OPI Gelcolor

[Kailuagal]

Well, I got my IBX and this stuff had better be good! It took forever to apply and it was confusing; I kept losing track of where I was in the process.

Hi NancyG, and other IBX users, how has your experience been with this product? I too ordered the kit from the suggested supply company in Canada and am going to apply for my first time right now. Have you noticed a difference in the strength of your nails?
TIA!

 

[artiemd]

Hi NancyG, and other IBX users, how has your experience been with this product? I too ordered the kit from the suggested supply company in Canada and am going to apply for my first time right now. Have you noticed a difference in the strength of your nails?
TIA!

I have used it about every 3-3.5 weeks since about March or April. My nails definitely seem harder, less bendy, and less likely to break, even though I still have some peeling when I remove my gel polish. Mygel manis are lasting 3+weeks without lifting--a big improvement. I was able to stop using the bonders on the tips that I depended on before.

 

[Kailuagal]

I have used it about every 3-3.5 weeks since about March or April. My nails definitely seem harder, less bendy, and less likely to break, even though I still have some peeling when I remove my gel polish. Mygel manis are lasting 3+weeks without lifting--a big improvement. I was able to stop using the bonders on the tips that I depended on before.

Thank you so much! I'm happy to hear you've had good results. I had to stop sog's for a while because a couple of my nail beds lifted. They're better after time and my nails have gotten stronger since I started biotin, however, I am getting some splits at the bend and my nails are also slightly stained from some of my RNPs. I noticed whiter nails after my first application yesterday. Time will tell!

 

[AddictedToGel]

I'm in Australia and haven't found anyone that'll sell IBX retail outside of Canada or the US. Just wondering if anyone else in Australia has had more luck finding it? Thanks

 

[NancyG]

Hi NancyG, and other IBX users, how has your experience been with this product? I too ordered the kit from the suggested supply company in Canada and am going to apply for my first time right now. Have you noticed a difference in the strength of your nails?
TIA!

I must confess to being quite underwhelmed. First off, it took forever to apply, and the application was very confusing. Granted, the first application is longer and more convoluted than subsequent applications, and I did go for IBX Repair and IBX. Secondly, most of my nails broke in the two weeks since using it. Again, my nails were a bit longer than usual and it had been a very active two weeks.

I have heard than IBX can make your nails brittle, and my nails tend towards that anyway, so IBX (especially Repair) may not be right for me. I am going to continue to use just IBX and see how that goes.

 

[NancyG]

I agree I wasn't really thrilled with it. I haven't used it for awhile I thought about it again but the process just adds so much time on to the mani already especially if you plan to do nail art or something...


Come join our OPI gelcolor polish group!!! We're just getting started so invited friends!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OPIGelcolorlovers/

Well, it's been two weeks with IBX and I must say that I am beginning to like this stuff. After trying IBX Repair and ending up with broken nails, I have been using only the IBX under my gel nail polish (this week, Shellac Base, OPI GelColor and Gelish TIO). Even after three years of gel polish, my nails are not really damaged, only a few ridges and cracks, but they could be better. After the first IBX application, it adds about 8 minutes to my manicure application - 2 minutes of heat and 30 seconds of LED for each hand. I use the heat from my halogen desk lamp. But I found that my manicure lasted with no chips and removed like a dream with my nails looking wonderful after removal. My nails have a good healthy color and look very smooth with no delamination or ridges. It even looks like they've grown more than usual (or at least not broken).

I think I will continue with just the IBX and save the IBX Repair for problems.

 

[Kailuagal]

Well, it's been two weeks with IBX and I must say that I am beginning to like this stuff. After trying IBX Repair and ending up with broken nails, I have been using only the IBX under my gel nail polish (this week, Shellac Base, OPI GelColor and Gelish TIO). Even after three years of gel polish, my nails are not really damaged, only a few ridges and cracks, but they could be better. After the first IBX application, it adds about 8 minutes to my manicure application - 2 minutes of heat and 30 seconds of LED for each hand. I use the heat from my halogen desk lamp. But I found that my manicure lasted with no chips and removed like a dream with my nails looking wonderful after removal. My nails have a good healthy color and look very smooth with no delamination or ridges. It even looks like they've grown more than usual (or at least not broken).

I think I will continue with just the IBX and save the IBX Repair for problems.

That's good to hear! I'm encouraged. My nails are not badly damaged as well so I think I'll just stick to ibx. I wonder if we should make a separate thread for this?

 

[Courtypie]

These are a couple places I've used and have enjoyed.
http://nailsupply247.com/
http://www.tonynail.net/en/product/opi-color-gel-708.html
http://www.nailsupplyglamour.com/ - they will have sales on the polish as well.

Hope you find some great colors! Also, there's a FB group Not Your Typical Nails that has several for sale.

CindyLeigh,

I was just wondering when the last time you used nailsupply247? I placed an order last week and the lack of communication is making me nervous. Replying to the one email they sent confirming my order comes back 'undeliverable' despite it stating at the bottom "Please reply to this email if you have any questions". I've sent messages through their website with no response. Tonight I tried calling the phone number posted on the website and it doesn't go through, the number's not correct. There's what looks like a link for 'live support' but I can't get it to work.

I'm just super nervous now that I messed up and got scammed. I'm hoping you or anyone else can vouch for them so I feel better before I start a claim through Paypal.

 

[CindyLeigh]

CindyLeigh,

I was just wondering when the last time you used nailsupply247? I placed an order last week and the lack of communication is making me nervous. Replying to the one email they sent confirming my order comes back 'undeliverable' despite it stating at the bottom "Please reply to this email if you have any questions". I've sent messages through their website with no response. Tonight I tried calling the phone number posted on the website and it doesn't go through, the number's not correct. There's what looks like a link for 'live support' but I can't get it to work.

I'm just super nervous now that I messed up and got scammed. I'm hoping you or anyone else can vouch for them so I feel better before I start a claim through Paypal.

Sorry I just saw this. I placed my last order on 6/5/14. I've never had any issues with my orders, but I've never tried to contact them either. I do recall them having to replace something in my order b/c it was out of stock and they called me directly. They seem to be of Asian decent so there was a thick accent, but my order arrived safe and sound. I always log into my account to track it, in the event it wasn't in the email I received. I hope everything goes smoothly from this point for you.

 

[cilucia]

Hey ladies!

I haven't been doing too many gel manis lately (my nails took a huge hit last month from being on vacation 4 days in the ocean. Wow that salt water did a number on my nails, especially getting into and out of scuba gear!) but am on the road to recovery. I was wondering two things -

(1) For those who layer RNP on top of OPI GelColor manis, do you remove the RNP with non-acetone and switch colours? I tried it recently with some Cutex non-acetone removal pads, but it caused my underlying OPI GelColor to lift at the cuticles. I can't tell if it was due to the remover being strong or the OPI GelColor base formula. Does anyone have any experience with what I'm trying to do? (Or is there a specific brand of nail polish remover you can recommend that works without lifting OPI GelColor base?)

(2) Do you know the RNP "glue" as base coat trick for glitters (or any of the manufactured peelable base coats)? Do they work on top of SOG manis? I haven't worn my indie glitters in a LONG time and am missing them.

thanks in advance!

 

[artiemd]

The ones I've tried have been great. Highly pigmented, smooth formula. I think they did gel versions of their popular colors, and part of their collections as they come, but not all. It seems like they have a few near dupes so make sure to do research, which is easier thanks to lots of swatches of their RNP.

OPI is usually $4-5 more than Gelish, sometimes a lot more. I find them cheaper on EBay, but there's more risk there with private sellers.

The biggest issue I had was the lamp. I originally started with a UV lamp. I did a couple of OPI colors without any really obvious issues. More color seemed to come off with the top coat than usual. The polish didn't chip sooner, but was kind of dentable. I even had a swatch that turned out horrible (wrinkly, chunky, and patchy) and just chalked it up to a bad bottle. Then I heard OPI polishes can be tricky when used without the OPI lamp. I'd been wanting to get an LED lamp anyways, and most brands aren't as picky, so I got the OPI lamp. It seriously made all the difference. I don't know if my UV bulbs were old, it was just using bthe LED bulbs, or specific OPI LED magic. So I guess, if you don't have the OPI lamp, beware and start small.

I attached a picture of the polish that swatched horribly with my UV lamp (left) and then reswatched with the OPI lamp (right). Both were three coats.

.

 

[artiemd]

Hey ladies!

I haven't been doing too many gel manis lately (my nails took a huge hit last month from being on vacation 4 days in the ocean. Wow that salt water did a number on my nails, especially getting into and out of scuba gear!) but am on the road to recovery. I was wondering two things -

(1) For those who layer RNP on top of OPI GelColor manis, do you remove the RNP with non-acetone and switch colours? I tried it recently with some Cutex non-acetone removal pads, but it caused my underlying OPI GelColor to lift at the cuticles. I can't tell if it was due to the remover being strong or the OPI GelColor base formula. Does anyone have any experience with what I'm trying to do? (Or is there a specific brand of nail polish remover you can recommend that works without lifting OPI GelColor base?)

(2) Do you know the RNP "glue" as base coat trick for glitters (or any of the manufactured peelable base coats)? Do they work on top of SOG manis? I haven't worn my indie glitters in a LONG time and am missing them.

thanks in advance!

apply and remove RNP over my SOG regularly. For me the OPI topcoat didn't hold up as well to nonacetone remover or even regular wear and tear as other brands. (my bottles of OPI topcoat are pretty old, though, and it's possible the formula has changed). Lechat and Kiss topcoats don't seem as likely be damaged and maintain their shine even through multiple RNP changes

Rnp remover does seem to soften SOG a bit so I minimize contact time (don't try to soak off glitter Rnp) , try not to scrub too much and I wash it off with soap and water as soon as I am finished.

Sometimes I use 2coats of sog topcoat if I plan to switch RNP frequently.

The only times I have had nonacetone remover lift my SOG'S I thought it was because the SOG mani was already damaged or had not been applied perfectly. For example I have had lifting in areas where I had cuticle flooding on my SOG mani that I didn't completely remove prior to curing. Or if my free edges weren't perfectly capped. I am a lot more careful now with SOG application and it doesn't happen.

The peel type base coat worked great on my SOG. I tried the one from Nail Pattern Boldness. Doesn't last very long, maybe a day or so but I think that is true on bare nails too, especially if you wash your hands alot. I had lots of tipwear almost immediately.

You can also just apply the RNP glitter on top of your SOG mani. To remove , use nonacetone remover to remove as much as you can, then lightly buff to remove stubborn bits of glitter from your SOG mani then add a thin coat of topcoat and cure. It will be like new.

 

[NancyG]

(1) For those who layer RNP on top of OPI GelColor manis, do you remove the RNP with non-acetone and switch colours? I tried it recently with some Cutex non-acetone removal pads, but it caused my underlying OPI GelColor to lift at the cuticles. I can't tell if it was due to the remover being strong or the OPI GelColor base formula. Does anyone have any experience with what I'm trying to do? (Or is there a specific brand of nail polish remover you can recommend that works without lifting OPI GelColor base?)

OPI's topcoat is not acetone resistant and the basecoat is hybrid, so it's not the best choice for using with RNP. Try using Gelish Top It Off which is acetone resistant.

 

[cilucia]

Thanks, guys. I'll try a bottle of Top it Off and see if that works better with the non-acetone remover I have.

I haven't tried sandwiching my glitter indies yet because I can only really wear the glitter on the weekend (not office appropriate), but if I get the top coat situation sorted out, I can maybe wear the glitter as the underlying gel mani and paint a boring RNP overtop for the work week XD

 

[snealious]

Thanks, guys. I'll try a bottle of Top it Off and see if that works better with the non-acetone remover I have.

I haven't tried sandwiching my glitter indies yet because I can only really wear the glitter on the weekend (not office appropriate), but if I get the top coat situation sorted out, I can maybe wear the glitter as the underlying gel mani and paint a boring RNP overtop for the work week XD

I've never tried a sandwich mani, but from what I understand, they don't last as long (though if you said you'd only wear it on the weekend, I guess it wouldn't be an issue), but there's a product called GELibility that lets you turn RNP into a SOG.


Both Chickettes & Manic Talons have tried it. Here are their reviews:


http://www.chickettes.com/gelibility-turn-regular-nail-polish-into-gel-polish/


http://www.chickettes.com/gelibility-take-2-success-at-creating-a-holographic-gel-polish/


http://www.manictalons.com/2014/10/turn-any-polish-into-gel-polish-with-Gelibility.html#.VD1dG4d0xkg