uv gel manicure kits. .any recommendations?

[sniffysnifferson]

im looking at buying a uv gel nail polish kit in hopes that my nail polish will last last longer than a day!
any recommendations? I've seen the red carpet kit, any good?

[SmileAndNod]

I have the Sensationail set from Boots, though this is an LED system I think. I find it quite good, a home manicure lasts me about two weeks. Salon shellacs have only lasted me a day previously! It was on offer just before Christmas last year so thought it was worth a try. I think it's usually around £60.
Is red carpet on qvc? Could be a good way to try it out, with their 30 day returns.

[Ownerofalittlechimp]

I have the same kit as Smile, it's really good & my manicures tend to last 2-3 weeks. Also found that other polishes work fine with the LED so am not paying £15 a bottle.

[Steben]

Hmmm I am tempted - can you do toes as well?

[SmileAndNod]

Ownerofalittlechimp are you using other gel polishes, or just regular polishes? Do you still top with the clear gel?

Have not tried toes but can't see why you couldn't - sure the process would be the same.

[sniffysnifferson]

Yes its qvc ive seen the red carpet one. so is led ones better than uv?

[CharlieSierra]

Sensationail is good, yes you can do your toes.

[Donteatthekidssweets]

I have the same one a smile, used it for the first time last week and it's fab. I also did my toes, even easier as each foot goes in the uv thing in one go (for hands thumbs go in first). Waiting to see if they last as long as a professional job but good so far.

[PeppermintInfusion]

Another for sensationail here- you need to use gel polishes with the lamp but what I sometimes do is put on clear gel only, do the finishing steps then put regular nail polish on top as you normally would. The gel base seems to make it last longer, I often get longer out of the clear gel anyway with the normal polish to protect it and it's easier to replace the normal polish.

I have done my toes with it, though I've always found my toes don't seem to like gel and end up very brittle from even one application.

Once you have the light etc, you could try out other brands - the pro ones are all available on eBay cheaper than retail prices.

[Shop]

I have he red carpet one from QVC. It's brilliant

[sniffysnifferson]

Well I've ordered the red carpet one so ill see how good it is.
is it sad that I'm excited waiting for it to arrive!

[Ownerofalittlechimp]

Smile no it's other gel polishes I use, I get one from a beauty wholesaler near me & I've also used blue sky shellac & both worked well

[321zerobaby]

I have been using gel at home for over a year. I used Gelish, lasted about a week before chipping or wearing off the edges of the first 2 fingers on each hand. Then I tried Sensationail, lasted about 2 days, and was incredibly difficult to get off.

I am now using OPI, and its the best yet, last 10 days, and so easy to get off. Very happy with it. I do a job which means my hands are in water a lot so get more of a battering than most.

[sniffysnifferson]

321zero is the opi just their normal nail polish and not uv/led cured gel polish?

[elephanteraser]

i have the red carpet set from QVC but can't really be bothered to use it much now. the colour lasts for days if you use it according to the instructions but you have to be careful about removing it etc. I got a mild nail infection from using it all the time but i was a bit slap dash with application/removal. hard to find shades in shops but fenwicks had the whole range if you're near a fenwicks!

[321zerobaby]

sniffy Its called Gelcolour OPI , any mnetter told me about it. Expensive but very good.