At-home gel kits have been immensely popular the past couple of years, but these latest incarnations no longer require a lamp. But are they worth the hype (and money)? Let's find out in this week's This or That:
L'Oreal Extraordinaire Gel-Laque 1-2-3
- 3 step system--base, shade of your choosing, and then top coat
- 21 shades
- via site: 14 day color "provides rich, ultra glossy color and resilient shine while protecting nail color from dings, dents and scratches"
- $7.99 for polish, $12.99 for kit (steps 1 & 3)
- Drugstores/online
Pros:
- Easy to locate products
- Polish (step 2) was on sale
- Very, very glossy shine
- Polishes dried quickly
- I did 2 coats as recommended, but 1 coat would have worked well.
Cons:
- Products had been sitting there a while (I noticed this in 7 stores) and colors had settled (possible quality issue in product?)
- 3 steps (could be a con for some, but it wasn't a big deal to me since I usually do a base, color, and top coat)
- Chipped very fast--within hours on the first test and then within a day with additional wearings. One instance the polish popped off in one piece.
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
- 2 step system (color and then top coat)
- 47 shades
- "Up to 14 Days of Color & Shine & Easy Removal"
- $9.99 per item
- drugstores/online
Pros:
- Love the range of colors
- Lasted much longer than the L'Oreal one
- Two steps
- Excellent info online for demonstrations (if needed)
Cons:
- Products were much harder to find (sold out online and took me having to visit several stores to find each product)
- Hard to find ingredients info
- Not as glossy--looked like regular polish with top coat. Not the "gel" look I was hoping for.
- Definitely needed two coats
- Brush was large and hard to work with (usually I like this but not with this shade)
- Chipped on some nails after 3 days. I usually made it around 4 days but I wash my hands a lot being a nanny, so perhaps long wear time if greater care was taken?
This or That?
- L'Oreal had the glossiest nails (like Seche Vite or Out the Door but without the fumes)
- Sally Hansen lasted longer but didn't have that "gel" look.
- Both were easy to remove.
- You will definitely need to coat tips and underneath nails to help with chipping and color pulling away for both products.
- I personally think they are both expensive for the results, which last around the same time as regular polish, so I would skip them both.
Hey you! Let's kick of this weekend in the right way! I've got 2 special giveaways as a way to thank you for reading!
Boo on the chipping! I love that second color! So pretty!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
Good to know, I'm glad you did this review, I've been very curious about the Sally Hansen version. I do love the color you picked, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteohh bummer about the chipping! i really want to try both of these polishes. xo jillian - cornflake dreams
ReplyDeleteWell darn, I was hoping one of these products would work well! As always, if it's too good to be true, it probably is. Great reviews!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds almost as if you might as well just use regular polish. I was so hoping that one of these would be amazing! Thank you for the review!! I am doing Jamberrys today - love those things! Susan
ReplyDeleteI actually didn't like the sally hansen gel at all - it was a little streaky and not like the gel look at all - like you said!! great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this helpful comparison! I've seen both at the drugstore and have wondered if they were worth trying.
ReplyDeleteRowena @ rolala loves
Great review!!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Style and Paper
Bloglovin
This was so helpful! I have been wondering about them. I think I will stick to splurging for the real gel manicures if I want them!
ReplyDeletewww.amemoryofus.com
no good with the chipping. I will stick with my gel polish and UV light.
ReplyDeletePretty colors! I've yet to try one of these at home gel polishes, but per your review, may just skip them altogether! Thanks girl!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
www.pumpsandpushups.com
I've been wanting to try both of these and it seems the Sally Hansen one is so popular, you can't even find the top coat in the stores!
ReplyDeleteSounds like neither of them last any longer than regular polish! Good to know. Thanks!
ReplyDeletexo Julie
julieupstairs.wordpress.com
Thanks for the review! I am currently loving the CND weekly polishes!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this review! I was browsing the aisle the other day and saw Sally Hansen ones and was close to purchasing. Will skip both!
ReplyDeleteReflection of Sanity
Love those deep red colors- perfect for fall! Kisses, Sissi www.beauty4free2u.com
ReplyDeleteI like the color but too bad it chips so fast
ReplyDeleteI love your honesty. This is a bummer, I can barely paint my nails with normal nail polish (and they always chip super fast) so I was thinking of trying something like this but think I'll just go au natural from now on lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for always being honest. Bummer they both chipped so fast.
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I bought a bottle of the L'Oreal not realizing it was part of their gel line, so glad I didn't spend the extra on the other steps. Thank you for the review. Happy weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a really helpful review! These really do sound like they're really not any better than regular nail polish. Good to know! I'll definitely be skipping these! xoxo Lauren
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteI love the colors of the nail polishes. It is sad that they chipped so fast.
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights
Thanks for review these. I have been thinking about trying the Sally Hansen one, but I probably won't now. That's too bad they didn't last longer. Pretty colors though!
ReplyDeletehintofblush.com
Thank you for this review! I was wondering about these products because regular nail polish doesn't last long for me. I'll just spend the extra and indulge at the salon and not feel bad about it! ;)
ReplyDeletelooks nice!
ReplyDeletestaying power is pretty average for both so definitely these are expensive on that front.. As per finish and shine i would prefer Loreal :) Nicely compared dear :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the L'Oreal started chipping within hours! Glad I've been passing it by.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I love getting gel manis, and thought doing them at home would be so awesome, but just didn't understand how they'd work without the UV curing. Sounds like they aren't working out that well after all. I'll stick to going to Julep for now. :)
ReplyDeleteThats a great comparison..i love sally hansen's nail paint for their quality and staying power..could you do a simlar comparison on the matte nail paint too :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
ReplyDeletethanks for review! Sad to hear about the results as I probably wouldn't buy then (which I thought of).
ReplyDeleteP.S. sorry for not being on your blog for a long time. xx
I've been wondering about these products and am so happy you reviewed them! Think I'll stick with my regular polish for now :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Based on the results, I probably wouldn't buy either! Thanks for saving me a trip to the store :)
ReplyDeleteChristie
The Closet by Christie
www.theclosetbychristie.com
hmmmm. these sound interesting. We tried a gel kit once that came with a light and it was basically the same thing they use in salons. The only problem was we couldn't paint our nails nicely enough lol
ReplyDeletexx 365hangers
I didn't even realize l'oreal had a gel version, but I've been on the hunt to try out the SH version, but like you said, I haven't been able to find it in any stores. I'm not as tempted after reading your reviews, especially since I'm someone who likes to change up my polish pretty frequently anyway!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll stick to the regular Essie nail polishes I tend to gravitate towards. These are not worth the price. I'll visit the salon for the gel nail polishes until they come up with an even better version. The Sally Hansen one does look tempting enough to try though. Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteMy mind is still in Florida and I've been back for months, haha! I love the colours of these - perfect for autumn.
ReplyDeleteCorinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
Thank you for such a detailed review, Elle! I can honestly say I've never heard of the home kits before (I am ANCIENT when it comes to this... :D ). but I am curious now. I wouldn't mind the fact that it looked less shiny compared to the salon gels - I'd probably prefer that. I am not sure I'd have the dedication to visit severals shops to get everything, though. Again, thank you for such a fantastic review! x
ReplyDeleteI like the color of the second polish better but I would miss the glossy finish. Loved this review. Super informative.
ReplyDeletethank you for this review! I just saw both of these in magazines and wondered how they worked because I avoid gel manis/UV rays at the salon. I appreciate your posts, Elle!
ReplyDeleteI've been using Seche Vite post reading one of your earlier posts. I love the gel-like, glossy look. I've decided I can tolerate the fumes for the effect I'm getting. :) T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletei'D GO WITH sALLY Hansen
ReplyDeletethey last longer on my nails
and I could use a bottle for months
especially when kept inside the ref.
I have heard great things about the new+improved Loreal Nail Polish(es). The dark crimson color on that one is beautiful and I can see it work for all 4 seasons. But then again Sally Hensen is always great and healthy on the nails.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I purchased some new eyeshadow and a mascara today and thought of you. They are both from European brands though.