Vu Nguyen and the Art of Gelcolor

At the OPI Gamechanger training we got to see some of the nail art of Vu Nguyen. Vu had some nail boards showing his designs step by step and he used our very own Hannah to show a live demo.

I loved his freehand drawn rose. On the board it is painted in Alpine Snow on a dark blue from the OPI Euro Central collection, You're so Euro. For Hannah's nail he did the design on Black Onyx.

I tried it but was less successful.












Pamela

OPI Game Changer Training

Wow. The morning session is over and we have learnt heaps already. So many answers and some many ideas. Loving it!

So tell me, how long does OPI Gelcolor really last?

Well, that's a good question!  OPI Gelcolor should last for weeks after it is applied. It really does depend though on how it is applied, the state of you nails and what you do with them once they are done.

From the OPI Pro webpages

Two-plus weeks, depending on the condition of the client’s nails and how she uses her hands (e.g., exposure to chemicals, texting, typing, housework, picking, etc.).

These are Maddy's nails and she is wearing OPI Gelcolor in Bogota Blackberry.  It is three weeks old.  And it was put on by one of our newer team members who was practicing.  There is a black lash tint stain (job hazard sadly) and a bit of a hint of spray tan stain (another job hazard!)  bit other than that it looks great.  Maddy has had her hands in water for facials, pedis, manis and cleaning plus I am sure she is a good girl and does the dishes at home... well maybe.  She is a keen netballer so her hands have been through a few games in the three weeks and she has done clients nails including soak offs.  Pretty good indication of how well it can wear.

Now that isn't always the case and I have seen some nails not even make three days without chipping.  In that case it is often a soft flaky nail peeling off and taking the Gelcolor with it.  Luckily you can touch it up with polish.  After a few more applications the nails that are at the tips have been protected by previous coats and are less likely to split so Gelcolor can even help with fixing that.

UPDATE:  Maddy wore this OPI Gelcolor for four week before one nail chipped half off.  Amazing.  I would still say two weeks and change it but yes, it lasts and lasts if you let it.  

And today's gelcolor choice is.....

My Chihuahua Bites

A real classic OPI color that translates perfectly into OPI Gelcolor.  It goes on nicely with very little pull-back and two coats gives good coverage.  On me it looks pinky red but on other people it can look more reddy red if that makes sense.  I know it will to OPI lovers!!  This is a super popular color with our clients and the name always gets a giggle.  

I painted both hands myself.  Bit proud of that!!  Years of practice as I have worn polish since grade three.  Seems a bit odd looking back and thinking of someone that young with long red nails at school but yep, that was me.  Also weird my nails were longer then!  But I just see that as a sign of being a hard worker <giggle>.

Another arty idea for OPI Gelcolor

I have not yet tried much in the way of OPI Gelcolor nail art.  I have tried Ombre but have no photos so I will have to give that a go again to share.  I have thought about putting OPI Gelcolor Goldeneye as a rockstar style nail tip but never sat down and actually tried it.  This image from our trade mag has sort of done it with a Euro Centrale shade and glitter gel.  Feeling a bit inspired to try the same.

GelColor Endurance: Danica Patrick

Once you go matte....

Well I am not convinced about OPI Gelcolor Matte Topcoat.  I have seen it in trade mags and dismissed it as a fad but after seeing it on another blog I think I want to try it for myself.  I just put in an order that included three OPI Gelcolor basecoats but didn't think to add in a bottle of the matte topcoat.  And now I want it!!  Oh well I will have to wait till my next order.

Here it is with the Euro Centrale Collection

And here are some nail art ideas from one of our trade mags.  I am a bit tempted, maybe a bit more than tempted...

Gelcolor Endurance - Serena Williams

So here is a little known fact.  Serena Williams, tenis champion and fashion icon (albeit a flouro one) is a qualified nail technician.  She loves nails so much she went ahead and got certified in the states.  Now here in Australia we don't have a board certification like they do in the US.  There you need to sit exams and do a certain amount of services before you can get your license.  Here if you can do it you can charge for it.  Not a good thing!!  Imagine being one of her training clients.  For someone so successful at something else to still go through the basics like she did shows just how much passion she has for nails.  Go girl!
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/serena-williams-takes-time-tennis-courts-certified-nail-technician-article-1.199713

And of course she has her own colors made by OPI.

A cute cat pic just because...

Her name is Poppy.  Enjoy!

How to get it off - Removing your OPI Gelcolor

Removing your Gelcolor

It is tempting to peel it off but please don't as it will peel off the very top layer of nail with it and leave your nails damaged.

Before you start file the top of the nail so that the Gelcolor is no longer shiney.  We use a rougher file for this.  The scratches let the acetone in better.  Never actually scratch the nail or try to remove the Gelcolor.

We use OPI Expert Touch acetone remover as it is more gentle than straight acetone.  When people come in who have other gel polish on and want Gelcolor we use straight acetone as we find it often takes a bit longer with other brands.

Method One – Acetone Soak

Fill small china or glass bowl with acetone and place your fingertips in it for about ten minutes till the Gelcolor comes away from the nail.

Method Two – Foil and cotton pad

Soak cotton pad cut into ¼ with acetone, put it on the nail and wrap the fingertip with foil. After ten minutes remove the pad and the polish should lift off the nail.

A light buff is all that is needed once removed.  The nails may look dry so a cuticle oil or hand cream is a good idea.

 OPI Gelcolor Golden Eye

Acetone is flammable and can damage surfaces.

The Bohemians - OPI San Francisco Gelcolor Collection

We cannot wait till this collection is released in Australia.  We will let you know how it goes application wise.   Having looked at the normal OPI polish swatches I am certain we will be getting "Dining Al Frisco".  I swear in a past life I was a bower bird as I collect blue polish like crazy.

Our whole salon is going to this

We are closing our salon for the day to go to OPI Gelcolor training here in Perth.  So excited and hoping to learn some advanced techniques.  So many questions to be answered :)

OPI Gelcolor Big Apple Red - before and after

This is OPI Gelcolor in Big Apple Red.  The fingers and big engagement ring belong to one of our much loved former employees, Kelly.

This is the same polish twelve days later.  It is chip free and looking great.  Kelly did lots of facials, cleaning, dishes etc.  It has grown out but not come off.  

Bit of a polish addiction?

At the salon we have over 130 shades of OPI polish for our clients to choose from.  Of those we have about 80 in stock to purchase.  We would have more but I need to put up another shelf!

Every time we sell out of a discontinued colour I get excited as I get to choose another one (but I can never stop at one...)

My current fave Gelcolor is ....

Just to get the ball rolling here is my current fave, OPI Gelcolor Unfor-Greta-Bly Blue.  It looks great when my nails were a bit long.  This pic was taken to show a friend on facebook so not posed with all the fancy different lighting but hey, looks like my all time fav shade of blue and that is what matters!  

Paint wise it goes on really great with not a huge amount of roll-back.  I found it looked it's best when I did my one week touch up with a coat of the same colour in normal polish.