Gel nail polish

[sammylady37]

Hello!
Does anyone know where I can get gel nail polish for use with the uv lamps, in bricks and mortar store rather than online?
The lady I used to go to for nails has closed and I bought one of the uv lamps online for use myself- it's working out better than I thought in terms of my skill at applying it, but my problem is choosing the colours, it's hard get a realistic idea from looking at pics online. I know there are some gel polishes that are in ordinary chemists but they don't seem to be for use with the lamps.
I'd like to get the OPI brand ones but haven't found them anywhere off-line.

Thanks.

[Rastel38]

Boots sell gel polish next to the lamps and kits etc

[sammylady37]

Ooh thanks, I'll try there so

[QueenofLouisiana]

Which kit did you buy OP? I'm looking to buy one too.

[sammylady37]

Queen I bought the bluesky gel polish starter kit on Amazon, was £85, included lamp, 10 polishes, base and top coats, file, cuticle shaper thingy, scraper, buffing thingy, little towel, removal wraps, acetone and shine wipes. It was packaged very well and was despatched quickly. I'd recommend it.

[QueenofLouisiana]

Great, thank you!

[justaweeone]

You can buy from here
http://www.sallyexpress.com/mobile/page/storelocator/

[sammylady37]

Thanks justaweeone but I want to buy from an actual shop rather than online so I can try the colours. I've learned the hard way that colours are not always as they appear in online pics!

[Unicorn81]

Sensationail are sold in boots, lots more choice online though and their own site normally has deals on

[mnaddict1]

You could go in to a trade beauty/hair store (salon services/capital) look at the colours in the flesh and pick ones you like then hunt online for the best price for the brand and colours you like... I am a beauty professional and I've never ever done this or if you know someone with a trade card you can buy instore but they are more expensive.

Good brands- OPI, Gelish and cuccio steer clear of blue sky in my experience it is poor in comparison

Nail polish direct and love this colour websites sell these brands online at a lower cost than the trade stores usually with free delivery too

[ILoveMyMonkey]

I think debenhams stock opi.

[ILoveMyMonkey]

Just checked the opi website for my area and quite a few salons stock it. Here's the link to check your area www.opiuk.com/salon-finder/?salon-search=

[sammylady37]

Lots of advice there, thanks ladies!

[justaweeone]

You can go to a sally store it's not just online

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

Just a wee kindly linked to the Find A Store page for Sally. Worth a go.

[sammylady37]

Thanks folks. Will investigate!

[bluediamonds]

Oooo might buy a kit myself!

[Fluffycloudland77]

You can't mix systems, if you use OPI you'll need an OPI lamp to cure it or risk developing allergy to acrylic products.

Home nail kits are causing an increase in acrylic allergy.

[justaweeone]

Fluffy can you explain more about developing an allergy
My Dd had one recently and looking back it looked like she mixed product brands
The swelling and itching took about a week to subside and that was with antihistamines
It was a home lamp system and I have suggested she doesn't use it again
If she goes to a salon go you think she runs the risk of still having an allergic reaction?

[Fluffycloudland77]

professionalbeauty.co.uk/site/IndustryNewsDetails/home-use-gel-nail-kits-lead-to-increase-in-allergic-reactions This explains it really well.

I don't think a reputable salon or nail tech would see her if she's had a reaction previously.

[Bleurghghghgh]

You can't buy OPI gelcolor in any shop as it's non retail so you'd need a trade card. Sally's do sell red carpet manicure gels though which are a lot better than sensational but not as good as OPI. My M&S sells them too

[Bleurghghghgh]

Sensationail*

[justaweeone]

Thanks fluffy

[coursedarlin]

I know you said you wanted to look at the colours but I buy the blue sky ones from a company called divaworld on eBay who are brilliant. They do 6 colours for 5 normally and the colours are really accurate. They have a Facebook page where people put up images of their nails with the colours as well which is good to see them in real life too. I have loads of them now and haven't been disappointed in any of the colours ive got

[User2468]

You can mix brands as long as you stick to UV or LED cured polishes, depending on the lamp you have. I use Blueskies with a UV lamp so I can only buy UV polishes.

Or at least that was my understanding after a google!

[Fluffycloudland77]

You can't mix brands & lamps. It will dry long before 100% cure is reached & you will be at risk of life long allergies to acrylic.

Some manufacturers advertise lamps as "cures all gels incl shellac" but it wouldn't stand up in testing.

Doug Schoon is the man to google on these matters.

Ultimately, you can't mix systems.