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Top 10 Best Gel Polish Brands for 2016

Gel polish has been a game changer in the nail industry - both for salons and diy nail enthusiasts. The idea of having a perfect, chip-free manicure for 2 weeks without resorting to false nails was just a dream until a few short years ago. Gel polish has turned out to be so popular that there are many brands offering gel polish ranges.

 

We have waded through all the brands and put together a list of the 10 best gel polish brands for 2016.

 

1. Harmony Gelish

Harmony Gelish was the first brush-in-bottle gel polish to be created for salons and because of their excellent quality; it remains one of the best gel polish brands. Harmony Gelish is typically available to purchase by salons and nail technicians only. Consumers can purchase it through online stores, but do note it comes with a salon-quality price tag!

 

Harmony promises 3 weeks of no chipping. That is quite a claim - most gel polishes only promise 10-14 days. The polish comes as part of a full Gelish system, as in trusted by nail techs worldwide.

 

2. OPI Gelcolor

OPI is already well known for its good quality traditional nail polishes, and their quality carries through to the Gelcolor. Colors - though not as expansive as their traditional range - includes consumer favorites.

 

OPI Gelcolor can be found at salons, in stores, and online. OPI Gelcolor is 100% Gel, but has the look and feel of nail lacquer, so you can get the same look as your favorite polish, but it lasts much longer. OPI has a quick curing time of 30 seconds, allowing you to get your nails done in record time.

 

3. CND Shellac

As with Harmony - only licensed beauty professionals can order directly from CND, but consumers can purchase through independent online sellers. CND Shellac is known to be one of best gel polish brands around.

 

CND Shellac polishes are suitable for layering, and come in an incredibly large range of 102 shades. This will provide you with endless options for beautiful nails. CND claims the Shellac will last for 14+ days with no damage.

 

The CND Shellac system includes a base coat, the color, a top coat, and an LED lamp. Best of all - it only takes 5 minutes to remove!

 

4. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel system is unique in that it doesn’t have a base coat and doesn’t need an LED lamp. Apply two coats of the Miracle Gel color, wait for 5 minutes, then finish off with one coat of the Miracle Gel Top Coat. To remove, simply use your regular nail polish remover. This product is perfect for consumers who want to have the benefit of gel nails, without having to go to a salon or get a lamp.

 

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel comes in over 70 fashionable shades and is very affordable, making it one of the best gel polish brands for home use.

 

5. IBD Just Gel

ibd (International Beauty Design) has been a leader in the Nail Care industry for over four decades. ibd Just Gel is a 100% true gel polish, but goes smoothly like traditional polish. A benefit of Just Gel is that is compatible with other gel systems.

 

Curing is done quickly under a UV or LED lamp, and removal is done in just 10 minutes. Just Gel comes in a wide range of colors, but also launches new colors for each season.

 

6. Bio Sculpture Gel

If you want to ensure your nails stay healthy and strong, but love having a pop of color on then, then Bio Sculpture Gel may be your answer. The odorless gels are used without a base coat, primers or bonders. This allows the nails to grow stronger.

 

Bio Sculpture Gel comes in flexible, medium and strong finishes and the soak off gels are removed safely in 10 - 20 minutes.

 

Bio Sculpture Gel nails can be done in a salon or at home.

 

7. Bio Seaweed Gel

Bio Seaweed Gel is also a leader in healthy gel nail products. It contains none of the ‘Big 5’ - Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, BHA or Solvents.

 

The UNITY all-in-one Gel Polish combine the base coat, top coat, color and strengthener all in one bottle. It cures to the touch using a UV/LED lamp. To remove it only requires 5 minutes to soak off and there is no dehydration or weakening of the nail.

 

With 172 colors you will be spoilt for choice.

 

8. Red Carpet Manicure

Red Carpet Manicure is not a very well-known brand of Gel polishes, but it makes the list for being very affordable. It is an at-home gel manicure kit, and very simple to use. Paint the gel polish on your nail - as with traditional polish - then cure each layer under a UV lamp for 30 seconds. You can buy the complete start kit from the Red Carpet Manicure website.

 

9. Essie Gel Couture

No list gel nail polish brands list would be complete without including Essie. Essie Gel Couture uses an easy two-step system and no LED lamp. Essie Gel Couture gives you up to 14 days of beautiful nails. Their color range - while beautiful - is quite limited with only 42 colors. The unique swirl-stem nail polish brush promises perfect color coverage.

 

10. NSI Polish Pro

Rather than just a blend of polish and gel, NSI Polish Pro is a blend of ingredients designed to create a resilient manicure or pedicure. Polish Pro is cured using a UV/LED lamp and lasts for 2 weeks without damage. The gel system using a base coat, color, and top coat (gloss or matte).

 

If you like this review, you should check out our other product reviews here! Please let us know if you recommend any other Gel polish brands.

Learn More Here: Top 10 Best Gel Polish Brands for 2016

The Most Fashionable Color Right Now is – OPI: Alpine Snow

If you’re looking for the perfect shade to take you through the holiday season (and all the way into summer), OPI Alpine Snow is the one. This fresh, crisp white by the number one salon brand is extremely versatile - it’s like buying three polishes in one bottle! Use on your nails as a plain color, for French-look tips, or as a base coat to really make your color polish pop! You can even use it in nail art with alternating colors, water marbling and dotting designs. With so many options, your OPI Alpine Snow can give a new look every week.

 

It can difficult finding a white that goes on evenly without streaks, and provides good coverage without chipping. OPI Alpine Snow is on the thicker side, so it doesn’t need too many coats and applies evenly. It may look a bit streaky when wet, but it dries smooth. As a base coat you will only need one coat and two if you want to use the OPI Alpine Snow as the only color on your nails. OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ brush helps with getting that smooth, professional finish - the specially shaped bristles are designed to hold more lacquer, spread quickly and evenly, and provide a streak-free application.

 

How to use OPI Alpine Snow

• For crisp, clean nails that will work with any occasion go for all-white. This look works well with darker skin tones. Start with an OPI base coat, then apply two layers of the OPI Alpine Snow - make sure to wait for each coat to dry properly (OPI recommends 1 minute). Finish off with a top coat and you’re good to go!
• For a classic, polished look, you can’t go wrong with a simple French manicure. The thick formula means you’ll only need one coat for the tips.
• To make your color polishes look more vibrant, start with a base coat of OPI Alpine Snow, then top with one - two layers of color polish. Don’t forget to finish off with a top coat to prevent chips!
• For a festive look top the base coat with a glitter polish!
• Match with a formal black or a bold red and create simple - but eye-catching - geometric patterns.

 

With so many fun options, the only question is - how will you use your OPI Alpine Snow? Also remember to check out our other articles about nail trends here!

Post Article Here: The Most Fashionable Color Right Now is – OPI: Alpine Snow

Is Glitter Acrylic Just a Fad?

From rainbow shimmer and little gold flecks to full-on confetti-sized sparkles - there are so many options for the glitter acrylic nail fan (check out other article about nail salon designs). What is a girl to do?

 

Many people would say that glitter acrylic is just fad - however glitter acrylic nails have been around for years now! Nail care companies are constantly innovating and bring us new and exciting types of glitter polishes. Glittery nails are no longer the domain of tweens and teens; the trend has now grown up to be more sophisticated - but still fun!

 

On the runways this year glitter was all over - from New York and Paris to London and Milan. There were so many fantastic uses of glitter - glittery rainbow nails, sparkles at the edge of nude nails, a shimmery ruby, and even a 3D effect with opalescent HD glitter. These designers are proving that glitter nails are not just a fad - they are going to be around for a long time.

 

When using glitter polish it can be easy for it to end up looking juvenile - but there are many options to use it that are sophisticated and stylish - with just a hint of rebellion!

 

• Wear it on the tips of your nails for shimmering, gradient-type effect
• Or swap it around have the glitter at the base of your nails, fading towards the tips.
• Paint your nails a neutral or white, and do a thin line of a fine gold glitter along the sides of your nail - just next to the skin. A glitter nail pen would make this easier!
• Go for a monochromatic palette instead of a multi colored polish. Natural metallic tones such as cobalt, rose gold, silver and copper are very elegant.
• Paint all your nails a solid color (try matte for bigger effect), then add a glitter topcoat on just one nail - keeping the shade the same.
• Do a metallic reverse French - here the contrasting secondary color is at the moon of your nail instead of the tip. Use deep navy for your main color and metallic silver as the secondary for immediate class.
• Silver holographic is a funky, but less ‘in-your-face type’ of glitter polish that will be perfect for a classy dinner.
• Add a delicate gold glitter top coat to a soft peach for just a hint of sparkle.
• A thin silver line where the white and pink meet on a French manicure will add a touch of glam for any bride.
• Instead of a white tip for a French mani, use a subdued shimmery gold.
• You don’t even need glitter polish - you can simply use normal polish and loose glitter. Lay out some newspaper first because this can get messy, then while the polish on your nails is still wet, shake over a very fine glitter, and let dry. This creates a textured, but not too sparkly, design.
• Bonus tip - is you mani starting to chip? Simply brush over a layer of glittery polish and no one will notice!

 

There’s only one thing not to like about glitter acrylic nails - getting that glitter off! If you have tried to remove glitter polish before, you know what I mean - it just sticks around! Always using a base coat before adding the glitter polish will go a long way to helping get it off, but even with that it can still be difficult. Here is a surefire way to get the glitter polish off:

 

• Gather cotton balls, tinfoil, and non-acetone nail polish remover. Acetone will weaken and dissolve acrylic nails.
• Tear the tinfoil into small squares.
• Soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover, place over your acrylic nail, and wrap in tinfoil.
• Repeat for the rest of your nails.
• Sit for 3-5 minutes.
• Unwrap the tinfoil and slide the cotton ball, wiping the nail as you go.

 

You now should have glitter-free nails, ready for the next design! The nail polish remover will be quite drying on your skin and cuticles, so after washing your hands put on a layer of moisturizer.

 

So there you have it - glitter acrylic nails are not just a fad - they are fashionable and fun and here to stay! If you want to check out more articles about nail trends, click here! Otherwise leave your comments below!

Originally Published Here: Is Glitter Acrylic Just a Fad?

A Complete Nail Supplies List for Beginners

If you are a nail tech student, or you love doing your own nails at home, then you know having the right equipment is necessary. And just like any other beauty professional, to get good results you need good tools.

 

Acrylic nails require quite a bit more equipment than you would need for doing a regular manicure or pedicure. As a beginner, it can be quite overwhelming trying to figure out what you need.  There are so many different tools and products you could buy, and on top of that there are different brands for each tool and product.

 

To help you out and get you started, we have put together the ultimate acrylic nail supplies list.

 

Here’s to beautiful nails!

 

Acrylic Powder Kit:

Acrylic powder mixed with acrylic liquid provides strong base to work from. Your kit should include the powder, liquid, a brush and glass cup (Dappen Dish).

 

Acrylic Nail Clippers/Nail Edge Cutters:

Standard nail clippers aren’t strong enough - get good quality stainless steel cutters. Acrylic nail clippers will also give you options for the shape such as well-cut, straight-edge, round-edge etc.

 

Standard Nail Clippers:

These will be used to trim the natural nails.

 

Acrylic Nail Tips:

Many suppliers offer nail tips in sets of 500. This will provide you a variety of sizes for different sized hands, and keep you stocked up for a while.

 

Nail Cleanser:

A nail cleanser cleans the nail plate and skin around the nail and helps prevent infections. The cleanser will also temporarily dry the nail plate to allow for better adhesion.

 

Nail Polish Remover:

Go for one that includes a moisturizer to help counter the harsh effects of the remover.

 

Cuticle Exfoliator:

This is to get rid of dry, rough cuticles.

 

UV Topcoat:

Not acrylic nails supplies list would be complete without mentioning the topcoat! Your topcoat gives protection and keeps the polish looking fresh.

 

Hand Soap:

Use a gentle one so that you can also use it as soak for your hands. If your hand soap has oils in it too it will help soften the hands and nail beds.

 

Moisturizing Lotion:

To really pamper hands choose a good quality lotion. Match the brand to your hand soap to make your kit look smart.

 

Nail Glue:

This is the adhesive part of your acrylic nails. Use the same brand as your powder and liquid, as different brands do not always mix well.

 

Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer:

It keeps your hands clean and free of germs that could infect the nail bed.

 

File Kit:

This kit is used to file and smooth the edges of your acrylic nails. Have a variety of grits - the rougher grits (lower numbers) are used to file away rough edges, and the smoother grits (higher numbers) are used to smooth the edge of the nail. Select the best quality you can afford - a bad nail file can mess up your nail and undo all the hard work you did to make them look beautiful.

 

Sable Brush:

No acrylic nail supplies list would be complete without mentioning a sable brush. A good quality nail brush is one of the most important tools on this acrylic nails supplies list. You will need to decide on the right size and shape for you. The better quality your brush is, the better the finished sculptured acrylic nail will be.

 

Reusable Nail Forms:

Stop going through rolls of paper forms and get reusable ones instead. These keep the acrylic nail shape and get the c-curve while drying, and also stops glue getting under the natural nails.

 

Diamond Nail File:

Diamond nail files are coated in diamond dust - diamond is the hardest natural mineral in the world. This makes a diamond nail file a durable, strong nail file that is washable and therefore very hygienic.

 

Nail Buffers Blocks:

Buffer blocks come with 4 sides, each with its own use. File, buff, polish and shine your nails to perfection.

 

Bond Aid:

Bond aid is brushed onto the natural nail before the glue. It balances in the pH in your natural nails to the optimum level for the acrylic nail to adhere.

 

Manicure Towelettes:

Used to clean brushes and remove treatments and chemicals from hands.

 

Toe Separators:

Separators make it easy to apply the treatment to each toe, and prevent toes rubbing each other and smudging the polish.

 

Cuticle Oil:

The oil softens your cuticles and makes it easier to push them back.

 

Cuticle Pusher:

Pushing cuticles back neatens up the nail and provides a better surface for your acrylic nail. These can be made of steel or wood.

 

Cuticle Nippers:

This tool makes snipping excess cuticles easy and precise. Be gentle with this tool - cutting too much can lead to bleeding. Not only will this hurt but it increases the chance of an infection.

 

Pedicure Foot File:

Used to reduce and smooth calluses. Get a two-sided one with a rough and fine grit.

 

Manicure Bowl:

A manicure bowl is used to soak the nails. You can use either a simple round bowl, one one specially designed for manicures. It has a section for hand to rest on so only the nails sit in the water.

 

Dappen Dish:

This small glass dish will be used to hold your acetone and nail polish remover as you are working.

 

Salon Smock:

A smock is great idea to keep your clothes protected from the chemicals.

 

Electric Nail File:

Decrease the time taken to file nails with an electric nail file. This is more of an optional suggestion, but if you are going to be doing acrylic nails regularly then you should seriously consider getting one. There are many entry-level, affordable ones on the market.

 

Tackle box / Tool box:

Once you have purchased all your tools from this acrylic nail supplies list, you will need something that will store everything. A tackle box or tool box are more economical that professional kit cases, and they come with compartmentalized sections so you can separate out your tools. Keep this purchase for last so you can be sure you get the right size.

 

And there you have it - the ultimate acrylic nails supply list to get you started. Are there any other tools you think are a must-have for a beginner? Read more articles for recommended nail products and comment below!

Original Post Here: A Complete Nail Supplies List for Beginners