Review of IBD Professional Gel Kit

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This is a nice little set for a beginner. I've done three gel overlays with it so far (which means it has basically paid for itself at this point) and I've found that the builder gel cures a lot harder than the regular clear gel. I am using the one hand IBD UV lamp and with the regular clear gel, even if I doubled up the cure time, it still came out feeling somewhat soft. The builder gel cures quite hard. The gels are easy to apply even for a noob like me, and they are crystal clear. I can definitely see where the old cloudy gel they used at the nail salon ends and the IBD gel begins. The brush is already pretty stiff so I wish they'd given more brushes instead of all the red and white gel which I will never use. This kit does not include the dehydrate which they say is an important step in the instruction manual, but I have not experienced much lifting despite not using it. Only one nail has broken so far and it probably would have broken even if it was done in a salon (I was picking up a log and it slipped). I had really bad lifting on one nail. This was probably due to me getting the gel on my skin. The instruction manual does not tell you how to do fill-ins, so basically I had to make my own process up. I push back cuticles, file the surface, apply bonder and cure, use one coat of clear builder gel and cure, clean off residue, file where needed, and then apply sealer gel and cure. Honestly you can't even tell they weren't done in a salon. for a french manicure I just use white nail polish with the stickers you peel off after painting for a perfect smile line then apply OPI topcoat. I don't really understand why anybody would want to use the white gels for french manicures... it seems like way too much work trying to get the smile line just right during the fill in. either way, that is way beyond my current skill level. So I am basically happy with this kit and the lamp.

So to sum it up... It is easy to get a salon quality manicure even if you have never done it before, BUT they give you a bunch of gel you probably don't need, don't include dehydrate or instructions for fill ins, and the clear gel doesn't cure hard enough.

****EDIT: I've done about 10 manicures now and discovered a few things I wanted to add to my review... I discovered there actually is a section about fill-ins in the booklet (titled "Maintenance") so I was wrong about that. sorry IBD. Also, I have been having a lot of problems with lifting on the sides which I think is partially due to the brush bristles getting clumpy and my nails being somewhat oily. I ordered a bottle of dehydrate last month and it seems to have helped a lot. I also invested in a new gel brush, and it does make a WORLD of difference. I recommend the petal 6 which comes with a cap. 100% improvement in application with that brush. Repairing broken nails was really easy just by following their directions for applying tips. So I was happy with that cuz I did break off about three of them. Overall I am still pretty pleased and estimate that I have saved about 3 or 400 dollars in salon visits. so that makes it more than worth the initial investment.

ONE YEAR LATER REVIEW: What I ended up doing is going to the salon when I don't have the time or energy to do a full gel manicure. but when money is tight I am so glad that I can make my nails look salon perfect with this kit. the only thing i've had to buy refills of is the clear builder gel and the little sponge things. the only negatives are the time it takes since you can't work on one hand while the other is curing, and it's sometimes difficult to get the edges right especially when working with your other hand (depending on if you are a lefty or righty) so you end up with lifting. other than that, I have no regrets and recommend the kit to anybody who has the time and patience to do it themselves.

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so i have been getting my nails done since the early 80's i never feel really dressed without them. i have had really great nails and really bad nails so for the first time doing them myself i figured i would get another really bad set and get better from there. NOT SO! i am happy to report that my nails look great...follow the instructions on the dvd and please be sure you get a uv nail lamp before starting it wont work if you dont. i did them lots shorter than i get them done at the salon. i love the jersey look so i love to wear them super long but i am going to start short for now i also placed the tips low in the nail that should allow for growth and all i should have to do is fill in for 6-8 weeks. i do think though sooner or later i will go back to acrylics with gel over lays and i will do them myself. all in all this is a great little starter kit as long as you buy the lamp, dehydrator and uv top coat. i am going to use the ruby gel on my toes like in the dvd. but sooner or later i am going to have to do a french tip on my toes since that's my favorite. if you have time and can be patience with yourself you'll be fine. this is one of the things if i can do it you can too. cooking red gravy, mixing perfect sausage and tender pasta from scratch is not but that's another blog all together, nancy

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I bought it for my wife as a present, since nails is her hobby. And she really love it!!! The only thing you need to buy before start uv lamp.

Honest reviews on IBD Professional Gel Kit

I have had acrylic done by nail technicians and Ibd nail gel and liked both for good periods of time

The key element from what I was told is that you can put acrylic on and file around the nail after it hardens

But with gel, shape the nail and prime it, then put the gel on and leave it alone-do not file around edge after it dries

That it needs to wrap around the outside nail for holding power-so do all shaping 1st

That is what a real experienced gel nail technician told me--her nails lasted a good while

You can try that and see if makes a difference also

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for IBD Professional Gel Kit

This kit has everything you need to do really nice professional looking nails. Comes with booklet and instructional Dvd. The Ibd ingredients are of a really good quality which produces long lasting pretty nails. They come out smooth and natural with little to no filing, the product self levels making the nails smooth and pretty. I will recommend IBD products to others and be using it for a long time. The money that it has saved me by doing my own nails paid for this kit. Easy and friendly to use.