Lyme Lyte started this discussion ·
There was a thread on here a while ago about gel nail polish. I hate doing my nails and am looking to invest in a kit with a light. I found a kit at Walmart but it was $50.00.....I saw some people had reviews and where they got their kits with prices. Thanks!
Sign in or create a free account to reply.
I know Sally's carries Gelish and I think one other brand. Aerial Amy, Nymphadora and Veruca Blue routinely get gels but they do it at a salon. Might be worth biting the bullet to get a salon one done first to see how well it works for you.
JeHanne ·
I get Shellac by CND applied at a salon. It has been extremely durable and wearable product for me, I get it done every 14 days (due to grow out). Its a base coat, color and top coat that is cured under a UV light. I do not get any chips in the color, love it! http://www.cnd.com/Products/Color/shellac-hello.aspx
Chem I knew you would come through with some info! But you see I am rather "cheap" and would have a hard time paying to have them done at a salon. I a do-it-yourself type of girl...
JeHanne ·
The product like the one you saw at Wal Mart are a DIY version on the Salon UV curing products. Give it a try and see if it works for you... doesn't hurt to try and you could find something totally amazing. I was tempted to try it.
I was thinking, we just bought a black light/ LED to cure a crack in our windshield. Light cost about $7.00. I am wondering if THAT light would work? Or I thought someone said they found a kit for $20.00 which I would consider buying. I will figure something out and let you know.....
I am the same when it comes to cheap. Sally's carries the gellish nail color, it is about $14 a bottle. Might be worth buying a ottle and seeing if teh UV light cures it. Says 2 minutes under UV light. http://www.sallybeauty.com/gel-nail-polish/GELISH01,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH
ok i need a kit i get SO tired of my polish chipping the very next day, very annoying, and i cant see paying for fake nails and the upkeep is too much maintenance for me!
JeHanne ·
Did some browsing online at Sally's... I might stop by and pick up a Gellish kit. I don't like going to the salon and having appointments. It would be great if I could do this at home and save money too. I love this forum, so much great information is available. Thanks for sharing ladies!
I love love love Sally's. Their Sally card is like $5 a year and gets you a discount on all products. On the price tag there will be the regular price and then above it is usually the club price. Discounts are from fifty cents to a few dollars. Plus they give you a discount coupon for $5 off your next purchase so you pretty much get the card cost back.
Before you buy the kit, let me get back with you on buying your own bulb.....going to the store to buy stuff in a min.
WOW...there is a LOT on ebay. I mean a freaking TON!!!
Like all the lights and stuff? Im too impatient. When I want something, I want it now. Going to be sport'n some new nails tonight.....whether they work or not is a different story. Ebay will be my second stop if my home job doesn't work.
Kobajo84 ·
I just wrote a blog about this recently: http://poleharmony.blogspot.com/2012/02/longer-lasting-manicure-for-pole.html
I knew I saw something somewhere....going to check it out now, thanks!
Thanks Kobajo! Have you ever just tried the color without the base and top coats?
ulta and box stores are starting to sell the polishes too, bit cheaper then gelish but they are smaller containers. Mom is buying me all the stuff to start doing my own we figure with a decent light it will end up just under 100 bucks. However since mine have to be done every 14 days (my nails grow super fast and even doing vintage half moons there is too much growth after that and I have found they start to peel) I figure since I pay 30+ tip I will be far ahead shortly.
UPDATE! First go around.....Went to Walmart and bought JUST the color, not base, top or special "cleaner". I then went to buy a black light (which the net said all black lights are LED), so they had one light that was like three feet long or a regular light bulb size for $3.00. Came home, put the bulb in a desk lamp and moved the neck just about an inch from the table. Put on my polish, which is so shiney and stuck em up under the light. After 2 min, I took them out and to see how "hard" it was, I touch my nails slightly to my face. Well, not a good idea, the polish didn't cure and I had it all over my face....and hands since I tried to wash it off with soap and hot water. So, I have $13.00 into this so far, and not working. Going to try to reapply (just try ONE nail) and keep it under for much longer. If that doesn't work, going to try a different light.
NO, all black lights are not LED. LED is light emitting diode which is a fairly new technology. I believe that you need a specific UV wavelength to cure this stuff. Not sure what that is but the cheapest UV light will be reptile lights. Getting my geek on...http://www.nailsmag.com/article/91808/the-science-of-gels?Page=4
Nails MagazineThe Science of Gels: How Gel Nail Products WorkWhat’s really going on when your client puts her hand in a UV or LED nail lamp? We explain what gel nail products are made of and why they work so well.ooh! i love doing my own gel at home! i use the gellish kit and it takes some time but the nails come out salon quality- i went to Sallys at first then returned everything when i saw it all on AMAZON for a fraction of the cost!! I put the gel on my toes and hands!! yes!
One more....black lights are UV. Their wavelength is 400-410nm. Hence this is reason black lights will not cure the gel....it needs somewhere around 375nm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_light
en.wikipedia.orgBlacklight - WikipediaOK...so I am getting a kick out of the last article. Nothing like having an exothermic reaction going on on your nails!! EEEK!!
OK Chem, getting too technical for my brain. Going to go to Home Depot, what shall I ask for???
I have been using the "red carpet" brand gel system from ulta. My nails are amazing, they look salon done. It's easy and way cheaper than the salon. Lasts on me for about 2 to 3 weeks and I am tough on my nails. Also a bit cheaper than the hellish system from Sally.
I have been using the "red carpet" brand gel system from ulta. My nails are amazing, they look salon done. It's easy and way cheaper than the salon. Lasts on me for about 2 to 3 weeks and I am tough on my nails. Also a bit cheaper than the hellish system from Sally.
