot of different stamping colors - both mundo, Konad, etc. Even if it's really dry it seems to be an issue. I thought I may need to shake the top coat again, but that hasn't solved it. It's strange. I use the Pueen squishy stamper and clean it on a lint roller. I also clean my plates using polish remover vs. acetone - that could play into it as well b/c acetone is harsher and cleans more.
 
#486
CindyLeigh said:
It's actually happened with a lot of different stamping colors - both mundo, Konad, etc. Even if it's really dry it seems to be an issue. I thought I may need to shake the top coat again, but that hasn't solved it. It's strange. I use the Pueen squishy stamper and clean it on a lint roller. I also clean my plates using polish remover vs. acetone - that could play into it as well b/c acetone is harsher and cleans more.
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This may be a silly question, but are you stamping after you cleaned off the sticky layer of top coat? Maybe try scrubbing in the top coat after stamping to make sure you get it into all the stamping polish "crevices"
 
#487
DellaDog said:
This may be a silly question, but are you stamping after you cleaned off the sticky layer of top coat? Maybe try scrubbing in the top coat after stamping to make sure you get it into all the stamping polish "crevices"
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No silly questions :) Yes, cleaning with 99% alcohol after curing and before stamping. I'll try the "scrubbing" option and see what I get :) Thanks!
 
#489
Hi Everyone!

I have a question about OPI Gelcolor thickness issues.
Does anyone find that they run very thick and are a bit difficult to apply without streaks?

I just did a gel mani with Don't Burst My Bubble.
I love the color, but it was VERY streaky and it took 3 coats to get most of the streaks out (still a bit streaky though).

What can you do about the thickness issues?
I found my OPI Gelcolor in Brisbane Bronze to also be a bit on the thick side (compared to my IBD and Gelish gel polishes).

Have any of you tried a gel polish "thinner"?

Thanks!
 
#490
diram said:
Hi Everyone!

I have a question about OPI Gelcolor thickness issues.
Does anyone find that they run very thick and are a bit difficult to apply without streaks?

I just did a gel mani with Don't Burst My Bubble.
I love the color, but it was VERY streaky and it took 3 coats to get most of the streaks out (still a bit streaky though).

What can you do about the thickness issues?
I found my OPI Gelcolor in Brisbane Bronze to also be a bit on the thick side (compared to my IBD and Gelish gel polishes).

Have any of you tried a gel polish "thinner"?

Thanks!
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Hey there! I'm sure more people have lots more to say, but my two cents are this: shaking it enough so everything gets mixed has been important for me as well as warming my gel for a few minutes - either in a bowl of hot water or what I do is put them in my warming hand mitts.

I do know that DBMB is very thin and streaky for me as well - it's no my fav one to use. But I also have others that are like that, even outside of OPI.

I've used a gel thinner, but it was on a Le Chat polish and it didn't seem to help me so I traded the polish and the new owner used it beautifully. Ha. I don't know what my issue was.
 
#491
Thanks for the tip on "warming" the polish first! I will try that next time.
I did shake the polish before using. I'm almost tempted to buy that "shaker", but at $100, I'll have to wait a bit.

Thanks again!
 
#492
diram said:
Thanks for the tip on "warming" the polish first! I will try that next time.
I did shake the polish before using. I'm almost tempted to buy that "shaker", but at $100, I'll have to wait a bit.

Thanks again!
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I have the Robart shaker which cost less than half & am very happy with it. I got mine from Amazon but eBay has it too. Hobby shops sell them.
 
#493
Two newbie questions:

1. Can you use RNP over OPI GelColor base & topcoat and safely remove with non-acetone remover? I read that you cannot do this with Shellac because even non-acetone remover will start to remove it, and since I read OPI GelColor is even easier to remove than Shellac, I'm wondering if it's the same situation.

2. How difficult is it to remove the combination of OPI GelColor base and Gelish Topcoat? Is removal difficulty tied to the base coat used only or the combination of base and top?

Thanks!
 
#494
cilucia said:
Two newbie questions:

1. Can you use RNP over OPI GelColor base & topcoat and safely remove with non-acetone remover? I read that you cannot do this with Shellac because even non-acetone remover will start to remove it, and since I read OPI GelColor is even easier to remove than Shellac, I'm wondering if it's the same situation.

2. How difficult is it to remove the combination of OPI GelColor base and Gelish Topcoat? Is removal difficulty tied to the base coat used only or the combination of base and top?

Thanks!
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I have used rnp over both CND Shellac and OPI and Gelish and removed it using a non-acetone polish remover. I also use either CND Shellac or OPI GelColor base and Gelish topcoat and find that they are durable but fairly easy to remove combinations. With all gel polishes, the key is allowing a thorough soak for a long time, keeping the pad saturated and firmly in contact with the nail. Adding a little heat also helps.

CND Shellac is a hybrid product, that is, it contains solvents and hardens both because of the evaporation of solvents and the polymerization under UV light. That applies to its base, color, and top coats. With OPI Gelcolor, only the base coat is hybrid; Gelish is not hybrid and its top coat is acetone resistant. Of course, application, how long its been on matter, but all else being equal, when it comes to removals, Shellac tends to be the easiest, then OPI and then Gelish. All of them are removed using acetone based removers. Just because something is acetone free doesn't mean it is gentle. Some of the solvents in acetone-free removers are pretty powerful, even toxic. Try different brands with different solvents. So to remove rnp over gel, saturate the pad with the remover, put it on the nail for only a few seconds and wipe. Don't let it sit on the nail very long. Better to apply and wipe a couple of times than to let it sit.
 
#495
NancyG said:
I have used rnp over both CND Shellac and OPI and Gelish and removed it using a non-acetone polish remover. I also use either CND Shellac or OPI GelColor base and Gelish topcoat and find that they are durable but fairly easy to remove combinations. With all gel polishes, the key is allowing a thorough soak for a long time, keeping the pad saturated and firmly in contact with the nail. Adding a little heat also helps.

CND Shellac is a hybrid product, that is, it contains solvents and hardens both because of the evaporation of solvents and the polymerization under UV light. That applies to its base, color, and top coats. With OPI Gelcolor, only the base coat is hybrid; Gelish is not hybrid and its top coat is acetone resistant. Of course, application, how long its been on matter, but all else being equal, when it comes to removals, Shellac tends to be the easiest, then OPI and then Gelish. All of them are removed using acetone based removers. Just because something is acetone free doesn't mean it is gentle. Some of the solvents in acetone-free removers are pretty powerful, even toxic. Try different brands with different solvents. So to remove rnp over gel, saturate the pad with the remover, put it on the nail for only a few seconds and wipe. Don't let it sit on the nail very long. Better to apply and wipe a couple of times than to let it sit.
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Thank you for your thorough response! I think I will jump in with the OPI GelColor system, and play with various brands for colors and topcoats, later on :) I'm excited! Just need to find a reputable place to buy everything now!
 
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