Sensationail: Salon Results at Home

UV Gel Manicures are all the rage right now. They provide long lasting, high gloss results that every nail enthusiast just can't resist. But the price of a gel manicure at a salon can run you $30-$50. Although that sounds like a lot for a manicure keep in mind this manicure will last well beyond two weeks if applied correctly. Some frugal DIY divas have been doing gel manicures from home way before the explosion of these at home gel manicure kits. They realized it was a lot cheaper to buy the supplies and do it themselves. Well I guess companies listened and now we have Gelish, Red Carpet Manicure, and Sensationail. Shellac is only available at salons and was intended to be a salon product but can be bought and found online. Currently they do not offer an at home kit nor do they market themselves as an at home DIY product.

Its not the easiest manicure but with a little practice anyone can get salon results at home for a fraction of the price. So you might be wondering whats the difference between these brands? Which one is the better deal? Is it really that easy?

To answer the first question there is a difference between the brands although their products can be used interchangably with each other. The differences are slight and are more of preferences rather than cons.

Gelish

• In comparison to Shellac it is more available(currently sold at Sally's), has a basic starter kit and markets themselves as a DIY product, inexpensive
• high quality
• high gloss
• long wear when all the steps are done correctly
• Applies like a normal nail polish
• More color options than Shellac including glittery fun colors great for nail art
• UV Gel Lamp Sold Separately is rather expensive however, they offer a portable more affordable UV LED Lamp for $19.95
• Initial investment if you buy the basic kit(seems to be the most cost effective) $49.95 this does not include one of their three UV LED Lamps assuming you would not spend $400 to get the pro light and would opt for the portable light and also would like a color gel polish your initial investment on the lower end would be about $84.85
• Nail Polish Colors are 14.95 for the mini Sally's does not offer the larger size
• http://www.nailharmony.com/products/gelish-gel-polish/gelish-gel-polish.html

Red Carpet Manicure

• In comparison to Shellac and Gelish very inexpensive( $9.99 for most products including polishes)
• In comparison to Shellac more accessible ( sold at Ulta and Online through Red Carpet Manicure)
• High quality
• High gloss
• Long wear
• Bottles are much small than those of Gelish and Shellac however Gelish does sell a min bottle that is about the size of Red Carpet's normal bottles.
• Has a starter kit much like Gelish and UV Light is sold separately when buying it from Ulta ( same for Gelish)
• Relatively large color selection that will grow over time more colors than Sensationail but less colors than Gelish.
• UV Light is LED lamp that comes in portable and professional. Portable is at a much more affordable price point of $19.99 whereas the pro is $49.99
• Initial Investment if you bought it from Ulta would be approx. $53.95 That includes UV Lamp(19.99)+ Nail Polish Color and does not include the pre and post gel cleanser(its alcohol you can buy that at a drug store for less) and the Gel Nail Remover( You just need pure acetone which can be bought at a drug store for less) however you do need these two items to get started.
• Nail Polish colors at $9.99
• http://www.redcarpetmanicure.com/

Sensationail

• In comparison with Shellac this is much more inexpensive but the quality is questionable. This is a new product from Nailene a long time maker of press on nails.
• Starter Kit is all inclusive for $50.00 you get everything you need to do ten manicures even the nail polish color and UV LED Lamp this is the most affordable starter kit. For the price of the pro light for Red Carpet Manicure you get everything you need to get started
• In comparison to Shellac, RCM(Red Carpet Manicure), Gelish this is by far the most accessible it is sold at Wal-Mart.
• High Gloss
• Durability
• Long wear when the steps are completed correctly
• Brushes on like nail polish
• Limited Color selection and color quality is a little questionable
• Initial Investment $50.00 and additional nail polish colors are $7.99
• http://www.nailene.com/

Shellac

• Most expensive but is high quality, durable, and long wear
• CND is the leader in professional nail care
• applies just like a normal nail polish
• not very accessible but you can find it on Amazon
• no starter kit must buy products separately
• Limited color selection
• http://www.cnd.com/Products/Color/shellac-intro.aspx

Obviously Sensationail is the best bang for your buck and is a great way to start. Its a great introduction kit that allows you make a minimal investment yet you have all the products you need. Even if the Sensationail products aren't what you want, you get the hardware you need to use you any brand you like. Also many products can be found on Amazon for a lower prices than the beauty supply stores however you do pay for shipping.