Belle Gel Starter Kit Review + Full Collection Swatches

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img alt="Belle Gel Starter Kit" height="856" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8007/28790523793_3db7a9219f_o.png" width="600" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A few weeks ago I got on the gel manicure train. Well I dipped my toes in first with a nail polish to gel kit from SensatioNail (<a href="http://www.makeupsavvy.co.uk/2016/08/how-to-transform-any-nail-polish-into.html">review post</a>) which allows you to transform any normal nail polish into a gel one - pretty cool, right? But since then I've wanted to try out a full gel nail kit with actual gel polishes -  1. To see if the process was easier 2. To indulge my new love of gel nails!</i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As you can see here I now have a full gel nail starter kit and lots of wonderful gel polishes from Belle Gel that I've been testing out and today I thought I'd give it a full review and my honest options on gel manicures in general... because it's not all positive (see below)!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img alt="Belle-Gel-Starter-Kit-Review" height="800" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8489/29412291695_d1e2346e72_o.jpg" width="600" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What you receive in the Belle Gel starter kit </b></span> </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Portable LED lamp, US<span style="font-size: small;">B</span> lead & mains plug, fabric travel wrap, protector base coat, glossy top coat, 'Ripe Raspberry' gel polish, cleanser & wipe off 30ml, nail file  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Price - Belle Gel Starter Kit �54.95 <a href="http://www.bellegel.co.uk/product/belle-gel-complete-nail-kit/#prettyPhoto" rel="nofollow">here</a> or Peel Off Gel & Lamp (gel colour not included) �34.95 <a href="http://www.bellegel.co.uk/product/peel-off-gel-lamp-collection/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. </b><i>You can also buy additional items from the Bella Gel website such as - nourishing cuticle oil, cuticle pusher, cleanser & wipe off 100ml, gel remover 100ml, foil wraps and 12 gel colours.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">My First Gel Manicure</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For my first gel manicure I decided I wanted ultra pink nails with Malaga Magic and as you can see it turned out pretty shiny and lovely. Below I've detailed the process, which I found pretty easy and took around 5 minutes per hand. As for how long my nails lasted, it was a good 9 days before a few edges chipped and I had to remove it (which is a longer process of around 20 minutes!). You can also find swatches of the full gel colours to the bottom of this post. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Gel Application </b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Prepare: Light buff nails to remove shine. Cleanse to eliminate dust and natural oils.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Protector Base: Apply a thin, even coat and cure for 60 seconds. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Colour Coats x 2: Apply a thin, even application of 2 coats of colour, curing each for 60 seconds</span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Glossy Top: Finally apply a single glossy top coat and cure for 60 seconds</span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Finish: Wipe over nails with the cleanser on a paper towel and voila, your nails are dry and finished! </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img alt="Belle-gel-Lamp" height="800" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8867/28790525003_66e8633cfe_o.jpg" width="600" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Thoughts on the starter kit </b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My instant thoughts of this gel kit as soon as I set it up (all of 5 seconds) was focused towards the LED lamp with how portable it is, it's slightly bigger than a deck of cards, and how bright the LED lights were... which I'm sure helps with a quick and more solid gel manicure. I also loved the addition of fabric travel wrap as the LED lamp fits into one of the pockets as do all the accessories - so you can ditch the box and when it comes to doing your nails you can roll the wrap out on the table and have everything instantly to hand. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As for the gel colours, I do think most gel polishes are of the same standard however the colour range with Belle Gel is good, I'm in love with the two shades above, and I like that the starter kit does come with a gel colour in Ripe Raspberry. You can see swatches of the full gel colour collection below which are all priced at �12.50 for 8ml. But of course you are free to use an brand of gel polishes with the LED lamp - I personally love Elite 99 shades which start from only �2.50 on eBay <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=elite+99&LH_BIN=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xelite99.TRS0&_nkw=elite99&_sacat=0" rel="nofollow">here</a>. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The not so positives to gel nails </b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> If you are a nail polish picker then gel nails are seriously not for you! Even though gel nails last 8+ days you can always find an edge to peel/lift up and peel off. This will seriously damage your nail bed, especially over time as you will end up peeling parts of the surface layer of nail off and end up with weak brittle nails!</span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Gel nails aren't something that can be relaxingly done in dull lighting at night. The LED lamp, especially this one, is bright and from personal experience and asking others it can cause headaches. LED/UV light isn't supposed to be looked at directly however there is a certain amount of glow that comes off the lamp when it's in use that you really can't avoid looking at when doing the gel process. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img alt="Belle-Gel-Polish-swatches" height="600" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8113/29303659592_a64fba3cfb_o.jpg" width="600" /></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Belle Gel - Full gel polish swatches (left to right) </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">�12.50 each <a href="http://www.bellegel.co.uk/shop/belle-gel-nails/colours/" rel="nofollow">here</a> - All shades apply streak-free and cure to a ultra smooth, glossy finish</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Row 1 - Saturday Night Red, Cassis, Sunset, Malaga Magic </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Row 2 - Oyster, Cafe Creme, Mint Cream, Ice Pink</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Row 3 - Foxglove, Denim Blues, Driftwood  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Overall this kit is ideal if you are new to gel nails! It's easy to use and I still can't get over how compact the LED lamp is. I also love that there is a peel off option which is perfect if you don't have the time to soak off your gel nails. </b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A really good Gel nail kit here that I would recommend. </b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Fee xo. </b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>

Gel nails NOTD Belle Gel Starter Kit Review + Full Collection Swatches

A few weeks ago I got on the gel manicure train. Well I dipped my toes in first with a nail polish to gel kit from SensatioNail ( review po...

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How To Transform any Nail Polish into a Gel Manicure with Sensationail Polish to Gel Kit

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Sensationail_polish-to-gel-kit-review" height="800" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7586/29027823035_ea85b88648_o.jpg" width="600" /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">If you've read Makeup Savvy for a long time you may have noticed a lack of nail posts this year. Th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">at</span> would be because I'm become fairly lazy with my nails. Gone are the days I change my nail polish bi-weekly and I've even stopped buying them<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">!</span></span></i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">These days I like my manicure to last as long as possible - basically I'm a normal nail polish wearer and not an obsessed nail blogger anymore. FYI - I still love nail polish, don't worry! </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So when Sensational asked if I wanted to try their affordable <b>Polish to Ge<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">l Starte<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">r</span></span> Kit <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(currently �34.99 saving �<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">15.00 at Boots <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/SensatioNail-Polish-to-Gel-Starter-Kit_1804964/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>)</span></span></b> I literally jumped at the chance because even though I've never experienced gel nails I've often admired my sisters ultra glossy talons after coming back from the nail salon<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> plus</span> I really wouldn't mind keeping my nail polish on my nails for long than 4-5 days. I also don't think I could fully get on board with gel nails and leave my extensive nail polish collection to collect dust and dry up<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Sensationail-kit-review" height="800" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8103/28922728482_e6bd60f6ac_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The LED lamp can either be plugged into a wall socket or with the USB lead to your laptop! </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Which is why the Polish to Gel Kit makes sense if you already own a lot of nail polishes you still want to use. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I</span>n the kit you receive pretty much everything you need to achieve gel nails at home but with the addition of the polish to gel transformer which you can use it two ways. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>The simple <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ge<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">l</span> top coa<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t </span></span>method</b> </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Paint your nails as normal (with a normal nail polish) and then once fully dry, we are talking 2+ hours here, a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">pply </span>the transformer top coat and cure under the provide UV/LED lamp for 15 seconds<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span> Amazingly glossy and smooth nails that will last you 7+ days.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b> The longer mixing method</b> </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Mix your own nail polish with the transformer polish in the mixing pot provided and apply two coats<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span>curing between each coat and then a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">pply a</span> single coat of the transformer as a top coat and cure again. This is more faffy however if you are someone that can't wait for your nails to dry and often smudges them you will be pleased to know once you're done they will be rock solid and won't smudge. This longer process al<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">so</span> means you get an even longer wear time! My nails (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">below</span>) using this method have been perfect and have lasted<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>10 days so far <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- </span>amazing right? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Easy-gel-nails-at-home" height="600" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8333/28994981466_bc78271254_o.jpg" width="600" /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What method is best? </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Personally I know I will use both methods for various reasons. Most of the time I can see myself using the simpler method of applying the transformer top coat and curing them once under the lamp as I'm generally ready for a change after a week. However I'll be certainly using the longer mixing method to create full on gel nails when I go on holiday and I'll be using this method on my toes so I can keep them in perfect condition for 2 weeks plus... yes, I'm lazy but I'm sure we're all a bit lazy when it comes to pedicures! </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm also thinking both methods are great for that nail polish that always chips, everyone has one in their collection <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm su<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">re!</span></span></span> For this reason I'm excited to transform some of my amazing duochromes that chip so quickly, plus I'm already ooo'ing at the thought of the smooth glossy finish under bright lighting -<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>I'm still nail obsessed deep down! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Removal </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As for removal, just like gel nails or even stubborn glitter nails, they need to be soaked in acetone with tinfoil wrapped around them for 20 minutes and then</span> the excess removed with a wooden stick. This does take a bit of time but having done it twice now I'm getting use to sitting with alien fingers whilst watching TV<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="nail-polish-to-gel-easy-way" height="451" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8139/28994981746_b27f5a4a75_o.jpg" width="600" /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I should point out that if you aren't new to gel nails and already have a lamp and supplies then I'd highly recommend picking up just the <b>Sensationail Transformer Polish to Gel <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Refill (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">small size<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> �8.99 <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/SensatioNail-Polish-to-Gel-Transformer-refill-7-39ml-_1804968/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> or larger size �12.00 <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/SensatioNail-Polish-to-Gel-Transformer-refill-14-7ml-_1804966/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">)</span></span></span></span></b> and using this method to get back to using some of your old non-gel nail polishes but as gels! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Side note</b> - I also love that water nail decals can be used or just cut up temporary tattoos (what I used <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">on my nails in this post) </span>or even painted on nail art and then sealed in with the Gel top coat. I just can't get over the smooth feel and how they stay perfect for so long! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Overall I really think this is an extremely affordable kit that can also be used as a standard gel kit and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone that wants a longer lasting manicure or to save money by ditching the nail salon. </b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Let me know your thoughts on the kit and if you've ever thought about transforming your standard nail polishes into true gel nails. </b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Fee xo. </b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>

NOTD How To Transform any Nail Polish into a Gel Manicure with Sensationail Polish to Gel Kit

If you've read Makeup Savvy for a long time you may have noticed a lack of nail posts this year. Th at would be because I'm become ...

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