... However when I heard so much about OPI’s Nail Envy (a strengthening treatment) and saw it listed number 1 in the nail strengthening category of the 21st Century Beauty Bible I thought I’d give it a try.
O.P.I. NAIL ENVY
If you’re not a fan of nail products or QVC then the chances ... Read review
Enjoy stronger and healthier-looking nails with this OPI duo. You'll get Original Nail ... more
Envy (15ml) - a high gloss formula that will help to replenish your nail plate's moisture levels and prevent cracking, splitting and peeling. This can be used as a b...
Postage & Packaging: £2.95 Availability: 3 to 7 days
Keep your nails in tip-top condition with this OPI's Maintenance Nail Envy (15ml). ... more
Enriched with wheat proteins to help replace moisture loss, it can be used as a base coat or a top coat and features the right combination of strengthening and protectin...
Postage & Packaging: £3.45 Availability: 3 to 7 days
OPI Matte Nail Envy Nail Strengthener makes the perfect base for manicures and pedicures ... more
but is great on its own too, thanks to the natural matte finish that leaves nails tidy looking and strengthened. This treatment is also ideal for men who want to a...
Have the strong natural nails you've always envied! OPI's exclusive tensile strength ... more
technology provides maximum strengthening with hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium for harder, longer, stronger, natural nails! Ideal for troubled nails.
Proven Nail Envy performance from OPI with a totally natural-looking matte finish! OPI's ... more
exclusive tensile strength technology provides maximum strengthening with hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium for harder, longer, stronger, natural nails!
Proven nail envy performance for sensitive and peeling nails! OPI's exclusive tensile ... more
strength technology strengthens nails with hydrolyzed wheat protein. Protects with antioxidant vitamin E and emollient-rich kukui nut oil, plus soothing aloe vera for longer, stronger, natural nails!
Keep your nails in tip-top condition with this OPI's Maintenance Nail Envy (15ml). ... more
Enriched with wheat proteins to help replace moisture loss, it can be used as a base coat or a top coat and features the right combination of strengthening and protecting ingredients to help keep your nails strong. Plus, the nail hardening treatment helps prevent peeling, cracking and splitting of the nails.
Postage & Packaging:£3.45 Availability:3 to 7 days
Enjoy stronger and healthier-looking nails with this OPI duo. You'll get Original Nail ... more
Envy (15ml) - a high gloss formula that will help to replenish your nail plate's moisture levels and prevent cracking, splitting and peeling. This can be used as a base or top coat. In this set there's also Maintenance Nail Envy (15ml) which is designed to keep your nails super strong so they're ready to polish with a slick of colour, and show off to your friends!
Postage & Packaging:£2.95 Availability:3 to 7 days
OPI Nail Envy Sensitive & Peeling is the proven Nail Envy technology in a formula for ... more
sensitive and peeling nails by protecting with antioxidant vitamin E and emollient-rich kukui nut oil, plus soothing aloe vera. Formaldehyde-free formula.
OPI Nail Envy Cool Pink is a maximum strength formula with hydrolyzed protein and ... more
calcium will reinforce your nails, making them grow longer and stronger. The varnish resists peeling, cracking and splitting, so one coat will last without the need for reapplication. The colour Cool Pink is suitable for most skin tones.
Advantages: Does strengthen nails over a month Disadvantages: Smells SO strong, health risk (?), expensive
...saw it on QVC. OPI are a salon-only line, which would suggest that they are a high quality brand. They don’t just do nail treatments; they have a vast array of colours in many different textures – but I’ll be focussing on Nail Envy.
Nail Envy itself comes in 5 different formulae:
Original Nail Envy
Matte Nail Envy
Soft & Thin Nail Envy
Dry & Brittle Nail Envy ...Just out of interest OPI had many products in the Top 10 highest health risk products, and Nail Envy scored a massive 9.3/10 (10 being the worst). Although my favourite Revlon Calcium Gel wasn’t listed, Revlon had many polishes in the Top 10 Lowest health risk list so I might revert back to that when I’ve finished my bottle. So while I don’t think I’ll die from finishing off my bottle, when something like this is brought to my attention it’s definitely ... more
I love having gorgeous looking nails – not talons, just neatly manicured healthy looking nails at a decent length. Sometimes this isn’t achievable naturally due to my not eating enough decent foods so I have to turn to nail products. In the past I’ve used (and loved) Revlon’s Calcium Gel as it really does the job. However when I heard so much about OPI’s Nail Envy (a strengthening treatment) and saw it listed number 1 in the nail strengthening category of the 21st Century Beauty Bible I thought I’d give it a try.
O.P.I. NAIL ENVY
If you’re not a fan of nail products or QVC then the chances are you might never have heard of this product, as I hadn’t until one day I was bored and saw it on QVC. OPI are a salon-only line, which would suggest that they are a high quality brand. They don’t just do nail treatments; they have a vast array of colours in many different textures – but I’ll be focussing on Nail Envy.
Nail Envy itself comes in 5 different formulae:
Original Nail Envy Matte Nail Envy Soft & Thin Nail Envy Dry & Brittle Nail Envy Sensitive & Peeling Nail Envy
I chose the Original formula as I sometimes have a mixture of all of the problems mentioned. It normally comes in a smart little cardboard box with a window at the front displaying the product. I bought mine from eBay so it turned out to be the bottle on its own. The bottle is smart enough - a large 15ml bottle with a long black lid, which naturally doubles as the end of the brush that you hold when applying the varnish.
PUTTING IT TO THE TEST
Unfortunately with no box, that meant I had no instructions but I remembered from watching the QVC program that you had to apply it every day for seven days and then remove it and start again. For some people this could seem like a real chore and I thought it could be but luckily the varnish dries so quickly it really is hard to smudge it – you can start doing things (carefully) after about 3-5 minutes. In the month I’ve been using it I think I’ve only had about 2 smudges after painting. I started this treatment on 25th November and cut my nails right back to nothing to see if I could achieve nice nails by Christmas Day.
On the first day the varnish went on relatively nicely as I had put quite a thick coat on. The brush doesn’t pose any problems and the handle is very sturdy and the brush isn’t too thick or too thin so you shouldn’t get too much on the cuticle (skin surrounding the nail). It looks fairly nice and glossy, although it’s not the highest gloss I’ve ever seen. It’s a completely clear varnish so anyone can wear it (although some people may choose the matte version if they don’t want it to be visible). In the first week I was using this I found it to last quite well and not really look that scruffy even after applying layer over layer for 7 days.
1 WEEK: I could notice a bit of difference but my nails were so short there was nothing much that could have gone wrong.
2 WEEKS: I had a problem with my nails peeling. Where they were peeling the varnish tended to come off, and so stopped providing protection. I started applying the varnish in a very thin layer and only applying it every other day and that seemed to ease the problem.
3 WEEKS: I SO almost gave up as my nails had grown a fair bit but were still looking all peely and horrible. The varnish wasn’t staying on for the full week so I found myself having to start all over again about once every 5 days. However, in the name of a Ciao review I persevered! I trimmed the scruffy bits off the top and hoped for the best.
4 WEEKS: I couldn’t say on which day(s) exactly it happened but by Christmas Day my nails were at the exact length I wanted and they looked neat and tidy as I had wanted. Again, I trimmed them very slightly and applied some normal varnish and they looked really healthy and felt SO much stronger!
So I’m impressed as despite the problems around the 2/3 week mark I stuck at it and it paid off. I’ll probably switch to a normal varnish soon as you shouldn’t use treatments for more than about a month (or however long it takes) because they can make your nails brittle.
THINGS WORTH MENTIONING:
Good things first…this varnish hasn’t thickened at all since I’ve had it (yet), so if my nails get bad again hopefully I’ll get about another four treatments out of it (i.e. four month’s worth).
Now the bad… Although this is an apparent miracle worker I am still not totally satisfied with it. When you apply it you need to be in a really well ventilated room as it smells strong and hurts my throat (I’m not joking). It smells about as strong as nail varnish remover and I don’t like the thought of this as I’ve never had a varnish that smells so strong.
Also, when searching for it on Google the first site to come up was OPI’s own site; the second site was www.ewg.org (Environmental Working Group), a site which assesses health risks in cosmetics. Just out of interest OPI had many products in the Top 10 highest health risk products, and Nail Envy scored a massive 9.3/10 (10 being the worst). Although my favourite Revlon Calcium Gel wasn’t listed, Revlon had many polishes in the Top 10 Lowest health risk list so I might revert back to that when I’ve finished my bottle. So while I don’t think I’ll die from finishing off my bottle, when something like this is brought to my attention it’s definitely worth considering because who knows what price we’re paying for beauty? Which leads me on to…
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The full price RRP for this product is £14.99 (!!!) I certainly didn’t (and wouldn’t) pay that. I bought mine brand new from eBay for £7 including postage which I don’t think is too bad considering I’ve only used 1/5 of the bottle. So as long as it doesn’t thicken up in the mean time I should have more to use in the future.
OPI is available from many professional beauty salons - I can't really name names as they'll just be small local ones so you'll have to keep your eyes peeled or make a few phone calls! But my advice would be to get on eBay...
RECOMMENDED?
I really don’t know what to say. It’s overpriced and smells really chemical, and also doesn’t provide much protection in the mid-stages which can make you want to give up….BUT if you stick with it then it really does work so I guess I’ll give it 3 stars.
Advantages: Have amazing long, strong nails! Disadvantages: Other people might want to borrow this strengthener!
...Avoplex cuticle oil, and 2 OPI polishes. I paid £30 for this set which I consider to be good value, as O.P.I Nail Envy is £15.25 on it's own (there were 2 of them), cuticle oil is £14.25 and the polishes retail at around £8.00 each.
I had previously tried many products (including Sally Hanson) but nothing seemed to work, so I decided to ask for it for Christmas. I haven't looked back since. I'll even go as far as saying this is the best £15.00 I've ... ...about £8.00. I also get OPI nail polishes at the same time as they're nearly impossible to get hold of here in the UK (only on Q.V.C in sets, or in selected beauty salons)
~~~Would I recommend it?~~~
I'd have to say simply YES!!! It's one of the few products that I've tried that I know works. And although it is quite pricey I'd say it's worth every penny. It contains calcium which helps to strenghen the nails and had been around for a while. OPI ...
Bouncebackability 23.07.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of OPI Nail Envy
Advantages: A variety of different formulas for different nail types Disadvantages: Quite expensive
Company Overview:
OPI is distributed by Lena White who are the the exclusive UK distributers of OPI and DermaNew. Lena White Ltd. was founded in 1983 by Lena White herself and has grown to be a respected organisation in the beauty industry.
OPI is sold in over 74 countries worldwide and sells over 35,000,000 bottles of nail lacquer a year.
What is OPI Nail Envy?
OPI Nail Envy is a group of 5 natural nail strengtheners. The 5 nail strengthers ... ...that I noticed about the OPI Nail Envy is that by the end of 7 days of applying it, the varnish is very thick on your nails because you have to layer the coats on top of each other. The design of the bottle is very attractive with a nice shape and the brush is easy to use. The varnish does go thick very quickly though, and I had to throw my bottle away when it was still a quarter full! The varnish had gone very thick and stringy and was difficult ...
louwill23 01.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of OPI Nail Envy
Advantages: using the product only takes a matter of days before noticing an improvement on natural nails Disadvantages: will have to use product a few months to see maximum results on ridged or peeling nails which have to grow out
...mention to you the brand opi then you know youre getting quality products for your money.
nail envy is one of the best natural nail hardeners on the market as it hardens the nails without making them brittle giving them a tendency to shatter off.
there a about five different types of nail envy.
ORIGINAL-good if you have a multitude of problems with your nails or are not quite sure which one to use.
MATTE-same ingredients as the original but better ... ...one is best used alongside opi avoplex nail and cuticle oil for best results on dry and ridged nails.
PEELING-for anyone who has flaking or peeling nails but this will take longer to see a difference as the flakes have to grow out can also be used as a maintenance product on dry nails.
DRY AND BRITTLE-this is the more rehydrating form of nail envy for nails that are too hard and lacking moisture,have a tendency to shatter off and that chip easily.
...
sharon1983 08.06.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of OPI Nail Envy
Advantages: Strengthens & nourishs nails. Disadvantages: Could do with a wider brush
...bought first of all the OPI cuticle oil & nail replenisher, just put a few drops on each nail and massage in. I did this every time i would normally bite my nails, and hey presto my nails started to look healthy with less ridges, my cuticles were healthy and not ragged. As i had been biting my nails for so long they were very soft and brittle, so i then went for the OPI nail envy product. Just apply 2 coats on the first day and one coat on every ... ...it as a base coat for your normal polish (which i do frequently) and then apply the subsequent applications as normal. It comes in Matt or gloss, i went for matt as i thought i could use it as a natural nail colour which it does very well. The condition of my nails has been dramatically changed, my nails are no longer bendy & soft, they do not peel or chip, and they are definetly thicker! I cannot stress enough how these products have changed my ...
ljohn43699 25.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of OPI Nail Envy
this nail polish has saved my nails. they were extremely weak, flaking and always broke. this was until i found nail envy. i put it on my nails every day, even if i do not have colour on them. they are now very strong and hardly ever break. they never flake and hardly ever chip. i know this product is expensive, but does last a long time as long as you keep it in the box. if it is kept out of the box, then the polish goes thick and does not dry properly. ...
faith12 14.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of OPI Nail Envy
Value for Money
Conditioning
Strengthening
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Advantages: It works well, my nails look good, easy to buy Disadvantages: None
recommended that I use OPINailEnvy Matte Strength.
OPI is a well known brand of professional nail care and hosts an array of products all over the world. It seems they have a solution for every nail programme so no wonder they are so popular with people like Claire, my friend, who owns her own Salon. So I took her advice and purchased my very own bottle online at a cost of £8.95 from Amazon.
The bottle itself is not exciting in anyway shape or form and is the common sized nail varnish sized bottle. The lid which is a screw lid and very easy to remove and replace. The varnish inside is a creamy colour with a slight sparkle to it and clearly written on the bottle are the words 'Matte NailEnvy', so you can definitely see which product you have bought.
OPI Matte NailEnvy is a Nail strengthener which is not only suitable for women, men ...
Advantages: dries quickly strengthens nails Disadvantages: little pricey
I discovered nailenvy a few years ago when i started to train as a radiographer as I couldnt really wear my trusted false nails for work. I had soft and easy breakable nails and I found that this made all the difference right from the first application!
NailEnvy seems to be stronger and has better adhesion than your regular clear nail varnish sold for strengthening nails. I found it also to last and last throughout my working week when constantly washing my hands.
The matte NailEnvy dries to a soft sheen remarkably like clean natural nails, I would say that this could be used by a man too, as the look to your nails is matte and natural unlike any other strengthening varnish.
My sister has shown me a technique also for if my nail splits fairly low down the nail bed. I simply take a small silk wrap which can be purchased ...
Advantages: has a wide brush for applying polish Disadvantages: none
Having been introduced to NailEnvy through the beautician I go to, I cannot recommend this product highly enough.
I have had very soft and peeling nails and at first a bit sceptical I thought I would give it a try. Within a couple of weeks I certainly saw a difference my nails looked better and could actually see that I had white tips on my nails, which I never had had before.
The NailEnvy is a little more pricey than some other products it comes in around £16 but I you shop around on the net you may be able to get it a bit cheaper.
The packaging is not outstanding but if the product works the packaging is irrelavent. I cannot recommed this product highly enough and you what they say the proof of the pudding is in the eating of it.
If anyone watches QVC then you will have the opportunity to be able to buy this. I have ...
