Gel polish is considered to be a hybrid of varnish and gel for the nail surface. It simultaneously has the properties of both varnish and gel. It has bright colors and performs a decorative function - like varnish. Lasts a long time (up to 21 days), protects and strengthens nails - like a gel product.
It is impossible to save on the purchase of long-term products and auxiliary products for the care of hands and nails.
If you plan to apply the product at home, then you need to purchase not only a good varnish, but also other special tools and materials:
- Disinfectant.
- Cotton pads and lint-free wipes.
- Manicure set for trim and European manicure or manicure apparatus.
- An ultraviolet lamp or LED lamp for polymerization (hardening of the material). Without this, it will not stick to the nails.
- Orange sticks or pushers.
- Liquid for degreasing marigolds.
- Primer and base, top product.
- Sticky layer remover.
- Cuticle oil and nourishing hand cream.
What is gel polish: composition, difference from shellac
Almost all gel products in Russia are used to being called shellacs. In fact, the company CND (Creative Nail Design) called its products shellac (from Dutch Shellak - “natural resin”). Shellac is a substance secreted by female insects that parasitize trees in India and Southeast Asia. It is used in the chemical industry for a variety of purposes, and is even used as food.
The use of shellac in the nail industry has created a real revolution. Fashionistas all over the world now have the opportunity to use a rich palette of nail polishes that stay on their nails for up to three weeks, do not emit an unpleasant odor, and the coating is easy to remove.
In Russia, the products of other companies began to be called shellac, although only the CND brand uses the name. And although formally the word is not even synonymous with a gel product, since the products contain various components, you can call them that.
Best lists
In addition to the list of the best quality products presented above, we have prepared 3 more brands that differ from the rest in their unique properties. This TOP will feature the following nail coating products:
- Budget price.
- Better durability.
- Premium class.
Let's take a closer look at the range presented.
Elpaza - budget price
The formula of the product is equipped with dense and persistent pigments, which is why the shades of the varnish have increased saturation, which allows you to achieve a manicure in one layer of application. The conveniently shaped brush distributes the polish evenly over the surface of the nail plate, does not spread or “bald.”
Cost: from 100 to 220 rubles.
Elpaza
Shellac CND – best durability
The presented product is equipped with impeccable quality, glossy shine, a luxurious selection of classic shades and durability. The product lasts on the nails for more than 5 weeks, which not every representative of the nail industry can boast of. All CND brand shellacs have a comfortable flat brush and optimal composition density, and the removal process can be considered the simplest and most gentle on nails.
Price tag: from 1000 to 1367 rubles.
Shellac CND
Akzentz Luxio – premium class
This product differs from analogues in its win-win palette of elegant shades, complete absence of odor and non-allergenic composition. The product is easy to apply, dries in 30 seconds, and the gloss remains until the next trip to the specialist. This gel polish is gentle on the nail plate, does not dry it out or injure it. Can only be removed with a device.
Price category: from 1450 to 1780 rubles.
Akzentz Luxio
Why can't you save money on shellac?
All manufacturers are constantly striving to improve their products, but consumers are aware of only a few well-known and trusted brands whose products do not harm nails. Which gel polish is better? How to choose a truly safe product?
Gel polish contains:
- A film former that hardens under the influence of ultraviolet rays and forms a durable film on the surface of the nail. It is this substance that characterizes the quality of the product: ultimate flexibility, resistance to external influences and deformation.
- Photoinitiator. This substance is responsible for determining under which spectrum of rays the product will harden better - under the influence of ultraviolet radiation or LED. The rate of polymerization depends on the same substance.
- Methacrylates (esters of acrylic acid). Responsible for the consistency of the product.
- Special additives, fillers and types of pigments that give varnishes certain properties (viscosity, plasticity, color saturation). Silica prevents pigment settling, and bismuth chloroxide gives a pearlescent sheen.
Before applying the product, nails are treated with a bonder and primer for better adhesion (adhesion of the material to the nail). Primers contain methacrylic acid. Manufacturers offer acidic and acid-free primers - they also contain acid, but are more gentle. An acid primer is good for acrylic extensions, and an acid-free primer is recommended for use before painting nails with shellac.
It is strictly not recommended to purchase inexpensive primers! They often have too high a concentration of acid. Their constant use can lead to chemical burns to the surface of the nails.
How not to run into a fake
To avoid unknowingly purchasing a low-quality fake, pay attention to the distinctive features inherent in original gel polishes:
1. Labels on product bottles must be stamped neatly and clearly. Curved and blurry images are a clear sign of a fake. Additional protective wrappers or stickers that make it difficult to read the basic information are also a common trick of counterfeit manufacturers.
2. Original varnishes are marked with a laser - it will be difficult to remove such an inscription. On fake packaging, information about the batch number and barcode are printed using conventional printing and are easily erased.
3. On the back of the bottle there must be a sticker with information about the manufacturer, composition and method of use. If a reverse double sticker is provided, then its parts must be connected and not simply stuck on top of one another.
4. Branded products have a light, almost imperceptible aroma. The presence of a pungent chemical odor is unacceptable and is a clear sign of a counterfeit or simply low-quality product.
5. Do not be tempted by the cheapness of the purchased product - the price tag of the original cannot be 2-3 times lower than the average market price.
Problematic distribution and low durability of manicure are not the worst consequences of buying fake gel polishes. Fake products often contain formaldehyde, lead, arsenic and heavy metals. These toxins not only destroy nails, but can provoke serious allergic reactions or cause general poisoning of the body.
Recommendations:
6 best gel polishes from AliExpress
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7 best gel polish kits from AliExpress
Which gel polish is better?
The rating of nail products is known to any manicurist in Russia. Many of the most popular brands have proven themselves well and are well-known by the majority. Let's tell you more about them. Comparison will allow you to make your choice.
CND
is an American brand that produces a professional product known as Shellac. It was with this brand that the “era of shellac” began in Russia. Reviews of the product among nail service professionals are the best, but there is a drawback: it practically does not last on flexible and thin nails. The price of the product is high. What gel polishes compare with the products of the flagship company? Gradually, more and more new brands with more advanced compositions appear on the market. But it’s impossible to say that they completely ousted Creative Nail Design products from the market.
Kodi
- an American brand, distinguished by high quality, the products are presented in an appetizing palette: each color is bright, rich, noticeable. Unlike other expensive gel coatings, it can only be removed by filing, since it contains firmly hardening rubber. In recent years, the brand’s products have been manufactured mainly in Ukraine.
Gelish
- the most little-known American brand, produces high-quality nail products. The products are durable, the bottles are large and economical.
IBD
— Just Gel Polish IBD gel product polymerizes both in an ultraviolet lamp and in an LED lamp. It has a more pleasant aroma than products from other brands. Application is recommended in three layers for color saturation: this way the product adheres better. Some professionals find that the IBD brush is uncomfortable and the product smears a little. This can be considered a relative disadvantage of the brand's products. But the IBD collection has many colors and shades of manicure products.
RuNail
is an inexpensive Russian brand that has recently made its presence known on the market. Multilac products from RuNail do not require a base or top coat. According to reviews from experts, varnishes from this brand improve the condition of brittle and peeling nails. For such quality the price of the product is low.
Aurelia
is another Russian manufacturer whose products are appreciated by many craftsmen in Russia. The varnishes are distinguished by their exquisite texture (gold-like, embossed), and rich color options are available. Which product should you choose among this variety? Pearlescent, matte, glossy - there are color options to suit every taste. The brand also produces many medicinal products for nail treatment. The creators of the brand have been on the Russian market for a long time, the products are known for their medicinal properties and high quality, the owners of the brand care about the health of their customers, focusing on the medicinal properties and environmental friendliness of the products. In the catalog of our website you will find a large assortment of Aurelia products.
O.P.I.
is an American brand that produces decent products. Gelcolor products adhere perfectly to thin nails, and they can be removed, like many branded products, without filing, using a special solution. The collection features a rich color palette, the prices of the goods are quite high.
Masura
- a brand from Russia, existing since 2002. Initially, the manufacturer offered a collection of unique materials for nail design and care products. Then high-end salon products and decorative cosmetics for hands appeared on the market. The company focuses on the quality and professional training of its employees, organizes training, and creates educational centers. In other words, this brand promises to become widely known in professional circles, and the company is focused on maximum market coverage in the field of nail services. Natural products are used in the production of biogels and shellacs, and the price range is accessible to a wide range of consumers.
Bluesky
- Chinese brand of good quality. Many craftsmen believe that the product is quite capable of replacing the original shellac. The palette is very rich, but the consistency of the products is runny.
Holy Rose
- South Korean manufacturer of nail care products. The brand's collection has a variety of budget coatings to suit every discerning taste. Varnishes from Holy Rose come in glossy, matte, golden, and can imitate the effects of craquelure (cracked surface) and chameleon (the product changes color depending on the lighting and/or temperature), stained glass (the product looks like chaotically glued pieces of colored glass) and smoothie (when the product looks like frozen whipped berry mass). But the main advantage of Holy Rose products is that they are accessible to every girl, and the quality and durability of the varnish are beyond praise. We can say that today this is the best inexpensive brand on the nail service market.
Diva
— the German brand produces high-quality art products for nails, as well as related products (tops, bases, primers). The price range of the products is average, and the color range is popular and extremely diverse. In addition to the main tones of varnishes, there are products with mica and pearlescent shine, as well as shimmers (loose glitter to add shimmer).
Beautix
is a French brand, and that says a lot. Experienced in aesthetic pleasures, French designers offer clients a collection of gel coatings that are subtle in color. The Premium line includes the most popular and deep pink, indigo and violet shades of gel polishes.
Gloss
— the main advantage of the German brand is a well-structured range of products. In total, the line includes six series of gel coatings, basic products for strengthening nails, related products and consumables, tools and manicure equipment.
Klio Professional
- a young Russian brand, founded in 2016, according to reviews from nail service professionals, is actively conquering the market. The manufacturer pays attention to comfortable brushes, the thickness of the varnishes, their pleasant aroma, and a variety of colors. For weakened nails, a special rubber base is made. Prices for the entire line of products are very affordable.
NeoNail
is another German brand that delights customers with exquisite and original collection names and a large selection of products with various effects (chameleon, stained glass, shimmer, and so on). The manufacturer also offers tops, bases, care products and consumables.
Uno
is an English brand that creates unique long-lasting gel products. The assortment includes many playful and even enchanting shades (light green, emerald, carrot, lemon yellow, ash lilac...). You can choose products with a cat's eye effect, with glitter, or with a thermal effect.
Artex
- a popular and sought-after brand. A line of coatings, bases and tops is offered.
EzFlow
is an American brand that clearly follows modern trends in the field of nail design. Every year the range of products expands, and customers can purchase inexpensive but high-quality varnishes and all the necessary products for the correction and care of nails.
If you choose other brands, be sure to look at the composition: which gel polish to buy is up to you. Every self-respecting manufacturer posts information about the composition of the product on its website and on the bottles of the best products. If you see the term "hydroxyethyl methacrylate" HEMA, it means that you are being offered a professional and safe nail coating.
Shellac application technology
Many women are willing to pay for the services of salon specialists only because after the varnishing procedure, their hands remain well-groomed for at least 14 days. This saves a lot of time, especially since gel polish and manicure make your hands attractive.
When applied correctly, gel polish is firmly attached to the nails and does not peel off. But for this you need to comply with some conditions and procedures.
- The nail is prepared for application of the base product. First, you need to very carefully treat your nails with an antiseptic, sand the nail plate, give it the desired shape, and remove overgrown cuticles. All this can be conveniently done using a manicure machine and a 180 grit abrasive file, a buff, an orange stick and nippers.
- Then the nail plate is degreased, a dehydrator (bonder, drying agent) is used, and a primer is applied (for most expensive shellacs, a primer is not needed, since the base is enough). We recommend applying a primer even in this case: the adhesion of the substance to the nail will be noticeably better.
- Apply the base. You can use the native base for a specific product, biogel or colorless gel polish. The base looks like a transparent, viscous resin: the product levels the plate and gives it the desired shape. The base is applied from the cuticle to the tip of the nail, not reaching the nail folds, and the end of the nail and the sides of the protruding tip are sealed. The base is dried in an ultraviolet lamp for up to a minute, an LED lamp, or a hybrid lamp for 10–30 seconds (calculations are given for a professional lamp with a power of more than 48 watts). Much depends on the power of the lamp! The lower the power, the longer it takes to dry your nails. It is the correct application of the base that allows you to avoid chipping and peeling of the material.
- The gel color product is very carefully applied in two layers: each is dried in a UV lamp for up to 30 seconds. After drying one nail, paint the second and place the entire hand under the lamp. Then the first dried nail will dry out, and the second will set. It is necessary to retreat approximately 0.1 mm from the cuticle so as not to touch the skin. Please note that the duration of curing depends on the power of the lamp, so we recommend purchasing a lamp with a power of at least 36 W, and preferably a hybrid one: modern products contain a lot of dyes that dry much better under rays of different spectra.
- The finishing (top) product is applied. Dries in a lamp for 60 seconds.
- A special liquid removes the sticky layer, if necessary (there are tops that do not form a sticky layer when dried).
- Use cuticle oil.
- Hands are wiped with a napkin, then nourishing hand cream is applied.
How to choose?
The choice of a good base for gel polish depends on the individual condition of each person’s nail plates.
When selecting, you should consider:
- The characteristics of each base coat can be studied on the bottle.
- It is better to choose a product that has additional beneficial characteristics that strengthen natural nail plates, for example, with vitamins and microelements and other active ingredients.
- You can make your manicure more durable using a base that contains hydrolyzed keratin , which has a positive effect on the nail plates.
- If there are a large number of irregularities on the nail plates , you need to give preference to a thick base that will easily hide all the defects.
- There are products that can be removed using a standard liquid to remove nail polish from the surface of the nail; this will ensure more comfortable use of the base as an independent layer without further application of gel.
Pros and cons of gel polishes
The advantages of the funds are quite obvious.
- Good varnishes stay on nails for up to three weeks: they do not chip, do not slide, and do not lose color saturation. The color palette is varied: you can always choose gel polish to suit your taste.
- They are easy to apply and do not run or smear when applied.
- They do not weigh down the nails and protect them from the aggressive effects of chemicals and hard water.
- Nail plates look well-groomed and beautiful without correction every two days.
- The products do not have a strong odor and are not allergens.
There are situations in which it is not recommended to use shellac.
- If you have weak and brittle nails, you first need to determine the cause and treat them.
- If you are allergic to some components of the products.
- If the nail plate is in a painful condition, there is a fungus on the nail.
Three-phase Bluesky system: characteristics of base, top and color coating.
Let's start with it, because it is considered universal for everyone. If not for everyone, then for most it is suitable. This system consists of 3 bottles, each of which performs strictly one function (base coat (synonym: base), color coat, final coat (synonym: top, finish, top coat).
The base
is “double-sided tape” and securely glues the colored coating to the nail plate.
Color -
various saturated or translucent shades with different textures (enamel texture, mother-of-pearl, shimmer, etc.), effects (magnetic, cat's eye, thermal, luminescent or fluorescent, mirror, etc.).
Top
- a durable final coating that reliably seals the color, protecting it from fading, gives a perfect glossy shine and makes the coating durable. The final coating may have a sticky layer (after drying the top, a residual stickiness remains in the lamp, which is removed with a special preparation “Cleanser plus”). The top, which does not have a sticky layer, after drying in the lamp becomes a hard coating that does not require other additional procedures after drying. The final coating can be not only glossy-transparent, but also contain various decorative elements (sparkles, mother-of-pearl, mica, etc.) or have a matte effect.
There is a top with a fragrant effect, which, after drying in a lamp, leaves a light aroma on the nails (apple, cherry, peach, lemon, chocolate, coffee, blackberry), it will remain on the nails for several days.
Top for the 3 step gel polish system: which one to choose?
Is it better to have a top with or without a sticky layer? Should you buy a scented finish or a classic one? According to test results, final coatings with an adhesive layer turned out to be more durable. If stickers are used for nail design, then to fix them you only need a top coat with a sticky layer. Finishing coatings without a sticky layer tend to turn yellow a few days after application.
Primer
- used for brittle nails that peel and weakly hold artificial coatings. Bluesky primer is acid-free, has residual oiliness and does not dry out completely.
Advantages and disadvantages of Bluesky three-phase gel nail polishes
Pros of the system:
- suits most nails;
- the correct 3-step approach to manicure. Disadvantages of the system:
- you can’t skip anything and replace the base with a top, and the top with a base, too (exceptions are base + top in one bottle, but it has less durability). — you need to immediately buy 3 bottles (base/color/top) — difficulties may arise during application, you need to remember the sequence of using the jars.
What else is important to know?
It is better to apply the gel product yourself after studying special video courses or undergoing training from masters. In the future, you will be able to cover your nails with gels yourself, saving on salon services and without making requests to the forums “Advise how to apply gel polish.” Without knowing the intricacies of nail treatment, you can damage the nail plate or simply inaccurately distribute the product on the nails.
Many people believe that the products should be soaked and removed from the nails with a film. In fact, the top layers are perfectly cut off with a manicure cutter, and the nail is processed and painted with shellac again. If you use an emollient, keep in mind that it will affect the nail itself and the surrounding skin, which is not particularly beneficial. The nail plate remains wet for some time after coating, and even a bonder does not dry it sufficiently. After removing shellac in this way, you should wait until the nail dries naturally, and only then can you apply the next color coating, having pre-treated the surface.
There is an opinion that it is not recommended to wear the gel product for more than two weeks: then it should be removed. This is not true. The nail plate grows several millimeters every month and is completely renewed in 4 months. There is no need to give any “breaks” or “rest” to your nails.
If you want to apply the product to the nails of not only your hands, but also your feet, buy a lamp with a removable top and replaceable inserts. Currently, the products of many brands contain a lot of coloring pigments, as a result of which the product hardens poorly in a conventional ultraviolet lamp, so we recommend new generation hybrid lamps. In general, you should remember: in ultraviolet rays you need to dry your nails 2 times longer than in an LED lamp and a hybrid lamp. Our store consultants will tell you which varnish dries better in an LED lamp and which in ultraviolet light.
Do you want to learn more about the products you want to purchase in our online store, or purchase a suitable gel polish or a good manicure set for working at home? Call us, we will answer all your questions. We sell only original products from manufacturers and provide warranties on equipment and tools. Our telephone numbers are in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
