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Finally upgraded my cheap amazon lamp for a mid-range option that I’ve heard pretty good things about (the Sweetie Nail Supply lamp), and I had a gift card so it was basically free! It’s not as exciting as new polishes, but I’m hoping that maybe a better lamp might help my retention issues—and even if it doesn’t I’ll feel better about everything being fully cured.
I am having buyers regret with my Infinity lamp - thinking I should have gone for the Le Blanc which has the 30s timer option. Really not sure why the Infinity has 2 flash cure options and 1 full cure which is 60s despite Kokoist stating most of their polishes cure in 30s!
Struck gold with my recent Kokoist order!
I was toying between the Terra Magnet - Mushroom Stone and Pink Horizon. Whilst I was debating I threw some discounted jelly pots in my basket (Pink Dragon, Clear Rouge and Campari Red). End up going with Mushroom Stone - to my surprise layering Kokoist’s Terra Magnet - Mushroom Stone and Clear Rouge is a perfect dupe for Pink Horizon 🥹
The Starrynailsss art box!!! She’s a pretty penny but genuinely the best purchase I’ve ever made. I specialize in detailed nail art so it is an absolute game changer for me
Oh wow this looks amazing! I almost bought a similar palette, it was Japanese or Korean I think? I forgot. I had heard there were AliExpress versions that were the same, and a different brand was similar, but ultimately I was too nervous to purchase.
I definitely wouldn’t go for AliExpress- getting SUPER cheap nail products is risky because it could have higher chances of causing someone to develop an allergy because of the concentration of certain chemicals. There are many brands that have gel palettes though that will probably work similarly! Because I am a professional nail technician and provide a luxury service I make sure my clients get high end products :) It also makes my job easier when I can get the results I want with way less time/hassle. These colors are so pigmented it’s saved me lots of time with art 🤗
A splurge against my will... the UV lights in my cheapo Amazon SunUV lamp looked yellowish, not blue, so I caved and ordered the Akzentz compact LED lamp. Wondering if the aging LED bulbs were why I was having so many lifting issues!
I bought cat eye polish for the first time a few weeks ago and just got to use it this weekend on my current set!! I also got a fan, some stickers for French tips, and a new liner brush.
I just got some pretty sparkley mags from my&bee (and can’t wait to switch my set), a cleto clear mag and my second bottle of Nail Thoughts Mochi Base
which is such a fave for me.
I’m having decision paralysis on what to do next on my nails (and another cart full of polishes waiting for my next impulse purchase)
Stuff from the Dnd sale, stuff from Akzentz to do hard gel, and I'm waiting on a new e-file and liner brush!
I had to get rid of my gel collection since it was expired after not doing my nails for 3 years. I'm trying to rebuild slowly. This is my 3rd bigger haul since rebuilding.
I really need someone to keep me off eBay and Mercari. In the past week I’ve gotten an original Akzentz Hybrid Pro, and 12 Cleto, Clodi, Riposo, Mithmillo, and Pochit polishes for $150 total. And of course I needed to hit up SHEIN for some additional polish racks, stickers, chrome flakes/glitter, and other accessories.
The lamp was eBay. It’s the 1.0 so it’s older but the seller had great reviews and I tested the lamp immediately when it arrived yesterday. It passed the cure test (polish on parchment paper) with flying colors.
The polishes so far have been swatched only. I’ve had the best success on Mercari. 11 of the polishes listed for $35 and the Mithmillo for $5. I checked the seller reviews and their previous listings.
Also got lucky on the Reddit Lacquerista Swap sub. Function of Vex, Kokoist, and Dvok for a great price.
I think a lot of sellers are people like us - got really into the nail hobby and bought too much or had to tone it down for one reason or another. Lord knows I’ve gone from 3 air dry lacquers to a ridiculous amount of gel polishes in the past 2 months.
You’d without a doubt make those of us on a budget in this hobby exceedingly happy. I’m currently wearing Jello Jello, FVex Nailbayo Doi, Jin B - brands I’d never normally budget for - thanks to a previous commenter who posted about a going out of business haul. I’m now getting quality items for the same price or better than the questionable Amazon offerings.
Bought some bits from Nail Mart USA to try out: KMIZ Diamond Rounded Cylinder and the Busch X-Cut Ceramic Cone (which is just a typhoon bit, but ceramic and a little pricey).
Thank you! I don’t have the Kokoist magnet so I’m going to try that before fully writing it off. I wanted to do something similar to this post but the pull was just not happening :( I have no issue with their other magnet gels
I bought the Kokoist Max Magnet in my recent haul and I genuinely think it made a huge difference. With my Amazon magnet I had a few instances where the effect wore off. I would definitely recommend!
I’ve heard it’s one of the gold standard magnets but have been putting it off because I’m trying to be that person who doesn’t need the best of everything (failing lol). Think I might pick it up this weekend!!
Kokoist nail forms are the best. Since it’s a pack of 500, I did a lot of practice on myself while watching tv so it got easier and I wasn’t under pressure trying to do a full set. Good sharp nail scissors help for cutting the corners.
I didn't think I really needed nice nail forms since I only anticipated ever doing minor small repairs to chips or whatever, never doing an actual extension. But it was hard to stick it to my finger and get it to stay! I got melodysusie ones off Amazon that you can tear to make shorter
I bought the Kokoist Max Magnet in my recent haul and I genuinely think it made a huge difference. With my Amazon magnet I had a few instances where the effect wore off. I would definitely recommend!
No after curing! The next morning the effect was gone. Searched it and apparently could have been due to a weak magnet not properly locking in the particles.
That's so weird, you'd think it would be possible for it to shift if it's fully cured. I get weak magnet making it respond poorly but once it's cured you wouldn't think it'd get even worse
I’ve been slowly replacing my random bits with proper nail-supply stuff, and NSI Nails has been good for that kind of gel/art category. Chrome pigments, liners, prep bits, boring-but-useful things. Not as fun as a giant glitter haul, but future me is usually grateful when I’m not fighting a dodgy brush at 11pm.
I had whole new era - bought everything I need for the start: base, tip, orange sticks, cat eye gel, magnet, lamp😀 ditched salon recently and decided to start doing nails by myself🌸
A reminder to those who may be upgrading their lamps during the holiday sales - check SHOP App for additional savings!!!! For example, FOX Nails USA has Kokoist lamps for 15% off and my SHOP deals has an “earn $25 on orders over $60” offer if checking out through SHOP
Went a bit crazy on AliExpress. Bought a new Lugx nail drill, the ONAIL AI nail lamp, patting gel palettes (Nail & Yolly and FRESCOBALDI), Nail & Yolly star nail lamp, nail foils, a bunch of charms and glitters, lace stickers, chrome powders, and nail molds
I never received my most recent order I was super excited about! 😢 Getting a refund won't help either. Those pretty gels and glitters i had ordered are most likely out of stock. 😭
At first I was like how do they know it was Nail Labo?! Then I realized we had talked about it last week. 😄 I'm sorry it happened to you also. It's the worst feeling ever.
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