Welcome to this end-of-summer huge nail haul of the latest releases from my favorite high-end gel nail brands and efile mani supplies.
In this nail haul, you can expect to see the latest from Japanese gel nail brands like Kokoist and Leafgel and efile supplies from MelodySusie, which is one of my favorite brands for entry-level with pro-feel equipment and tools company. By the way, Melodysusie is celebrating 15 years, and they wanted me to share their anniversary package with you. Make sure to stay till the end to learn how to win their anniversary efile!
In today’s haul I also have a new brand of Japanese gel to share with you!
Remember, unlike other beauty hauls, I fill our time together unpacking, previewing, and reviewing the latest releases of cutting-edge nail technology! My goal with these nail hauls is not to encourage you to get filled with stuff but rather to help you make informed buying decisions should you be interested in buying these items or similar.
Many if not all the brands featured are brands with whom I had a relationship with for many years and that I also have used myself for that long.
Quick disclosure, many of the items in today’s nail haul were gifted to me, bu there are some that I bought also.
Alright let’s get unpacking.
In the last few months since our last nail haul, I was contacted by a Japanese Gel Nail Brand by the name of Para Gel. Of course, my eyes lit up like twinkling stars when I read their msg; as you know, Japanese Gel has been my thing now for over 6 years.
I had a lovely conversation with them where they shared their origin story with me and the overall mission of their nail brand.
They started their gel line over 10 years ago with the purpose of helping those who experience nail damage after using enhancements, especially acrylic nails.
Para gel’s strongest quality is that it is truly a no-sanding gel nail system.
I know that if you have joined me in this channel for a while now, you know that some of the other Japanese gel nail brands I frequently use also have no-sanding prep gels that adhere fantastically to the nail.
But Para Gel stresses the fact, that seriously… you don’t even need a gentle buff on the nails in order for their products to adhere.
After 3 months of use, you can start to feel the change in your own natural nails. They should feel stronger since there is no buffing or etching prep required, as well as no primer requirement before applying the gel.
Your Para Gel application should also wear longer and longer every month, if you’re growing out previous damage.
As customary in Japan, Para Gel leads their brand with potted gel as the professional method of application. They carry some bottled gel formulas, but remember bottled means slightly diluted, and is also entry level-friendly.
In order to buy Para Gel in the US you do have to be licensed, and when purchasing your starter kit you also get access to their online education portal.
On a quick side note, one thing that really impressed me about this brand is that they really cared about explaining their products and mission to me, and were not just like, Hey! We would love to send you products or our latest collection.” The products they sent were a professional starter kit, WITH a curing unit… a curing unit guys! Do you know how much that speaks volumes of a company? A curing unit is not cheap, but it is THE most important item in a nail system, as improper cured gels are one of the main reasons, if not THE reason for gel nail allergies. Either way, I think it is worthy of mention.
Overall, a very high-end brand catering particularly to nail professionals, with nail health and education at the forefront of what they do. They are US-headquartered in New York, and I’ll drop their website link HERE.
Since our last nail haul. Kokoist has had 3 big color drops.
On a quick side note, currently Kokoist is releasing their potted gel collections twice a year as opposed to 4 times per year. But as you’ll see in this Kokoist haul, they still have other fun launches throughout the year.
Let’s start with the ✨Coral Collection.
This collection consists of 6 colors within peachy, pinky, and coral tones. Guys… this. has seriously been my most favorite color collection from any brand yet. I connect with every color in this collection and I’ve actually already worn one in a previous set. I usually like to recommend that you only buy a couple of colors from a collection as I feel like some can just be fillers, but this is one where I can honestly tell you all 6 can be favorites.
If I had to choose two, it would be tough, but personally, I would choose Peach Coral #321 and Beach Coral Sand #325. They are just gorgeous, soft colors. You should know that except for Salmon Coral #322, all of these wear sheer, and that is what the ‘S’ after their numbers denote.
Next Kokoist release, ✨the Water Magnet Collection.
This collection consists of 9, yes 9! Magnetic gels that have the appearance of silky satin once applied. Magnetize the second layer for each, and you make every single one, next level and really that’s what gives it the depth and appearance of water.
Currently Kokoist has a promotion on these where if you buy the collection, you will also receive their just released clear magnetic gels. The only difference between the two is the particle size. The gel is clear, so you can technically overlay it on any color, but try it clear also.
Next, Kokoist Release is the ✨Nail Thoughts Extravaganza!
This release has 4 different collections plus one new top coat and some of these are limited edition… so pay attention hehe… JK.
Side note. If you don’t know, the Nail Thoughts collaboration in the Kokoist line up is the bottled gel line, which consists of tinted builders and bottled color.
Collection #1
Nail Thoughts Vol. 4 Which consists of 6 new base gels.
Collection #2
A limited edition 5 Flash Base Gel Collection, in addition to the 6 new tinted base gels in #1 one.
(And remember, Nail Thoughts Bases are both base and builder in one, so there is no additional base gel needed. You use the same product for base, and also to build with it.)
Collection #3
12 limited edition Flash Color Gels
(So these are just color, you’ll need a base or enhancement underneath before applying them)
Collection #4
The Nail Thoughts Gel Storage Box, which can store up to 70 of your Nail Thoughts Bottles, or other Kokoist bottles.
Top Coat
One limited edition Flash Top Coat, which you can buy on its own or get it as a free gift, when you buy the Flash Base Bundle.
And that’s it… just that.
The limited-edition items are available until supplies last, so if you’re interested in any of these items, do hurry to check availability.
You can shop Kokoist & Nail Thoughts products with our code PPN10 and save 10%, you can find the link to Kokoist below in the description of this video.
Leafgel seems to have had a few drops of their own since our last nail haul, and they have new brushes which I’m so excited about!
Let’s begin with the color releases.
Color #s 141-144
These are 4 new sheer colors which most probably were shades that were highly requested. 141 is like that coral in the new Kokoist Color Series that I mentioned was my fave! And that 144 is like one of the just-released Nail Thoughts Tinted Bases
Color #s 184-9
This is another set which also seems to be an addition of colors missing in the spectrum of Leafgel’s core colors. Neutral shades that can easily be worn on their own, or layered for the classic nuance style of art known in Japan.
The next two collections are artist collaborations.
Artist collaborations are very popular between brands in Japan.
The first collaboration is the ishm Series color #s 251-254.
The artist curating this collection is Chiko of “ishm Chiko”. The collection has 4 very complimentary and vibrant colors, super playful, and slightly translucent.
The second collaboration is the Oyatsu Series color #s 571-574.
The artist curating this collection is Mariko of “ciel.by marikonail”. The collection features 4 earthy tones which seem to be a great warm up for the upcoming Fall season.
The next release from Leafgel is a set of two new brushes.
And I seriously cannot tell you how this was so much needed in the line-up of Leafgel brushes. Between you and I… I had no favorite Lefagel brushes. I really like one they particularly had with Lily Gel… and that was it. So I’m so glad they now have not one, but two round brushes under their name. I do get asked if I prefer round over square, and yes… round, all day every day. You can see how thin they are, which tells me they are going to be precise in application and also not soak-up a lot of gel, where you may feel you’re applying color with a mop.
Let’s move on to a company I’m exploring.
Now, I stumbled upon them while in the search for another company that carries ceramic and Staleks brand efile bits because, apparently, we sell out Nashlynails of all of the things we need.
So, this company seems to be of Ukrainian origin with distribution in the US, and let me tell you, I found more than I needed… hehe. Don’t we all when we go virtual window shopping.
I really like acrylic-gel, which is what you most commonly know as “poly gel”. It helps with easily repairing tears and extending nails. But I’m really not down with the tube concept, and Kokoist Fixee Gel doesn’t come big enough for me, and it’s not exactly acrylic gel, so out of curiosity, I searched through all of FOX’s products and came across their natural colored Acryl- Gel. I think it is exactly what I’m looking for; I haven’t had the chance to try it, but if you see it doing a cameo in upcoming videos, then you know this is it!
I bought half tips to try this gel for extensions, and again, I’ll keep you posted on how it all works for extension use.
Ok, continuing on with my new curiosity buys from FOX are these wooden stick files and buffer duos. How nifty are these! They are obviously disposable, and my favorite thing about them is that little bit of buffer material because… duh! Who needs a whole buffer for one client?
Ok, eventually I did grab what I was in store for, and that was my Staleks Diamond bits.
Overall, if you’re looking for all the things you need for Eastern European nails, including supplies for the ever-so-popular commonly known as “Russian Manicure” service. FOX nails has all the high-end equipment, tools, and gel nail materials, do check them out. I’m really excited about having found them.
They do offer an affiliate program, so click HERE to shop and our code is PPN10.
Let’s change gears for a quick moment.
Let’s talk about these Mani-Science cards.
🍃Mani-Science.
Mani-science is a British brand of education hosted by scientist and nail artist Charlotte Seymour, and I stumbled upon these cards and her brand through fellow nail artist and past guest of our show, the sweet Chantelle of The Clawgasmic Nail Network.
I read through the cards and I actually thought they’d make a great addition to say a coffee table in your salon space or wherever your client waits before their appointment. Their not super deep in knowledge, but I think they can help clients understand some things.
I’ll link you below to these cards so you can learn more about them and Charlotte.
Alright, back on track to efile and dry mani supplies because these and gel nails go together like PB&J.
So Nashlynails has been our favorite supplier of efile, bits, and all things dry manicure, but they sell out of these things fast. And I get it, these things actually go quicker than gel nail supplies themselves.
Here’s what I stocked up on…
Flame bits. If you haven’t watched our video on what is a “Russian Manicure” you need to watch it after this video (if i did this right, you should see a card up top, so take note of this moment in the video, to come back and click it). In this video I go over some of the key qualifications of a Russian Manicure, and what it is and what it is not.
One of the qualifications is opening up “the pocket”, i.e. that area underneath the eponychium to exfoliate and be able to tuck the gel underneath, and to do that, we need a pointed efile bit. Most commonly, it’s a flame bit, but actually, I want to encourage you, only if you are trained in efile (if you need training, do consider joining us in the Efficient Efiling Course), to try different pointed bits because a flame bit requires such delicate touch and precision, and you have to replace them like every two weeks. So, I encourage you to try the cone-pointed ones that I showed you when I was unpacking my FOX order. The good news is that both Nashlynails and now FOX Nails have these. Personally, I prefer the cone so much better, and longevity-wise, I think because of surface area, the cone can last you a month when working with clients or 3 months if just using it on yourself.
Alright, what else…
Ceramic bits, of course. Fine and medium. I also prefer the cone shaped ones, especially when switching to the fine grit and removing closer to the nail as it allows for more precision.
You see also files here, and those were a gift from Steven over at Nashlynails, it seems like they are now sourcing some things for their own brand.
These are a little thicker for me than what I need, but glad to see their brand expanding.
Next…
I went on a files and buffer spree. My goal for doing this is not only to find quality sanding prep tools that do not over etch the nail, but also the most economical options for you. I understand that buying branded files and buffers as a salon or even an independent tech is not economical so I took the time during this nail haul spree to buy a few different ones that I believed would be of great quality for you.
I’d like to eventually put a class together for you to learn your cost per service, so that we can get into the specific cent or dollar amount things actually cost. If you want to be kept up to date with this and other class offerings, make sure to sign up to our newsletter, linked below. This is how you become a VIP in our world.
My most favorite find here is the 180/200g board file. For soft gel this is as much abrasiveness as you want on the natural nails. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
And the white buffing blocks you see here were the exact ones I stocked-up on at the salon. Highly recommend, so I’ll go ahead and link them down below with our Amazon Store link.
Now on to a little bit of a “shameless plug”…
Did you know we have nail merch?? Yes, we do.
So if you didn’t skip my intro and you are not new here, then you may already know that I specialize in the use of soft gel only for all of my overlay services, whether that is natural nails, or extensions. So I wanted to cement that in stone… or merch, with our custom made “soft gel is my jam” logo.
Currently we have mugs, pins, stickers, and my favorite, this little accessory bag which is made up of hemp material, and the orange zipper just adds such a touch! Don’t you think so?
Guys, your support allows us to continue creating valuable YouTube videos like this one. Whenever possible, use our affiliate codes below our videos to shop tried-and-true brands and our merch items if you haven’t yet grabbed yours.
Alright, last but not least, let’s talk about:
🍃MelodySusie products.
Melodysusie offers beauty products, primarily nail items. And this month, they are celebrating 15 years in business.
I’ve been an affiliate for a while now; I don’t make a huge amount of money with them, maybe just coffee money every month, which I’m thankful for, but they are so generous with their PR gifts, and even as a customer, you may find a few extra freebies in your order.
And I think that for the price and quality, they are a great brand for me to introduce you to, and have you support.
I most frequently use their bits and dust collectors, but they often send me their efiles as PR gifts, and they feel high quality. Now, in all sincerity, I have not put them to the test for constant salon use (I recommend the ones Nashlynails carries for pros) but just using them myself here and there; they have good torque, and depending on which one you choose, their hand-piece feels sturdy and light-weight.
Because it’s their 15th year anniversary they put together a bundle that includes all the goodies in this box, including this special edition efile, or you can upgrade your bundle and add the dust collector featured here. It’s actually smaller than I thought, and I think it make for a good personal use item.
If you’ll be shopping Meoldysusie, you can save 12% on all products and support our channel with code PPN10K. Our affiliate code with all of our other partners is PPN10.
I want to thank you oh-so much for joining me in this nail-haul, I will be giving away a few items that you saw in this post, including the MelodySusie anniversary efile. You can click HERE for the giveaway, and all other product sources mentioned today.
Content written by Paola Ponce
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