Revel Nail Gel Polish Review
Pricing
Let’s talk a little about the pricing, because I think it’s going to blow your minds. Revel Nail gel polishes are full size bottles (0.5 fl. oz.) that retail at just $7.49 a bottle! They also have some amazing bundle deals. These packages are a no-brainer for salons, or collectors like myself.
- Starter Kit: You can get a starter kit that includes a base coat, top coat, and one color for a shipping and handling fee of $10.99 (if there is a specific color that you want, put it in the notes upon checkout).
- Spring 2014 Kit: This kit includes 24 colors, a base coat and a top coat for $175. If you use the code CHICKETTES at checkout you can get this kit for ONLY $150! That’s less than $6/bottle!
- Fall 2014 Kit: This kit includes 16 fall colors, a base and a top coat for $139 (currently on sale for $119).
- Total 2014 Kit: OR you can get all 40 colors, plus a base and top coat for $285.
Application
I realize that I may sound like an infomercial, but the prices really are amazing for the quality of the product. So let’s get down to application and the wear test. I selected a color called Hysteria to use for my wear test. Hysteria is a gorgeous, frosty blurple (blue-ish purple). Application was flawless. I liked that the thin brush allowed me to really get down into the curves of my nails. The consistency of the polish was nice and easy to apply in thin coats. This particular color required three coats for best coverage, but some of the other shades that I have tried only required two coats. The polish cured in my LED lamp in just 30 seconds, and I didn’t have any issues with shrinkage or pooling. The top coat had a really nice high-gloss shine too. Here is the end result:
Wear
I wore this manicure for two full weeks without any tip wear, chipping, or peeling, and the high-gloss shine was maintained for the entire duration. I’d say that’s a successful wear test! I really have zero complaints about application or wear, it was absolutely perfect. My nails also felt nice and strong with this polish on.
Not all nails are created equal so for anyone that experiences peeling or chipping, Revel recommends using a primer. And this goes for all gel polishes… a primer really helps the gel adhere to your nail. But be aware that using a primer does increase the removal time. I didn’t need to use a primer, but I just wanted to mention that.
Removal
Revel’s website says that the polish will soak off in just 7 minutes. I put that to the test, but unfortunately it was not the case for me. I buffed the top coat of my nails and soaked them in acetone using my Nail Mates. After 8 minutes of soaking the edges were starting to lift just a bit and I was able to push off some of the polish with an orange stick, but there was still a lot left on the nail. I repeated the soak & push process. It was adhered really well to the tips, so I had to apply a little more acetone to that area. The total soak-off process probably took 18-20 minutes. It is a good deal longer than the advertised time, but it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. This removal was pretty similar to what I experience with the Gelish brand.
Colors
Revel currently has 40 colors to choose from. They released 24 colors in the 2014 Spring line and another 16 colors in the Fall line. I chose a few colors swatch on my nails, and below I also have pictures of all 40 colors on swatch sticks grouped by color so that you can see the entire line.
Queen is a shimmery dark purple with a real royal feel. This is a great color for fall.
Lava is a brilliant burnt-orange/red with golden shimmer. I thought this color was really unique, and it definitely has an Autumn feel to it.
Passion is a lovely pink-ish mauve cream.
Blarney is a shimmery green with grey undertones. This shade feels a bit muted, but I think that’s what drew me to it. I’m not normally a big fan of greens, but this one is really quite nice.
Clambake is a unique shade of light orange. I chose to swatch this color because I don’t own any other quite like it. It reminds me of lobster bisque! LOL I don’t know if it works real well with my skin tone, but I like it!
So let’s take a look at all 40 colors! I can’t guarantee that these pictures are all 100% color accurate, but I tried to get them as close as possible.
Purples:
Summary
I think it’s safe to say that I have a crush on Revel gel polish! The application and 2-week wear were absolutely flawless, and I love the high-gloss shine and how strong my nails feel while wearing Revel. I really think this brand could revolutionize the industry by offering professional-grade quality products at such an amazing value.
Visit Revel Nail’s website at http://www.revelnail.com/ for more information, or to place an order.
Thanks for posting!! I placed an order!!
*Squeeee!* Thanks for putting up all the colors. I have been trying to narrow it down. ;)
Love the colors, and the prices.
It is hard to tell from the pictures,
And grays can be tricky, but, how would
The Mylestone and the Flynnstone
Look as a good fall/winter french
Manicure?
Or is the Mylestone more of a blue tone?
Mylestone and Flynnstone are both true greys and work work well for a fall manicure. Shady has some blue tones to it.
Super exciting BUT the soak off time :(((
Do you find that application is better then Gelish?
I’m a salon owner and we use Shellac. I tried Gelish but I prefer the application of Shellac. Less runny.
Also I had issues with Gelish fading.
This does sound so tempting!!! But like I said, 20 minute soak of is really long for the salon environment. And it’s not like I can do another appointment in that 20 min….
Others have told me that it soaks off very fast for them. I’m hoping to try it again to see if I get different results. It wouldn’t hurt to get the free starter kit to try it out. I liked the application better than Gelish – no shrinkage and so far I haven’t discovered any faders.
Thank you for the reply Andrea! Oh man, I’m feeling $285 expense in the near future ;))
I find that If I do Not buff the shine before soak off, they release quicker. I know that is opposite most geld. I have every revel colour I love them!
Do the polishes have solvents (like Shellac) or is it 100%gel like OPI Gel Color?
Thank you for the awesome blog!!!! I’m addicted:))
They do contain solvents.
Bummer! The shipping for the *free* sample is $29 USD :(((
– sorry, shipping to Canada
Hi Anna. The Revel customer support is really awesome. I recommend reaching out to them about it :)
Thanks for posting these. I really wanted to order Clambake (an intriguing color) but I needed a fall pink so I got Passion. I’m thinking I still might to order Clambake; I think it would be fun with stamping polishes.
Fun! Looks like some great colors! I have a lot of gelish colors and don’t really want to get duplicate/close colors. Can you do some gelish comparisons to these colors? I’d be a happy girl!
Hi Andrea, thanks for this brill review, after I had read it I emailed Revel straight away to see if they ship to the UK, which they do :-), and after emails back and forwards to an extremely helpful company I have ordered the fall collection, with shipping it’s £105.91
Fantastic, can’t say thanks enough and as I explained to Revel, without your review I wouldn’t have known about them x
Fantastic! I hope you love them as much as I do!
Omg! I have been reading your blog & love it! I must say I have been debating about different brands, but this looks like the brand for me. What a great option. This is on the top of my wishlist. Thank-you for looking for affordable options for us. You rock!!!
Well i bit the bullet and ordeed the entire spring line (what a deal). There are so many fun colors in it! Thanks Andrea for the $25 savings.
Good for you! I hope you love them!
I can’t wait to try these! Hope they keep expanding their color choices!! Do you have suggestions on a good nail primer? I’ve tried to use Gelish Structure and it was just ok for me.
Gelish Structure is not a primer. Gelish ProBond is their primer. Revel is actually going to be launching a host of new products next week including a primer.
Wish I had read this first… I need a primer.
Does anyone have some clues on better removal time. I tried to thicken my acetone but it didn’t work. I think a thick gel pad or a thick acetone might help. I’ll have to start reading online and see what might work, just to test.
I just read you can condition and thicken acetone by adding glycerin. 1-2 tablespoons of glycerin per 6-7 oz. of acetone. Then add small splashes of water until the solution is mixed completely. Going to give it a try, can’t hurt.
2 days and I have my order. Love the Hysteria, the blueish purple, don’t have a color like it. Also the festival is such a true red, love it too. What great service this company has. Going to order 2 more sample sets for my daughter and granddaughter. Thanks for the review on Revel nails.
I would highly recommend using Gelish Remover or OPI Expert Touch for soaking off the gel polishes. I find that these 2 products remove the gel polish faster, cleaner and without drying effect of pure acetone. Well worth the expense!!
Yes, I also appreciate with @Anna that Gelish Remover is the best choice for gel polishes.
Is Gelish Foundation a primer? I used the Gelish pH Bond and the Revel base coat, but 4 nails peeled off after 4 days. I guess I need a primer? Btw, I love the application of Revel! Thanks for the tip!
Gelish pH Bond is a dehydrator. Gelish Pro Bond is a primer.
I have Hijinks and Solid.
Hijinks DID fade a lot for me.
After several days it was almost white— very very light pink. It was still pretty but definitely a big change!
Happy with Solid.
I looked at their website and they don’t sell the gel polish anymore?
I think they are more focused on their acrylic dip system now.