Taking care of your nails is something I deem really important, whether you cover them up with nail polish or not! Maybelline New York recently introduced their Dr. Rescue Nail Care range, which consists of 3 products: Dr. Rescue CC Nails Base Coat, Dr. Rescue All in One, and the Dr. Rescue Gel Effect Top Coat.
Dr. Rescue Nail Care Range
Dr. Rescue CC Nails Base Coat
The Dr. Rescue CC Nails Base Coat has a brightening and concealing formula that features a colour correcting treatment and optical brightener. The milky, light pink formula, which applies clear on the nail, helps combat dull or yellowing nails by whitening them and adding a gorgeous shine.
Dr. Rescue All in One
Dr. Rescue’s All in One is the perfect multi-tasker, serving as a base coat, top coat, and nail strengthener. The brush allows for quick and easy application, as the formula glides onto the nails and dries quite quickly.
Dr. Rescue Gel Effect Top Coat
If you’re like me and love a glossy finish on your nails, the Dr. Rescue Gel Effect Top Coat is one to try. This product applies transparently on the nail, so there’s no need to worry about it affecting the colour of your polish. Being a gel effect top coat, the formula is slightly thicker than a regular top coat, so I like to leave a little more formula on the brush when applying to the nail.
Maybelline Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Color Review
The only Maybelline nail polish I had ever seen before stepping out of the country was the Color Show line. I randomly saw this polish at Superdrug and decided to grab it. Maybelline’s very long-named Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Color is, surprise, not an actual gel polish. It is one of those “gel-like” polishes that many brands offer. They claim seven days of no chips, as long as you do top coat touch-ups. This review focuses on the application of the polish.
Application Process
The instructions for this polish suggested applying a thin coat first, followed by a thicker second coat. The very thin first coat, while providing coverage, appeared patchy. It is a crelly formula, but dark enough that it could be a two-coater. The paddle brush on this polish is HUGE, potentially wider than even the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure brush, making it challenging to paint smaller nails, especially the pinky.
The thicker, second coat was definitely opaque. However, the large brush made it easy to flood the sidewall of the nail, as seen on the pinky finger. While not entirely disliked, the brush does make application more difficult for those with smaller nails. The second coat looked fairly smooth and super shiny on its own. The color dries down a bit darker than it appears in the bottle but looks more vibrant on the nail than expected.
Overall Impression of Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Color
Overall, the reviewer was satisfied with this polish. The color was liked, and the formula was considered fine. There seemed to be no good reason to follow the thin-first-coat-thick-second-coat steps, as it would likely achieve opacity in two normal coats. The brush was a minor inconvenience but manageable.
Maybelline SuperStay Gel Nail Color Range - A Deeper Dive
For those looking for a more long-lasting alternative to classic polish, the Maybelline SuperStay Gel Nail Color range is presented as a strong contender. The quality of these polishes has been highly praised, with the formula being described as the best among hybrid polishes on the market. It is highly pigmented, requiring only two coats for full opacity, and dries relatively quickly compared to other hybrid polishes.
Formula and Pigmentation
The formula is described as creamy and highly pigmented, requiring two coats for full opaque coverage. It is noted as being "4-FREE" but not fast-drying. The formula feels different from usual polish.
Application and Brush
The polishes feature an extra-thick brush that makes application easy. It dries evenly without streaks and is simple to remove or clean up, much like a typical polish. The curved, thick brush is considered perfect, covering almost the entire nail and saving time, making application simple and effortless.
Finish and Shine
All Maybelline Super Stay Gel polishes have a classic opaque cream finish. They are quite glossy on their own but achieve an even better look with a glossy top coat. The shine is noticeable and long-lasting, especially when paired with a top coat from the same range.
Wear Test: Do They Last 7 Days?
Maybelline claims the SuperStay Gel Nail Color can last up to 7 days. In one wear test, the polish looked fine for 2 days without chipping. After adding a top coat and nail art on the 3rd day, the polish shrank slightly and lifted the wrapped tips. It lasted for another 3 days, including a day of housework without gloves. The first signs of wear and minor chips occurred at the end of Day 6, with the manicure still looking acceptable on Day 7.
Another experience noted that when used alone, without a base or top coat, these polishes chip within 2 days. With Essie's base and top coat, they lasted about 4-5 days without chipping. The best results were achieved when using the polish with the base and top coat from the same Maybelline range, yielding up to 6 days of wear with no chipping, especially if the top coat was reapplied a few days later. While not always lasting a full 7 days chip-free, the polish remained wearable with minor chips for a significant period.
Hybrid vs. Gel Polish
It is important to note that Maybelline SuperStay Gel Nail Color is technically a hybrid polish, not a true gel. This naming strategy capitalizes on the popularity of gel manicures, suggesting longer wear than standard polish. Unlike true gels, these hybrid polishes do not require curing under a UV/LED lamp and are applied like regular polish. They also do not require soaking for removal but do not last as long as real gel polish.
Overall Impression and Value
The Maybelline SuperStay Gel Nail Color range is considered worth trying for those seeking an affordable, great quality, and long-lasting polish. The primary downside mentioned is the limited color range, with only 11 classic colors and 1 clear polish available. The brand is encouraged to release more shades of this "awesome polish."
Availability and Price
In Australia, Maybelline SuperStay Gel Nail Color is available at Priceline for $7.95, often with a "3 for 2" offer. In the US, the price is around $4.
Wearing example: Maybelline SuperStay Gel #625 Forevermore Green and #635 Surreal (blue dots), with Essie Good To Go top coat.
Maybelline New York Fast Gel Nail Lacquer
Maybelline New York Fast Gel Nail Lacquer is a fast-drying gel nail polish exclusively sold at Dollar General. It features a cuticle-shaped brush for easy precision application, aiming to provide a beautiful manicure every time. Available in 18 classic and on-trend shades, it promises to keep manicures looking fresh for days.
Wear Test of Fast Gel Nail Lacquer
In one review, the Fast Gel from Maybelline was tested over 7 days. A clear gel base was applied before the Fast Gel, but no clear top coat was used to preserve the original color and shine. The Fast Gel lost its original heavy glossy shine by Day 7, but some shine remained, and the nails looked good from a distance. For perfect nails for a whole week, it is suggested that this Gel Lacquer would go the distance if applied correctly and with a top coat.
- Overall Appearance in Use: 4/5
- Overall Product Quality: 4/5
- Colour Choices: 5/5
- Staying Power: 5/5
💅🏻 HOW to Apply Gel Polish on Natural Nails - Tips and Tricks!
tags: #maybelline #gel #polish