topic Re: Gel nails sets ? in Beauty

Gel nails sets ?

Xenagirl — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:13:29 GMT

Has anyone used Mally's or the Red Carpet set from HSN ? My manicurist recently raised her prices and I am paying at least $50 a month now just to maintain my acrylics. I was thinking of getting one of the gel sets and doing my own , it would pay for itself in just a few months time. Anyone have any luck with these ? TIA !

Re: Gel nails sets ?

okiebug — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 12:08:38 GMT

They aren't gel nails - they don't replace acrylics. They are gel polish sets - the lights set the polish so it lasts longer. I have no experience with the at home kits, but I have thin nails that split and they did the same with the gel polish.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

jam22 — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 18:32:32 GMT

I use the SensationNail system I got it at Walmart, its less the $50 for the full system (light, and base/top coat and 1 color) and its about $10 per nail color. Just like okiebug said gel nails don't replace acrylics. Gel is a polish system that is longer lasting color, mine usually go 2 to 3 weeks before I need to redo them. BUT......... you need to follow polish removal instructions cause if you just chip and pick at gel polish to remove it you will destroy your nails. I got my system when they first came out and I love it.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

imashopper — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 19:08:06 GMT

On 1/14/2014 jam22 said:
I use the SensationNail system I got it at Walmart, its less the $50 for the full system (light, and base/top coat and 1 color) and its about $10 per nail color. Just like okiebug said gel nails don't replace acrylics. Gel is a polish system that is longer lasting color, mine usually go 2 to 3 weeks before I need to redo them. BUT......... you need to follow polish removal instructions cause if you just chip and pick at gel polish to remove it you will destroy your nails. I got my system when they first came out and I love it.

Ditto! This was exactly what I was going to say!

Re: Gel nails sets ?

Xenagirl — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 02:12:28 GMT

Thanks , ladies ! I'll check the kit out at Walmart.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 02:18:01 GMT

I have the Mally system and I like it. I buy the Gelish polish from my local Sally Beauty instead of Mally's polish, which is more expensive and requires shipping. I also use regular polish between the Mally base and top coat - I just wait 24 hours before I add the Mally top coat. It doesn't last as long, but it lasts longer than regular polish and I can use my existing colors instead of buying more.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

Xenagirl — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:21:13 GMT

Thanks , Chynna ! Why do you have to wait 24 hours before applying the top coat and do you put the nails with the regular polish under the LED light before applying the top coat? This would be great because I have a TON of regular polish that I could use up. I also saw that Ulta has a Red Carpet kit that I could get the 20% discount on when they have that coupon. My manicurist has just gotten too expensive , I spend at least $50 a month , tip included, and if she replaces any nails or does anything else extra it costs even more. The kit would pay for itself in just a few months and I don't mind doing the work myself. I'm kind of leaning toward the Mally set.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

2cockers1cat — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:30:40 GMT

On 1/14/2014 imashopper said:
On 1/14/2014 jam22 said:
I use the SensationNail system I got it at Walmart, its less the $50 for the full system (light, and base/top coat and 1 color) and its about $10 per nail color. Just like okiebug said gel nails don't replace acrylics. Gel is a polish system that is longer lasting color, mine usually go 2 to 3 weeks before I need to redo them. BUT......... you need to follow polish removal instructions cause if you just chip and pick at gel polish to remove it you will destroy your nails. I got my system when they first came out and I love it.

Ditto! This was exactly what I was going to say!

Sensationail is my recommendation for at-home gel polish. I also like Vinylux, a CND 2-step color and top coat system (no light). Sometimes I apply Sensationail base and top coat, to give my naturally thin nails some thickness, then put Vinylux color and top coat over that.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:35:00 GMT

Regular nail polish seems dry before it really is. You may not need a complete 24 hours (6 or 12 might work), but if you put the gel polish over polish that's not completely dry and cure it, you can get bubbles in the polish. Even if you use a quick dry top coat over the polish before you use the gel top coat and cure it, you can wind up with bubbles because your color polish and quick dry top coat weren't set.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

Betsey Ann — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:41:36 GMT

I have used the Mally and Red Carpet. I got the Red Carpet one from groupon for $40 but it's the same one from Ulta and Target. As of quality I think they are both about the same. You get more stuff from the Mally kit and it's more expensive. I prefer the lamp from the Red Carpet kit because it is battery operated and you don't have to worry about plugging it in. But if I remember correctly, the Mally lamp took about half the time to cure.

I love my gel nail polish, my nails always have that wet look, don't have to worry about chipping and can do housework without worry.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

Xenagirl — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 05:31:34 GMT

Thanks so much for all your help , Beauties ! Has anyone used this right after taking off acrylics , or should I let my own nails grow out first ? TIA ! Xenagirl

Re: Gel nails sets ?

PMS 24-7 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:17:12 GMT

Personal I would let my nails recovery before using gels. Good oils or Nailtek for strength until they are ALITTLE stronger. There are many good treatments to use . It took me years to recovery from my acrylic habit.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

anniebear — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:18:05 GMT

I've had the Mally kit for a while and it's really nice. Everything you need comes with it, and the most recent times she's had it on air it even came with a bag to carry it all in. It's really easy to use, and I buy Gelish polish locally at Sally's when I need more. I was having lots of trouble with regular nail polish cracking and peeling because my nails were thin and "bendy". The gel polish adds some volume to the thickness of my nails to prevent this and it lasts much longer!

I have heard of people sandwiching regular polish between layers of gel polish, but I just do a more natural color gel polish for every day wear, and then when I want color put some regular polish over it. You can remove the regular polish with polish remover and it doesn't damage the gel polish at all! The only thing I regret about my Mally gel nail system purchase is that they weren't including the case with it when I bought mine!

Re: Gel nails sets ?

Xenagirl — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 06:54:27 GMT

Thanks , Beauties , for all your help. I think I'm going to get either Mally,s or the Red Carpet set. I'm kind of leaning toward Mally ,s. Thanks again !

Re: Gel nails sets ?

kennergari — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 07:56:46 GMT

Today, Various artificial nail fashion models are available at market. Each of them has different styles in a unique pattern of designs. I most preferred the branded gel nail sets. What are the general tips should we remember at the purchasing the gel nail sets ?

gele negle

Re: Gel nails sets ?

ajsidney12 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 17:38:03 GMT

Love Mallys set! I never had a gel manicure and always do my own nails. SUPER easy to use and worth the investment. I purchase additional nail colors at the drugstore or Amazon because with shipping the prices are a little crazy on the Q for polish.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

GemsNBeauty — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:16:46 GMT

I use the Red Carpet Manicure LED Set that I purchased at Drugstore dot com and LOVE it! I also purchased one for my niece and she loves it as well. My polish lasts around two weeks and I am hard on my nails (along with them being prone to cracking/breaking). They are better protected and crack/break less when I have the gel manicure applied. I highly recommend this system. My Target sells the polish (and system) along with Ulta. Kind of a pain to remove the gel with the soaking that is required, but I do know there are new individual remover pads (actually like the foil wrap and cotton, I believe) which they are selling to make that process a bit easier. I'm going to pick some up in the next day or two at Ulta. I don't know how different this gel system is from Mally's, but it may be a heck of a lot cheaper at $79 and certainly performs well...especially nice when you can use a 20% discount that drugstore dot com offer at times (along with the free shipping). Hope this helps.

Re: Gel nails sets ?

Charlie19 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:19:29 GMT

I have red carpet manicure and really love it. Like others have said I usually let my nails go natural for a week or use regular polish in between gel polish. I can get almost two weeks out of the gel. Love that!!!

Re: Gel nails sets ?

Xenagirl — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 23:52:08 GMT

Thanks for all your help,Beauties ! I got a set at Sally Beauty with a 15% off coupon. I also got some extra polish colors there and at Walmart. I took my acrylics off and am going to wait a couple weeks before I use it. It looks easy enough and I don't mind taking the time to do it. Now , to keep DD from taking it !

Re: Gel nails sets ?

PurpleBunny — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 00:05:48 GMT

I have the Sally Hansen gel painting set. LOVE it. I would drive myself nuts, painting my nails and them ruining them with sheet marks, etc. It is AWESOME to paint a nail and have it PERFECT and hard as a rock IMMEDIATELY.