Will the "normal" opi colors work with the gel base? (I've never had gel or shellac nails)
279009
Yes, I first use a gel base (make sure you have the light to cure it). Then do 2 coats of the regular color. Finally use the gel top coat (again use the light to cure) and you are good to go. Your nails will look killer for at least 2 weeks.
1732191
I only use the OPI Expert Touch Lacquer remover. The brands in the big box stores, name brands, DO NOT work on OPI nail colour as OPI is a LACQUER, not a polish. If you are using lesser brand of nail colour then the removers in the stores will probably work. But I prefer the OPI Laquer remover. Also, the volume you need is much less than the store brands, so there is a savings there.
1021599
I have used it successfully with gel, shellac and regular nail polish. My preferred base & top coat is the shellac type made by CND but I would think that any UV cured products would work... your preference. :-)
1314481
The light works great on all types of gel polish. In my salon, we use Gelish, OPI, Jessica, Cacee, and Shellac. All of them cure fine after one time under the light for 60 seconds.
1231987
Yes. That's the worst part of the line. You can swap to the Shellac top and base but still use Gelish colors but you'll need a stronger light. Gelish light requirements aren't as high. Just go VERY thin with the Gelish layers especially the top and base using 3 color coats if necessary.
1437155
I use it with an OPI pale colour, and it works pretty well. I work with my hands, and am therefore very hard on my nails.
1021600
Any gel polish works great! I haven't used Shellac polish at all...I used Gelish, Finger Paints gel polish as well as gel polishes sold at Wal-Mart. And I use fingerpaints bonder, base and top coat but any brand base and top would work
761793
No - this is for regular nail polish. You would need a UV or LED light (depending on what type of gel polish it is).
1272929
I would say they are basically the same. When I've gone to a salon and gotten a "shellac" manicure , the colour options givent be consist of the Gelish brand and CND. I have only ever had Gelish and it lasts 1.5-2 weeks before I can start peeling them off. Good quality. Now I have bought the Gelish brand for home and I strongly recommend it. Good quality for a decent price
842728
I have used OPI gel color polish and Gelish also with this system. Both worked fine.
457674
As long as it is an UV lamp it should be fine. I've never used the OPI brand lamp before, but I know that as long as the bulb intensity (wattage) is similar, the gel polish will dry under it. The lamp I use with this is a UV light of 45 Watts, which I believe is slightly on the more powerful side (usually people use ~36W). I just double checked and these polish can be used with LED lights as well, and the cure time is a bit shorter than the UV lamp.
2179055
This is a hard Gel. It must be maintained and filled in. It doesn't soak off like a soft Gel (ex:CND Shellac) it must be filed off to remove all the product, (they sell remover but it really doesn't work) It's best use is over nail tips or natural nails. Start with it as base coat, generally applying 2-3 layers, curing under a UV lamp. It will protect your nails so they can grow on their own or put it over tips. It's a quality product, I've used it for years. But use OPI's Bondex as a primer.
1773900
Dixie, did you find an answer to your question? I want to know if the Nova lamp will correctly cure OPI Gel nails also.Did you find another alternative?
317347
Hi! You could use any "gel" nail polish. I've tried the Gelish and China Glaze brands from Sallys Beauty Supply and they work great!
596901
Yes, I always use regular colored polish. It dries just the same as natural nails.
694201
From what I understand all gel polish can cure with UV light, however not all gel polish cures with LED lights. Check your polish to make sure it works with LED lights. For example CND shellac only works with UV lamp and OPI gelcolor works with both UV and LED.
2008463
To my knowledge you have to use a base and top coat as they are part of a "system" for curing the gel polish. I use Gelish base and top coats with many different brands of gel polish colors and it works great.