For me, I get shrinkage when the base coat is too thick, then the color kind of floats on the base and shrinks. And I know you think it's super thin, but I find with GelColor, the base must be so thin that you're kind of "scrubbing" it on rather than floating it on. The brush should drag. Even thinner than Shellac, if you've ever used that.
OPI Gelcolor
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For me, I get shrinkage when the base coat is too thick, then the color kind of floats on the base and shrinks. And I know you think it's super thin, but I find with GelColor, the base must be so thin that you're kind of "scrubbing" it on rather than floating it on. The brush should drag. Even thinner than Shellac, if you've ever used that.
I have and this is VERY helpful. I am very familar with the "scrubbing" as I used it for Gelish. I know everything should be thin but I was afraid I was applying too thin. On my last mani that held up about 4 days I tried scrubbing as it was the key to a good Gelish mani but I am going to try again tonight. I do know that reviews of Pompeii Purple warn against shrinkage but I have seen a few beautiful applications of it in the swatch thread so I'm still thinking it's me. I am also starting to wonder if I don't have oily nail beds. It may be time for some Bond Aid. Thanks NancyG!
Thank you for the input! I may be more diligent about a scrubbing application as NancyG suggested. It makes me feel better to know that it could also be the product as well. I am relieved that my all time favorite OPI color, Lincoln Park After Dark got a good review from you
I will be sure to try your trick to warm up the bottles before shaking.On manis with shrinkage, do you experience peeling/lifting?
I just got the Gelshine system and some topcoat was still wet even after curing 3x. Now I just read in another post that it's normal to have sticky residue at the end, but wiping it off will make the super high gloss shine less glossy... is there any way to ensure the final finish is super glossy, just like it came out from under the light or is this impossible with SOG?
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CrackBerryCream said:
They should be very glossy after wiping away the tacky layer. I've not used the gelshine system but have housed many other SOG brands over the past two years. That tacky layer must be removed.
Thanks! But are your nails more or less glossy after removing the layer? although mine are still glossy they just don't look as glossy as with the layer on
I use a lint free cotton pad (as provided by the Gelshine set).
Was wondering if doing something different (e.g., applying thinner coats or curing it several times) would make it stay as glossy as before wiping the residue off
Was wondering if doing something different (e.g., applying thinner coats or curing it several times) would make it stay as glossy as before wiping the residue off
Are you wiping with alcohol? If not, that is the problem. I think it is called nail cleanser in the gelshine system. I have this system and have used it before and the shine was great after the tacky layer was removed. Remove it with a wipe and the cleanser, or 90+ alcohol, and then wash with warm soapy water. The shine should be there. If not, you may be having another problem, like not curing or something else.
Yes I'm using alcohol, and still it is shiny but not as shiny as before wiping the layer off... I guess all I need is a scratch resistant topcoat lol. I love how glossy Seche Vite looks directly after applying, but hours later the first scratches show and start to dull the glossy surface...
I had a similar problem with different products (Axxium and Gelcolor, both OPI gels). Two things resolved the issue for me:
1. New lamp, I switched to the OPI lamps from the CND lamp. (luckily got great deals on used ones).
2. Incredibly thin coats of gel. Even though I thought I was applying thin coats, I went so thin that I barely could see the coats.
Another thing, I read somewhere that it can help to use a new alcohol saturated wipe for every 1-3 fingers, instead of the same wipe for all 10. This makes a big difference for Axxium, at least. I just tear the wipes in half.
1. New lamp, I switched to the OPI lamps from the CND lamp. (luckily got great deals on used ones).
2. Incredibly thin coats of gel. Even though I thought I was applying thin coats, I went so thin that I barely could see the coats.
Another thing, I read somewhere that it can help to use a new alcohol saturated wipe for every 1-3 fingers, instead of the same wipe for all 10. This makes a big difference for Axxium, at least. I just tear the wipes in half.
CrackBerryCream said:
Are you using alcohol or the provided gelshine cleanser? If alcohol what percentage? I find anything less than 90% and its is not as shiny as there is too much residue left.
karenh1996 said:
No there's no way to leave it. It's a layer of uncured gel, so not only will it remain tacky it's not good to keep coming into contact with it.
CrackBerryCream said:
Have you considered trying another brand? Maybe it's just the gelshine system? I've not used it so can't say, but my gelish topcoat is super smooth and glossy and I never end up with scratches or anything in it.
I use the provided gelshine cleanser, good to know about the 90% though. The regular alcohol from our pharmacies is 70%... and I was thinking about using this once I run out of the cleanser.
I'll try again with thinner coats the next time. It's my very first SOG-system as I wasn't interested in it before. Sephora made it a mass-market thing that I finally had to try out
I might try the gelish topcoat though...@artiemd: thanks a lot for the suggestions! apart from the basecoat (that almost had dry patches because I applied it too thin...) everything else was probably too thick...
Happy new year all! This is Gelcolor 'louvre me'. I love the color, but it is notorious for shrinking. I think many of the Gelcolor jellies are. Flash curing helps a lot! And shake, shake, shake, and than shake some more
I don't keep the layers too thin. I mean, they are thin so they don't run into the cuticles, but not super thin either. The attached picture shows a mani with Gelcolor basecoat, 2 layers of structure, 3 coats of louvre me, and gelish top it off.
I don't keep the layers too thin. I mean, they are thin so they don't run into the cuticles, but not super thin either. The attached picture shows a mani with Gelcolor basecoat, 2 layers of structure, 3 coats of louvre me, and gelish top it off.Attachments
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Well I re-did my mani last night making sure to scrub on the base (I think I should go even a bit thinner but I find the OPI base a little more difficult to work with than Gelish)/dry brush as well as applying the color coats to the tips first because I take a while to apply the product. I also tried your trick to warm up the gels. I have had much better results with the application! Now I am waiting to see how they wear
I do think warming up the bottles makes a big difference. When I shook them, I could feel it moving around in the bottle much more fluid. Thanks for all the input!