Friday, June 1, 2012

Product Review - Gel Haute Polish

(PLEASE SEE MY UPDATED REVIEW BELOW)

I am sure most of you have gone out and had a Gel Nail Manicure at some point... and while manicures are relaxing and pampering, sometimes you just wish you could get the same results in your own home.  This is something I was looking for for years, and have tried a few different products on the market to get 'at home gel nails'.  Actually, I remember looking online just about a year ago, and had such a hard time finding anything.   A month ago, I received an email from Luminess Air promoting their product Gel Haute Polish, which is an at home Gel Nail Kit.  So, I immediately bought it!!   I have used it twice, and wanted to share my results!:

What is included in the kit: I Purchased the Pro Kit, which includes: Pro UV lamp, Cleanser, Remover, Base Coat, Top Coat, Red Polish & French Nail Kit.

How it works:  It's easier than I expected, and quite fun to do actually!  Here is a nutshell of the steps that I take:  

1.  Prep the Nails:  Push back (and trim) cuticles.  Wash hands with soap and water.  Cleanse nails and skin with the Cleanser that comes in the kit.  Is is very important to remove all natural oils from your nails if you want the Gel to stick.  


2.  Apply Base Coat:  To speed things up, I usually apply the base coat to the 4 fingers on my dominant hand (right), and the opposite thumb (left).  Turn on the UV lamp, and place the 4 fingers and 1 thumb under the UV light to set for 2 minutes.  The reason why you do not paint all 5 fingers on the same hand, is because it is virtually impossible to fit all of your fingers on the same hand flat under the UV lamp to dry.  

* Make sure you do not get gel on your surrounding skin, or it will make the gel not stick as well.  If you do get gel on your skin, just wipe it off with a small cloth or brush.  Apply gel to the other 4 fingers and thumb, and keep under UV light to set.  If you do dry any of the coats, and they are on your skin... I have just taken a nail file and filed it down a little. 
* I have found that applying 2 coats of the base coats seems to give me better results and that it lasts longer.  

3.  Color Application:  Apply color the same way as you apply the base coat (4 fingers, opposite thumb, 2 mins), set under UV lamp for 2 mins. You may also need 2 applications, depending on the color.

OR

4.  French Application: Apply the light pink gel color over the nails (4 fingers, opposite thumb, 2 mins), and set under the UV lamp for 2 minutes.  This gives you the natural pink base for the French Manicure look.  For the white tips, take the white gel polish, and make sure there is very little on the brush.  Starting on the dominant hand, paint the gel slowly across the tip of the nail, keeping in mind the natural arch associated with white tips.  Again, do this on 4 fingers at a time, and the opposite thumb, and set 2 minutes under the UV lamp.  It may take you a couple times to get used to painting the tips.    


5.  Top Coat:  Apply the top coat to the nails the same way as the base coat, (4 fingers, opposite thumb) and set under the UV lamp for 2 minutes.  ** Once the top coat is done under the UV lamp, your nails will still feel a bit tacky.  To set this, wipe the nails with the cleanser, and this will completely harden the nails.  I love this part for some reason, not sure why!!  That is it, usually I'll wash my hands after and add a little Argon oil with my hand cream for a luxurious finish!  



The Results:  So far, I really like it, and like the simplicity of how the french looks so natural.  I am pretty hard on my nails and have made them chip a few times after a week or so.  They  usually last me almost 2 weeks.  If I do get a chip after the 2 weeks or so, I have chipped/peeled them off.  It is somewhat easy to do, although not the right thing to do, but it's easier than the way they recommend for removal in my opinion.  

This is a very natural look, if you are not looking to add long extensions.  You can add extensions if you want to, which you can purchase at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc.  I personally like the idea of using only the gel polish on my natural nails, so they can strengthen and grow at their own pace.  I also have a tendency to bite my nails, and this keeps me from biting!!  

If any of you have tried this, I would love to hear what you thought as well!! 


UPDATE 6.12.12

I am still loving this product, and feel it is a great option, instead of nail polish.  It doesn't stay on as long as they say (3 weeks), but even up to 10 days to 2 weeks is good for me.  I notice that it does peel off easily, if you try (I mentioned this above)... so I do prefer this compared to removing regular nail polish.  Although the application of the gel nails takes time... so does the drying of regular nail polish.  Nail polish is easy, and quick... but takes a while to dry.  Gel nails take longer to apply, but I think its kind of fun to do myself... so I opt for that!  

Some negatives I have are regarding Luminess Air Customer Service.  They have messed up my order 3 times.  The first 2 times they left items off the order.  They were great at getting the one item shipped, however the other was on back order.  They then sent out the wrong item on back order... I had been waiting on the India Pink color, and they sent me Nude? Unfortunately, this is something they haven't remedied.  They are very friendly when it comes to their customer service, but unfortunately they keep making mistakes.  I am just waiting on my still back ordered, India Pink, to be shipped out.  The summer is going to be over by the time I get it, and I ordered it for spring! 




16 comments:

  1. Thanks for your excellent review! I have a question...

    Have you had the Shellac nails done? How does Gel Haute compare to the wear time for Shellac?

    Thanks so much!

    Rose

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment! I have had the Shellac nails done for me, and honeslty I cannot decide if I like them or not. They did stay on for a while, but mine chipped. Maybe it was just the person who did my nails didn't do such a great job. Either way, I would say the main difference is that the Shellac nails are a harder finish, and also harder to remove. The timing is about the same. I haven't tried Shellac at home, but the nice thing about Gel Haute is that I can do my nails at home while watching tv, or listening to music.

      To be honest, I haven't used my Gel Haute lately. I have been using Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength No Chip Nail color, which I love. It stays on for about 7-12 days depending on how well I applied it, but it comes off easily. I use this non-toxic nail polish remover, which works so much better than acetone based: http://www.amazon.com/Tates-The-Natural-Miracle-Odorless/dp/B00159W1MA. It is on the higher price range, but it really is the best nail polish remover I have ever found!!

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  2. I bought it from groupon... I am not impressed. The next day the corners lifted. I was meticulous on following steps. Did yours lift easily?

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  3. Yes, Mine lifted easily at first too... I found the key to keeping them on longer is to make sure you clean your nails really well. However, they can still peel off really easily.

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  4. I am thinking of purchasing this on CrowdSavings (another croupon type site), but wondered if you can use other gel type polishes with their UV light also. I prefer to buy colors where I can see what I'm getting, so may buy some at Sally's. Any thoughts on this? Also, thanks for the tip on a better remover than acetone! Very helpful!

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    1. Definitely agree. Save your money! It was not worth it at all. It started chipping in 2 days, the shine was pathetic, and the removal (oh my goodness don't get me started!) All that I can say about the removal was HORRIFIC! and my nails looked like crap afterwards...I had to basically scrape the stuff off which left my nails in pretty bad shape....so disappointed ; (

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  5. I bought the one from Wal-Mart the SensatioNail starter kit http://www.sensationailgel.com/starter-kit and it works great! I LOVE it. The polish stays on and doesn't peel of easily. The only con I find about this is that I cannot find the essentials kit when I want it and always have to order it online.

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  6. How was removal? DId the polish come off easily? ALso, how was the health of your nails?

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    1. All that I can say about the removal is HORRIFIC! and my nails looked like crap afterwards...I had to basically scrape the stuff off which left my nails in pretty bad shape....so disappointed ; (

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    2. For me the gel didn't adhere correctly each time I used it, and I could basically peel it off...!

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  8. Gel Haute Polish sucks. I rate it a zero star. I bought the elite package and also the 5 extra nail polish colors package. I got them in the mail and was all excited. I followed the instructions to the letter. When my left hand is done it is a dark beautiful color missing some polish where the color ran under the light. When my right hand is done second it is a different color all together. I shook the container the same way for both but the right hand polish contains almost no color to it at all! I contacted them and told them and they told me oh we know what colors those are we'll send you replacements but the replacements do the same thing! BUYER BEWARE do not buy this product. Your flushing your money down the toilet if you do!! If when you put your hand under the light your fingers are at any angle the polish runs and forms a lump on the crease of your nail that is very unsightly. I have two different colored hands with the same polish. How is this a great product?? It Sucks!!

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  9. WARNING! The $14.95 is a scam. THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE CHARGED! It's just $14.95 to TRY the damn thing, then you'll get automatically charged $66 MORE to your credit card & $22 in polish will be shipped to you every month w/a restocking charge if you don't want it. HautePolish is just another company trying the BAIT & SWITCH move to make you think you're getting such at deal at $14.95 - YOU'RE NOT!

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  10. Looking at these nails I just have to wonder WHY BOTHER? Those aren't nails. Ugh.

    Guess I'm just spoiled since mine are an inch and a half long with no gel, no glue, no tips, no overlay. Oh well. This product doesn't seem worth it now that I read it all. On the rare occasions that I do trust anyone near my nails I go to a close friend who owns her shop and I'll gladly pay 50 or 60 for a real gel manicure with someone else doing it

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