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I saw this product advertised in a magazine and got very excited. I used to do the whole messy gel process at home (mixing the powder alone was a pain). I was a bit shocked when I learned the price of the kit but I had a $2.00 coupon so that made it more palatable to purchase.
The kit is available in a few color choices (one color per kit). Then you buy individual Insta gel color strips at 14.99 per box. I chose the kit with the Shell We Dance color strips and also purchased a separate box of strips in the Punch Drunk color.
I was surprised to see how small the LED curing gadget was. I figured it was going to be battery operated but was happy to see it had a power adapter.
The instructions are fairly easy to follow. I read through them all thoroughly however before starting.
The kit includes two alcohol prep pads, an orange stick, a double grit file, gel top coat and 16 color strips of various widths. I thought 16 was a strange amount. I mean, most of us have 10 fingers. So why not 10 for a lower price or include an extra 4 for an even 20. That would allow for two applications right? I was kind of irritated to know I paid for an orange stick, a file and two alcohol pads because those are things that I (and I think most of us) already have in our nail care kit.
I started by filing my nails to the desired length and shape. I softened and pushed my cuticles back (this is important in order to place the color strip evenly at the base of your nail). I washed my hands, dried completely and then swabbed my nails with the alcohol pad.
I examined the color strips and selected the needed sizes for each nail. The strips are fairly long (over an inch) with a tab at the ends. You peel the plastic cover off and then peel the strip from its backing. You then position the color strip evenly on your nail starting at the nail bed. The instructions say to do this with warm hands. Once the strip is on the nail you want to smooth it out. The instructions say to use the orange sticks' flat side to smooth along the cuticle and sides of nail bed. I did that but first I used the heat from my fingers to smooth out the color strip. I then gently pulled the excess strip out and off my nail. In my opinion, there is a LOT of waste with the color strip. Most of us wear our nails in an active length. I didn't pay that amount of money for half the color strip to be thrown in the trash.
You need to use the pale pink grit of the included file to get the excess color plastic off of the edge of the nails. The instructions don't mention this but I found that using regular sharp edge tweezers is the best way to pull the excess from underneath the nail tip.
After applying all the color strips it was time to brush with the curing gel topcoat. You apply the topcoat and then put your nail immediately underneath the LED light for 30 seconds. The light turns off automatically after 30 seconds. The instructions say at this point your manicure is done. It is NOT. Your nails will still be tacky (sticky) for at least 10 more minutes. So, don't do anything with them until they are completely dry.
I was impressed with the overall shine of the nails once they were completely dry. The next day I noticed they weren't as shiny AND there were two that had been chipped. Not just a small chip but a noticeable chunk was missing. I figured out the reason for the extra 6 color chips in the kit...REPLACEMENT. The problem is I had already used the size needed for that nail so that size was not in the remaining 6 extras.
The time it took to apply these gel strips is greatly reduced from the time of the traditional gel process. But it still took time. More time than a traditional manicure of a bottle of polish and topcoat.
The instructions for removing the gel strips are: Soak each nail in nail polish remover (acetone) and then cover with foil. The strips should dissolve easily. I have an easier way. Scrape your nail with another nail or any sharp object and just PEEL the darn thing off. Easy Peasy.
Because of the time it takes to apply these correctly and the lackluster result, I have to say that I am NOT impressed. I am going to return the extra color strip pack I purchased. I will just use the remaining gel topcoat on a traditional polish job and see if the LED light works with that.
EDIT 1/25/13: Today I polished my nails with a regular (albeit higher end) nail polish brand. I let them dry for 20 minutes and them applied the Gel Cure that was included in the kit. I put each nail under the LED light gadget twice. The Gel cured fine and my nails are glossier than with the Insta-color strips. So, if you are not happy with the kit itself keep the light and the Gel Cure and use it in conjunction with your regular polish.
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I tried Sally Hansen Insta-gel strips for the first time, and I followed the directions explicitly. The process was easy enough, and they do dry instantly after using the UV light, which is nice. However, less than 24 hours later two of my nails have already chipped. For this reason, this system is not worth the $14 it costs for the strips each time you want to do your nails. For that price you might as well go to the salon and get a manicure done. I also do not like that you basically have to soak your fingernails in acetone nail polish remover to take the polish off, which I understand is true of all gel polishes, but its just not what I feel like doing since I just did my nails last night. I do not recommend this and I will not be purchasing again.
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