In the olden days (i.e., when gel polishes were new - 2010), it was felt that one distinction between 100% gel products (Gelish) and hybrid products (CND Shellac, Gelac, Light Elegant) was that in hybrids, the pigment would separate out and they needed to be shook. I think that over the years we've discovered that the pigment or glitter can separate out with any of these products and shaking is often necessary. Yes, it can introduce bubbles, but just allowing the bottle to sit for a minute after shaking should let them rise out.
OPI Gelcolor
- Thread starter kkgunn
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
In the olden days (i.e., when gel polishes were new - 2010), it was felt that one distinction between 100% gel products (Gelish) and hybrid products (CND Shellac, Gelac, Light Elegant) was that in hybrids, the pigment would separate out and they needed to be shook. I think that over the years we've discovered that the pigment or glitter can separate out with any of these products and shaking is often necessary. Yes, it can introduce bubbles, but just allowing the bottle to sit for a minute after shaking should let them rise out.
Thanks for the info Cindy and Nancy!
FYI for anybody reading this who is thinking about buying the ProShaker:
ProShaker.com has a Warranty notice up.
They now will only warranty their product IF you purchase it from either their site directly, or from OPI, or from THEIR OWN Amazon "marketplace". Make sure if you purchase from Amazon, that it is in fact THEIR storefront! This was very tricky to do, as when I was going to purchase it the only listing that came up was from a 3rd party vendor (Lucky Star Gifts), and ProShaker said they would NOT warranty those purchases. You can read the info on the ProShaker.com site.
I called ProShaker.com directly and they walked me through how to get to their storefront.
I checked today, and their listing IS coming up on an Amazon search now, right next to the 3rd party one. Just make sure you verify from whom you are buying this product BEFORE you hit that submit order button.
FYI for anybody reading this who is thinking about buying the ProShaker:
ProShaker.com has a Warranty notice up.
They now will only warranty their product IF you purchase it from either their site directly, or from OPI, or from THEIR OWN Amazon "marketplace". Make sure if you purchase from Amazon, that it is in fact THEIR storefront! This was very tricky to do, as when I was going to purchase it the only listing that came up was from a 3rd party vendor (Lucky Star Gifts), and ProShaker said they would NOT warranty those purchases. You can read the info on the ProShaker.com site.
I called ProShaker.com directly and they walked me through how to get to their storefront.
I checked today, and their listing IS coming up on an Amazon search now, right next to the 3rd party one. Just make sure you verify from whom you are buying this product BEFORE you hit that submit order button.
Very good info to know when suggesting it to others to buy. Thanks for the heads up!
I removed OPI Taupe-less Beach tonight (day 6) because my right hand index finger polish was lifting at the edge. I have some peelies there, so I should probably pick up a bottle of pH Bond and apply to the tips. My left hand nails were still going strong though (no underlying peelies).
Removal was much easier than my salon mani (can't remember what base and top coat they used). I couldn't find my microwaveable rice bag thing, so I didn't even get the benefit of heat!
I tried Don't Burst My Bubble as my next mani. Here's 3-4 coats. I'm not sure what the dark spot on my index finger is.
I applied the first coat a bit too thickly on my left hand, because I felt the heat spikes a little. I'll be more careful next time!
I didn't bother heating up the bottle because I wanted to see how streaky it was as is. It wasn't bad except on my right thumb which looks pretty streaky, but I can live with it.
Color-wise, I find it very similar to OPI Care to Danse, but it's more opaque and slightly more white. I do wish they'd make a gel version of Care to Danse!
Removal was much easier than my salon mani (can't remember what base and top coat they used). I couldn't find my microwaveable rice bag thing, so I didn't even get the benefit of heat!
I tried Don't Burst My Bubble as my next mani. Here's 3-4 coats. I'm not sure what the dark spot on my index finger is.
I applied the first coat a bit too thickly on my left hand, because I felt the heat spikes a little. I'll be more careful next time!
I didn't bother heating up the bottle because I wanted to see how streaky it was as is. It wasn't bad except on my right thumb which looks pretty streaky, but I can live with it.
Color-wise, I find it very similar to OPI Care to Danse, but it's more opaque and slightly more white. I do wish they'd make a gel version of Care to Danse!
Q:
Where do you find OPI Pro Bond?
I'm only finding OPI "BondAid". '
Cilucia!
Don't Burst My Bubble looks great on you! It's probably my favorite milky pale white polish.
My application was a bit streakier than yours. I'm hoping the ProShaker will fix that issue.
Where do you find OPI Pro Bond?
I'm only finding OPI "BondAid". '
Cilucia!
Don't Burst My Bubble looks great on you! It's probably my favorite milky pale white polish.
My application was a bit streakier than yours. I'm hoping the ProShaker will fix that issue.
I tried Don't Burst My Bubble as my next mani. Here's 3-4 coats. I'm not sure what the dark spot on my index finger is.
I applied the first coat a bit too thickly on my left hand, because I felt the heat spikes a little. I'll be more careful next time!
I didn't bother heating up the bottle because I wanted to see how streaky it was as is. It wasn't bad except on my right thumb which looks pretty streaky, but I can live with it.
Color-wise, I find it very similar to OPI Care to Danse, but it's more opaque and slightly more white. I do wish they'd make a gel version of Care to Danse!
This looks beautiful, both the color & your application! It's hard to believe you're new to diy SOGs... This color is how my pre-B3F bottle of OPI Bubble Bath looks. (My more recent bottle is more pink). Will have to check out OPI Care to Danse
I removed OPI Taupe-less Beach tonight (day 6) because my right hand index finger polish was lifting at the edge. I have some peelies there, so I should probably pick up a bottle of pH Bond and apply to the tips. My left hand nails were still going strong though (no underlying peelies).
Removal was much easier than my salon mani (can't remember what base and top coat they used). I couldn't find my microwaveable rice bag thing, so I didn't even get the benefit of heat!
I tried Don't Burst My Bubble as my next mani. Here's 3-4 coats. I'm not sure what the dark spot on my index finger is.
I applied the first coat a bit too thickly on my left hand, because I felt the heat spikes a little. I'll be more careful next time!
I didn't bother heating up the bottle because I wanted to see how streaky it was as is. It wasn't bad except on my right thumb which looks pretty streaky, but I can live with it.
Color-wise, I find it very similar to OPI Care to Danse, but it's more opaque and slightly more white. I do wish they'd make a gel version of Care to Danse!
Great application! My first several manis with SOG were NOTHING like that
They were so bad I wouldn't have thought to take pictures I'm hoping my peelies will grow out within a few more SOG manis
Thanks! LMK how you get on with the ProShaker and this polish
Thanks, I'll check out that product too vs Gelish PH Bond!
Thank you! I guess all those years of RNP manis has paid off a bit, lol!
Yeah, sorry about that
I wish Care to Danse was available in GelColor formula. It's probably my most used OPI. Great application! My first several manis with SOG were NOTHING like that
It's all thanks to everyone's wonderful tips and advice here!!Thanks - I just looked up the OPI Bond Aid product and recognized it as the product that the nail tech used on me! OMG it made the gel polish impossible to get off
- but she did put it ALL over my nails, not just the tips. I'll pick up a bottle of this and apply it to my peel tips only. Thanks hmmm....
I'm getting confused now.
Is OPI Bond-Aid something that makes the gel polish adhere to it better, as in it's a type of "glue"?
Or is Bond-Aid just a "nail dehydrator", as in it makes the nail plate free of any oil, etc...much they way alcohol does?
I ask because my Mally gel polish "kit" came with 3 prepping products, that I still use now with my new OPI lamp. These 3 work great:
1- nail cleanser....seems like just rubbing alcohol to me.
2- nail dehydrator....I put this all over the nail plate. It makes the nail squeaky clean. CND Nail Fresh is the same type of product.
3- gel polish PRIMER --- like Crazy Glue for gel polish adherence! yikes! I ONLY apply to perimeter of nail. It makes the gel polish almost remove-proof. Great to enhance wear longevity, but a PETA to remove gel polish.
Ok, so is Bond-Aid similar to #2? or to #3?
Thanks!
I'm getting confused now.
Is OPI Bond-Aid something that makes the gel polish adhere to it better, as in it's a type of "glue"?
Or is Bond-Aid just a "nail dehydrator", as in it makes the nail plate free of any oil, etc...much they way alcohol does?
I ask because my Mally gel polish "kit" came with 3 prepping products, that I still use now with my new OPI lamp. These 3 work great:
1- nail cleanser....seems like just rubbing alcohol to me.
2- nail dehydrator....I put this all over the nail plate. It makes the nail squeaky clean. CND Nail Fresh is the same type of product.
3- gel polish PRIMER --- like Crazy Glue for gel polish adherence! yikes! I ONLY apply to perimeter of nail. It makes the gel polish almost remove-proof. Great to enhance wear longevity, but a PETA to remove gel polish.
Ok, so is Bond-Aid similar to #2? or to #3?
Thanks!
Last edited:
I think it is like number three. A nail dehydrater would not cause it to stick better to the tips, but mainly remove oils and prepare the nail bed. I use a bonder type stuff from Fingerpaints, only on tips. You use very little and if I get too much or it runs down the nail it is really hard to remove. If it gets on the main nail, I remove it before putting on base.
OPI Bond Aid is actually a pH-balancing agent (others are known as a dehydrator). This is NOT a "glue" like the other things you're mentioning. I use this on every person I do gel polish on and have no issues with removal. I actually started using the bond aid with regular polish before I dove into SOG b/c I wanted my regular polish to last longer. See below for what I use that's like "glue" so to speak on "tough" clients who have lifting, etc.
Here's what OPI says: Thats why revolutionary Bond-Aid pH Balancing Agent is an essential first step in chemical preparation. Bond-Aid maximizes adhesion of all artificial nail products, including acrylics, tips, wraps, glue - even nail lacquer! In one quick-drying application, it ensures complete adhesion for longer-lasting services.
http://pro.opi.com/Product.aspx?mm=1&bm=12&details=1&idp=1&idc=61&id=236
This is what I use on tips and possibly full nails for those that have a tough time having things stick - and this is on AFTER the OPI Bond Aid, but before my gel base coat. And yes, it's hard to remove it.
Personally, I'm using the EZFlow version and it says it's this: EzFlow Bond-It-On Gel Bonder bonds to natural nail and gel base product for superior adhesion. Helps ensure long-lasting wear of gels.http://ezflow.com/products/product-60262.html
Hope that helps.
VonniRnc, you're correct in the fact that a nail dehydrater doesn't necessarily make it stick better to the tips and primarily preps the nail bed regardless of location, however it isn't the same as the bonder you're using from Fingerpaints
I should have included you in my reply up above. And I agree with you - when you're trying to get the bonder on tips only and it runs, that can be a bummer.