Comparing Bluesky and Kodi | Determining the best gel polish

Updated: 04/23/2021 15:18:25

Expert: Ekaterina Alekseevna Savitskaya

Well-groomed hands adorn a woman, and an interesting manicure emphasizes individuality. Since the advent of gel polishes, keeping your nails in excellent condition has become much easier. But only if you choose high-quality shellac and apply the coating correctly. Bluesky or Kodi gel polishes are now considered popular brands. Let’s figure out which one is better, because reviews about them are mixed. Our experts found out the features, advantages and disadvantages of these gel polishes and found out why the coating may not adhere well and crack on the nails. We share our discoveries and advice with you.

Features of Bluesky gel polishes

Bluesky is a brand of a Chinese cosmetics company that has been producing gel polishes and auxiliary products for working with them for more than 10 years. During this time, the products have gained the trust and recognition of millions of manicurists and women around the world. The fact that it is used in many beauty salons indicates good quality and ease of use.

Bluesky gel polish contains shellac resin from tropical trees - this was evidenced by the inscription on the name of the tube until 2014 (later it was replaced by Gel Polish). The composition also contains the usual components for gel polishes:

1. photoinitiator for polymerization in a UV or LED lamp;
2. acrylic monomer, which promotes the formation of a hard layer on the nail;
3. methacrelates, which give the varnish the desired density and consistency;
4. pigment for color saturation.

Depending on the shades (with pearlescent, neon, holographic effects), additional components are added to the composition.

Bluesky shellacs are produced in several series - any woman can choose the right color and effect for her manicure:

1. cream shades;
2. bright colors;
3. dark rich colors;
4. glow in the dark;
5. mirrored;
6. with glitter;
7. with cat eye effect, etc.

The Bluesky line of nail care products includes both two- and three-phase gel polishes, as well as single-phase ones for quick or home manicures. There is also a base coat, a primer (bonder) and a sealer (top). In terms of cost, the products of the Chinese brand belong to the budget segment - 80-170 rubles per 10 ml bottle.

Advantages and disadvantages of Bluesky gel polish

Advantages

• variety of colors and effects - more than 1000 shade options;
• affordable price;
• Duration of wearing the coating without chips and scratches – up to 3-4 weeks;
• combines with base and top of other brands;
• can be easily removed using special means for removing gel polish and foil; it is not necessary to remove it using sawdust in a manicure salon;
• Opaque bottles prevent sunlight from entering, which extends shelf life.
• Manicurists claim that Bluesky brand gel polishes last as long on nails as products from more expensive brands and are in no way inferior in quality.

Flaws

• The only drawback is the liquid consistency. This fact does not bother professionals, but beginners may have difficulty applying the coating at home. Violation of the technology for applying and removing the coating can lead to thinning and brittle nails.

How to spot a fake

This brand has gained popularity in the manicure market due to its high-quality products and reasonable prices. Its demand has led to an increase in counterfeits. It is quite easy to buy Kodi gel polish, the manufacturer of which is unknown.

Only a professional can immediately distinguish counterfeit products from original ones. However, there are a number of characteristics that are inherent in a low-quality product:

• the varnish has a liquid consistency, it is unstable and does not last long;
• the coating quickly peels off and cracks;
• the product applies unevenly, the color is unsaturated;
• contains substances that can cause severe allergies;
• the cost is much lower than that of official analogues;
• the bottle is of a different shape, it does not contain information about the composition and the manufacturing company;
• Strong smell;
• there are lumps, the color is uneven;
• the inscription on the bottle is unclear or larger;
• there is no unique QR code for the company, which can be checked on the company’s website;
• single-layer label;
• The cap is notched and does not fit tightly to the bottle.

The best option to avoid counterfeiting is to buy products in large stores or on trusted websites.

Features of Kodi gel polish

The Kodi Professional brand is of American origin. The company producing nail care products was founded in 2005. Almost immediately it gained popularity among manicurists - all products meet the high requirements of international quality standards, are convenient and safe to use. Its production has now been established in Ukraine, but strictly according to American technology and from components produced in the USA.

The basis of Kodi Professional gel polishes is a natural polymer that is resistant to external environmental influences, acetone and alcohol. The base and top coats are made on a rubber base, which helps prevent chipping and premature damage within 2-3 weeks.

Kodi Professional shellacs have a wide range of shades - more than 200. Only this brand has a coating with a thermal effect that changes color depending on the ambient temperature. The company produces one of the best topcoats (according to consumers) - a top with a matte effect.

All Kodi Professional nail care and manicure products are presented in bottles of 7, 12 and 30 ml. It is intended primarily for use by professional craftsmen (its name suggests this), but can also be used at home. Belongs to the middle price segment - the price for a 12 ml bottle is from 400 rubles.

note

Shellac Codi is among the top ten and has an advantage in terms of price level.
Professionals identify several criteria for determining the quality of gel polish:

• Duration of preservation of the varnish coating on the nail plate without chips, cracks or loss of gloss. The manufacturer must guarantee a minimum period of 3 weeks.
• Consistency that meets the requirements. The better the quality of the gel, the easier it is to work with and the longer it lasts. The gel should not spread and give a streaky effect; for this, the quality of the brush is important.
• Removing nail polish should take no more than 15 minutes. This is also an indicator of the quality of the material.
• Wide range of color palettes.
• Hypoallergenic gel composition that does not damage the nail plate.
• No strong chemical smell.

Based on these criteria, reviews from professionals and product users, a TOP-8 list was compiled, which included Kodi shellac.

Each company's products have advantages and disadvantages:

1. Shellac CND

It is considered the standard of professional products, the most expensive. There is one “but” to using CND gel polish: it does not adhere well to thin, weakened nails and chips at the tips of the nails with frequent exposure to hot water. Therefore, it is not suitable for women who run their own households.

The main disadvantages of CND shellac:

• High price.
• Application requires experience, as shellac has a dense texture.
• Chips may appear from impacts on a hard surface.
• During the day after applying shellac, you must avoid contact with water, especially hot water.

2.OPI Gelcolor

Premium brand, but less known than CND. The coating has a glass effect. Easily removed without cutting and comes in over 140 shades. For polymerization, you can use an LED lamp, which reduces drying time. Ideal for French manicure.

Minuses:

• Rarely found on sale.
• High price.

3. Gelish Harmony (Gelishe)

A popular European brand, it is safe for the health of the nail plate and even strengthens it. It can be removed by simple dissolution and has a lower price compared to Shellac.

Minuses:

• It's liquid, so you have to apply several layers.
• The finish brush dries quickly.

4. Laque RuNail (Runail)

Produced in Russia. An excellent choice for thin, flaky nails. Strengthens the nail plate. Long lasting, with good consistency.

Minuses:

• Difficult to remove.
• The assortment is still small.

5. Pnb (Professional Nail Boutique)

Super glossy gel polish from America. It holds up well, so it is popular among housewives. According to reviews, it lasts more than 3 weeks.

Minuses:

• A rarity in Russia.
• Some shades take longer to cure.

6. Bluesky

Popular among nail design artists due to its low price. In terms of service life it is not inferior to Shellac CND.

Minuses:

• Few shades.
• Unstable quality.

7. Canni

Inexpensive and the best among “Asians” varnish made in China. Retains its original appearance for about 2 weeks. Easy to apply, easy to remove. Suitable for those who like to change their looks often and inexpensively. Rich palette of shades (more than 200).

We recommend: How to properly extend nails with gel on tips for a natural look

Minuses:

• Strong smell.
• Available for order on well-known Chinese websites.

Advantages and disadvantages of Kodi gel polish

The main advantage of Kodi Professional brand products is quality. The coating stays on the nails for a long time, without losing its shine and brightness of color for several weeks.

Advantages

• no unpleasant odor;
• the rubber base easily masks all the unevenness of the nail;
• wide range of colors and various effects;
• nourishes and strengthens nails;
• lasts a long time without chipping or losing color - up to 3 weeks;
• does not require filing the surface of the nail plate before application;
• does not cause allergies;
• You can choose the appropriate bottle size.

Flaws

• liquid consistency;
• conflicts with the base and top of other brands - for an ideal result you need to buy only Kodi manicure products;
• difficult to remove on your own - the rubber layer can only be removed using sawdust.

If you do and remove a manicure in a beauty salon, then there will be no problems with applying or removing Kodi gel polish. And the durability and brightness of the color will delight you for more than one week.

Similarities and differences

Gel polishes Kodi and Bluesky have proven themselves well in the nail industry and are similar in some respects:

1. quality;
2. safe for nails and health;
3. stay on nails for up to 3 weeks;
4. have a wide palette of colors;
5. affordable price.

The method of application is also similar: first the base is applied to the nail, then the color and top coat.

But there are also differences between them:

1. produced in different countries;
2. have different composition;
3. Kodi's rubber base nourishes and strengthens nails, while Bluesky, if not properly cared for, can cause them to become brittle;
4. Kodi's consistency is more liquid than Bluesky, making it more difficult to do a neat manicure on your own;
5. Bluesky is cheaper than its competitor;
6. Kodi coating is more difficult to remove;
7. Bluesky's color gamut and effects are wider.

Both competitors perform equally well in the first two weeks, but after this time Bluesky retains the advantage.

comparison table

To better understand the difference between the two names of gel polishes, we have put all their features, advantages and disadvantages into a comparative table.

Space Light

A unique development and amazing phenomenon in the world of gel polishes - a pearl base with the addition of multi-color shimmer, forming a unique dense coating. This is literally tenderness combined with boldness - an elegant creative cocktail.

Real customer reviews of Kodi Space Light gel nail polish note the following advantages:

• The base is gel and can withstand several weeks of wear;
• polymerization - 2 minutes;
• economically used.

What to choose

Thus, after comparing all the pros and cons of Bluesky and Kodi gel polishes, our experts came to the following conclusions:

1. there is no significant difference between the properties of the products of the two brands: both gel polishes last a long time on the nails, both are safe for health, and have many options for choosing colors and effects;
2. Kodi Professional products are designed for use in nail salons by professionals, Bluesky - for both home and salon use;
3. if your nails are healthy and there are no special preferences in the color range of the Kodi gel polish lines, then it is better to choose Bluesky - the products of this brand are much cheaper and are not inferior in quality to their competitor;
4. If you have problems with nails (thinning, brittleness), you should choose Kodi Professional.

This is the opinion of the experts of our magazine. But in order to appreciate the advantages and identify the disadvantages of gel polishes from both companies, you need to try them yourself (you can do this in a salon) and decide which one is right for you.

note

LED lamps can only be used with compatible products.
Under the rays of this lamp, the polymerization process of Kodi gel polish occurs 2-3 times faster. LED lamps last up to 7 years and cannot be replaced; UV lamps need to be changed every 6-12 months. You can save on purchasing a UV lamp, but you need to remember that the power of the UV lamp must be at least 36 W, since dark shades (black, burgundy) do not harden under low-power rays. In addition, there may subsequently be no spare parts for lamps from unknown manufacturers.

Cons of Kodi gel polish:

• It has a liquid consistency and therefore requires thin application and drying of each layer. If you apply a thick layer at once, then before polymerization is complete it will flow under the cuticle and an unsightly roll will form. It will no longer be possible to correct such a defect after hardening.
• The removal process is more complicated than that of analogues; for many, it is the process of removing gel polish that becomes an obstacle to choosing this brand.
• According to reviews, after 3 weeks of wear, the coating on the tips begins to wear off, but does not chip. True, the merit here is not only the gel polish itself, but all the manufacturer’s products as a whole.

Why can gel polish coating crack?

And now, as we promised at the very beginning of the article, we will reveal the secrets of a perfect manicure with gel polish and name the reasons why the coating may not last long.

Both at home and after visiting a beauty salon, a manicure can crack in the first days. This happens if:

1. the nail plate was not degreased or polished with a buff (a file for removing gloss);
2. base, color and top of different brands;
3. immediately after the manicure there was contact with household chemicals or hot water without gloves;
4. the number of applied layers of gel polish is less than two or more than 4.

It is for these reasons that the coating turns out to be fragile and does not last long. That’s why there are negative reviews about Bluesky or Kodi gel polishes.

If you decide to get a manicure at home and want it to last for at least 2-3 weeks, you need to follow a certain technology:

1. Wash the hands.
2. Use a file to give your nails the desired shape and polish them with a buff.
3. Treat the nail plate with a napkin containing a special degreaser (cotton wool can leave marks, so it is not recommended to use it).
4. For better adhesion of the gel polish to the nail, apply a primer. It air dries in 1-2 minutes.
5. Apply a thin layer of base coat to each nail. Dry under a UV lamp for 2 minutes.
6. Having chosen the desired shade, apply a layer of color and also dry. Repeat application 1-2 more times.
7. Apply the finishing coat - top. Dry again under the lamp.
8. After completing the main stages of manicure, you can apply a drawing or lace pattern.

To preserve the result in its original form for at least 2 weeks, on the first day after a manicure you should not come into contact with household chemicals without gloves, go to the pool, sauna, or take a bath.

Following the technology and application rules will allow you to get excellent results with both Bluesky and Kodi gel polish.

Other Kodi nail products

Kodi nail products are very diverse:

• extension materials that combine the properties of acrylics and gels;
• regular modeling gels;
• manicure accessories;
• gel paints;
• accessories for manicure;
• decorative additives used for design;
• drying lamps;
• caring cosmetics for hands and nails.

In addition, the company produces make-up products.

Materials for manicure

In addition to gel polishes, the company also produces other materials for manicure:

• Acrylic-gel systems. They are used to build up, strengthen, and eliminate defects in nail plates. Some polygels have nude shades. Therefore, they can be applied as a basis for a French jacket or without a color coating at all for a monochromatic design.
• Gels for extensions. Cody has several types of them: bio, matting, single-phase, three-phase and gel system. The first one is more suitable for nail repair or short length extension. Single-phase ones have a dense texture, allowing you to save time on extensions. Three-phase ones are used to create great length for any initial condition of the nails.

The new gel system is characterized by improved adhesion to the plate and rapid polymerization. The mattifying agent removes shine from the nails, and there is no need for a matte topcoat.

• Gel paints. This Kodi cosmetics is designed for creating designs and patterns on nails. Cody's paints are moderately liquid, but not bleeding; there are a lot of colors and shades of good density. And there is no sticky layer.
• Products for hygienic manicure. These are removers, brushes, dots, files and buffs, nippers, scissors, manicure devices and attachments for them. The latter are ceramic, corundum, silicone, diamond and hard alloys.
• Auxiliary fluids. This category includes products for strengthening nails, removing the sticky layer from the coating, and the gel polish itself. This also includes primers, clinsers, monomers for working with acrylics, degreasers and skin care oils.
• Items for nail modeling and design. These are forms for extensions, as well as sliders, stickers, different types of foil, rubs, powders, thermal stickers, stamping.
• Lamps for coating polymerization. Kodi has a combination of them, and you can choose the power of the device. It comes in 9, 36, 48 Watts, the second is the best option for the home.

Starter set

The starter kit can be very useful for those who decide to do their own professional manicure; it is available in the following options:

• Easy start. The kit includes a rubber base and top coat, 3 gel polishes, a degreaser, an acid-free primer, a cleanser, a liquid for removing color coating, and a buffer. You can choose the shades of the flower bed when ordering.
• Basic. This includes everything that is in Easy Start, plus a nail file and a small cosmetic bag.
• Nail Beauty. The set contains a file and a buffer, a degreaser, a primer, a base, a top coat without a sticky layer, 3 gel polishes and a liquid for removing them, and a cosmetic bag.
• Starter kit for extensions. Includes 2 files, buffer and polisher, clear and white acrylic, acrylic powder, monomer, primer, degreaser, antibacterial agent, acrylic topcoat, special brush. It also contains a napkin, a medium-sized cosmetic bag, and a glass for monomer.

Set for covering nails with gel polish in a cosmetic bag “Basic” KODI-957
The first 3 sets for Kodi gel polish cost 3400-3600 rubles. every. The extension kit will cost 5,500 rubles. These prices are lower than when purchasing all the necessary manicure products separately.

Base and top for nail extensions

For nail extensions, Cody has:

• Rubber Base. This is a transparent rubber base, elastic, but giving the nails strength. It comes in bottles of 8, 12 and 14 ml. The product has a comfortable texture that evens out the plates and makes it easier to model nails with acrylics.
• UV Gel Base gel. This is the Kodi base used in the three-phase extension system. The product has a dispersion layer and is sold in containers of 10 and 28 ml. It needs a cleaner.
• QF2 Finish UV Gel. This is a top coat for nails extended with polygel or regular gel. The product does not have a sticky layer, it gives the surface shine. Packaged in 8 ml bottles.
• UV Finish Gel Crystal Depth. The product is used as a finishing coat in a three-phase extension system; it is suitable for gel and acrylic. The gel top is transparent, but with a blue tint. After drying, it needs to remove the sticky layer. Packaging 12 and 14 ml.

Kodi is a well-known brand that has long occupied one of the first places among manicure brands. The main reason for this is the best price-quality ratio. You just need to make sure that the gel polish is authentic and complete the entire coating process correctly. And also - use the base, top of the same company.