Gel Color by OPI

OPI claims that it’s “color at the speed of light.” Curing each step in only 30 seconds is pretty fast, but I wouldn’t go that far. With a base coat, 2 coats of color, and a top coat on each hand, your looking at only 4 minutes of curing time under an LED light! This dries and sets the color. So, you could be out in just 10-15 minutes depending on how fast the nail technician is and if it’s just simply an application process or a full manicure. Now, that’s what I like! A quick service that’s going to last 2-3 weeks with no peeling or chipping.

Application: Polish & Curing

Removal: Soak-off

I prefer OPI Gel Color over other gel brands and regular polish, because they have great colors (DUH!), their polish stays shiny, lasts longer and doesn’t peel or chip like shellac or regular polish.

So, whatever brand you choose gel polish manicures are all the rage these days! A gel manicure is different than a regular on because a special type of polish is used. Gel polish is only a “soak-off” nail polish that is formulated to adhere to your nail stronger than normal polish. Gel polish is applied in layers and in between each coat you have to hold you hands under a UV light for a few minutes, which instantly dries and sets the color. This is where the OPI is different. If you are concerned about the UV light, then you’ll be happy to know that OPI is the ONLY company currently using an LED light to cure (as I mentioned earlier)!

Gel vs. Regular

PROS:

• No more drying time! This is great for me because I always smudge my nails before I even leave the nail salon (i.e. trying to get my card out while paying or in the parking lot digging for my keys in my purse).
• Gel polish is super strong and can last anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks with NO chipping or peeling.
• It’s less damaging (but only if you get the color professionally removed).
• You can change it. Even though committing to a color for 2 to 3 weeks may sound scary, don’t be afraid! You can actually paint right over gel polish with regular polish and even remove it with non-acetone remover too if you decide to switch back! This only works if you paint over it with a darker color.
• Awesome for traveling! If you’re going on a trip definitely get gels so you won’t have to worry about them chipping.
• If your going to be doing a lot of pool or lake activities this Spring or Summer, then gels are water friendly! (That’s why I originally got them. With being a Hair Stylist and having my hands in water all day, my polish was constantly chipping. Gels solved my problem!)

CONS:

• It’s more expensive than a regular manicure. But, if you get your nails done every other week or so, it might actually be more cost effective to get gels since it lasts so long.
• If you’re nails grow really fast, then gels are not for you since you cannot remove the polish at home yourself.
• It takes a long time (if you don’t get OPI Gel Color)! Most gel nails take quite a while since you have to hold your hands under the UV light for a few minutes in between each coat. It usually takes anywhere from 30-45 minutes and sometimes up to an hour depending on your manicurist.
• UV exposure (if you don’t get OPI Gel Color). Even though the UV lights most salons use is very minimal, you are still willingly exposing your nails to ultra-violet rays, which can be harmful.
• The fact that you have to actually get them removed kinda sucks! I DO NOT recommend removing gels yourself, because you can seriously damaged your nails. Even if you just try peeling the color off it can cause damage. Unless you know how to correctly soak and remove gel polish (and I don’t mean from YouTube), you should get them professionally removed.

So, if your willing to spend the money and take time to go to the salon for application and removal I think that gel nails are a great option! I’ve tried them, and like them, but change my polish way too often, so I keep going back and forth with them. The good thing is that they aren’t permanent and you can always change you mind.

Happy Manicuring!