OPI Gelcolor

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#676
artiemd said:
Hi! I have found that OPI doesn't seem to cure well with DIY LED lamps. Others have reported this as well. My experience was so bad with multiple lamps that I wouldn't recommend using OPI Gelcolor with a nonprofessional lamp at all. I know there are some people who disagree with this, though.

The poor shine could be due to a number of things. Acetone could dull the finish. The gel may not be curing completely (ie due to having the wrong lamp or applying coats too thickly).

I have found that the OPI topcoat isn't as shiny as some others and that the shine dulls a bit over time.

If I were you I would wipe the tacky layer with alcohol.

Then look at the curing issue. Make sure to apply very thin coats.

The fact that you are curing for such a prolonged period of time makes me suspect that the lamp is not curing the polish fully, even if polish seems to be cured by touch or feel. This could not only cause dullness but may put you at risk for developing sensitivities to some of the ingredients in gels.

If you have access to a different lamp, try that. A good quality CFL UV lamp would cure faster than 4 minutes and also would be cheaper than a professional LED lamp.

You could also try another brand of topcoat.

I haven't found adding an extra layer of topcoat increases shine.
Good luck!




Sent from my LGLS991 using PurseForum mobile app
Click to expand...


Thank you so much for the thoughtful response!!!

I got the sally hansen kit as a beginner's kit last month but I'm definitely looking into getting a better one soon. Do you recommend a particular lamp? I heard the UV lamp needs UV replacement after a while? How much after? Not sure the $45 replacement is worth it if it has to be done multiple times vs a one time spending LED lamp...

Oh and I agree on the thick/thin coats!! I applied extra thin coats the last manicure and my manicure is not as opaque and not as "fluffy" as they were before.


I kind of liked the thicker coat because I could peel them off like glue though. And NO damage! But my current nail did looks more professional I must agree!!

and I've read about the TIO (top if off) coat. I forget what brand it was but I am going to get that one too. :)



ETA: I do not live in USA and I need 220v output. OPI studio led light is only $115. Should I get that one?
Also, SH lamp is 30 seconds so that would be 2 minutes and I agree it's still a lot. I have 1 minute but It feels "sticky" if it makes any sense
 
Last edited:
#677
Mininana said:
Thank you so much for the thoughtful response!!!

I got the sally hansen kit as a beginner's kit last month but I'm definitely looking into getting a better one soon. Do you recommend a particular lamp? I heard the UV lamp needs UV replacement after a while? How much after? Not sure the $45 replacement is worth it if it has to be done multiple times vs a one time spending LED lamp...

Oh and I agree on the thick/thin coats!! I applied extra thin coats the last manicure and my manicure is not as opaque and not as "fluffy" as they were before.


I kind of liked the thicker coat because I could peel them off like glue though. And NO damage! But my current nail did looks more professional I must agree!!

and I've read about the TIO (top if off) coat. I forget what brand it was but I am going to get that one too. :)



ETA: I do not live in USA and I need 220v output. OPI studio led light is only $115. Should I get that one?
Also, SH lamp is 30 seconds so that would be 2 minutes and I agree it's still a lot. I have 1 minute but It feels "sticky" if it makes any sense
Click to expand...


I hate to sound like I'm chastising you, but you need to really learn the science of gel polish manicures. You are doing a number of things that compromise your manicure, damage your nails, and could cause skin reactions.

A few areas of concern - first, don't ever use acetone to clean the final tacky layer; acetone breaks down the top coat (especially in OPI and Shellac) and clouds the surface. It is used for removal. Use 90%+ isopropyl alcohol to clean the inhibition (tacky) layer. TIO is the Gelish brand topcoat and is very shiny and acetone resistant, so lots of people use it over other brands' color coats. Gelish advertises that its top and base coats can be used with other brands.

Second, use the right lamp for your product, and be especially careful about mixing consumer brands with pro brands. If you're going to use OPI GelColor, get the OPI light. Gel hardens when it is 55% cured and a proper cure is 95%+, so often you think you have a proper cure when you don't and you are exposing yourself to uncured gel.

Third, a thickly applied manicure that peels off is almost surely due to uncured gel. Gel polish should always be applied very thinly, the UV light cannot penetrate the polish very far (especially with dark colors) and thick coats mean uncured gel. Increasing the time to cure results in a top layer that is overcured covering up uncured gel.
 
#678
Mininana said:
Thank you so much for the thoughtful response!!!

I got the sally hansen kit as a beginner's kit last month but I'm definitely looking into getting a better one soon. Do you recommend a particular lamp? I heard the UV lamp needs UV replacement after a while? How much after? Not sure the $45 replacement is worth it if it has to be done multiple times vs a one time spending LED lamp...

Oh and I agree on the thick/thin coats!! I applied extra thin coats the last manicure and my manicure is not as opaque and not as "fluffy" as they were before.


I kind of liked the thicker coat because I could peel them off like glue though. And NO damage! But my current nail did looks more professional I must agree!!

and I've read about the TIO (top if off) coat. I forget what brand it was but I am going to get that one too. :)



ETA: I do not live in USA and I need 220v output. OPI studio led light is only $115. Should I get that one?
Also, SH lamp is 30 seconds so that would be 2 minutes and I agree it's still a lot. I have 1 minute but It feels "sticky" if it makes any sense
Click to expand...
Hi,

You are probably right that you have to change the bulbs in a CFL-UV lamp and this could offset the cost advantage pretty quickly. LED bulbs are supposed to last practically forever.

As far as LED lamps go, since you are interested in OPI, I would stick to a professional lamp. OPI Gelcolor is the only brand that I know of that seems to be routinely problematic with DIY LED lamps. I have the original OPI LED lamp (the black metal one) and it's great. Of course it works great with OPI Gelcolor as well as every other LED curable brand I have tried (which is a lot) . If you can get this lamp, I highly recommend it. You can even get an attachable worklight for it which I also love.

OPI came out with a newer lamp more recently which people seem to like, too. The Gelish 18G is also popular and seems to cure OPI well. I am sure others will chime in with their favorites.

I haven't used Gelish Top It off much so I can't comment from experience, but a lot of people like it for the shine and durability. As much as I love OPI Gelcolor, I am not a fan of the topcoat. It does dull after a few days. I wash my hands probably at least 20-30 times a day in my job and use hand sanitizer another 30 or more times daily so that may be part of the problem. My favorite is Kiss Everlasting topcoat, which provides a mirror-like hard durable finish for me that stands up to the abuse. My manis can stay super shiny for over 3 weeks with this topcoat. Unfortunately it has been discontinued but can still be found online. My current mani is using the CND Xpress5 topcoat and I really like it. I think it is the first topcoat that I have liked almost as much as Kiss.

With gel polish, it is better to do multiple thin coats for opacity. Most of my manis are 3 thin coats, occasionally 4. A few are as opaque as I want in 2 thin coats. I get pretty great opacity and great wear this way. It will be translucent in the first coat, but you should get the desired opacity within 3-4 coats. Be sure to shake or stir the polish extremely well before using. This will help with opacity, too

I wouldn't recommend peeling off any polish. It may damage your nails. Also gel polish shouldn't peel off easily. If it does, that suggests a problem with nail prep, application, or curing. With practice, your gel manicures should stay in place at least 1-2 weeks or until you remove them properly by soaking off.

There is a thread on this forum with lots of great info for gel polish beginners. Have you seen it? Even though it is a few years old it has lots of useful information.

Sent from my LGLS991 using PurseForum mobile app
 
#679
I stepped away from the forum while I was writing and I see that NancyG and sweetlilwolf both commented in the meantime. I agree with everything they have said. Sorry to have duplicated some of their remarks.
 
#680
sweetlilwolf said:
uv bulbs do need replacements after a certain time. I don't know how long but believe every few months.

The OPI studio light (it's white) is LED so that would be fine you'd only have to cure 30 seconds. If you can afford it is say get that one you'll know your gelcolor is curing correctly.

Thinner coats are better and shouldn't be peeling off your manicure! Might look like no damage but there are still nail layers being damaged.

TIO is Gelish. If your having trouble with shine it could be not curing correctly. Just double coat your top coat. It will help too.

When you cure in any lamp you'll still have a tacky layer.
Click to expand...



NancyG said:
I hate to sound like I'm chastising you, but you need to really learn the science of gel polish manicures. You are doing a number of things that compromise your manicure, damage your nails, and could cause skin reactions.



A few areas of concern - first, don't ever use acetone to clean the final tacky layer; acetone breaks down the top coat (especially in OPI and Shellac) and clouds the surface. It is used for removal. Use 90%+ isopropyl alcohol to clean the inhibition (tacky) layer. TIO is the Gelish brand topcoat and is very shiny and acetone resistant, so lots of people use it over other brands' color coats. Gelish advertises that its top and base coats can be used with other brands.



Second, use the right lamp for your product, and be especially careful about mixing consumer brands with pro brands. If you're going to use OPI GelColor, get the OPI light. Gel hardens when it is 55% cured and a proper cure is 95%+, so often you think you have a proper cure when you don't and you are exposing yourself to uncured gel.



Third, a thickly applied manicure that peels off is almost surely due to uncured gel. Gel polish should always be applied very thinly, the UV light cannot penetrate the polish very far (especially with dark colors) and thick coats mean uncured gel. Increasing the time to cure results in a top layer that is overcured covering up uncured gel.
Click to expand...



artiemd said:
Hi,

You are probably right that you have to change the bulbs in a CFL-UV lamp and this could offset the cost advantage pretty quickly. LED bulbs are supposed to last practically forever.

As far as LED lamps go, since you are interested in OPI, I would stick to a professional lamp. OPI Gelcolor is the only brand that I know of that seems to be routinely problematic with DIY LED lamps. I have the original OPI LED lamp (the black metal one) and it's great. Of course it works great with OPI Gelcolor as well as every other LED curable brand I have tried (which is a lot) . If you can get this lamp, I highly recommend it. You can even get an attachable worklight for it which I also love.

OPI came out with a newer lamp more recently which people seem to like, too. The Gelish 18G is also popular and seems to cure OPI well. I am sure others will chime in with their favorites.

I haven't used Gelish Top It off much so I can't comment from experience, but a lot of people like it for the shine and durability. As much as I love OPI Gelcolor, I am not a fan of the topcoat. It does dull after a few days. I wash my hands probably at least 20-30 times a day in my job and use hand sanitizer another 30 or more times daily so that may be part of the problem. My favorite is Kiss Everlasting topcoat, which provides a mirror-like hard durable finish for me that stands up to the abuse. My manis can stay super shiny for over 3 weeks with this topcoat. Unfortunately it has been discontinued but can still be found online. My current mani is using the CND Xpress5 topcoat and I really like it. I think it is the first topcoat that I have liked almost as much as Kiss.

With gel polish, it is better to do multiple thin coats for opacity. Most of my manis are 3 thin coats, occasionally 4. A few are as opaque as I want in 2 thin coats. I get pretty great opacity and great wear this way. It will be translucent in the first coat, but you should get the desired opacity within 3-4 coats. Be sure to shake or stir the polish extremely well before using. This will help with opacity, too

I wouldn't recommend peeling off any polish. It may damage your nails. Also gel polish shouldn't peel off easily. If it does, that suggests a problem with nail prep, application, or curing. With practice, your gel manicures should stay in place at least 1-2 weeks or until you remove them properly by soaking off.

There is a thread on this forum with lots of great info for gel polish beginners. Have you seen it? Even though it is a few years old it has lots of useful information.

Sent from my LGLS991 using PurseForum mobile app
Click to expand...


Thank you for the inputs! :) yes I'm aware that I need a professional lamp and will get one thanks. I have just started this two months ago with my first professional gel manicure and did my own a few times after that. Obviously there is a learning curve and I'm still learning which is why I find this thread so useful.

I've read the whole thread and do know what you mean nancyG, I'm a newbie so I'm still learning. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.


And the peeling was because I was obviously applying it too think and wrong but I've also done my mani on top of my opi envy on purpose, so that I could peel it off easily.

Fortunately I have no nail damage yet.


Oh and one more thing. I've read that with opi you don't have to file your nail is this correct? I hate filing my nail, and would rather risk a chipping manicure over having to file my nail thinner than it already is.


Thank you!!
 
#681
I would avoid buffing if you can. I don't buff at all, no matter what brand I am using. Even brands that recommend it. I would try to see how you do without it. I would only buff lightly as a last resort if you have problems with adherence after you have worked out all the other issues(thin coats, proper lamp, etc). I do sometimes use a dehydrator (OPI Bond Aid).
 
#682
artiemd said:
I would avoid buffing if you can. I don't buff at all, no matter what brand I am using. Even brands that recommend it. I would try to see how you do without it. I would only buff lightly as a last resort if you have problems with adherence after you have worked out all the other issues(thin coats, proper lamp, etc). I do sometimes use a dehydrator (OPI Bond Aid).
Click to expand...


Thank you!!

This thread is full of info and you girls are the best!!!


I can't wait to get the opi lamp. The black one is said to be better but I can only find a white one? And Amazon offers a black for slightly more but I wonder if it's the same newer model just different color. Do you know?
 
#683
#686
sweetlilwolf said:
The new one is plastic the old one was metal... You'll see the difference in the two in the link I posted [emoji4]
Click to expand...


Yes I did and came back to edit my post!! :)


I was confused because Amazon sold white for one price and black for a little bit more
But I realized both are newer models



I believe the metal opi was $400ish anyway so it wouldn't make sense if to cost $135 haha



A professional friend recommended me the cnd lamp even if I use opi SOG so now I'm pondering between those two


Obviously people recommend opi for opi but I'm not tied to just one brand. I literally started this two months ago and I only own 2 opi and 1 sally Hansen so I'm open to options. :)
 
#687
Ps!! The reason why I used acetone to take of the sticky later after being done with my many was because my nail technician did the exact same thing. In fact, she used the same product as top coat and base coat and cleaned both times with acetone. I know weird right? But since it's the one and only gel manicure I got in my life two months ago that's all I had as a reference. Now I know better!! :)
 
#688
Mininana said:
Yes I did and came back to edit my post!! :)


I was confused because Amazon sold white for one price and black for a little bit more
But I realized both are newer models



I believe the metal opi was $400ish anyway so it wouldn't make sense if to cost $135 haha



A professional friend recommended me the cnd lamp even if I use opi SOG so now I'm pondering between those two


Obviously people recommend opi for opi but I'm not tied to just one brand. I literally started this two months ago and I only own 2 opi and 1 sally Hansen so I'm open to options. :)
Click to expand...


Well can't comment on the CND light. CND will tell you only their light works with their products. Someone else might know better if it'll work.

The metal one I love I'm sure the white is just as good :)

:)
 
#689
Mininana said:
Ps!! The reason why I used acetone to take of the sticky later after being done with my many was because my nail technician did the exact same thing. In fact, she used the same product as top coat and base coat and cleaned both times with acetone. I know weird right? But since it's the one and only gel manicure I got in my life two months ago that's all I had as a reference. Now I know better!! :)
Click to expand...


Lol yes always use rubbing alcohol :)
 
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