OPI Gelcolor

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#526
YAY Cilucia!
I'm so glad you got your OPI lamp! :woohoo::
Your nails look gorgeous (as always)! I love Taupe-less Beach on you -- I have it in reg np, but haven't tried it yet.

Needed longer curing time?
Uhm? Did you mean that you wiped your nail after just the base coat stage?
I'm new to gel polish, but I don't think you are supposed to wipe the nails until AFTER the top coat layer. And as far as I know, each coat is supposed to be tacky/sticky after curing under the lamp. It's only after wiping (with the cleanser, or alcohol?) after the top coat layer has cured, that you will get a non-tacky finish and you will see the shine. All of my layers have cured in 30 sec with my opi lamp so far.

Shrinkage:
Did you swipe the free-edge of each nail during each layer? I was told to do that, and I haven't had any shrinkage issues (but I also have been using the Mally Beauty "gel prep products" even with the OPI Gelcolor products (nail cleanser + nail dehydrator + "gel primer"). I think those 3 products (esp the gel primer -- which I only use along perimeter of each nail and very sparingly!) all help to prevent shrinkage -- even for the full 14 days of wear.

I can't wait to see the other colors on you!
Btw, I have Don't Burst My Bubble, and it was streaky on me (I needed 3 coats), but now I'm wondering if I didn't shake the gel polish enough. :shucks:: I've since read that OPI Gelcolor needs a lot of shaking prior to application (hence why I'm soon getting that ProShaker or the Rubart paint shaker). I only shook the bottle by hand for about 30 sec. I think you may need to shake for a minute, or more, if by hand. Supposedly, from what I've read, the shaking will help with the streakiness issue.
 
#527
diram said:
YAY Cilucia!
I'm so glad you got your OPI lamp! :woohoo::
Your nails look gorgeous (as always)! I love Taupe-less Beach on you -- I have it in reg np, but haven't tried it yet.

Needed longer curing time?
Uhm? Did you mean that you wiped your nail after just the base coat stage?
I'm new to gel polish, but I don't think you are supposed to wipe the nails until AFTER the top coat layer. And as far as I know, each coat is supposed to be tacky/sticky after curing under the lamp. It's only after wiping (with the cleanser, or alcohol?) after the top coat layer has cured, that you will get a non-tacky finish and you will see the shine. All of my layers have cured in 30 sec with my opi lamp so far.

Shrinkage:
Did you swipe the free-edge of each nail during each layer? I was told to do that, and I haven't had any shrinkage issues (but I also have been using the Mally Beauty "gel prep products" even with the OPI Gelcolor products (nail cleanser + nail dehydrator + "gel primer"). I think those 3 products (esp the gel primer -- which I only use along perimeter of each nail and very sparingly!) all help to prevent shrinkage -- even for the full 14 days of wear.

I can't wait to see the other colors on you!
Btw, I have Don't Burst My Bubble, and it was streaky on me (I needed 3 coats), but now I'm wondering if I didn't shake the gel polish enough. :shucks:: I've since read that OPI Gelcolor needs a lot of shaking prior to application (hence why I'm soon getting that ProShaker or the Rubart paint shaker). I only shook the bottle by hand for about 30 sec. I think you may need to shake for a minute, or more, if by hand. Supposedly, from what I've read, the shaking will help with the streakiness issue.
Click to expand...

Re: wiping dry after base coat, I was following the tutorial in the Beginner's thread (Step 5: http://forum.purseblog.com/nail-car...mation-for-beginners-729204.html#post20936241) I might try skipping this step next time.

I tried wrapping the free edge, but my nails are a bit short so I might not have a done great job (for fear of getting it all over my fingers and having to clean up).

Thanks for the tip w/ Bubble. I'll use that one next and give it a really good shake and let you know how it goes for me.
 
#528
Cilucia,

hmmmm. I follow the Mally Beauty and OPI Gelcolor application directions, and neither says to wipe their base coat. I never noticed that the Beginner thread said to do this. Maybe some other brands require that method?

Since you are using OPI Gelcolor, here are their application directions:

http://pro.opi.com/stepbysteps/GelColorApp.asp

There also is a DVD that comes with the OPI LED lamp. Did you view yours? It will show you the application steps. Here is the same video (I believe) on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd06654fyZ0

Btw, that video is what spurred me to buy OPI Gelcolor in Pompeii Purple (the gorgeous color the model is wearing). It's a gorgeous shade, but on my olive skin I think it's a bit tooooooo bright for me (look much brighter on me than it does in the video).

Removal:
I think this is also the same video as you have on your OPI DVD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI18eEgSM3A

I use different wraps (I have similar ones by IBD, and I also have the Hands Down ones --- love these!), but I do a similar process (using plastic gloves, and then wrapping in a big bath towel). It took me about 15-20 min of soaking time for the polish to flake off. I used to use electric heated mitts to remove the Mally gel polish, but I haven't needed to use them to remove OPI Gelcolor.


OPI Gelcolor TIPS:
Oooh! I just found this video. I haven't viewed it yet, but it might be helpful. Thought I'd share!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqbOXoKtGmY

*off to go look at it myself!*

Here's another "tips" video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEA79ld-KXY

Just watched them both; good info!


hth!
 
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#529
cilucia said:
Got my OPI stuff in the mail today!! definitely warmer and lighter (I think). It reminds me a little of Milani Bare to Wear.

Thanks to everyone for all your help over the last week :) I hope it wears well... I'm little nervous now, haha XD
Click to expand...

So exciting!! I don't have that color, but it shouldn't smell too strongly.

As for the thumb curing, I think it could be how you're laying your thumb in the lamp - I say that b/c my mom and sister do that all the time and when I wipe the tacky layer at the end I'll see some color was removed on the edge of the thumb where it "lays" on the ledge. So I've asked them to turn their thumbs so the nail is mainly all exposed to the light to avoid that.

If you have any shrinkage it could be due to needing a good shake or two and possibly warming slightly. Although I have one person that always has shrinkage regardless of color or brand and I'm still trying to figure out why.

Your nails look really nice! Excited to hear how they hold up for you.
 
#530
CindyLeigh said:
So exciting!! I don't have that color, but it shouldn't smell too strongly.

As for the thumb curing, I think it could be how you're laying your thumb in the lamp - I say that b/c my mom and sister do that all the time and when I wipe the tacky layer at the end I'll see some color was removed on the edge of the thumb where it "lays" on the ledge. So I've asked them to turn their thumbs so the nail is mainly all exposed to the light to avoid that.

If you have any shrinkage it could be due to needing a good shake or two and possibly warming slightly. Although I have one person that always has shrinkage regardless of color or brand and I'm still trying to figure out why.

Your nails look really nice! Excited to hear how they hold up for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips! I think you might be right about the thumb position; I'll try to force my thumb to lay flatter next time!

I forgot about the gel warming tip. Is it "kosher" to put the bottles in a little warm water bath beforehand?
 
#531
cilucia said:
Thanks for the tips! I think you might be right about the thumb position; I'll try to force my thumb to lay flatter next time!

I forgot about the gel warming tip. Is it "kosher" to put the bottles in a little warm water bath beforehand?
Click to expand...

Ha. I know it's a little awkward to put your thumb that way :)

Yes, I think that's definitely how some people warm up the polish a little. :)
 
#538
I ordered the ProShaker a few days ago. :)
I can't wait for it to arrive. I heard that streakiness in OPI gelcolor polish can be due to not shaking enough. I'm hoping the ProShaker will fix Don't Burst My Bubble for me. I also noticed that my Gelish "Sweet Morning Dew" seemed MUCH thicker than my other Gelish colors. I hope the ProShaker will fit the Gelish bottle.

I'm most excited about using the ProShaker with ALL of my reg nail polishes! I have a huge collection, and some of the older ones (dating back to the original release of the New England collections of 2006 or so?) have gotten a bit "globby" (separated) and streaky and thick. I am hoping the shaker will help those, as I really can't bear to part with them. lol
 
#539
diram said:
I ordered the ProShaker a few days ago. :)
I can't wait for it to arrive. I heard that streakiness in OPI gelcolor polish can be due to not shaking enough. I'm hoping the ProShaker will fix Don't Burst My Bubble for me. I also noticed that my Gelish "Sweet Morning Dew" seemed MUCH thicker than my other Gelish colors. I hope the ProShaker will fit the Gelish bottle.

I'm most excited about using the ProShaker with ALL of my reg OPI nail polishes! I have a huge collection, and some of the older ones (dating back to the original release of the New England collections of 2006 or so?) have gotten a bit "globby" (separated) and streaky and thick. I am hoping the shaker will help those, as I really can't bear to part with them. lol
Click to expand...


Edit:
Ok. I just now read that you should NOT shake Gelish. hmmmm
 
#540
diram said:
Edit:
Ok. I just now read that you should NOT shake Gelish. hmmmm
Click to expand...

So excited for you to get your shaker! I think you'll find it revolutionizes things for you. It sure did for me! My DBMB is still a little streaky after two coats and I use three, but I think it has to do with how thin the polish is, yet an inbetween opaqueness...just my thoughts. I get pretty good coverage with three thin coats.

For my gelish, I do shake them in the shaker and have no issues. Although, I think the shaker is very different than taking a bottle and shaking it in your hands. Before the shaker I used to roll bottles between my hands vs. "shake" b/c I didn't want bubbles. I have found with some of my other polishes, like NSI or Ink brand that I have to shake two times b/c it separates quite a bit, but they turn out beautifully after those two shakes.

Hope you love it!
 
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