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Gel II: The Nail Product You’ve Missed
November 2013
Ever since my introduction to gel nail polish last year, I’ve become a bit of a fanatic. It’s a nail product that brushes on like polish, but cures with UV or LED lights to become harder and longer-lasting than polish, meaning you can have a manicure but still engage in hands-on activities without fear of chips. My budget won’t allow regular professional manicures, so with self-education and practice, I’ve learned to apply the gel myself. Over time, I’ve tried several of the leading gel polish brands, and I’ve had the chance to compare how the different brands perform. So I was excited last month to have the chance to test a new brand, La Palm Gel II Manicure.
The first thing I noticed when applying the Gel II polish was the process was faster. Unlike other leading brands, Gel II requires no basecoat. That means you save not only the time it takes to brush the basecoat on, but also the time it takes to cure it. Second, the polish went on smoothly. This was huge for me; too often, I fail to load my brush perfectly and end up with too much polish in a single coat. With the Gel II polish, the application was smooth and slump free, meaning no do-overs (the worst). The end result is a thinner coat of polish that feels and looks more natural than a thicker application.
The ease of application with Gel II was a pleasant discovery, but the selection of shades is even more impressive. In a market where most brands offer a couple dozen shades at most, Gel II has over a hundred colors, ranging from the standard matte and sparkly shades to some real show-stoppers and novelty shades like their high-glam Enchanted and Masquerade lines, or the color-changing Reaction shades (think a mood ring on every fingertip). They even offer a glow-in-the-dark topcoat that will make any color glow. (I’m wearing the lipstick-red shade Femme Fatale as I type.)
And as for durability (the hallmark of gel polish)? Well, every brand claims to be the longest lasting, but take it from me: it’s personal. Your gels will last longer the less you abuse them, but even with maximum use, two weeks of wear-time is standard across the brands, and Gel II is no exception. The price of these polishes is comparable to other brands (around $15 a bottle), and they are compatible with both UV and LED light units. Conclusion? If you’re in the salon business (or are just a do-it-yourselfer like me) take note of Gel II and give them a try. They offer everything the other leading brands tout, with the added benefit of easier, faster application, and a huge selection of colors.
The first thing I noticed when applying the Gel II polish was the process was faster. Unlike other leading brands, Gel II requires no basecoat. That means you save not only the time it takes to brush the basecoat on, but also the time it takes to cure it. Second, the polish went on smoothly. This was huge for me; too often, I fail to load my brush perfectly and end up with too much polish in a single coat. With the Gel II polish, the application was smooth and slump free, meaning no do-overs (the worst). The end result is a thinner coat of polish that feels and looks more natural than a thicker application.
The ease of application with Gel II was a pleasant discovery, but the selection of shades is even more impressive. In a market where most brands offer a couple dozen shades at most, Gel II has over a hundred colors, ranging from the standard matte and sparkly shades to some real show-stoppers and novelty shades like their high-glam Enchanted and Masquerade lines, or the color-changing Reaction shades (think a mood ring on every fingertip). They even offer a glow-in-the-dark topcoat that will make any color glow. (I’m wearing the lipstick-red shade Femme Fatale as I type.)
And as for durability (the hallmark of gel polish)? Well, every brand claims to be the longest lasting, but take it from me: it’s personal. Your gels will last longer the less you abuse them, but even with maximum use, two weeks of wear-time is standard across the brands, and Gel II is no exception. The price of these polishes is comparable to other brands (around $15 a bottle), and they are compatible with both UV and LED light units. Conclusion? If you’re in the salon business (or are just a do-it-yourselfer like me) take note of Gel II and give them a try. They offer everything the other leading brands tout, with the added benefit of easier, faster application, and a huge selection of colors.
