Gelish Mini VitaGel Strength is meant to be used on natural nails either alone, with regular polish, or under gel polish. It can be used in lieu of Gelish Mini Foundation. I have mixed feelings about this product. Read on to find out why!
What Gelish claims:
- Formulated to maintain natural nails
- Enriched with Vitamins A, E and B5
- Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP free
Gelish VitaGel Strength first-ever LED/UV light cured Vitamin Nail Strengthener. Reinforces nail growth while guarding the natural nail from peeling, splitting and chipping. Can be worn in place of Foundation Base Gel, alone as a natural nail strengthener or with nail lacquer for extended color wear.
I have tried several different methods of applying VitaGel Strength. I’ve used one coat, cured, and topped with Gelish mini Top It Off. Since the VitaGel is so thick it goes on patchy and doesn’t smooth out well. This is not a method I found to give a good end result. I’ve also applied one coat and after curing, used a small, dry nail brush to remove the excess. That seemed to remove too much VitaGel.
I’ve used this as the first polish in my gel manicure routine, both under Gelish mini Foundation, and without Foundation. After 2-3 coats of colored gel polish over, it smooths the VitaGel out nicely. The finished manicure is smooth, and feels strong. My nails are a bit thicker than when I don’t use the VitaGel. It looks good, and feels strong, however, there is one big problem. No matter what I do it peels off. Not every nail, not right away. It seems completely random, and I can’t figure it out!
In my experience the best way to use VitaGel is to prep your nails, apply a thin layer, cure, apply Gelish mini Top It Off, cure again, and wipe with cleanser to remove the sticky residue. Once your nails are dry, apply a non gel polish and top coat. If you use a formula that is a little thick, and do 2-3 coats, it usually will smooth out nicely. It doesn’t work well with a thin polish formula.
Gelish also makes VitaGel Recovery, which they claim is a thick formula meant to fill ridges while your natural nails grow out after acrylics. I haven’t tried that formula. I can’t say that I would want to, given my experience with the very thick VitaGel Strength.
You can find Gelish products at Sally Beauty Supply. A .30 fl oz bottle is approximately $20.
Have you tried either of these strengtheners? What do you think?
xo Amber
