Introducing you to OPI Intelli-Gel, their newest and most performant gel polish formula yet! OPI aimed to create the best gel polish formula for salon use and it’s safe to say they have succeeded. With OPI Intelli-Gel, it’s all about the details. You will no longer have to worry about brush strokes leaving your nails looking imperfect, or your nails chipping or even irritation. The OPI Intelli-Gel formula is completely Vegan-friendly and HEMA-Free!
Table of Contents:
- Introduction to The New Formula
- OPI Intelli-Gel vs The Old Formula
- The OPI Intelli-Gel Innovative Bottle Design
- OPI Intelli-Gel Colours
- How to Apply OPI Intelli-Gel
1. Introduction to The New Formula
You asked and OPI listened. With the new OPI Intelli-Gel formula, all of your prayers have been answered. If you were looking for a safe-to-use and vegan-friendly gel polish formula which is also eco-ethical and HEMA-free, look no further. Through extensive research into what consumers and professionals desire in a gel polish, OPI discovered the number one determining factor for professional nail techs are looking for in a gel is that the formula is eco-ethical. Having an eco-ethical gel polish formula is important for nail techs as it allows for more safe and stress-free applications which are less likely to cause irritation to their clients’ skin.
The search for more natural and safe nail care products began when we were introduced to the potential risks of using products containing HEMA. HEMA is used in gel polish formulas for its strong adhesion which allows the gel to bond to the natural nails, creating a longer-lasting, more chip-free wear. However, it can be a potential allergen for the clients getting their nails done if it comes into contact with the skin. The nail techs who use the gels day in, and day out are also at risk.
Around 2020-2021, the nail care industry has become more strict around products containing HEMA and more regulations had to be made to ensure the safety of the use of gel nail polishes, acrylic powders and everything in between. That is when the market for HEMA-free gel polishes emerged and nail care brands started reformulating their staple products.
But do not worry! The lack of HEMA does not make gel polish less high quality than before. If anything, the demand for HEMA-free products compelled nail care brands to improve their formulas and make them even better than before.
2. OPI Intelli-Gel vs The Old Formula
OPI has completely revolutionised their old GelColor formula, making it better than ever before. They improved everything, from the bottle to the brush and the gel. All that is to offer you the ability to create a faster, more efficient and high-quality manicure service. OPI GelColor is now vegan, HEMA-free and self-correcting. Clearly, OPI Intelli-Gel is truly a nail technician’s dream come true.
Now with a self-correcting formula!
Without a doubt, having a self-correcting gel polish formula makes your life easier. Not only is OPI Intelli-Gel self-levelling, but it is also self-correcting. Unlike any other gel polish formula on the market, Intelli-Gel corrects itself, levelling out any brush strokes or unevenness on the nail’s surface in seconds.
To achieve this self-levelling technique, OPI used a higher viscosity formula. This enables the gel to stay put until you are ready for it. The OPI Intelli-Gel Technology is a responsive gel molecules network which adapts to your every move. That means, as pressure is applied to the gel using the Intelli-Brush, the gel molecules work together to thin the formula and enable an easy application. And, as the pressure is removed, the molecules reform to self-correct every brush stroke or any unevenness on the nail’s surface. It is truly genius in a bottle.
OPI GelColor is now Vegan-Friendly
Vegan gel polishes contain no animal-derived ingredients, replacing these with synthetic and man-made ingredients instead. Some gel polishes use pigments from animals or insects and other animal proteins which could improve the shine of the lacquers. However, vegan-friendly gel polishes do not use any animal-derived ingredients, making them more eco-friendly. Looking after the planet does not stop at embracing veganism. When using vegan gel nail polishes, you will have an ethical alternative to nail care and the same long-lasting, glossy results.
Following the demand for vegan-friendly gel polish formulas, OPI have decided to give their OPI GelColor formula an update and remove all animal-derived products, making OPI Intelli-Gel completely vegan and safe to use.
HEMA? Not here!
Additionally, with the new OPI GelColor formula, you will never have to worry about allergic reactions or any type of irritation when creating a new gel manicure or pedicure for your clients. OPI Intelli-Gel has a HEMA-free and professional quality formula which will leave you seriously impressed.
More Pigment Than Before
Furthermore, the new OPI formula also has more pigment than the old GelColor gel polishes, thus creating an opaque finish in no more than two thin coats. You will no longer have to keep applying and reapplying gel layers to achieve your desired opacity. Whether it’s a sheer, semi-sheer, opaque or glitter formula, with the new OPI Intelli-Gel formula, you will be able to achieve full coverage in only two thin coats.
Plus, the pigments are a lot more vibrant than before. OPI knows you love their darker shades, such as OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or the OPI Lady in Black. Of course, darker shades often require more coats to be able to achieve that full opacity you are looking for. But with the new formula, you won’t have to worry about that anymore. Whether light or dark, each OPI GelColor gel polish colour will offer a vibrant, pigmented finish.
Enhanced Opacity Levels
Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate a sheer shade from a semi-sheer and even an opaque one. To avoid wasting your time and energy while trying to achieve a full coverage finish with a sheer gel polish, OPI has patented the opacity levels of their new gel polish formula. Now, you can clearly and easily tell apart a sheer from a semi-sheer and so on not only from the application, but it is also stated on the bottle.
Offering a brighter, longer-lasting gloss
Moreover, the original OPI GelColor gel polishes did offer a brilliant shine and glossy finish. But it really cannot be compared with the high-gloss shine of the OPI Intelli-Gel colours. The mirror-like shine of the gel polishes is now longer lasting and more resistant to dulling and chipping. This allows you to create beautiful manicures and pedicures which will look freshly done even weeks after application. How great is that?
3. The OPI Intelli-Gel Innovative Bottle Design
You thought they’d stop at the formula? No, OPI also completely changed their bottle and brush designs. The new OPI bottle features the code of the gel colour on the neck of the bottle. This makes it easier for you to pick out the gel nail polish colour you’d like during a busy day. Furthermore, next to the code, there is also a little sign that helps to let you know if the shade is sheer, semi-sheer, or fully opaque.
Along with this, the brush design of the OPI GelColor gel polishes has also been given a buff-up. The Intelli-Brush features a cuticle-hugging design which is perfectly aligned with the cuticle line, creating a seamless application and ensuring no flooding.
The stem of the brush holds more product than before and has a patented design which enables better control when applying the gel. The brush’s channel allows the gel polish to freely flow to the brush. This helps to give you the right amount of gel to create a perfect application.
4. OPI Intelli-Gel Colours
For their OPI GelColor relaunch, OPI have created a collection of exclusive gel polish colours and shades which are colour-matched with both nail lacquer and OPI Infinite Shine. Moreover, you are sure to achieve a perfect application and flawless wear with each and every one.
Exclusive OPI GelColor Shades
The exclusive OPI Intelli-Gel shades bring you all of the staple OPI gel polish colours now with an improved formula. From Tiramisu For Two to I Cannoli Wear OPI, the exclusive GelColor shades offer you a range of gel polish colours to choose from. Suitable for every finish and offers a selection of finishes and opacities to give you more to choose from.
Colour Matched Nail Colours Across GelColor, Infinite Shine and Nail Lacquer
You can also find your favourite nail polish colours in the GelColor formula! Whether you go for Funny Bunny or Bubble Bath, you can create amazing manicures that last for weeks. Or maybe you want to try out a new shade? Regardless, you can tag us on Instagram and show us your brand-new mani!
5. How to Apply OPI Intelli-Gel
Applying the new OPI Intelli-Gel is both easy and efficient. The new formula offers you the ability to create a faster service for your clients and even better results than before. What’s more? Nothing about the gel polish application has changed. You now can create better manicures and pedicures while using the exact same steps as before.
Apply OPI Intelli-Gel step by step:
- Remove the surface shine of the nail using an OPI nail file or buffer.
- Using an OPI nail cleanser, remove the oils and debris from the nail surface.
- Apply one coat of the OPI Bond-Aid pH Balancing Agent on the nail to increase adhesion.
- After shaking the OPI GelColor Super Base Basecoat, apply a thin layer, making sure to cap the free edge of the nail.
- Cure using an LED Lamp for 30 seconds.
- Choose your favourite OPI GelColor gel polish and shake the bottle to mix the pigment for an even colour application.
- Apply a very thin layer of gel polish capping the free edge and cure it under an LED Light for 30 seconds.
- Apply a second layer of the gel colour capping the free edge again and cure using a LED Light for 30 seconds.
- Shake the OPI GelColor Super Gloss Top Coat for a few seconds to mix it thoroughly.
- Apply a thin coat to seal in the colour and cap the free edge to prevent any chipping.
- Cure this layer for 30 seconds using an LED light and wipe the sticky residue using the OPI NAS 99 nail cleanser.
How to use OPI Intelli-Gel for Nail Art
Now, we also have a little something special for you. OPI have been kind enough to send us a little tutorial on how to use the new OPI Intelli-Gel formula to create nail art. They also took the opportunity to showcase how versatile and pigmented the gel is. In just one coat, you can achieve crisp, vibrant lines and different nail art designs.
And, the step-by-step they have provided is just as easy as it looks! All you need besides the regular products you use to create a gel nail manicure is a liner gel brush. As the OPI GelColor Intelli-Gel polishes have a brightly pigmented formula, you no longer need to waste your money on specialised gel liner polishes. The new formula does it all!
Follow the step-by-step below and if you feel proud of your new nails, feel free to tag us on Instagram here.
We hope you enjoyed that!
Shop all OPI Intelli-Gel Colours at Nail Polish Direct!
We have all the new OPI GelColor shades in stock and at the best prices. We also stock the old OPI GelColor formula, so get it while you still can. It will surely be gone soon. But whether you choose the old or the new formula, you are sure to achieve an amazing set of nails by the end of it.
To shop OPI Intelli-Gel for yourself or your salon, click here.
