It seems like gel-nail polish hybrids are everywhere you turn these days. If you’ve spent any time at all on Curls N Pearls, you probably already know that I’m a big fan of CND Shellac (see exhibits a, b, and c). As soon as I learned that OPI’s long-awaited answer to CND Shellac—Gelcolor by OPI—was available I picked up a couple of shades for a test drive. How does OPI Gelcolor stack up next to CND Shellac?
In short, I haven’t decided yet. So stay tuned as I will post a full review soon. In the meantime, here are some pics of my OPI Gelcolor* manicures in You Don’t Know Jacques (a longtime favorite shade of mine) and Kyoto Pearl.
*Please note: Gelcolor by OPI is a professional only product, to be applied and removed at a salon by a trained professional; I am a licensed Master Cosmetologist.
CrystalCandy says:
Did you find them too liquid? I bought a kit and they run quickly into my cuticles before I can ‘cook’ them. Maybe it’s just the shade My Private Jet?
Christina says:
Hi Crystal! I definitely find the base coat to be very thin, especially in comparison to Shellac. Which, if you mess up the base and cure it that way, ends up not being a very good manicure. An orange stick may be helpful to clean up the edges.
I’m going to give it one more try (erring on the side of user error) before I determine for sure what I think of OPI Gelcolor.
I did have an easier time with Kyoto Pearl than with You Don’t Know Jacques, for what it’s worth. Do you have any other thoughts on OPI Gelcolor? I’d be very interested to hear. 
CrystalCandy says:
I’m still not sure yet, it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I used to do my nails with Axxium and Brisa, and these were easier to apply because they are much more thick and opaque. Yes, orange stick was my friend, it wouldn’t stop running into my cuticles even with thin coats! I shaked the bottle a couple of times, but no it was still too watery. I applied 4 thin coats of My Private Jet, not 2 coats. So it took me longer than usual to do my nails. I used my OPI Axxium UV light, not the LED light.
I have 5 other shades to try, so we will see.. Miami Beet definitely look more opaque, but the others I’m not so sure. Pompeii Purple and My Private Jet were both watery, I tested them on a nail palette. The others were thicker, so there is hope.
CrystalCandy says:
Hi again!
I will add a review tomorrow on my blog, if you want to see My Private Jet on my nails! My review will be in french though, but since you already know what I think about it..
Christina says:
Sounds great, thanks! I used the Axxium UV light as well, I found I had to double the suggested times.
Christina says:
By the way, love your blog! You are beautiful!
CrystalCandy says:
Yes, they suggest 1 min. for the base coat, 2 min. for each gelcolor coat and 3 min. for the top coat if you are using the Axxium UV Light! But it needed 4-5 min. for the top coat, because it didn’t cure well on my right hand so it was less shiny! I hate it when I clean it up and one of my nails is dull and kinda matte, so I prefer to cure it longer just to be sure!
Thank you! I’ll add my review on my blog in 2 hours.
Christina says:
Checking out your review now, and I’m also trying out the color Bubble Bath. Just finished first coat.. so far so good.
CrystalCandy says:
Yay, let me know if Bubble Bath have a good texture! The white/nude I’d like to try is Funny Bunny, but I’ll have to buy this one later, they weren’t available individually yet.
Lauren says:
You have to shake the bottles for a full min because it is a pure gel product and the pigment separates from the gel. Also the coats have to be applied extremely thin or you will get peeling. If it is running to your cuticles then you have way too much product on your brush. Certain colors need 3 coats to make the color true. Also make sure you always cap the edges with a tiny amount. The product being too thick might be another reason why it isn’t curing with the suggested time. i had one on one training with an OPI educator and she said that these are the most important steps. Hope this helps!
Christina says:
Hi Lauren! These are great tips – so incredibly helpful! I really appreciate your sharing. I am planning on trying Funny Bunny next, so I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again!