I am fast approaching my 25th anniversary as a nail tech. Over the years I have seen trends, systems and colors come and go.
For this post I thought it might be fun to create a list of my most favorite nail products and share why I prefer them. Always remember, everyone is different, so is their body chemistry. What works well for one person may not work for someone else. I always recommend that my clients try different products from each line to see which will work best for them. I have based my opinions on how well I feel these products perform and also on the preferences of my clients.
Polish
OPI is the #1 professional salon brand on the market. It’s also a long time favorite with my clients. With a seemingly unlimited number of colors of lacquers and gel colors, this brand has something for everyone. OPI removed formaldehyde, DBP, toluene and other toxic drying agents from their polishes in 2006. Everyone looks forward to the release of OPI’s newest collection, such as the Grease Collection from the Summer of 2018.
I’m pretty sure that OPI’s Charged Up Cherry is going to be my favorite toe color this summer!
Created especially for natural nails, Zoya, made by Qtica, is the healthiest, longest lasting natural nail system on the market and is free from the 10 most toxic known polish ingredients. With 400 fresh, young colors, Zoya is the preferred brand of many of my clients, especially those looking for healthier choices. Zoya’s Naked Manicure system creates nails that appear natural, but perfect. This look is one of my absolute favorites!
Morgan Taylor is a relatively new polish line that was created by the same company that makes Gelish. They say that their polish is inspired by gemstones and pearls, I say it is outrageously beautiful! Their colors are made with deep, rich pigments. They have many rich cremes but I am a frosted polish fanatic and many of these polishes contain the most beautiful glitters and shimmers! Many of my clients have been persuaded to venture outside of their comfort zone by these tempting lacquers! long wearing and beautiful, Morgan Taylor is also healthier for natural nails because it is free from toluene, DBP and formaldehyde.
Stickey, by CND, is my favorite base coat for any type of overlay. It creates a great foundation for any brand of polish and the greenish/blue color blocks the yellow that might sometimes make a French manicure look less than fresh.
Seche Vite is my favorite top coat, hands down. Goes on smoothly, dries quickly, shines like crazy, wears like iron. ’nuff said.
Gel Polish
Gel manicures have become outrageously popular in the past few years and I have tried many different brands. In my experience, the main thing I have noticed is the brand of gel polish doesn’t seem to be as important as the base and top coat. I have had much better results using Gelish base and top coats regardless of the brand of gel polish I use. Gelish is easy to use, consistent and longer wearing than either Shellac or OPI GelColor. It is also compatible with every other gel system and light I have tried. Most of my clients can go more than 2 weeks between manicures, many could get up to 4 weeks of wear if the new growth didn’t drive them crazy.
Pedicure Products
Qtica also produces a nail treatments and spa treatments that are my go-tos at the salon. I love their pedicure products! They make low-foaming pedicure soaks, sugar scrubs and lotions in many luscious fragrances such as Almond Oatmeal and Grapefruit Surprise! Their Luxury lotion is so creamy but absorbs quickly and leaves skin soft without feeling greasy. I also prefer their scrubs to a salt scrub because the sugar melts during use, making it less harsh and also won’t corrode plumbing like salt scrubs can.
I have made a career out of finding what I feel are the best manicure and pedicure products because I want my clients to have the best. These are not only my very favorites but also the products that are the most popular with my clients, for now. This is an ever changing industry and I will continue to experiment, learn and grow as it does!
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