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Original poster

gel nails set on offer in boots

42 replies

shelley72 · 29/11/2013 12:27

There is a set in boots at the moment as offer of the week. It's a kind of shellac kit. Has anyone tried it? Wondered if it was worth a punt at £45???

OP posts:
Original poster
shelley72 · 03/12/2013 13:23

Well I've just tried this, and I think I'm impressed - although I had to rush it as dcs decided that they needed me RIGHT NOW. Will definitely need to practice, and my right hand looks a bit ropey.

So those who already have the kit, is the key very thin layers of polish? I think I put too much on. Also, the final step where you have to take off a layer with the wipe - totally messed this up. Do I need to wipe quite hard? Use more cleanser? What's the best way here?

Just need to get some acetone now to remove my first attempt and have another go when I have more time. Hoping it does prove to be a bargain.

OP posts:
janmoomoo · 03/12/2013 14:24

Anyone who has got one - is the lamp big enough to do all of one hand (ie four fingers and thumb) in one go? Also is it big enough to do toe nails??

Trumpton · 03/12/2013 15:14

2 thumbs at once , then one hand , then the other .
Yes ok for toes .

lookatmybutt · 03/12/2013 15:35

I think so Shelley. I haven't played with my set yet (it's under the Crimbo tree) but the generic instructions on the internet say thin layers.

AFAIK the wipe at the end it just to remove the tacky left on the surface so as long as that's gone you've done right.

If the wipes provided aren't working, you can get a separate bottle of isopropyl alcohol.

lookatmybutt · 03/12/2013 15:35

is

janmoomoo · 03/12/2013 15:48

Thanks Trumpton

greatgatsbygirl · 03/12/2013 16:45

I had the same problem as handcream. I imported this set from the US at the beginning of the year. Used to have very strong nails that grew long with ease. I found it really difficult to remove the polish and after using this set for a month my nails are ruined. They are very weak and break as soon as they get past the end of my finger. The set has sat unused since. Never again.

TamzinGrey · 03/12/2013 22:27

Got mine now and I'm going to be playing with it tomorrow. I am however a tiny bit scared about how to get it off. Do I have to buy their foil finger thingies, or will I be able to use normal tin foil? Confused

Quejica · 05/12/2013 15:05

I have had this set for 14 months now and used it continually. It lasts about 6 weeks on toes then just sort of works loose and lifts off whole.

On finger nails I use pure acetone on cottonwool and hold it on with Sellotape.
Applying in thin layers is vital and don't buy the French Manicure tips, they just stick on and peel off within hours.
Also I never file the surface of my nails, it doesn't seem to affect the staying power.

Original poster
shelley72 · 05/12/2013 15:25

Well two days in and they are starting to chip in the corners, but then I have that problem when I have had nails done professionally too. Maybe I didn't cap them properly as I rushed, or it could just be me.

Going to order another colour later on though and have another go next week.

OP posts:
nomoreminibreaks · 05/12/2013 19:05

Mine have started to peel now and I've managed to get most of them off by picking and destroying my nails probably going to redo them tonight though and hoping I'll do a better job second time round and now my nails have grown a bit.

GivesYouHell · 05/12/2013 20:55

I've been doing this for the past few months. Never yet removed the polish with acetone - I just pick at it and peel it off. After I've done this my nails look terribly damaged, but they're not. Must just be residue and I pick/scuff this off too. Then repaint. It's fabulous and I get lots of compliments.

Aaaaand...the colour chainging Bluesky polishes are AMAZING!!!

nomoreminibreaks · 07/12/2013 09:25

Silly question alert...

Can we use other gel polishes with this kit then? Not just the type that come with the kit and are £15?

Umlauf · 07/12/2013 09:42

I've had this set for 6 months ish, and really like it, BUT I no longer use the colour gel polishes, I just use the clear gel, cure it, normal nail varnish dried naturally and then more clear gel as a top coat. It lasts longer on me (maybe because thinner?) is SO much easier to remove with acetone as you are only dissolving one layer, then the colour just comes off with the ease of normal nail varnish remover, and the base layer is clear so it doesn't matter if I haven't got it all off.

I also find it lasts longer if I rub the nail with one of the lint wipes after the first clear base coat has cured, it roughs up the surface a bit.

lookatmybutt · 07/12/2013 11:42

Check out the post above you nomore. Yes, indeedy!

Yar, I thought about doing that too, Umlauf. I lot of people do use it as a base.

Trumpton · 07/12/2013 17:03

Umlauf that's exactly what I do . Use what ever colour and varnish I like.

Umlauf · 07/12/2013 17:21

For some reason though I find it doesn't work with a French Manicure or a glittery tips. The ends just come off, even with the top coat on. Odd!

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