Can I pick your brains? Basecoats

I use nail envy as my base coat. Makes my nails really strong, love it.

Top coats are are difficult one for me. At the moment I'm using china glaze fast dry as I find it very shiney, dries fast and none of the SV problems. I also used Porsche topcoat which does the same.

For glitters I use a coat of NPB glitter food to smooth things out although I've heard great things about gelous but I've never used it.

HK girl topcoat is the best one I've tried. Basecoats are a much of a muchness for me, I just stick to the 17 strengthening one

I'm another Nail Envy addict, it works for me, but I do sometimes get dragging with it (I probably put too much on though, I like to feel that my nails are well protected and looked after  ).
I also use Seche Vite but have tried Gelous too, it does work well as a glitter smoother. Trouble is, I like the dry time of SV so usually top the Gelous with that. I've tried to buy HK Girl, but the shop sent me SV instead (and told me to be grateful as SV was more expensive and worked better. Assholes...)
Eclecctico is launching a new top coat today, Glossy Glam- I'm interested but am not interested enough to pay for shipping from Singapore.
My UV lamp (for my sister's gels really) has touched down today so my next port of call is the Seche UV.

LoolaBeanbag wrote:I'm another Nail Envy addict, it works for me, but I do sometimes get dragging with it (I probably put too much on though, I like to feel that my nails are well protected and looked after  ).
I also use Seche Vite but have tried Gelous too, it does work well as a glitter smoother.  Trouble is, I like the dry time of SV so usually top the Gelous with that.  I've tried to buy HK Girl, but the shop sent me SV instead (and told me to be grateful as SV was more expensive and worked better.  Assholes...)
Eclecctico is launching a new top coat today, Glossy Glam- I'm interested but am not interested enough to pay for shipping from Singapore.  
My UV lamp (for my sister's gels really) has touched down today so my next port of call is the Seche UV.

I'm considering the glossy glam top coat today too loola.......

Loola, who do you get your Gelous from? Sally Beauty?

I've wanted Gelous for a while, but never been able to track any down!

I used Seche Vite, and like you don't have any shrinkage problems. I have one of the large professional bottles, so I just refill mine when it starts getting thick and that thins it down. Alternatively, you can buy Seche Restore to thin it. I used to use OPI Natural Nail Base Coat which I would recommend - I very rarely got staining (but I think there are some polishes that will stain regardless of what you've got underneath!) and wear time was good. It ran out the other week so I gave the 17 one a try, but it's useless, my nails are chipping in less than 24 hours. I guess I didn't realise how good the OPI one was until I stopped using it!

starrystarry wrote:Loola, who do you get your Gelous from?  Sally Beauty?

Yup, I got it from Sally's  

shoppingaddict wrote:

LoolaBeanbag wrote:I'm another Nail Envy addict, it works for me, but I do sometimes get dragging with it (I probably put too much on though, I like to feel that my nails are well protected and looked after  ).
I also use Seche Vite but have tried Gelous too, it does work well as a glitter smoother.  Trouble is, I like the dry time of SV so usually top the Gelous with that.  I've tried to buy HK Girl, but the shop sent me SV instead (and told me to be grateful as SV was more expensive and worked better.  Assholes...)
Eclecctico is launching a new top coat today, Glossy Glam- I'm interested but am not interested enough to pay for shipping from Singapore.  
My UV lamp (for my sister's gels really) has touched down today so my next port of call is the Seche UV.

I'm considering the glossy glam top coat today too loola.......

I was sure I saw a 'free worldwide shipping to coincide' on their Facebook page on Thursday (or round about then) but either I've lost the plot entirely or it's evaporated!

Vaguely recall it, but I have a shocking memory!

Sarah wrote:HK girl topcoat is the best one I've tried. Basecoats are a much of a muchness for me, I just stick to the 17 strengthening one

It looks like Eclecticco/Rainbow Connection will be stocking HK Girl from Spetember  

Another Nail Envy user here,simply because my nails are thin and weak naturally and I've had no problems with it
Top coat wise, I'm currently using Seche Vite but I'm not that keen on it.I'll probably go back to OPI Rapid Dry (Yep, I know a lot of people hate it!) once it starts going gloopy. The Gelous is great over glitters but like Loola I use Seche over the top to speed up the drying time
I got my Gelous in Sally's too,as it was cheaper than the one I found on EBay

I'll have to get some Gelous next time I'm near a Sally's. I use Nailtiques F2 as my base coat and Sally Hansen Insta Dri topcoat.

I invested in a bottle of Seche Restore a couple of months ago. Highly recommend that for thinning polishes when they start to get gloopy. I've rescued several that were pretty much unusable.

I use Matte Nail Envy as a base and Seche Vite as a tc... I've had a tiny bit of shrinkage if I'm not careful with application but not enough to put me off, it's fab.

Another Matte Nail Envy user here. Didn't realise how well it worked until I noticed how longs my nails had gotten - usually they peel or break well before getting to a decent length. Was so chuffed when I had to file them shorter  

I tried Nail Envy as a basecoat and really didn't get on with it. I use Essie Fill the Gap. I love it! I've got several others but I keep coming back to that.
Seche Vite top coat, despite some shrinkage its the best I've found so far. I have the OPI rapidry and really don't get on with that - nor the Sally Hansen fast drying one.

I've been using Rimmel 5in1 Nail Treat base and top coat and my nails have got very long.

I swear by SV too, I get the big bottle and SV restore too, keep it well topped up and thinned and I never have any problems with shrinkage. If I'm wearing glitter I use Gelous as a smoother before the SV. Gelous takes too long to dry on its own  

I don't have a preference for basecoat, I'll use pretty much anything!

Lumos for top and base is my favourite, been the longest lasting I think I've ever tried. Also a huge lover of nail envy!!! especially after acrylic, don't think there is anything better to seal your nail off and keep it protected, if there is I've not found it yet  

Another one who uses nail envy as a basecoat and I use no 7 top coat as it us a quick dry top coat and it is cheaper then most with their vouchers. It used to be £2 with the £5 off but I think it is £3.50 with the new vouchers