By Kimberly Nissen, The Beauty Bandit
A wave of innovation has been flooding the nail industry for the last few months; you may know it as power polish, gel nails or long-lasting manicures. Many of these treatments may sound alike but they are in fact very different. They all promise to last longer and look better, so how do you choose which one is right for you? Today we have some leading nail experts to help us understand more about these new beauty services.
The latest treatment to hit salons from OPI is the new GelColor system. Available in 30 of OPI’s most popular shades, this is an easy choice if you are an OPI devotee. A key point of difference between OPI and their competitors is that GelColor is 100% gel, where as other formulations use a hybrid, and it is cured under LED light as opposed to UV, which is better on aging hands.
We asked OPI Educator, Karon McKendrick-Taylor, how does GelColor look different to the regular OPI nail lacquer?
“The colour and the gloss last much longer. The finished product looks natural and not dissimilar to a normal manicure. It wears like a gel, yet looks and feels like a lacquer. The application is similar to a normal lacquer, not thick like gels.”
Best For: Those who are about to embark on a 2 week holiday or a bride-to-be.
RRP $60 from leading beauty salons. Phone 1800 358 999.
Commonly seen as the alternative to ‘traditional gel’, Bio Sculpture is an all-in-one treatment for nails. Aside from a no-chip gel manicure that lasts approximately 4 weeks, you also are free from any harmful toxins that can often be found in gel nail products (no gas masks required!). You can also add length to nails without the need for tips or glue. Talya Bergmann, Operations Manager of Bio Sculpture Australia explains the technology a little further.
“Like hair and skin, everyone has different nail types – Bio Sculpture, unlike any other system, have developed a full spectrum of treatment gels, ranging from flexible to solid. With this full spectrum of gels, it allows technicians to create or custom make an overlay to suit all clients nail types, conditions of their nail, length and lifestyle choices (i.e if you are a runner then you would require extra flexibility on your toes).
Bio Sculpture Gel was created to mimic the natural nail which is naturally flexible, so by adding flexible layer of soft gel over our nails it gives us added support and strength so when our nail bend the gel bends naturally with your nail.”
Best For: Anyone who wants a long term relationship with a nail system as it will not damage nails and actually makes your nails healthier.
RRP $60 from professional salons. Phone 1300 246 435.
Officially the first to be dubbed a ‘power polish’, Shellac is one of the most popular long-lasting manicure options. The hybrid nail colour applies like polish and wears flawlessly for 14 days with high gloss shine. It is currently available in 30 shades, all of which can be layered to create a unique colour just for your manicure.
CND co-founder and style director, Jan Arnold, tells us why Shellac will change women’s lives.
“Our chemists invented a modern solution to the normal polish inconveniences that frustrate women. Shellac is fret-free and convenient. Woman can finally get their time back”.
Best For: If you love the look of manicured nails but don’t have the time, money or patience to have it done every week.
RRP $30 from professional salons. Phone 1800 449 109
With 32 of the top-selling Orly shades, GelFX allows you to get 2-3 weeks wear out of your favourite nail colour. The secret to GelFX lies in the Cleanser, Primer and Basecoat, which are all infused with vitamins to build nail strength. The revolutionary formula includes Vitamins A and E to promote healthy nails, while Pro-Vitamin B5 protects the structure of the natural nail.
If you are afraid of being stuck with the one colour for 3 weeks, Fiona Hay, ORLY Australia’s Ambassador, tells us why you don’t need to panic.
“ORLY GelFX wears longer than other gels due to its acetone resilient top coat. If you want to paint over your GelFX colour with another colour, simply remove the second colour when ready with regular nail-polish remover and your GelFX manicure will remain in tact and as shiny as it was when first applied.”
Best For: Women who want flawless nails and versatility to change the colour by yourself.
RRP $60 from professional salons. Phone 1300 769 355
