--update 10/14/2011-- it's been 3 days and I only have one tiny little chip on my pointer finger! I would call this a success! :)
One of the largest problems in my life is chipped nail polish. Okay, okay. . . not the largest. . . but it's a major problem. I spend a lot of time almost everyday washing hair, so wet nails=chipped nails. Plus, the days I'm not washing my clients hair, I'm usually crafting and that can lead to chipped nails too.
So when I saw this package for Homemade Gel Nails, I was thrilled! I've paid to have both shellac and axxium applied to my nails, and that was wonderful, but I don't have the time to maintain it, nor the interest in paying for the maintenance.
So I bought the package, followed the directions, and was not very impressed with the results. My nails were tacky and not very shiny. Now there is a good chance this could have very well been user error because I did it sort of quickly.
When I went to remove the tacky polish, I definitely needed to soak my nails in acetone nail polish remover (like the package said) to remove the gel. So I learned two things: 1. the "gel" part of this system definitely works. 2. have acetone nail polish remover on hand (I looked for it at 4 different stores!).
I though to myself, I wonder if I did a base coat of the 5 Minute Gel Polish as "base coat" and then polished my nails as usual if I would have better results.
So here is what I did:
Grab the 5 Minute Gel Polish from the package.
Get a base coat and nail polish ready. I love Essie 3-way glaze and OPI Tickle My Francey.
1. Apply 1 thin (but enough for coverage) coat of 5 Minute Gel Polish.
2. Apply Base Coat (1 coat of 3 way glaze).
3. Apply 2 coats of colored polish.
4. Finish with a coat of 3 way glaze.
And here was my finished result:
Greige (grey+beige=greige) colored nails that dried in about 10 minutes!
(while the lighting makes my nails look see-thru, they don't look like that in real life)
So I'll keep you posted. I have a feeling this is going to work like a charm!
Now here is my warning: if you try this, know that you'll definitely need 100% acetone to remove the polish (if you do it the correct way, or my "trial run" way). It works best to soak a few cotton balls in acetone and let them sit on your nails (about 4 minutes) to break down the gel. Then have a cuticle pusher on hand to push off the gel. There is a chance you might scratch your nail bed which could lead to peeling nails in the near future. So just know, that this is an intense process and might mess up your natural nail slightly. Or it might not. You never know!
try sally's beauty supply they have a product called "gellish" i LOVE it. applies just like shelack and last as long . its amazing! as a cosmetologist i was skeptical, but it really works!
ReplyDeleteIs there a secret to using the gellish?
DeleteI find acetone polish remover all over, like cvs, walgreens, etc. maybe they were out when you were there. also, i soak the cotton ball in remover, put it on my nail, then wrap it in a small piece of foil to keep it on. i can just scrape off the old polish with my fingernail after that. also, if it's still hard to get off, warm it with a heating pad or hair dryer. i'm going to try this as I love my nails always looking good, but not paying the $35!! thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteHey Kate,
ReplyDeleteIs there anywhere other than a salon that you would recommend getting the products that you use on your hair? I want to try the Redkin Extreme CAT, the Redkin Real Control, Aquage Uplifing Foam, and the Kendra 25 spray...
Thanks, Lauren
I really like how they turned out! Such pretty little nails. :)
ReplyDeleteYour nails turned out pretty! However, I know for me, I do not like gel nails.. well at least the salon kind. I had gel nails a few months back, and it was pure heck trying to get that gel off...I took me about an hour+ soaking them to even get them to budge. I know some people don't have quit this much trouble, but I did, so I think i'm going to stick with just regular polish. My problem is that my polish doesn't last more then about 3-4 days at most. Does anybody have any polish suggestions that works? Kate, I def. am going to get that Essie 3-way if I can find it! I remember you saying it was a good polish to get.
ReplyDeleteHello Lauren,
Deletemany people need to know when they are getting services done what they really are. Some people may claim it is "shellac" when it really is a gel that is damaging to your nails and like you said won't soak off. Next time anyone has a service done in a salon ask what it is; you have the right to after all, you are a paying customer right? Shellac should soak off in around ten minutes. I say nail services are best done by the proffessionals that are educated. Check out cnd.com for the real deal and how to spot fakes. Hope this was helpfull.
i have very good luck with my polish staying on without chipping for about 7 days...i use beauty secrets base coat and out the door top coat then opi color and allways use 100% acetone to clean the nail before u polish
DeleteIf you apply a clear coat of lacquer 2 days later, it really helps your color stay longer!It seals the tip of the nail. You should be using a lacquer, not polish! I recommend OPI brand.
DeleteI love shellac polish and how long it stays on my nails! I also understand the pain of the up-keep. I've found the easiest way to remove the gel is to dip cotton balls in the acetone and then place them on your nail and cover each finger with foil. Wait about 15 minutes and then you can gently scrape off the polish while you wash your hands! Super easy!
ReplyDeletehere's what i've found works WONDERS on natural nails. Use a bonder product that nail salons use for fake nails and use that as a base for polish - lasts WEEKS i tell ya !
ReplyDeleteSally Hansen's "Hard as Acrylics" makes a WONDERFUL topcoat. It dries a bit slow, but it stays on great. I'm a nurse and wash my hands all the time and it's the only topcoat that actually keeps my polish on and it also comes off like a dream. My current mani I did over a week ago and I have no chips yet!
ReplyDeleteI know with Shellac that you have to clean the nail with alcohol after and they want it to be over 90% that's what gives it the shine and removes the tacky. I wonder if that would work for this?
ReplyDeleteThanks Sabrina & Erica. Sabrina-- do you know what it's called? I'll try those for my natural nails!
ReplyDeleteI buy Onyx nail polish remover its about 2 dollars at wal-mart and it is 100% acetone and works great! And it lasts a long time :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a stylist as well, and paint my nails quite frequently. The method to my nail madness is as follows: OPI Bond-Aid(usually used before acrylic nail application) will take all oil from your nailbed. It won't dry your nails out, I've been doing it for years.
ReplyDeleteThen I use Creative Nail Sticky base coat. I usually use Essie polish, and top with Seche Vite topcoat.
So, if you don't end up liking the gel (i didn't), try this. I get about a week out of mine.
So funny to read, but I know it wasn't a fun experience. From a licensed nail tech, Shellac, Axxium, and all gel products form a layer called an inhibition layer. One commenter is correct, all that is required to remove the top "tacky" layer is 90% alcohol or OPI NAS 99 works like a charm!!! Better luck next time with all this information. It is hard to keep nails looking nice doing nails too. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips everyone!!
ReplyDeleteThis isn't related to nail polish at ALL...but I just have to say that I've been contemplating cutting my hair for about two months and after watching some of your tutorials, I'm doing it! I'm going to perfect the 'bouncy curled under' if it kills me. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I do not like going to the nail salon to have my nails done, but I go often because I like to have pretty manicured nails :)
ReplyDeleteHi. I just love your blog and all of your tutorials and I think that you have the best hair in the world. Can you tell me where I can purchase the Aquage uplifting foam? Thanks.
ReplyDeletePlease let us know how it works because I have the same problems and have yet to find something that keeps my nails from chipping and peeling!
ReplyDeleteKate,
ReplyDeleteI have to thank you for your recommendation of Essie's 3 Way Glaze. It is magic in a bottle! And I also must tell you about my other favorite nail product. Nail Tek II has saved my thin, peeling nails! I use it all the time and love it!
Did your nail trick turn out ok? I am considering buying it so I don't have to do my nails every 3 days! Please post a nail update :)
ReplyDeleteSo happy I found your blog! I love you hair! That's exactly how I want mine. I also get the gel manicures at my nail salon and I love it! I need to try to get the kit you had. It is expensive to get them done every two weeks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Britteny
the salon i go to does a lot of gel coating, and what they do to remove it is to put some acetone on the nail, swipe it a few times like you are getting rid of regular polish, then wrap each finger in tinfoil, the body heat that is trapped helps multiply the effect of the acetone, making it easier to remove.
ReplyDeleteThis is for Sandy Smith. Do you use the gellish top it off gel by itself as a top coat, or do you use it with the gellish nail polish as well?? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI was going to tell you the alcohol thing too. Shellac is sticky when you get it done at the salon too, and they just alcohol the sticky right off! Works like a charm.
ReplyDeleteI bought acetone polish remove at Cosmoprof for a little more than $1 (I just found your blog and don't know where you live, but I think Cosmoprof's are pretty much everywhere!). I soaked my nails in a bowl with that in it, none of this cotton ball stuff everyone else does.
It peeled off into the bowl after 15 minutes. What little shellac was left over came right off with a cotton ball and the remover. Absolutely no nail damage. That's how the spa I work at (I'm as esthetician) does it.
When I actually paint my nails, I find that wiping them first with alcohol also helps keep the polish on longer. It's simple and cheap. I bought the gel stuff too and like you, wasn't thrilled with results. I may give your version a whirl. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you find the Nutra Nail 5 minute gel? I haven't been able to find it, and I can't wait to try this.
ReplyDeleteUlta has it :)
Delete@Anonymous: I bought it at Ulta
ReplyDeleteWhere do you buy the 5 min gel polish?
ReplyDeleteand the Essie 3 way glaze? I checked Sally's and couldn't find either :( Walmart carries Essie but not the 3 way glaze. Any other locations?
AJ
Ulta sells both.
DeleteCant wait to try this! Found you on Pinterest. I have a blog too. www.tutulands.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteJust curious what was your drying time ? Always end up messing up my nails by being in a hurry & not letting them fully dry. Couldn't wait to try the nutra nail since love getting gel @ salon. But was total fail, great drying time, but polish was streaky & started chipping bad by end of day.should of saved my $10 :(
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for posting this!!!! My first application was Thurs Dec 8th and I just took it off last night (Dec 17). I cant even believe it lasted 10 days and i only had tip wear. I did apply a clear coat every 2-3 days just to keep the shine and protect the color from chippies. I just repainted last night and I'm hoping to get another 10 days outta this paint job. Btw...I found your blog on pinterest :)
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to try this trick! However, I am not happy with my initial results. My polish took a really long time to dry and it is not drying shiny at all! I thought I applied everything in thin coats; not quite sure what I did wrong. Argh!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering...I'm having a hard time finding the gel stuff. But I've seen acrylic kits. Would that work the same?
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Kate and I'm excited to try this technique. Just wondering if you applied the 3-way glaze directly to the 5 min activator before it dried like the directions for the gel nail color recommends? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMake sure the remover says "Pure Acetone" and check ingredients. Sometimes it says Acetone but it isn't pure.
ReplyDeleteSo funny! I bought this stuff the other day, and then thought the same thing about using it with regular polish! Their gel polish works well, but I decided after the fact that I didn't love the vampy color so I tried using my own polish tonight. Sadly, I didn't fair as well this time around, but I might have to give it another try knowing it worked for you :) BTW...GREAT blog!
ReplyDeleteI have the same question as a few other people. I tried it this past week and it worked for the most part, but I think it could have worked better. It did have a very long dry time and I was not sure how long I was supposed to wait in between each coat. The box instructions say to put the polish on immediately on after the 5 minute gel, but I wasn't sure if that was necessary in this case. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't able to find the 3 way glaze. :(
ReplyDeleteWhere do you buy all the things to do it? I LOVE IT!!!! I have looked all over and havent seen it.
ReplyDeleteUlta
DeleteI had gel nails put on 3 times put on, take off, put on, take off, put on and take off. My nails are a mess!!! I would never do it again. They are thin and have broke down to the middle of my fingers.
ReplyDeleteI've used the gel kit before, and you put the color on while the gel is still wet. do you do that with yours or do you let the gel dry before applying color?
ReplyDeleteIm wondering the same thing
DeleteMe too. Same with the rest of the coats..
DeleteSallys sells a HUGE bottle of acetone for like $4... I've bought the gelish kit, but I keep having tacky nails at the end...guess either my UV light isn't hot enough or I'm not applying a thin enough layer of polish...I'll keep trying. =)
ReplyDeleteNO CHIP TIP: Be sure topcoat the edge of your nail (cap the free edge) and the underside of the nail. This will reduce how much water your nail can absorb. When your nail soaks in water from the underside, it affects the adhesion of the polish on the topside...hence, chipping. -Ana
ReplyDeleteWww.SimpleNailArtTips.com
I love this! Question, though.. Do you wait for coats to dry before applying or do I apply wet on wet? Also, mine seems to take over an hour to fully dry, is that normal?
ReplyDeleteNise, you have to remember to wipe your nails with rubbing alcohol after completion (i.e., after applying your top coat and setting it with the UV light). If you do not do this very important final step, your nails will be tacky.
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ReplyDeleteFor those who have asked about where to find pure acetone, check your local hardware store. I am serious!!! Acetone is not just for removing nail polish, and apparently has many other handy uses. While I don't have a clue what else it could be used for, my husband was the one who told me to buy it there instead because its cheaper and he was right! I bought a giant carton of pure acetone at Lowe's for like $6. Its not in the prettiest bottle, but who cares? Its a lifetime supply!
ReplyDeleteyou should check out these awesome nail shields at www.darlingdigits.jamberrynails.net
ReplyDeleteJust tried this and so far it looks awesome! I used Sally Hansen hard as nails nail color and top coat. Much faster to dry than normal nail polish and feels much sturdier. I babysit kids a lot, so there's a lot of extra handwashing when I'm watching kids, I also help my dad with carpentry work. I'm anxious to see how this treatment holds up!!
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