Cosmar Quik Nails- Brush On Gel Kit

Today I have a review on Cosmar Quik Nails Brush On Gel Kit, an at home gel kit from CVS.This is a kit that doesn't required a light to cure the polish, just the polish.  I have been fighting with my crazy thin nails a lot lately and I and tired of it.  They were pretty normal before pregnancy, hard as rocks during and now they're like paper.  I have tried Nail Tek Intensive therapy, 3 Minute Artificials, I've been taking Biotin for two weeks, trying to use cuticle oil, balm and lotion as often as I can remember, and have done EVOO soaks. The brush on products seem to work a little, or for a short time and I know Biotin will help but I don't have the patience (I'm still taking it, but needed something in the mean time).  I think a lot of the problem is me being dehydrated constantly, I can't seem to remember to drink constantly lately.  Long story short, nails that bend when I scratch my leg.  That's just not okay anymore, enter Cosmar...

 Excuse the orange fingers, had to lighten the picture up

Naked Nails

 Ok so included in this kit is a nail file, 4 wheels of nail tips, a bottle of nail glue, a bottle of gel overlay, a bottle of brush cleaner, and a bottle of gel activator. The basic run down is that you find a tip to match your nail, glue it on, and twist it off the wheel.  You then add a line of glue where the tip meets your nail (smile line) to seal it off then file it all down to blend it in and prevent humps.  These are a weird shape tip, but they also have french kit, or you can buy tips in bulk on eBay/amazon.

Tips glued on, trimmed and shaped

Next is the actual gel part. you spread the gel overlay on your nails just like a thick polish, and before it dries, take the brush out of the cleaner bottle and dip in it, then apply, the gel activator.  The key seems to be using equal amounts overlay & activator to prevent tackiness.  They dry to a high gloss and if done right, are smooth as glass.  

Gel Nails Done!

The only problems I had were fully user error, but really not bad results for a first time user with no experience, just following the directions.  At first you could see my smile line through the gel and I had some brush strokes but since I was painting them anyways and gloss didn't matter, so I buffed the surface smooth.  I also had a bit of yellowing near my cuticles but only on my right hand, i think due to too much activator.  My only complaint would be I think the glue is not good. I had lift on nearly all tips a few days later and I but reglued them and they still look good.  I picked up some Beauty Secrets glue at Sally's today recommended by the associate, and I'm going to get some regular tips from eBay/amazon.  I still have plenty of gel but not enough tips because a few of my nails are the same sizes, but the packaging does state enough for 2 manicures.  I think there's enough gel for more than that though.

Overall:

I LOVE this kit, it's decently cheap, good quality and easy to do. I paid $9.99 for my kit at CVS (packaging in link is different but lists same items) but even better, I scored some kits on ebay for 3.75 a piece.  I definitely recommend the kit! 

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