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Original poster

Gel nail polish

25 replies

sammylady37 · 21/04/2017 16:11

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.

OP posts:
Rastel38 · 21/04/2017 16:45

Boots sell gel polish next to the lamps and kits etc

Original poster
sammylady37 · 21/04/2017 17:27

Ooh thanks, I'll try there so

OP posts:
QueenofLouisiana · 21/04/2017 18:44

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

Original poster
sammylady37 · 21/04/2017 19:01

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.

OP posts:
QueenofLouisiana · 21/04/2017 19:20

Great, thank you!

justaweeone · 22/04/2017 09:05

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

Original poster
sammylady37 · 22/04/2017 16:47

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!

OP posts:
Unicorn81 · 22/04/2017 16:49

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

mnaddict1 · 22/04/2017 16:59

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 · 22/04/2017 17:07

I think debenhams stock opi.

ILoveMyMonkey · 22/04/2017 17:12

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=

Original poster
sammylady37 · 22/04/2017 17:56

Lots of advice there, thanks ladies!

OP posts:
justaweeone · 22/04/2017 19:58

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

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 22/04/2017 21:03

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

Original poster
sammylady37 · 22/04/2017 23:03

Thanks folks. Will investigate!

OP posts:
bluediamonds · 23/04/2017 07:56

Oooo might buy a kit myself!

Fluffycloudland77 · 23/04/2017 09:08

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 · 23/04/2017 09:42

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 · 23/04/2017 09:59

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 · 23/04/2017 10:00

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 · 23/04/2017 10:01

Sensationail*

justaweeone · 23/04/2017 10:05

Thanks fluffy

coursedarlin · 23/04/2017 10:21

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 · 23/04/2017 11:53

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 · 23/04/2017 12:20

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.

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