So, when I saw this post, I was on it!
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| Originally found at howshesparkles.com |
I followed the instructions and started out with clean, dry hands. I did one coat of Hard as Wraps, then two coats of my favorite polish which happens to be by OPI. Followed it up with one coat of the No Chip top coat.
They looked great...but less than 12 hours later, yes that's right I said 12:
CHIPS on both hands! The right hand was far worse than the left but there was a pretty sizable chunk out of the left hand's middle finger that is hard to see in this picture because of the glare.
I had high hopes for this one. I thought I wouldn't see a manicure table for months! This was an epic waste of $10. So the moral of this post is, in the case of gel nail polish, you get what you pay for. Save your $10 and put it towards your next mani. TOTAL PASS!
I have wanted to try a do it yourself manicure so that I wouldn't have to pay crazy salon prices. Maybe there is a another brand that holds up a bit better, I am rough on my nails and know that I would easily chip off nail polish.
ReplyDeleteI tried it again using Essie polish and had the same result. I actually got a longer lasting polish using Ulta brand polish and an Essie quick dry top coat. I'm going on about 4 days with minimal chips and I'm hard on my nails too. Keep me posted if you find anything or if you try anything document it and submit a guest post! Thanks Christy!
DeleteHi there! This was my original blog post and I had the same results- I was recreating it from a pin I had originally seen and was very disappointed! I did some more trial and error and just the other day I posted a follow up with a much better tried-and-true combo. Hope this helps! http://howshesparkles.com/2013/09/23/perfecter-diy-gel-manicure-hack/
ReplyDeleteOhhh boy, now I have to try this too! Where did you find CND, I've never seen it stores that I can recall. Also, have you ever tried it with nail polish other than Essie? I have several Essie polishes but a lot of my favs are OPI.
DeleteI got my CND products at Ulta, they are fabulous! Right now I am wearing CND Stickey, 2 coats of OPI We'll Always Have Paris (to answer your question!) and CND Shiney topcoat. On day 4 with no chips or cracks and I have super oily nails!
DeleteI just got an actual gel manicure from a salon, as soon as it wears off I'll try CND. Can't wait, thanks!
DeleteDropping by from the Pinterest Fail blog... I too had these same results! I switched to the Essie top coat and it lasted so much longer. I threw my Sally Hansen top coat in the trash.
ReplyDeleteHi I replied to you on Pinterest Fail too, sorry I didn't realize you had visited here too! Which Essie top coat did you use? I have the quick dry one and that seems to work the best of anything I've tried.
Deletealso dropping by from the pinterest fail blog! you should give julep's freedom topcoat a try. i love it! it's shiny as all hell (which i love) until i remove it, and it lasts forever. it also has the added benefit of super fast dry time (sets under a normal light bulb in just 2 minutes, a little longer with no light). I've had my mani for a week and 4 days so far; no chips, still shining. a little pricey, but when i ran out and used that sally hansen no chip for a week (and had to redo my nails every 2 days), i happily shelled out the money for julep again.
ReplyDeletereally, i love all of julep's polishes (i use their subscription program thingy), but that topcoat is a real winner.
Julep will be next on my list if CND doesn't work out, thanks for stopping by and adding to the convo :-)
Deletehi! i just found your blog on a google search and thought you might be interested in trying my shellac hack! it's been extremely successful for me and tons of other people who have tried it. here is the link if you're interested: http://www.mintarrow.com/2013/08/shellac-hack-perfected.html if you try it, please let me know what you think! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for stopping by! I actually just bought a gel lamp cause I couldn't find a "hack" that worked! I got a SUPER good deal on it at Ulta during the holidays so I figured rather than spend more trying to find a hack that worked I'd just buy the lamp LOL.
DeleteHey Jen - catching up some old posts! I have a horrible time doing my own gels - I have the sally hansen line, and they peel after a couple days. For gels I go to the salon. I actually have a good base/top coat that lasts me about 4 days on a DIY manicure though - get it at Sally stores. Gelous Nail Gel basecoat (green top) and In a Hurry Airdry Topcoat. I use any brand color, and it seems to last pretty well.
ReplyDeleteSo I gave up on trying to find a nail product that was going to do the trick and just went out and bought a gel light. I bought the Red Carpet Manicure line and I got a smokin deal at Ulta after Christmas with coupons and stuff. I just did one and it lasted a week. It would have gone longer but I polished on to my skin in a few places (which they say not to do) and when that started to peel the nail went too. It seems like a promising solution though!
DeleteWide array of affordable products for your nail and beauty salon needs. Best prices on name brand items like CND Shellac, Essie, China Glaze, Oster, and more. Here are Manicure supplies, Gel Nail Polish, Shellac Nail Polish, Barber Shop Supplies, Hair Cutting Shears, Spray Tanning Equipment, Shellac Nail Polish and Hot Shave Lather Machine.
ReplyDeleteWide array of affordable products for your nail and beauty salon needs. Best prices on name brand items like CND Shellac, Essie, China Glaze, Oster, and more. Here are Manicure supplies, Gel Nail Polish, Shellac Nail Polish, Barber Shop Supplies, Hair Cutting Shears, Spray Tanning Equipment, Shellac Nail Polish and Hot Shave Lather Machine.
ReplyDeleteI find OPI is horrible for chipping. Not worth the high price at all. I have $2 polish that lasts longer than OPI.
ReplyDelete