Introduction and Gel question

[Southerngirlspa]

Hey everyone, I am a new member allthough I have been reading the forums and TOTALLY enjoying the ideas and advice for a couple of months now.

I recently graduated from the academy of nail technology which I loved. I got lots and lots of practice at school and Im super excited, but honestly a little nervous, about doing "real" paying clients. Thats why I love this forum....yay!

My sister is a hairdresser and opended a salon last month. I have a lovely nail area there...just got my pedicure bowl last week....LOVE my stuff.

My question was this....I am planning on offering gel nails and gel polish in the salon. I used LCN gels in school and liked them a lot, and am wondering about the similarities/differences between LCN and other systems.

The two I have thought about are the OPI axxium or Brisa.

I am intrigued by the Brisa kit available for sale right now with the lamp but there are NO Brisa classes anywhere near me. Not even in the three neighboring states. Ive read lots of good remarks about the Brisa....how do you guys think it works compared to LCN? I liked the fact that the LCN was NOT self leveling...I just never got the hang of the self leveling stuff I used sometimes in school. Im sure I could if I practiced....but I kind of liked "playing" with it.

Then the OPI...I read that it is nice and thin application, etc....but my nail instructor was of the opinion that it was not as good as some other gel systems and that it was too pricey for the product. Now, she may have based that opinion on an older OPI gel system....Im not sure. And of course, no OPI classes anywhere near me either.

Also, I have never done a soak off gel....

I just loved doing gels in school. Everytime a person would come in and ask for them my teacher would give it to me cause she knew I wanted lots of practice so I could do them after graduation and be good. What do y'all think?

Axxium and Brisa compared to LCN?
Level of runniness/self leveling?
Cost compared to product?
AND necessity of taking a product class......I know in best case scenario I should...but there just arent any. I even emailed the manufacturers and they said nope, no classes. Are the DVD instructions good enough? Please giveme your honest opinion. Noone else in my town offers gels and I am so excited about offering them!

Maybe I should just stick with the LCN.....

Thanks!

 

[geeg]

Axxium and Brisa compared to LCN?
Level of runniness/self leveling?
Cost compared to product?
AND necessity of taking a product class......I know in best case scenario I should...but there just arent any. I even emailed the manufacturers and they said nope, no classes. Are the DVD instructions good enough? Please giveme your honest opinion. Noone else in my town offers gels and I am so excited about offering them!

I used to teach for LCN and used it in my salons and I know Brisa inside and out but I can't speak for OPI Axiom as I haven't used it.

If you go to the articles section here on the site there are pages of Q&A's regarding Brisa Gels so I won't bother to cover that territory again, and instead just answer your questions.

Level of runniness/self levelling?
Brisa does not self LEVEL. It holds the shape you put into it but the surface does smooth out under the lamp which is very cool. I too hate gels that self level ... I like them to stay where I put them! :lol:

Cost compared to product?
Brisa Gels are very competitively priced and the deals on at the moment are fantastic value.

AND necessity of taking a product class
As you say, it is the best scenario to take a class but the Brisa kit does contain a video which if you use LCN is pretty self explanatory and you can use the method of application on the video or the way you have learned with LCN. I still apply gel the way I was taught by LCN because I am comfortable with that.

I do think the CND video is a tad misleading on the bonder coat application because you have in fact got to work that layer into the surface well and not just paint it on like nail polish (which is how the video makes it look). Otherwise, the video will get you good to go.

 

[Southerngirlspa]

Thank you so much for the information. You answered all of my questions beautifully to let me know that I hopefully won't be wasting a bunch of money going for the Brisa Kit. Either the fact that I won't like it OR not being able to use it properly due to lack of classes. I guess either scenario could still happen, but I feel more confident plonking down the money now.

Now I just have to decide which gel colors to use.

Does anyone have an opinion they would like to share on Brisa color mixing versus the OPI line? I have read through some of the posts and it looks like OPI goes on easy, thin, etc. (Or at least thats what Im gathering from cruising threads)....but I also think it is sooo neat to offer clients custom blended colors.

Thanks again!

 

[ValencianNails]

Does anyone have an opinion they would like to share on Brisa color mixing versus the OPI line? I have read through some of the posts and it looks like OPI goes on easy, thin, etc. (Or at least thats what Im gathering from cruising threads)....but I also think it is sooo neat to offer clients custom blended colors.

I don't use OPI so can't comment on their products, however, I am a Brisa tech and have been for over 3 years now.
They have premixed gels in warm, neutral and cool pinks, as well as semi opaque, sheer and glitter, add to that the coloured gels and you're on to a winner in my opinion. You can mix any colour you want to from the Brisa Bolds collection of gels and also use them for nailart if you want to :green:

Here's some pics of my work using Brisa gels...
http://www.salongeek.com/members/valenciannails-albums-nails%2C+nails++more+nails!-picture6257-before-during-prep-after-using-brisa-neutral-opaque-pink-pow.html

http://www.salongeek.com/members/valenciannails-albums-nails%2C+nails++more+nails!-picture605-brisa-gel-natural-nail-overlay.html

http://www.salongeek.com/members/valenciannails-albums-nails%2C+nails++more+nails!-picture10-cnd-brisa-uv-gel-stiletto-tip-coverage-gel-nailbed-silver-glitter-gel.html

http://www.salongeek.com/members/valenciannails-albums-nails%2C+nails++more+nails!-picture11-cnd-brisa-natural-nail-overlay.html

Also, do a search in the Geek Gallery (click Navigation then Geek Gallery) to see more Brisa work, as well as individual's albums on their profiles.
...enjoy looking, you'll be there for hours :lol:

hth's a bit

 

[geeg]

Thank you so much for the information. You answered all of my questions beautifully to let me know that I hopefully won't be wasting a bunch of money going for the Brisa Kit. Either the fact that I won't like it OR not being able to use it properly due to lack of classes. I guess either scenario could still happen, but I feel more confident plonking down the money now.

Now I just have to decide which gel colors to use.

Does anyone have an opinion they would like to share on Brisa color mixing versus the OPI line? I have read through some of the posts and it looks like OPI goes on easy, thin, etc. (Or at least thats what Im gathering from cruising threads)....but I also think it is sooo neat to offer clients custom blended colors.

Thanks again!

Brisa has a full colour range or opaque and semi opaque gels for custom blend overlays and creating that elongated nail bed that so few actually have!!

There are also glitter gels and the beautiful crystal transparent gels in clear and pink.

A range of coloured gels give you the option to mix any colour you want for permanent colour and they go on like a dream.

I think Brisa is an easy gel to work with and the colour stability is unsurpassed. Nails stay looking great forever.

There are the usual challenges when working with the sculpting white due to thickness and the fact that it is white but most learn how to handle it with practise. There is also a paint on white for easy application if you are not sculpting. HTH

 

[adelekeegan1]

I have been using Brisa gel for 2 years now and I love it. It is strong, stays looking lovely and is great to apply.

I have all the gels in the range, 3 opaque pinks, 3 semi sheer pinks, 6 bold colours and 3 shimmers, paint on white in white and soft white and sculpting gel in white and soft white, as well as the clear and sheer pink.

There isn't anything you can't mix for custom blending

 

[NICOLEOSBORNE]

I am new to nails and did dicide on OPI Axxium and have to admit I am struggeling big time, seems like you have to move the gel so much to get it right....not sure I would recommend it yet, if your wanting to watch the videos go sign up to the OPI site and you can watch the OPI videos free. I have been practicing with the gel and doing it on clients and I don't seem be be getting any better, I am going to get some Brisba gel to try and I will try to let you know as a newbie what I found.
Good luck!

 

[Southerngirlspa]

Cool! Thanks.

I ordered a Brisa intro kit a couple of weeks ago and they tell me it should be here today...I have friends and family lining up to be guinea pigs and give me some practice. I will let you girls know how it goes.