First, let me start out by saying that I was not paid for this review. I was given step by step instructions and a trial kit by an educator for the company. That said, here’s what I did & what I think of it:

I had to remove my hard gels (I currently use, and have all my hard gel clients on, Elegant Glass Nails Builder gel) for a class I took a couple weeks ago. As annoying as that can be, we were taught the “Not So Russian Manicure” technique; basically using a combination of fine grit safety bits to clean up the cuticle area of the nail.

After we learned that, and other things, we were given instructions, a quick tutorial, and a sample of LCN’s BioGlass Gel. The one I got has a slightly pink tint to it; good for those who wear their gels without color, easy to paint on a white tip, seal, and go. I decided to test them out by replacing my two missing nails with this gel instead of my regular (clear) gel.

There is no primer or base coat for this gel! Also, there was no heat “spike”, but for thinner nails like mine, there is a little bit of warmth as the gel cures on the nails… even just doing a very thin layer. There was the same warmth at every stage under the lamp (unlike EGN’s Builder, which has only ever hit warm at the first layer). It self levels, like every other builder-style gel I’ve tried. I do like the tint, as it does work as a “cover gel” for those who need it.

The sample pack came with their Ultra Shine, a UV-protectant sealer. I used that one on my pinky and, for comparison, EGN’s High Shine on my ring finger. High Shine was shinier, and filled in a little better. Both then got my usual gel polish & art treatment.

It’s been two weeks, and I did my usual clean up (not so Russian manicure), reapplication & rebalance, gel polish, & art treatment. I also shortened them to just over my fingertips, squoval, since I have training coming up soon and need one hand free of product (I’ll do removal early next week). As before, no primer; just thin down product, wipe off dust, and apply.

This time, no heat AT ALL. Product applies a little thicker than my EGN, which is neither bad nor good. I also used the Ultra Shine on both nails this time. Less shiny than my High Shine, but since I was putting gel polish over it, no big deal.

Final result – I’m not switching to this gel because it’s just not different enough. I save maybe seconds not having to apply a primer, and maybe another minute or so because I don’t have to flash cure after two or three nails… but the cost is more per service. So, I’m sticking with EGN.