Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Review: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 2X Volume Top Coat*




Exciting news for fans of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel nail colours: the special top coat that seals and protects the polish has been redeveloped and improved to give twice the volume and shine! Miracle Gel 2X Volume Top Coat has been released, and I was generously sent a Duo Pack*, which includes Up The Ante, to try.

If you missed the whole Miracle Gel boat, here's the skinny. Basically it's a range from Sally Hansen that claims to provide you with a salon-calibre at-home gel manicure, without having to use light lamps to set the polish. Instead, the special top coat seals everything in and activates the curing, and natural light does the rest. The brand claims you can get up to 14 days of gel colour, so it's supposed to be long-lasting, just like a salon gel mani.

Although I never get close to 14 days without chipping at the edges, I was still eager to trial this new version, because a volumising top coat not only sounds intriguing, but also a bit out there! In hindsight, I should have used my original Miracle Gel Top Coat on one hand and the new 2X Volume one on the other for direct comparison, but I didn't think of it until afterwards. D'oh!



I am loving the pretty shade Up The Ante. It's a medium-toned plum that's perfect for Spring. And in fact, it's one of six Spring/Summer shades that have been released in Limited Edition Duo Packs, the others being coral, teal, blue, watermelon and spearmint hues. I love the sound of every one of these, they are right up my alley!




Up The Ante was very easy to apply, thanks mostly to the fairly wide, flat application brush. The new 2X volume top coat is quite gel-like, meaning it's not as runny as the coloured polishes. I found that the brush picks up a lot of product, so you really have to ensure you wipe the excess off against the inner neck rim of the bottle, otherwise you just get far too much on your nail. Other than that, this was a fast, easy application. I applied two coats of Up The Ante and one of the Top Coat. As you can see, the result is a super-glossy finish. I'm very impressed by the shine factor and would agree with Sally Hansen's 2X volume claim. However for me, this lost its impact over the next few days. My nails lost their glossy WOW factor, and what started off as a super-professional looking mani began to look, well, still good, but just not as fantastic. I also started to get minor chipping on four out of ten nails on Day 2. I really do use my hands a lot, and I am used to my manicures chipping early. Still, I was hoping it might last a bit longer.





Overall, I love Up The Ante, it's such a pretty shade of purple. I'd also give the Miracle Gel 2X Volume Top Coat a glossy thumbs up based on the stunning shine, wow factor and professional-looking finish. My only criticism is the early chipping I experienced. This happens to me across the board, with every nail polish I wear, so it's not specific to this product, although given it's a gel it should be lasting longer than normal polishes. Clearly I'm using my hands too much, and will cease all housework immediately :D

Limited Edition Duo packs containing a Spring/Summer shade and a 2X Volume Top Coat are $19.95, and can be bought from Priceline, Target, Chemist Warehouse, Terry White Chemists and independent chemists. Look out for sales and specials to get it cheaper!




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*Disclaimer: This product was provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What's your favourite nail polish shade for Spring?

35 comments:

  1. ooo I do like the sound of this. I get shellac on my fingers but I hate getting my toes done in a salon (foot phobic - long story) and so my toes always look crappy compared to my hands. I am getting me some of this stuff tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up hun xx

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    1. I know how you feel! The one and only time I had a salon pedicure I was so self-conscious. Never again! xx

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  2. your nails look amazing! I love the colour, but too bad they shipped so soon :/

    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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  3. That's such a shame it didn't last very well. I got my hands on this too, so I'll have to try it out and see how it goes for me.

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    1. Polishes don't last very long on me, it's so weird! Hope you like it :)

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  4. Lovely colour. I'm so out of practice with doing my own nails these days though!

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    1. I really enjoy painting my nails and find it strangely relaxing!

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  5. Love the shade, Your nails are always perfect. Love this range by Sally Hansen

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  6. I like the miracle gel but it's NOWHERE near a gel manicure. Those last 3 weeks on me until they're too grown out, whereas this is a week for me. That's good but it's not like an actual gel manicure.

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    1. I've never had a proper salon one to compare the wear time. Well I have had a normal mani there, but not a gel one. I wish I could get it to last a week!

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  7. I'm really liking this formula! The top coat really shines!

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    1. Yeah! I might try using the glossy top coat over other polishes. So shiny!

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  8. What a gorgeous colour! I also think you're onto something there when you suggested doing no housework! There should be a law passed that once you have had a mani you don't need to do any housework for the following week! Hehe!

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    1. Well that's the best idea for a law I've ever heard! Haha :D

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  9. I love the colour too. Mine lasted longer than usual on my finger nails - 3 days. Normally I'm lucky if I get one day chip free out of nail polish. It performed about the same on my toenails - about 10 days, before a chip appeared.

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    1. That's pretty good! Polish last ages on my toenails, thank goodness!

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  10. They look so shiny and smooth. Beautiful. I've never tried a gel manicure before, but I'm eager to try one soon.

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  11. I have my jamberry gel nails on a the moment- a week in and no chips!

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    1. Awesome work! So many people are loving Jamberry at the moment!

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  12. Your nails look gorgeous! You apply nail polish way better than me. Lovely colour too. I usually get my nails done at a salon but generally only when I've got something on or coming up where I want them looking spiffy because I am a serial nail polish chipper!! Last time I got shellac polish so it would last longer and not chip. Loved it but didn't love trying to get it off and the effect on my natural nails. Is this Miracle Gel kind to your nails?

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    1. Thanks! Yes, super kind, Min. You remove it with normal nailpolish remover and it takes the same amount of time as other polishes. I haven't had any staining on my nails, either. :)

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  13. They look and sound awesome. I love how glossy they look.I agree... when your nails look that good, housework should be banned!

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    1. I'm not surprised by the amount of support for the banning of housework. LOL. :D

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  14. These look amazing!!! So hot! I keep thinking I need a solution for something that home rather than dragging myself last minute to a nail bar. Perfect timing to buy up for the Xmas party onslaught!

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    1. Thanks! Yes, they would be ideal for over Christmas. No time for a salon visit then, I'm too busy shopping!

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  15. What a lovely colour! I was a big fan of the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel... and then I discovered Jamberry! I don't think I'll ever paint my nails again! Thanks for linking up with the Ultimate Rabbit Hole.

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    1. I love painting my nails, it relaxes me. But playing with Jamberry was fun, too! Love your Ultimate Rabbit Hole Linky :)

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  16. Such a gorgeous colour and I love the idea of salon effect at home .

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    1. It's easier ans cheaper than visiting a salon every few weeks!

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