OPI Gelcolor users... do you use all the steps?

[wendynailart]

I've read many who use Gelcolor say they do not buff the nail (says to on the OPI instruction page) prior to application and have great results
Made me happy, I prefer to not change the nail surface of clients committed to natural nail

OPI also recommends NAS and Bondaid prior to application
I've used them both (trial run) to improved adhesion, they seem to have dried the nail out a lot

Q is.... those who are using Gelcolor successfully, do you do all the steps?
if you alter them, what do you do instead?

Thank you for saving me the trial and error that sometimes turns a client off a new product ;-)

[Anna from Toronto]

I use generic 99% alcohol. NAS99 costs 10x more and it lists the same ingredient.
I do very , very light buff for the first time (nothing more then a little buff with a manicure). Then when the clients come in for a reapplication I just run the buffer by the cuticle to make sure I have a nice, smooth surface (so the color doesn't bleed)

(02-17-2012 12:59 PM)wendynailart Wrote:  I've read many who use Gelcolor say they do not buff the nail (says to on the OPI instruction page) prior to application and have great results
Made me happy, I prefer to not change the nail surface of clients committed to natural nail

OPI also recommends NAS and Bondaid prior to application
I've used them both (trial run) to improved adhesion, they seem to have dried the nail out a lot

Q is.... those who are using Gelcolor successfully, do you do all the steps?
if you alter them, what do you do instead?

Thank you for saving me the trial and error that sometimes turns a client off a new product ;-)

[ColleenNY]

I don't use NAS99. I cleanse the nail plate with Scrubfresh. I have Bondaid cuz it came with the kit, but don't always remember to use it. I don't notice a huge difference in whether I use it or not.

[wendynailart]

Glad to hear it.
Thank you,

[sobeit]

I use straight up acetone or a mix of acetone with alcohol to cleanse the nail plate. I also always buff the nail lightly to remove surface debri and oils. I do it with traditional manicures and pedicures as well. I use what works for me and I like plain ol acetone to dehydrate. I also dont use 99% alcohol to remove the dispersion layer. I use 70% cleansing alcohol from sallys. It smells like cherries.

[Gelishly]

I love that cherry scented alcohol too!

[ParkNails]

I have tried the 71% generic alcohol to remove the dispersion layer but leaves a dull finish on mine, I use the 91% generic now and works better.

I have yet to try that Cherry scented from Sally's

[mendyclever]

I use scrubfresh. I do like it better than just alcohol. Our shop uses generic alcohol for removing the tacky layer. I don't use bond-aid, but I do use linkage. Other than that steps are pretty general. However, I have found that two top coats on gel polish works best.