OPI Nail Polish, Gel Polish and Nail Lacquer

Shop OPI nail polish in every format salons use: Intelli-Gel GelColor soak-off gel, classic Nail Lacquer, lamp-free Infinite Shine, Powder Perfection dip, GELevate builder gel, Nature Strong and Nail Envy strengthener. Many OPI shades come in matching gel and lacquer, so a gel manicure and a polish pedicure can share one color. Free US shipping on orders over $85.

Which OPI nail polish line should you buy?

OPI sells several different systems under one brand, and they are not interchangeable. The quickest way to choose is to decide whether you want to use a lamp. GelColor and GELevate cure under an LED lamp. Nail Lacquer, Infinite Shine, Nature Strong and Nail Envy air dry. Powder Perfection is a dip system that sets without a lamp.

OPI line	What it is	Lamp needed?	Removal	Best for
Intelli-Gel GelColor	Soak-off gel polish, HEMA-free and TPO-free	Yes, LED (30 seconds per coat)	Acetone soak-off	Gel manicures and pedicures with up to 3 weeks of wear
Nail Lacquer	OPI's classic nail polish, made since 1989	No, air dries	Regular polish remover	Quick color changes, pedicures and matching a gel shade
Infinite Shine	Long-wear polish with a gel-like base and top coat	No, air dries	Regular polish remover	Gel-like shine for up to 11 days without a lamp
Powder Perfection	Dip powder system	No	Acetone soak-off	Strong, durable dip manicures
GELevate	4-in-1 builder gel for overlays, sculpting, repair and protection	Yes, LED	File down or soak off	Adding strength and structure to natural nails
Nail Envy	Nail strengthener treatment	No, air dries	Regular polish remover	Thin, weak or brittle nails
Nature Strong	Natural-origin, vegan nail polish	No, air dries	Regular polish remover	Clients who prefer a natural-origin formula

Is OPI nail polish gel?

Some of it is. OPI GelColor, now sold as the Intelli-Gel formula, is a true gel polish that only hardens under an LED lamp. OPI Nail Lacquer, Infinite Shine and Nature Strong are air-dry polishes, even though Infinite Shine gives a gel-like shine. The cap is an easy way to tell them apart: Nail Lacquer has a black cap, Infinite Shine has a silver cap and Nature Strong has a matte white cap. If the bottle says GelColor, it needs a lamp.

What is OPI Intelli-Gel, and how is it different from the old GelColor?

Intelli-Gel is OPI's current GelColor formula. It launched on August 1, 2024 and replaced the previous GelColor shades, which OPI phased out by July 31, 2024. Here is what you get with it:

Formula: vegan, HEMA-free, Di-HEMA-free and TPO-free.
System: Super Base Coat plus a choice of Super Gloss, Super No Wipe or Super Matte Top Coat.
Cure: 30 seconds per coat in the OPI Star Light Gel Lamp.
Wear: up to 3 weeks, according to OPI.
Brush: a rounded brush that fans out, so you get full coverage in fewer strokes.
Use: OPI labels GelColor for professional use.

For predictable wear, pair Intelli-Gel colors with the Intelli-Gel base and top coats instead of mixing them with older GelColor bottles. Not sure your lamp is up to the job? Read our guide to UV vs LED nail lamps, and see what TPO-free means for gel polish in the US.

How do you make OPI gel polish last up to 3 weeks?

Prep the natural nail: push back the cuticle, remove the shine and dehydrate the nail plate. Our gel nail prep guide explains the order that stops lifting.
Apply OPI Bond Aid, then one thin coat of Super Base Coat. Cure for 30 seconds.
Shake the color, apply two thin coats and cap the free edge. Cure each coat for 30 seconds.
Finish with a Super top coat and cure. Wipe off the tacky layer unless you used Super No Wipe Top Coat.
When it is time to remove it, soak off with acetone instead of peeling, so the natural nail stays intact.

Do OPI gel and nail lacquer shades match?

Many of them do. OPI releases a large share of its shades in both GelColor and Nail Lacquer, so a salon can pair a gel manicure with a matching polish pedicure, and clients can touch up at home in the same color. Shop matched pairs in OPI Intelli-Gel + Matching Lacquer and OPI GelColor + Infinite Shine.

Popular OPI shades shoppers search for include Funny Bunny, Bubble Bath, Big Apple Red, Lincoln Park After Dark, Cajun Shrimp and Put It in Neutral. For help choosing a color, see our guides to milky white nail polish, nude nail colors for every skin tone and the best red nail polish for your skin tone.

How long does OPI nail polish take to dry?

It depends on the line. OPI Nail Lacquer and Nature Strong air dry. Thin coats usually feel dry to the touch in about 10 to 15 minutes, but the polish stays soft underneath for longer, so avoid hot water and tight shoes for a while after a pedicure. OPI Drip Dry drops help speed this up. Infinite Shine also air dries and needs no lamp. GelColor does not air dry at all: each coat cures in 30 seconds under an OPI LED lamp and is fully set once the top coat is cured.

Which OPI products help weak or peeling nails?

OPI Nail Envy is OPI's nail strengthener range, available in clear and tinted shades such as Bubble Bath, Pink to Envy and Double Nude-y. The OPI GelColor Treatments collection holds the essentials for a gel service, including the Super Base Coat, Super Gloss Top Coat, Bond Aid, the Star Light Gel Lamp, files and Glow Up cuticle oil. If you are not sure which treatment fits your nails, read how to choose a nail strengthener and why nails peel.

Where can you buy OPI nail polish online?

You can shop OPI nail polish, gel polish and nail care right here at Universal Nail Supplies. We have supplied nail technicians, salons and at-home nail lovers since 2006, ship across the USA and offer free shipping on US orders over $85. Salons buying in volume can contact us about wholesale and bulk pricing.

FAQs

FAQ's

Yes, OPI nail polishes are known for their chip-resistant formula. OPI gel colors use high-quality ingredients and innovative technology to create long-lasting and durable nail polishes. While no polish is completely immune to chipping, OPI's formulations, when applied properly and accompanied by a base and top coat, provide excellent resistance to chips, ensuring your manicure stays intact for longer.

OPI nail polishes are considered safe for use. OPI infinite shine follows strict safety guidelines and regulations when formulating their nail polishes. They are free from harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP (dibutyl phthalate). OPI also conducts extensive testing to ensure the quality and safety of their products, providing peace of mind to users. However, it's always advisable to read the ingredients list and consult with a professional if you have specific allergies or sensitivities.

For best results, start with clean, dry nails. Apply a base coat to help the polish adhere and protect your nails. Allow the base coat to dry before applying two thin coats of your chosen OPI nail polish color, allowing each coat to dry fully in between. Finish with a top coat with opi dip powder to seal and protect the color. To extend the wear of your manicure, it's recommended to apply the top coat every few days to refresh the shine and prevent chipping. Follow OPI's instructions on drying time and removal for optimal results.

Yes, you can purchase OPI nail polish and other OPI nail products at wholesale prices from Universal Nail Supplies. Universal Nail Supplies is an online retailer that offers a wide selection of professional nail products, including OPI. You will find a dedicated section featuring OPI products and a variety of OPI nail polishes, treatments, and other nail care products that are available for wholesale purchase. To take advantage of the wholesale pricing, you may need to meet certain requirements or create a wholesale account. It is recommended to contact us directly through their website or customer service channels to inquire about their specific wholesale policies, minimum order quantities, and any applicable discounts.