Women deny themselves the pleasure of covering their nails with varnish only because regular varnish is damaged by contact with water and mechanical stress immediately after application.
And not everyone knows that this problem was solved long ago thanks to the invention of a new decorative coating.
Several years ago, the American company CND offered a special coating - shellac (gel polish). It is the standard of a new line of polymer coatings for nails. 40-50 minutes to keep your nails beautiful and well-groomed for three weeks
But the secret is not only in special compositions; a special application technology using a UV lamp has also been developed. The result is a durable coating that is gentle on the nail plate.
The benefits don't end there:
- Nails coated with shellac do not break and grow faster because the gel polish creates a frame for the nail plate.
- Shellac lasts on the hands from 1 to three weeks, without losing its brightness or fading, and on the feet it lasts even longer, since here the nails grow much more slowly.
- The varnish coating is of high quality, and therefore the surface of the nail is smooth and uniform.
- Gel polish does not weigh down your nails.
- Shellac has no odor, and allergic reactions are excluded, because the coating is made from a resin of natural origin and does not contain formaldehyde and other harmful substances. The resin is produced by tropical insects, so shellac is theoretically harmless; this resin is even used in cooking.
- Shellac can be easily removed using a special product, cotton pads and an orange stick, without damaging the nail plate.
The American company Kodi appeared on the market in 2005. Over several years of work, it has established itself well thanks to its high-quality nail extension products. Cody suggested an alternative to shellac - Codi Professional gel polish. The basis of gel polish is a polymer of natural origin; it does not dissolve in water, acetone, or alcohol.
Durable and elastic gel polish does not contain harmful chemicals and is therefore non-toxic. The rubber coating is difficult to damage, while Kodi gel polish is almost half the price of shellac, and the non-viscous texture is easily applied to nails without the help of professionals. Kodi offers a wide palette of colors, shades can be mixed to create incredible combinations. This is a paradise for creative people.
Gel polish is durable and therefore not afraid of mechanical impact. Replacement of the coating is required on average after three weeks, but only because the nail plate has grown and a strip of the nail plate has formed that is not covered with varnish.
The coating looks like regular nail polish on the nails and is applied with a brush, but dries only under the rays of a UV lamp, and after drying it becomes stronger and more resistant to wear than traditional polish.
The surface of the coating does not scratch, crack, or chip, and the color does not fade during wear. It is still not easy to find Codi gel polishes in non-specialized stores, but there are official representatives in Russia. You can order gel polish, auxiliary liquids and other products for nail design on the website in online stores.
The company offers a starter kit, which includes everything needed for coating:
- Files and buffs for preparing the nail plate.
- Ultraviolet lamp.
- Working fluids (degreaser, acid-free primer, sticky remover).
- Base coat.
- Colored coating.
- Top (finish) coating.
- Cuticle care oil.
- Lint-free wipes and discs.
To maintain the coating for a long time, it is necessary to use the entire system. Purchasing a starter kit is expensive, but all components have a long shelf life, so later you will only need to periodically purchase individual elements.
Shellac Kodi and its advantages over other manufacturers
The advantages of Cody shellac (gel polish) over shellac from other manufacturers is that the gel does not dry out the nail plate and therefore prevents nail delamination.
The reason is the layer of primer applied before the Cody shellac. It creates a protective film and moisturizes the nail plate. We recommend: Is it possible for pregnant women to get nail extensions: all the pros and cons
Having studied the technology of applying Kodi products, you can get a professional manicure at home.
Small bottles (7, 12 ml) allow everyone and professional craftsmen to have many shades in their collection for reasonable money. By the way, the company offers 30 ml bottles for professionals.
The disadvantage of Kodi shellacs is that few people know about these products, since this is a young company. Like shellac, Kodi gel polish is not suitable for constant wear; your nails need to be given a “rest” and properly cared for. Use with caution for those with sensitive nails. The peeling process is more complicated than other brands, but it's a small price to pay for super durability and an affordable price.
Reviews of this gel polish
Sofia:
I will also leave my review about the base for Kodi gel polish and other products from this manufacturer. I have been using gel polishes from this company for quite a long time. They are very dense and fit beautifully on the nails. I only need two coats to get rich, vibrant color. Cody also has a very good quality base and sealer. Thanks to them, the polish not only lasts a long time, but is also able to hide some imperfections in the nail plates. I'm also very pleased with the durability. I keep my nails manicured for up to four weeks. The only thing that bothers me is the duration and complexity of the procedure for removing the coating. But you can endure this, because the result is worth it.
Expert comment: Gel polish is really difficult to remove. But don't try to just rip it off. Otherwise, you can seriously damage your nail plate.
Alice:
Before I started using Kodi gel polishes, I read the reviews of the specialists. Almost everyone recommended this manufacturer. Since, according to them, this is one of the best options in terms of price and quality ratio. I will say that after using it for some time I am very impressed by this manufacturer. The varnishes apply very well and last a long time. The nails shine and look gorgeous. Highly recommend.
Expert's comment: Yes, indeed, even professional artists recommend Kodi gel polishes. Often in salons you can find products from this particular manufacturer.
Yana:
I want to share with you my impressions of using Kodi gel polish. Let me say in advance that I didn’t like painting my nails at all. I was very annoyed that I had to wait for it to dry, and there was a high probability that the whole result would be ruined for the next day with one bad move. So I got tired of repainting my nails every day and stopped doing it altogether. I used only clear varnish to make my nails look neat and, well, to strengthen them a little.
When the fashion for gel polishes began, the only thing that stopped me was that the price of the lamp and materials was quite high. At that time, I decided that this was not a necessary procedure for me. But then they gave me a whole set for the holiday. My happiness knew no bounds. Initially, of course, I didn’t understand at all how and what to do. But then I watched enough videos on the Internet, and everything went like clockwork. Now I do this manicure and pedicure all the time. All my girlfriends have already forgotten about their masters and moved over to me.
I am very pleased that it is incredibly durable and is not afraid of any influence. I wash the dishes, clean the house, hand wash my children's clothes, and my manicure always remains perfect. This is just a salvation for the modern busy girl.
Expert's comment: Although the price of materials is high, they are quite economical. Also the results are worth it. Your arms and legs will always look chic.
This is where we will finish our article about Kodi gel polishes. Dear readers, what varnishes do you use? Have you had any experience using Kodi products? Write about it in the comments - and we will definitely discuss it!
Author of the publication
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).
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Minuses:
- Strong smell.
- Available for order on well-known Chinese websites.
Kodi gel polish palette and review of color solutions from this manufacturer
In addition to many shades, the company offers a new product - thermal varnishes. After application, the coating changes color when exposed to sunlight or body temperature. If the temperature is low, darker shades appear.
Such coatings look especially impressive in the cold season, when temperature changes are significant. Thanks to these features of the varnish, you can create incredible nail designs: numbers T600 - T640.
The “Cat's Eye” series created a sensation, but the inventors were inspired not by the shine of the eyes of the cat family, but by the effect produced by a stone with a similar name. Varnishes in this series have an unusual shine and, as a result, volume, which is obtained thanks to the magnet used during application. Hence the second name of the series: magnetic.
The unusualness of the palette of Cody varnishes from the “Cat's Eye” series did not end there; these varnishes are distinguished by a more stable coating. This palette so far consists of 52 shades: numbers 701 - 784. A magnet is attached to the Cody varnish palette of the “Moon Light” series. Thanks to the use of a magnet, metal particles rise from the general pigmented mass of the gel polish, and a voluminous iridescent light highlight appears on the surface, creating a 3D effect.
The technology requires holding the magnet at a distance of 3 mm above the surface of the nail plate for 5 seconds. After applying the second coat of varnish, the magnet must be applied again. In this case, the moonlight is more expressive. The company's specialists follow fashion trends and constantly add new shades to the Kodi collection.
Kodi offers such a variety of palettes that there is no need to mix colors, color saturation is easily achieved by adjusting the number of coats of varnish applied. Kodi gel polishes are compatible with products from other companies, so designs can be applied using products from any manufacturer.
According to reviews from professionals and ordinary consumers, Kodi gel polishes:
- Easy to apply.
- They have no smell.
- They don't chip.
- Does not require removal of the top layer of the nail.
- Offered at an affordable price.
- Do not thicken throughout the entire shelf life.
- Equipped with a fairly wide brush. This allows you to literally cover the entire nail plate with just a couple of strokes. The pile is shorter than some other analogues.
- They dry even under the rays of LED lamps.
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.
The choice of professionals
Even if Kodi varnish is constantly exposed to aggressive influences, it does not lose its beauty and shine. That is why many masters fell in love with Cody. The company constantly takes into account all reviews and incoming feedback so that the quality of their product not only always remains at its best, but also steadily improves.
If you are interested in the Kodi shellac palette, then you can go to the official website of this company and get acquainted with the range that it can offer you. First of all, pay attention to the palettes shown in the photo. Each of them has at least 20 unique shades, which were developed by Cody and have no analogues among competitors. Also on the official website you can find a lot of positive reviews and photos of the masters’ works.
Codi gel polish base, remover and other manufacturer's materials
In addition to the base for Kodi gel polish, Kodi gel polish remover, the company offers its customers freshers, ultrabonds, primers, brushes, buffs and other related and auxiliary products for nail design. Cody produces perfumes, as well as materials for eyebrows and eyelash extensions. Codi varnishes and coatings contain an acrylic oligomer with a low level of toxicity, which is why many professionals use the Codi gel polish base and top coat from this company.
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For manicure you will need:
- File.
- Degreaser.
- Bond.
- Primer.
- Transparent base for gel polish Kodi.
- Colored gel polish.
- Top coating.
- Ultraviolet lamp.
- Cody gel polish remover.
The composition of this gel polish
Many advanced users of such products become familiar with their compositions. Let's find out what is included in Codi's gel polish.
The composition of this manufacturer’s gel polish is based on a polymer. Its properties allow it not to be dissolved in either acetone or other alcohol-containing compounds. It is also important to note that this product does not contain harmful or prohibited chemicals. This means that the composition is harmless to a healthy person. The rubber coating allows the varnish to be very resistant to external damage. The texture of such a product has a consistency that allows it to lie neatly and evenly on the nails.
Also included are:
- A film former is a substance that aims to create a dense layer on the nail plate. It is this element that gives gel polish such durability.
- A photoinitiator is a chemical compound that is activated by interaction with ultraviolet rays and, in turn, allows the film former to harden.
- Pigment is a coloring element.
- Thinners are present in the composition in order to create the correct consistency, which allows the varnish to lie on the nails evenly and easily.
Attention
Professional nail designers recommend removing cuticles without using water, because nails absorb moisture and do not have time to dry under the lamp.
Excess moisture can prevent the long-term preservation of the varnish coating. Step-by-step instructions on how to do a manicure with gel polish at home:
Step 1 It is necessary to lightly treat the surface of the nail plate with a nail file to make it slightly rough, this is necessary for better “adhesion” of the varnish to the surface of the nail. Remove shine using a buff and degreaser. |
Step 2 Applying bond and primer. They are needed for reliable adhesion of the gel polish to the nail plate. . The bond increases the durability of the coating by two to three times. |
Step 3 Apply a thin layer of Codi gel polish base. The consistency of the base is thick, but it is applied well and distributed evenly; the ends also need to be processed. |
Step 4 Each layer is dried for 2 minutes in a UV lamp; after applying the gel, the nails must not be touched, otherwise fingerprints will remain on the surface. |
Step 5 Applying colored varnish in two layers, each layer should be thin, the ends are also painted over: “sealed”. Each layer is dried. |
Main characteristics of Kodi gel polishes: composition, manufacturer, volume
Kodi gel polish is one of the products of the Kodi Professional company, created in 2005. He is not the only one, the company also produces bases, tops, strengthening and building gels, and other products, tools and accessories necessary for manicure. All of them are in demand because they combine good quality and reasonable price. An important factor in popularity is the composition of Codi gel polish:
- natural polymers,
- methacrylates,
- silica,
- photoinitiator
- rubber,
- pigments.
It does not contain acetone, alcohol, or other solvents, that is, the product has a sufficient degree of safety. It has almost no smell and has an easy-to-apply texture. The composition stays on the nails for up to 3 weeks, but does not prevent their regrowth, and the coating does not crack.
The manufacturer Kodi is located in Ukraine and, in addition to gel polishes, produces decorative cosmetics, products for permanent makeup, eyelash and eyebrow extensions. The products have international certificates, so they are sold not only in their homeland, in Russia and the states of the former Union, but also in the Baltic countries, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Israel, where they have their own brands.
Volume
Kodi Professional Gel Polish is available in opaque bottles of 7, 8, and 12 ml. The packaging for bases and tops is exactly the same, but they also come in 14 ml bottles. Extension gels are available in jars of 14 and 28 ml.
Density
Kodi gel polishes have different densities, it depends on the color. Light colors usually need to be applied in two layers, otherwise you get a transparent coating, albeit with a visible tint. Bright and dark colors can be painted in one, but the free edge is visible. And some gel polishes do not leave bald spots only when applied in three layers. Most often these are nude tones.
The texture of the products allows them to be applied in thin layers, so that “pies” do not form on the nails after polymerization. The varnishes spread well, but do not flow onto the skin.
Effect
Kodi nail polishes, depending on the type of coating, are combined into several lines:
- Basic Collections. These are many shades of the same color, for example, aquamarine, red, milky, etc., that is, just a traditional color coating.
- Limited Editions Spring-Summer 2019/20. This is a limited group of bright and dense shades.
- Moon Light and 5D Moon Light. This is a cat eye effect finish. The second group is with the 5D effect, that is, volumetric shimmer.
- Space Light. The group is represented by products that give a cosmic effect on nails, thanks to the fine shimmer in the composition.
- Crystal. They provide a stained glass effect, translucent, but with shades.
- Thermo gel polish. These products change color under the influence of temperature. For example, the free edge is always darker because it is colder than the base of the nail.
- These are varnishes with a mirror effect. They need to be combined with a top without a sticky layer.
- Shine. There are 18 flower beds in the collection, all of them with glitter. Available with small and large glitter in different shades.
- This is a new limited collection of gel polishes with shimmering silver, very small particles.
note
The bottle of gel polish should not be shaken.
If you need to mix the contents, you need to carefully roll the bottle between your palms; when shaking, bubbles will form in the contents of the bottle and it will be impossible to work with such varnish. It is better to apply the first layer as thinly as possible. Light shades may apply unevenly; this defect will disappear after applying the second coat. When applying light shades, in some cases it is necessary to apply a third layer. After polymerization, the nails still cannot be touched, as their surface is sticky and easily damaged.
Step 6 Preserve the manicure using a top coat. This layer must be dried thoroughly under a lamp, because if it is not dried enough it will not shine. It is important at this stage to “seal” the end of the nail plate to prevent chipping. |
Step 7 Remove the sticky layer using liquid and lint-free wipes. |
Step 8 An optional, but pleasant stage of the manicure procedure is applying a special oil to the cuticle and the surface of the skin around the nail. |
To completely remove the varnish coating, you will need to file down the top layer, and the rest of the work is completed using Kodi gel polish remover. This manicure can be removed using cotton pads soaked in a solution.
They are applied to the nails, after which they are wrapped in foil or placed in special caps with liquid. Foil is necessary so that the liquid does not evaporate quickly and softens the coating; softening will take a maximum of 15 minutes.
After removing the old coating, the nail plate is treated with a buff, the edges are corrected with a file, and you can apply a new coating or leave it without it, because the nails look natural and undamaged, this is a clear indicator of the quality of the product.
How to apply correctly
At the moment, the Kodi company has released a special set for gel polish manicure for beginners. But it is important to understand that in any case, before applying varnish, you need to get your hands and nails in order. If the shape of the nail plates is not ideal, and the cuticles are unkempt, then all your efforts aimed at creating a beautiful design will be in vain.
Starter Kit from Kodi
- buffs and files;
- ultraviolet or LED lamp;
- degreaser;
- sticky layer remover;
- basic gel polish;
- colored gel polishes;
- fixative;
- cuticle oil;
- cotton pads.
Stages of preparing nails for gel polish coating
- If there is polish on your nails, remove it with nail polish remover.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them.
- Use scissors to trim or shape the nail plates. Don't forget to adjust the length of all nails. They must be perfectly even in relation to each other.
- Next, using a nail file, we file the nails and finally give them shape.
- We fill a special hand bath with hot water. You can also use any clean deep vessel.
- We dip the hands in hot water and hold for a while so that the cuticle softens.
- Using scissors or tweezers, remove hangnails and cuticles.
- At the last stage of preparation, we apply special oil to the cuticles and let it absorb.
Stages of applying gel polish
- We polish the nail plates with a special file (buff).
- Soak a cotton pad in nail polish remover and wipe all the nails with it.
- Apply a thin layer of Nail Fresher degreaser, which comes in the kit, to each nail. Let's give it time to absorb.
- Next, apply a thin layer of Kodi Rubber Base Gel.
- Turn on the ultraviolet lamp, place your hand there and dry the base for two minutes.
- Next, moisten a cotton pad with Kodi Cleanser and use it to remove the sticky layer from each nail.
- We paint each nail with a thin layer of the selected varnish and also dry it for two minutes in an ultraviolet lamp.
- If you want a richer, brighter color, coat each nail with a second coat of gel polish and dry it the same way.
- At the final stage, cover each nail with a thin layer of Kodi Rubber Top Gel fixative and also dry it for two minutes in an ultraviolet lamp.
- The final step is to soak a cotton pad in Kodi Cleanser and remove the sticky layer from each nail.
Advice
Do not try to remove the unsoftened layer of gel polish from the nail.
It may come off easily after treatment with Kodi gel polish remover, but unpleasant snags and bumps may remain on the nails, which will ruin the appearance. The advantage of modern varnishes is that you can forget about controlling the movement of your hands and not worry about the safety of the coating. You don’t need to dry your nails for a long time, it’s unusual, but very convenient. Which coating is better, what to choose, everyone decides for themselves based on their experience of use and focusing on their feelings and needs. And in order not to make a mistake with the choice of gel polish, you should listen to the opinions and advice of professionals.
Visible advantages
Kodi products differ from their competitors in the following advantages:
- variety of palette;
- easy application of coating;
- durability for a long time;
- efficiency.
Such significant advantages force many specialists to opt for Kodi coating. The products are relatively inexpensive, so you can regularly expand the color variety, choosing only the most popular shades.
The high strength and elasticity of the coating is due to the presence of rubber in it. Gel polish is convenient and does not require special care. Just one bottle is enough for the whole season. In addition, the coating has a shelf life of 3 years, and you don’t have to worry about it drying out and deteriorating.
Other benefits of the cosmetic product:
- Gel polishes from Kodi have a convenient brush that allows even a non-specialist to easily and evenly apply the coating to the nails. For a more saturated shade, it is better to apply two layers. In some cases, triple application is required.
- The coating does not have a strong odor, so it is very pleasant to apply, and the layers dry well, even if it is applied three times.
- Kodi is produced in different volumes - 7, 12 and 30 ml, so you can choose a certain amount of coverage without overpaying for extra grams.
- Gel polish is easy to remove and does not damage the nail.
A minor drawback is the slight contamination of lighter shades, but this can be easily eliminated with alcohol or a special liquid and a cotton swab.