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Ask the Educator!
Have a question? Our OPI Educator Charlotte has answers to your most-asked pro questions!
My OPI Intelli-Gel™ is not lasting, why is this?
There could be a number of reasons for this, if you haven’t had training for some time then a refresher is advised. You can view all of our courses on OPIeducationuk.com
A few things to check- Follow full OPI preparation including buffing, wiping thoroughly with N.A.S. 99 and applying Bond Aid. Ensure you are shaking all bottles of OPI GelColor for 60 seconds prior to use. Explaining our base coat options might help to give clarity on which one to use and when- Super Base is our HEMA/TPO free basecoat that is also Vegan, I would use this basecoat on any customers who have a known allergy to HEMA/TPO or would like to ensure they have a fully Vegan Intelli-Gel™ service. For anyone who wants to ensure durability from their OPI Gel manicure then I would use Stay Strong base. Both are to be cured in the OPI Starlight lamp for 30 seconds.
Top Tips for maintaining OPI Intelli-Gel™ bottles…
- Shake for 60 seconds- Do this with your chosen base coat, colour and top coats
- Keep the bottle necks clean, use a dry lint free pad to wipe away excess gel from the neck of the bottle
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Do not work in a conservatory or in direct sunlight
My OPI Super Gloss top coat is not shiny once cured, why is this?
Are you using the OPI Starlight lamp? If not, this is our first recommendation to ensure you are curing the product correctly. Make sure you are shaking the product for 60 seconds prior to use. Ensure you are using enough Super Gloss Top Coat so that it ‘floats’ on and not picking up the tacky inhibition layer from the colour. Wipe with N.A.S. 99
Why is my OPI Intelli-Gel™ Colour shrinking back from side walls, free edge or cuticle?
Ensure you have thoroughly prepped the nail, cleansed with NAS 99 and applied Bond Aid. Gel will stick to gel, so ensure you have completely covered the nail with your chosen basecoat. Ensure you have given the base and colour a thorough shake for 60 seconds.
Why are some of the Intelli-Gel™ colours more pigmented than others?
Although the Intelli-Gel™ colours are far more pigmented than the previous formula, we have to ensure they can still fully cure in the OPI Starlight lamp. Yellow pigment is known to be more difficult to cure, so shades with yellow pigment in them (even just a little) will need to be less pigmented to ensure a full cure.
Can I cure OPI Intelli-Gel™ in any lamp?
No, OPI Intelli-Gel™ has been formulated to cure in the OPI Starlight lamp, and the lamp has been developed to cure OPI Intelli-Gel™. As with any gel, you must use the full system including the lamp to ensure a proper cure. Even if your gel seems cured in another lamp, gel looks cured at 50% so there is no guarantee it is fully cured. Undercured gel can of course effect the longevity of the manicure, but also exposure to undercured gel can result in allergies. Your insurance will also state to follow manufacturer’s guidelines.
Why do we need to shake the OPI Intelli-Gel™ bottles?
You need to shake to ensure every brush load has the correct combination of ingredients such as Oligomers, Photoinitiators and Pigments. This will ensure easy application and durability.
What does the tear drop logo mean on the neck of my Intelli-Gel™ colour bottles?
These are known as our opacity symbols, they indicate whether a shade is sheer, semi sheer or opaque. This is so helpful for advising clients that want French manicure to choose from one of your sheer (empty tear drop) or semi sheer (half filled tear drop) pinks. A full tear drop indicates a full coverage colour.
Why does my Intelli-Gel™ top coat stain?
Gel polish is porous so it will grab onto certain pigment and stain. For example things like, self tan products, dye from clothing and spices from cooking will stain the gel manicure so it’s best to advise your clients to avoid these or wear gloves when using.
Why is my new Intelli-Gel™ Bubble Bath® different to my previous bottle?
Some of our classic shades such as Bubble Bath® have been around for many years, throughout this time there have been variations of the shade. As part of the new formulation and to ensure continuity moving forward the shades have been colour matched back to the original shade.
Why did OPI reformulate the gel?
There was a demand in the market for a HEMA free and Vegan gel system. There is also an ingredient named TPO that has now been removed from Intelli-Gel™ due to a ban of this ingredient coming into place in late 2025. There was also a call from nail pro’s to improve the pigment of our gel to achieve full coverage and create nail art designs. We have also improved the brush to achieve a closer, neater cuticle application as well as the technology ensuring your colour stays put.
Why does my OPI gel base coat thicken?
Both Super Base and Stay Strong are hybrid basecoats, meaning they are a combination of gel and solvents, this makes for an easier soak-off however when the solvent evaporates this will leave more gel in the bottle and it will be a thicker viscosity. To prevent this, ensure you have given a really thorough shake for 60 seconds each time you use it, and don’t leave the lid off for extended periods of time
How long is the life span of the OPI Starlight lamp?
Around 2 years, this can be more if you use it less and shorter than 2 years if you use it a lot. The UV output will deteriorate even when the light is still lighting up.
Where can I see upcoming OPI education and events?
Visit OPIeducationuk.com
How many manicures should I get from one Intelli-Gel™ colour?
80 sets per bottle
What is the shelf life of Intelli-Gel™ once opened?
24 Months
What happened to Bubble Bath? I thought it was a soft baby pink shade.
Bubble Bath was launched in 2001, and since then, the shade has had many iterations due to the natural pigmentation process over time and changes in technology and formulations. Bubble Bath in the new GelColor with OPI Intelli-Gel Technology™ has a more intense colour payoff, ensuring delivery of the ideal colour with just one or two coats. We recommend using just one coat for a classic pale pink with a touch of neutral pigment. If you prefer more of a soft pink, we recommend one coat of Bare My Soul + one coat of Baby Take a Vow.
What is different about the new vs old GelColor Bubble Bath Shade?
The new GelColor Bubble Bath shade has a touch of added peach pigment to better match the classic Nail Lacquer icon. It also has a richer pigment in the new formulation. You can get beautiful colour in just one or two coats, whereas before it could take 3-4 coats to achieve the ideal colour.
Why is it different?
The new GelColor Bubble Bath had been matched to two coats of the iconic Nail Lacquer shade, which features a touch of neutral peach pigment. The shade is also richer in the new formulation. You can get beautiful colour in just one or two coats, whereas before it could take 3-4 coats to achieve the ideal colour.
How can I use the new Bubble Bath GelColor? Does it still work for the base of nail art or French tips?
The new Bubble Bath GelColor shade is ideal as a base to French manicures and nail art. If you want a deeper peachy pink colour, use two coats of Bubble Bath. If you prefer a milky nude-pink, we suggest “Bubble Bunny,” which is one coat of Funny Bunny + one coat of Bubble Bath.
Ask our Freelance Educator!
We asked our Freelance Educator Sally French about her experience working within the industry and her thoughts on OPI!
Sally French @sally_French_opi
After qualifying as a hairdresser and beauty therapist I opened my first salon when I was only 19 and that was 36 years ago. It was in the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne. I started in a small room, I had a nail station and reception area, sunbed and treatment room. I grew out of that space and with in the same building I gained two big rooms to open 6 treatment rooms, 4 nail stations, a standup sunbed and a spray tan booth. I employed staff and had a healthy business. Then I took over two nail salons in the busy Gateshead metro centre and Newcastle airport, expanding them with beauty treatments. At that point I had three sites and employed twenty girls, and it was successful. I joined the OPI team in 2005 to become a regional educator, I gained huge nail experience and my teacher's certificate.
Unfortunately, due to the recession I had to consolidate back to my original salon in Newcastle to keep the business in profit and concentrate on the education side of the business.
In 2008 decided to look for a space nearer Hexham where I lived and found a lovely stable in the historical town of Corbridge Northumberland I opened a small salon there, gave up the Newcastle salon and now have a one-to-one private clinic specialising in skin and nail treatments and OPI education. I never look back my motto is SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL, I have no stress, less overheads and much more profit even when I had a bigger business.
Anyone that is thinking of downsizing their business my advice would be to look at what you have, and could you make it work better, do a three-year business plan with your monies coming in and bills going out and is it going to work better for you in your life? Very important seek advice about looking after your staff if you are making any redundancies and any other legal requirements e.g. building leases. If you do decide to be smaller, make sure your branding is right look at re training in something that’s special and unique to you and your salon. Don’t think that downsizing is a bad thing it could be the best thing you do, I know it was for me.
Top tips for successful retailing is work out a brilliant selling circle. Find out what your clients' needs are always listen to them more than you talk. Provide a prescription that will give them results don’t over sell let them decide and if you have done a good consultation and selling circle you will look after your clients' needs every day of the year not just the intensive and professional treatment you provide for them, that’s what’s most important to me.
My favourite current OPI product is NEW Intelli-Gel™ super topcoat it glides on to seal in NEW GelColor, highest shine I have ever worked with, scratch resistant prevents fading and shifting and up to 3 weeks of wear from application to removal. I love it, students love it, clients love it, check the OPI website for 5-star reviews.
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