sensationail gel polish question

[knitknack]

I was given a sensationail kit as a gift and actually surprised myself by loving the result (nit had to take it all off yet, mind). My question is - do I have to stick with their branded polishes etc or can I buy cheap stuff from eBay?

It is fab isn't it?!

Have tried one from ebay that was called bluesky and was rubbish, but that's the only cheap one. Had a bottle of Gelish before and that works with it but is more expensive.

Have just got the glitter one off the sensationail website though and I love it - have you seen how many new colours there are

On removal, I just file or cut down ends of nails, file off all shiny layer then do foil method - works in about 15-20 mins. The remover tool definitely helps too.

Thanks for the tips! I do love it - I could go made with the colours!! That's why I'm tempted by eBay...

Mad not made!

I just keep thinking cost per manicure is fine - big bottle of colour (they are twice the size of the one in your starter kit when you buy the individual ones) do at least 20 applications - so 50p each!

And it lasts about 6 weeks on toes

Oh can't wait to do toes!! Do they all fit in the light thingy?! What do you use to take it off, by the way?

I bought a big bottle of stuff called D-solve on eBay to remove it.

So is shellac the same stuff? Can I use it for that too?

Shellac is similar, although the CND light that salons use is UV, sensationail is LED.
Main differences for those that want to know!

• LED cure time 30-60 seconds per coat, UV 3 mins per coat
• LED lams have no UVA/UVB rays
• LED bulb life is 35,000-50,000 hours so no bulb changes

Other similar ones are Gelish, Gelicity, Jessica Geleration

Knitknack - yes toes fit in no problem.

To remover, use 100% acetone from any pharmacy or an artificial nail remover. There are special gel polish removers too

I really didn't like my shellac manicure, left my nails in a state,

Me too Valium. Looked fab while it lasted, but my nails which were good are not the same 5 months later.

It only lasted a few days too before chipping, hate to think what they would be like if left on any longer. I have really strong nails too normally but it's left them really dry and 'odd.'

Valium/Fed up - you have to be really careful removing it - some salons have been known to file it off which is not good at all.

There are easy methods though - warm acetone with some oil drops or use foil method (can youtube that)

I have been using since March and my nails are really strong now

Bit of an update - I'm still having lots of fun, but far from the nightmare of removal I was expecting, the colour is just peeling off in one sheet! It's not damaging my nails at all, but also I'm not buffing my nails before I put the colour on because that WOULD damage them.

Jackstini - I bought some bluesky undercoat, topcoast and colour to play with and so far it's been BRILLIANT really cheap and shiny!! :). I haven't taken the bluesky off yet (yes, I'm currently sporting different colour nails (all toning luckily)).

I've also ordered a base coat thingy from the states that is meant to make is stuff last and last so we'll see...

The best thing is that you can play and then go and do Lego or something - the no drying time is BRILLIANT!!

Oh, and two of my nails are currently sporting a Rimmel ordinary polish with gel topcoat cured over the top - I'm on a snow day today but tomorrow the year 10/11 girls are going to be asking questions about it all day! Haha

I love the no dry time bit too - how nice it is in winter to put fluffy warm socks on straight after a pedicure?!

I've bought some cheap ones off eBay - seem to last as long - am using the sensational topcoat though. Also bought a magnetic one and I luuurrrvvveeee the effect !