THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GEL MANICURE AND A NORMAL MANICURE
I often get asked “What are gel nails” or “What is the difference between an OPI Gel Manicure and just a standard OPI Manicure” Well, the difference is pretty big.
A standard OPI Manicure includes cuticle grooming and shaping, hand massage, and ends with painting on OPI Lacquer. This can be ‘touch dry’ within 15-20 minutes but this doesn’t mean it’s completely dry by any stretch. All nail polish can take up to 3 hours to be completely set. If you want smooth nails, you’ll need to be very careful for this length of time to avoid the dents or the smudges.
On your hands, the polish will only ever last around 2-4 days without chipping. If you get longer than that, you’ve done very well! This is because lacquer hasn’t been formulated to last for longer than this.
At Pure Emporium we find the OPI Manicure still a great option for those wanting a colour for a weekend. Or those who can’t wear Gel due to work, or those who want their nails and cuticles tidied but don’t like committing to a certain colour.
We know more than most, time isn’t something we have a great deal of anymore. Therefore anything that saves times and means you haven’t to to worry it always a winner….
So, this leads me to tell you that OPI Manicures were popular.... until OPI GelColor came along.
OPI GelColor can last for 2-3 weeks with low risk of chips and zero smudges. It's dry instantly after getting set meaning that by the end of your treatment your nails are done... and I mean properly done. No drying time, good to go! They also have a high shine that can also last for up to 2-3 weeks and we have a range of over 150 colours to chose from!
This treatment also contains cuticle grooming, nail shaping and hand massage (and you can even upgrade to include skin softening gloves whilst your gels are being painted. For just £8 it’s a great way for you to achieve enhanced results and added luxury to an already relaxing treatment.)
"So how does OPI Gelcolor?!"
After doing all of your manicure prep and making the nails and cuticles look fresh and lovely, the GelColor is applied in a thin layer and then cured between each coat under a special OPI LED lamp. The gel has a different formulation to that of a 'normal' nail varnish. By the Gel setting on the nails, this is what leads to zero drying time, extra strength and gorgeous shine. Sometimes we'll apply 2 or 3 coats to get the desired coverage and colour.
Knowing you can walk out of the salon without the polish still being ‘tacky’ and is 100% smudge free makes me happy.
Also, knowing you're able to enjoy your chosen colour for 2-3 weeks and show them off to others also makes me feel good.
Now it’s important to remember that you do need to have your gels removed professionally to ensure your nails remain in great health. Gel nails will never cause damage to your nails, as long as they are removed in the correct manner, and they aren’t picked off! You can read a blog Amy wrote previously: Do Gel Nails Ruin Your Nails, by clicking here.
The removal process is really relaxing, and is another reason to enjoy a salon treat. A lot of client simply choose to have their gels removed and reapplied, simply because they love them so much. When you’ve had them, you’ll understand what I mean!
You might already know that I have a favourite OPI GelColor too... yes, that’s ‘Black Cherry Chutney’ - but recently I've been mixing things up with different colours, yes, I know, this surprised the girls too!
Click here to book in for a OPI Gel Manicure and let’s find out your favourite colour!
Look forward to seeing you in the salon soon!
Lori x
Therapist
Pure Emporium