My first experience with a Gelish Manicure and Gelish Nail Art was absolutely amazing. I couldn't stop ooooooing and aaaaahhhhing all the way. How does the polish work? Why does it dry instantly under UV Light? According to Wikipedia, there is the hard gel used to make nail extensions and the soft gel that we are all using in the gelish manicure. This is a relatively new use of the gels which have been around for a long time, and they are getting to be more popular than the usual nail polish as they cure instantly under UV light and are gentle to the natural nails and can last for several weeks without cracking, chipping or looking dull after the shine wears off.
So what happens during the curing process? 
An example of the hard gel nail extension on another manicurist's hands. I didn't catch her name because I was too busy prodding and trying to break her nails!
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Before I was selected to receive a Gelish Manicure and Nail Art from Home Nails, I had no idea such an amazing invention existed. Instant drying of nails? That sounded like something out of a science fiction film! But it's true, and my virgin gelish manicure delighted and amazed me so much my manicurist Chloe must be a saint to deal with ALL my questions!
I have to show you my finished nails before the post! I love it so much! Especially for my minions on my thumb. If you are wondering what minions, check this out! All Thumbs! 
Soft Gel Minions on my thumbs
"UV curing refers to the chemical process that occurs when photoinitiators within the gel itself are exposed to the UV or blue light. The chain reaction creates heat while oligomers combine to form long chains during the polymerization process. These long, bonded chains make the gel hard and cause photoinitiators within the gel product to begin the curing process. Usually, once the nail extension has been created, there is a residual tacky layer that is removed by wiping with a cotton pad soaked in high concentrate alcohol at the end of the process."
Ah, so that is what happens! The process is almost instant and the best thing is, the manicurist can change the design as many times as she likes before "curing" the nails and "drying" it under the UV lamp. |
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When I arrived at Home Nails, I was immediately struck by the genius who came up with the idea of having nails and hair at the same time! This has to be the best idea ever, especially if you are dyeing your hair. Home Nails and Poise Hair Studio shares the same entrance, and their staff are wonderfully friendly to each other.
Located at the artistic looking building, the Nomu, the hair and nails salon looked very fitting. |
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Back to my nails! The moment I walked in, I felt very welcomed, despite the fact that I was late and they were busy with a few customers. I waited for about 5 mins before Chloe, my manicurist attended to me, but I was enjoying the green tea and chocolate wafer they prepared when I arrived, so it felt like I didn't have to wait at all. However, do make it a point to be on time, as they are booked back to back, even on weekdays. They are extremely popular, and I soon found out why when they started on my manicure.
Taking the tools out of the sanitizer, I felt very safe when she started pushing back my cuticles and cutting them. I haven't had a manicure for a couple of years, so I wasn't surprised that a lot of dead skin had accumulated. Chloe my Home Nails manicurist said I should take care of my hands by moisturizing them daily - I was astounded! How did she know that I have super dry hands due to the nature of my work and I hadn't really taken care of them as I should. She also mentioned that though my nails were healthy, my skin was extremely dry. She suggested that I should start using a moisturizer and I almost expected her to try to push a product, but she did not. Unlike at other nail salons, the manicurists here are skilled and not pushy. I hated going to the last salon as the manicurists kept trying to get me to buy products. Also, what I received that day was a dry manicure, which was a pleasing change. I actually don't like the process of soaking my fingers as I can't use my phone. The dry manicure was fabulous! I asked my Home Nails manicurist Chloe why she did a dry manicure - for Gelish manicures, if there is moisture, fungus might grow on your nails. I certainly don't want that! Gelish manicures are different from the normal manicures as they don't require drying time - it is almost instant with the uv curing process. As a result, if your nails are wet, the curing process seals the moisture as well, causing fungus to grow because of the water.
It takes more skill to push back the cuticles and cut them when they are still hard, so I watched the entire process with great interest. Home nails founder Huiqin has certainly trained all their manicurists really well. They are all able to do beautiful nails with 3d nail art, cartoon nails, wedding nails, gorgeous nails with fashionable designs and more!
Impressive Gelish Manicure Nail Art!
I was so impressed with their range of designs that i created a Pinterest board of some of their gelish manicure nail art designs on Pinterest! Click to check out the rest of the designs, done on real people!
Then she started nail art on my thumb. This would be $12 each. Nail Art per nail is $12-$18 each, depending on the complexity.
The whole process took about three hours, as the nail art was very intricate. I was impressed by the artwork, and everyone who has seen my nails love them! Everyone is astounded by the art - they all thought it was a sticker! Yes, it is that perfect! What sets Home Nails apart from the rest of the other nail salons in Singapore is their attention to detail and their insistence on using only quality products. Also, after the base coat and colours, another base coat was applied to my nails before a top coat was applied.
I flipped through the magazines and found glitter on some of the featured nails. I was literally begging for some bling on my nails, and Chloe, my manicurist, was so kind as to ruin her design concept and GIVE ME GLITTER! I was so happy with my super shiny nails that sparkle in the light! Even though she had completed the whole manicure, Chloe added glitter to my solid coloured nails and WOW, they were transformed! She also added another top coat after, so that the gelish manicure will last longer. This is truly what we call 美甲! |
After preparing my nails for the gelish manicure, Chloe brought me to Poise Hair Studio! Over at the Japanese styled Hair Salon, I had both my hair and my nails done! You can see Chloe and the UV lamp, together with my hairstylist, Qvin! I was about to embark on unknown territory, after all, I have not cut my hair for nearly fifteen years and was extremely scared and nervous. Doing nails at the same time relieved that fear, as i was so distracted with the beautiful designs she was drawing on them.
First, my Home Nails manicurist Chloe put a base coat on my nails. This made my nails look really shiny already! 
The first application of a gel base coat.
Gelish Manicure in the heart of Orchard Road
Managed to film the process of adding colour to the base coat before curing it in the UV lamp.
My other nail has not be Glittered Up yet, so you can see the original colour. My glittered up nail look so pretty!
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Home Nails, set in the heart of Orchard Road at Dhoby Ghaut is easy to find. The Nomu is just next to The Cathay Building, and it is within walking distance from Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station. With loads of buses to the Nomu, you can get to it easily as well.
Voted one of the top 10 nail salons in Singapore, Home Nails has done the nails of celebrities and their beautiful nail art has most recently graced the cover of Time Out Magazine, June 2015 as part of fashion week. I am going to keep my nails as long as I possibly can as I really love the designs! Also, if you are wondering what other types of gel nail art can be done, check out their impressive gallery of real nails on real people! Chloe showed me the Japanese Nail Art magazine that they get inspiration from, and it was really impressive! As they get new magazines every month, you can expect the latest trends in gel nails to be featured at Home Nails! Do like their facebook page, as they have frequent updates and promotions - also, for reading thus far, you may win a $100 Home Nails Voucher! All you need to do is fill up the form, answer a simple question, and if you are selected, you will be notified via email! 3 lucky winners will be selected if my post gets the most facebook likes, so get your friends to help like this page too!
Home Nails
Tel: 6333 4985 SMS/Whatsapp: 9630 6677 The Nomu- 20 Handy Road #01-01 (beside The Cathay near Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station) Singapore 229236 [email protected] Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 9pm Sat/Sun/PH: 10.30am - 7.30pm Other timings are available with appointments. |
If you are walking past, you will definitely marvel at their collection of more than 2000 nail colours, both normal lacquer and gel.
The country home interior makes you feel so relaxed and at home! The moment you step in, you get a green tea and a wafer, what a delightful welcome!
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