MelodySusie 36w UV Nail Lamp Review
Hey everyone! I created a video review of the MelodySusie 36w UV nail lamp, which you can watch below. If you don’t have time to watch the video, I also wrote a short summary below about some of the important features of this lamp.
What’s included in the box:
- 36-watt UV lamp
- Five 9-watt UV bulbs (1 extra)
- Instruction manual
- 1-year warranty card
This is a very affordable, high quality UV lamp that will cure all UV curable products including gel polish and builder gels. Here is a quick summary of the features:
- It has a sliding tray that makes cleaning easier, and is also great for sliding your hand in and out of the lamp without the risk of bumping your nails on the bulbs and messing them up.
- It has three timer settings; 120 seconds, 180 seconds and continual use (set to off).
- It has 4 UV bulbs which are easy to install and replace. I demo installation in the video.
- It’s portable and can be easily put away or moved around, but it does take up a bit of space and I wouldn’t consider it to be appropriate for travel purposes.
- It’s made of ABS, which is a very durable material that won’t deform.
- This lamp is very affordably priced. It retails for $63.99, but is currently on sale for approximately $25! That’s a steal for a professional quality lamp.
In the video I also discuss some of the differences between UV and LED lamps:
- UV lamps are more affordable
- UV lamps will cure ALL UV curable products including brands like CND Shellac, whereas LED lamps cure a smaller range of products. Always check your product labels to ensure lamp compatibility and curing times!
- UV lamps have longer curing times and require 120 seconds to cure most products, where LED lamps will cure most products in 30 seconds.
- The bulbs in UV lamps need to be replaced periodically, and LED bulbs last the lifetime of the lamp and do not need replacing.
I also perform a demo using a CND Shellac polish, which cures perfectly! Overall, I think it’s a great quality lamp at an amazing price. This lamp is available for purchase here at Amazon.com!
Andrea, I was just looking at the 2-hand Melody Susie the other day for $51.99 at Amazon. I have a 48 watt LED lamp. I used it with metallic gel, and the led was not proper, all lumpy and messy. At that moment, ( after applying very thin layers ) i guessed that I need a uv lamp for the metallic gels. Does that sound correct? If I purchase one, I will let you know how it works with the metallic.
What is the brand of the metallic gels that you are using? Not all metallic gels are UV only – it depends on the specific one you are using.
Hi Andrea, I love your swatches and reviews. I’m starting to do gel nails at home. Is this lamp good for beginners? I was just looking at the MelodySusie 9W UV at cheaper $17.99. What wattage of lamp is perfect for beginners?
For a UV lamp I recommend a 36 watt lamp. This is a great lamp for beginners. :)
I just bought this on Amazon based on your review. I’m new to ur site. Can’t wait to get the product. I’m excited to start doing my own nails. You have a great site !!!! Can u tell me if the polishes u sell on ur website can also be used with this UV light? Thanks !!!!
Great, I hope you love the lamp. All gel polishes can be cured in a UV lamp, including the ones that I sell. :)
Hi Andrea,
Love your site, I have been looking at the thermal spa light that you recommend and was wondering if you prefer the Melody over the Thermal Spa. Thanks for any help :)
Hi Sheneise, I like both lamps. I suppose it depends on your needs. The Thermal Spa one that I listed is a two-handed lamp and takes up quite a bit of space. I normally only paint one hand at a time, so I don’t need that large of a lamp. They both cure the same.
Thanks I appreciate your thoughts, I guess I only would do one hand at a time for fear of messing up my wet hand. Your the best!!!
Hi Andrea, I love your blog and video. I’m thinking of purchasing this MelodySusie UV lamp for my niece as a birthday gift as she is doing gel nails. But I have a question, if I were to paint my nails with regular old nail polish would the uv nail dryer dry it?
No it would not.
I’ve been using the MelodySusie lamp for a year now and I can also use regular nail polish from any brand and cure it with the gel top coat and my polish last a long time. :D
Hi Andrea, just wanted to say thanks for the review. I bought this lamp on Amazon in December, and I was really glad to have some guidance for buying an UV lamp to supplement my little LED lamp I always use. I didn’t want to pay too much, but of course I wanted sufficient power, and an appliance that wouldn’t fall apart right away! The MelodySusie UV lamp is great to have for those products that won’t cure in an LED lamp, and it feels like a quality constructed tool. It just reminds me, though, how much time is saved through curing by LED–gosh, that thing is slower than syrup, like all UV lamps :-) Thanks again for your guidance, for which I rely on Chickettes.com, and recommend it, of course.
Question – I’ve been using this for about 3 months. I feel like I’m following the steps, but my polish peels and chips within 4 days, every time. I’ve tried dark polishes and light and even let my nails cure for 2- 180sec cycles. My steps:
1. Buff
2. Cleanse
3. Base Coat – Cure
4. Thin Polish Coat – Cure
5. Thin Polish Coat – Cure
6. Top Coat – Cure
7. Use the rubbing alcohol cleanser
Is that right? Am I missing something?
What base coat are you using? That could be the culprit.
Hi!
I liked your review, very helpful.
What I’m wondering is; could I use a UV lamp like this for home use, and use regular nail polish between the gel base and top coats?
Also how often do the bulbs need replacing in a lamp like this?
It depends on how often you use it. Generally every couple of years or so.
Yes, please read this article: http://www.chickettes.com/the-gelly-sandwhich-technique-mixing-gel-polish-regular-nail-lacquer/
Hi. I have a Shany 36w UV lamp. It now needs one new bulb. Are all replacements bulbs the same? The unit has four 9w bulbs in it.
I’ve never had to change a bulb, but I think they’re pretty universal.