How to get value-for-money gel manicures

Gel polish has revolutionised manicures and pedicures. A long-lasting manicure is an asset for busy women who don’t have time to worry about chipped nail polish.

Since almost every salon is now offering gel polishing, issues of quality are arising. Many ladies have had the experience of paying for gel polish and expecting it to last for the promised 21 to 30 days only to find that it simply does not last that long.

At most, it probably lasts just a week before the edges start lifting and peeling.

The Saturday Magazine beauty team paid a visit to Rispah Gakuu a top gel polish supplier based at Oriental in downtown Nairobi. She explained the differences between various types of gel polishes and offered the following guidelines to ensure that you get value for your money.

• The main indicator of the quality of gel is the price. High-quality gel polish costs much more than low-quality gel polish.

• High-quality gel polish does not have a distinct smell, whereas the low-quality ones have strong smells.

• Good gel polish usually lasts long upon application with the top coat remaining shiny and glossy.

The correct application procedure should be used when applying the polish in order to save time. Ensure that your beautician does not skip any of the following steps.

PROCEDURE

The nails should be filed, buffed, and completely free of oil or moisture. The primer is the first coat to be applied and dried for two minutes using a UV drier, followed by the base coat to be cured for two minutes. The primer helps in ensuring proper adhesion of the polish.

This is followed by two coats of colour, which should be cured, between coats for two minutes each. The final top coat is then applied and cured for two minutes.

Curing should happen in the UV drier at every step that requires it. The polish will be slightly tacky to the touch. Using an alcohol-based cleanser, the nails are then swiped gently to create a hard, shiny finish. The whole process takes around 15 minutes. Ensure that the polish is removed from around the skin before being curing.

The removal process involves soaking the nails with a special remover. Ideally, it is best to use acetone-free remover for 10 minutes until the polish begins to flake. It is then scrapped off the nail plate with an orange stick and buffed to remove the final traces of polish. Nails should then be treated with oil to counteract drying.

Do not attempt to remove the polish by peeling it off as this is damaging to the nail plate. Nails must be soaked for 10 minutes in remover.

PHOTOS: MARTIN MUKANGU. Gel polishes provided by Rispah of Oriental Nail Supplies, Dubois Road, Nairobi. Tel: 0722736315. Gel polish application courtesy of Patrick at Airos Salon, Kimathi Street, Nairobi.