Next-Gen nails

OPI has revamped its GelColor system: offering a supercharged pigment & self-correcting formula that’s ideal for slick overlays & precise nail artistry. LILLY DELMAGE gets the scoop

Innovation and ‘nailblazing’ are at the heart of the OPI brand, and its supporting nail professionals has led to a GelColor makeover. The popular gel polish system has been unwavering commitment to revamped: now featuring Intelli-Gel™ technology to deliver impeccable results, as shown on this month’s front cover.

Sarah Fairneny

“I can confidently say that the GelColor Intelli-Gel™ system is OPI’s smartest gel ever,” comments Sarah Fairneny, OPI’s research & development vice president. “OPI Intelli-Gel™ technology self-corrects with every stroke, eliminating streaking, and the carefully designed Intelli-Brush makes application effortless. The enhanced formula with rich pigmentation offers a superior experience that professionals and their clients will love.”

The innovative formula uses a responsive gel molecule network to fulfil its self-correcting and self-levelling promises, offering straightforward application. HEMA-free and vegan, this updated GelColor range is also perfect for nail art, with its intense colour and no-streak promises.

Fairneny continues: “This new standard for GelColor was developed by our team of OPI scientists, who worked with nail professionals and spent thousands of hours researching and testing, to make this our most intuitive and performance-driven launch to date.”

Colour calling

This next generation of GelColor features an expansive introductory colour assortment of 71 crèmes and 29 effects, including classic and best-selling OPI shades. The Intelli-Gel™ system also boasts the Super Base Base Coat and three new top coats: Super Gloss, Super Gloss No Wipe and Super Matte.

OPI Super Base Base Coat and Super Gloss Top Coat £19.90 + VAT each

Pigment fit for pattern

Belinda Price

The rich pigment and higher viscosity of OPI GelColor Intelli-Gel™ shades allow you to stay in control of fine, intricate nail art. “Admittedly, I am a nail tech with a messy desk, so the fact that I can now use OPI GelColor for both overlays and nail art is brilliant,” shares Belinda Price, OPI UK&I education & capability manager. “I can paint a fine line in one stroke, which saves me from using multiple products.”

Jessica White

Scratch Stars Awards 2024 finalist, Jessica White, reveals the hue she most enjoys using in the new formula, commenting: “With the original formula, I would require two coats of Alpine Snow to create a French tip, whereas the pigment of the Intelli-Gel™ range means I can achieve great coverage in just one coat.”

OPI GelColor in Alpine Snow £19.90 + VAT

Brush up

The revamped system sees the introduction of the Intelli-Brush™, characterised by its patent-pending stem and branded with the OPI logo on its centre channel. The revised design offers greater control over product pickup and application, stopping excess product from gathering and flooding the nail. Rounded edges replicate the curve of cuticles for enhanced precision and prevent the need for clean-up.

Marta Nagórska

After trialling the brush, session manicurist & OPI user, Marta Nagórska, comments: “I can achieve great precision at the cuticle area with its curved edge.” This precision brush edge, featuring a decreased bristle count, grants the brush its multi-use status. Use the slim side of the bottle brush for design purposes.

TOP TIP

Look out for this teardrop symbol on the updated GelColor packaging, which marks the opacity of each shade. The fuller the teardrop, the more opaque the colour.

Application

OPI Star Light Gel Lamp £218.90 + VAT

1. Following prep, apply a layer of Intelli-Gel™ Super Base Base Coat, capping the free edge before applying a full coat over the nail. Cure under the OPI Star Light Gel Lamp for 30 seconds.

2. Brush on a coat of chosen GelColor Intelli-Gel™ gel polish, before curing in the OPI Star Light Gel Lamp for 30 seconds. Repeat for intense coverage.

3. Apply a layer of your chosen GelColor top coat and cure for 30 seconds.

Removal

Promising a 15-minute removal when used as directed, simply soak off the product using the Expert Touch Lacquer Remover and Expert Touch Removal Wraps.

Put to the test

OPI invited its Nail Bosses, press and influential pros to an event to mark the launch of the GelColor Intelli-Gel™ system. Scratch’s Helena and Lilly headed to Wella Studios, London, to learn about the revamped formula. The day kicked off with a presentation by the education team, who explored the Intelli-Gel™ technology and highlighted changes to the brush and bottle label.

Dani Bailey

Next, Scratch Stars Awards 2024 champion, Dani Bailey, took to the stage to offer pros a product chemistry lesson and detail the curing process of GelColor. She was followed by Belinda Price, who demonstrated application, showing the impressive coverage and self-levelling features of the product. Belinda painted a straight line atop a colourful base shade, revealing how the system is packed with pigment and perfect for nail art.

After the demo, Nail Bosses tried out the products at their nail stations, applying the three-step system onto nail pops. They then indulged in OPI-inspired cocktails, photo opportunities with giant OPI bottles and a candle painting activity. Candle designs ranged from ice creams and strawberries to OPI polish bottles and pet portraits, which topped off a fun and informative day.

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann

“The improved iteration of GelColor delivers brighter, richer hues with superior colour coverage and a smoother, more even texture for nails and nail art that will surpass expectations.”