VIDEO: MelodySusie 12w LED Nail Lamp Review
Included in the box are:
- 12w LED nail lamp
- Power adapter (110V-240V)
- Cuticle nippers
- User guide
- Satisfaction guarantee card (1 year warranty)
This is an LED nail lamp that can be used with any LED-curable gel polish. I tested this for about a week and was able to cure all of polishes that I tried with no problems. I know a week doesn’t seem like a long time to most of you, but I did about 20 gel polish swatches in that short period of time! I didn’t ever feel any heat spikes while using this lamp. Some lamps cure very quickly and you can actually feel the heat on your nails – this usually happens with clear coats and/or when the polish is applied too thick. I also tested it with dark colors and had no issues.
The three colors that I used in the video demo are:
The lamp has 4 timer buttons that are easily accessible on top, and can be set for 30, 60, or 90 seconds, or for 30 minutes. The curing time depends on the brand of polish that you use. Always check the bottle or manufacturer website for the recommended curing time for the specific polish that you are using.
The lamp does not have a sensor that detects your hand when you it goes in the lamp, so you just press a timer button to turn it on and then it will automatically turn off after the time is up. It’s large enough to fit all five fingers at once. I personally think it’s just slightly too big for my own travel use, but it’s very light-weight and is portable so you could travel with it if you desire. On the inside of the lamp, there are lights on the top and the sides are reflective.
I found the cord to be a little on the short side and had to use an extension cord, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. I don’t have an outlet near my nail station so I normally use extension cords anyway. I believe the power adapter can be used in Europe with the proper converter.
And finally, the price point is great at just $46! It’s very reasonably priced compared to many of the pro brands, and it works very well. I recommend the MelodySusie LED lamp for anyone that is doing, or wants to do gel manicures at home.
More information about MelodySusie can be found at:
http://www.melodysusie.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MelodySusieOfficial
Thanks for the review. Currently I am using a 4 finger and have been looking for a 5 finger. Do you think the 12 watt works as well as the 18 watt?
I don’t have the 18 watt lamp to compare, but in all of my testing this lamp worked perfectly.
What would you cure for 30 minutes?
I have no idea. I guess that’s just for when you want to leave it on continuously. I could see using it when I prepare swatch sticks and am just rotating the sticks in and out of the lamp, but I’m really not sure what other purpose that serves :)
Great review! I’m am still lemming the Gelish 18G lamp, but this may be a more affordable upgrade.
What did you use for cure time in this lamp for gelish foundation, polish, and topcoat?
30 seconds each
Thank you for the review. I bought this lamp last week with mix emotions because of all the LED and UV lamps available. There are a lot of great LED Lamps available it is difficult to find the right one. After searching and reading reviews on many brands of LED and UV lamps I finally settled on this one because of previous positive reviews on the internet and the price. I am glad I did. This LED lamp is a good lamp. I have had no difficulties using this lamp for my fingers and toes. I am very pleased with my purchase. After reading your review I feel even more confident that I made the right purchase buying a LED Lamp.
Hi Andrea!
I noticed you made this review a year after your review on your Gelish 18g LED Lamp, did it breakdown or is melodysusie’s LED Lamp better?
I’m asking this because I just bought the Gelish 18g lamp and after your review I’m wondering if I just wasted my hard earned money £££… :-(
Love your blog by the way, always referring to it when checking gelish colours!
No, the 18G is still my preferred lamp. I’m just showing my readers some other more affordable options.
and that is SOOO appreciated! Looking forward to the review for the 24watt.
I bought this lamp a few months ago after reading numerous reviews. I love it. I feel even better about my purchase after your review. I love how light and portable this lamp is. I take it from my house to my mom’s. Love your site! You inspired me!
Thanks for writing this! I was just looking at this exact lamp for my Christmas list. One question though, I have gelish polishes but they don’t SAY they are LED curable…I have looked for LED specific polishes but I am not seeing them. Do you know if regular Gelish polishes are LED curable? I’m so confused at this point.
Thank you!!
Most gel polishes are LED curable. All Gelish polishes are. I have a spreadsheet that tracks the ones I know about here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Amw3QC6s9i1DdHEzVFM2ZXpBN2pEeEVnOHZ6WkdxMlE&usp=drive_web#gid=0
Thanks for your review. Looks like a stylish one. I just have one question, is the LED lamp replaceable?
Hi Ashley – the bulbs are not replaceable. LED bulbs last the life of the lamp (5+ years).
Hi Andrea: As a former hair stylist/nail, I usually am pretty good at doing my nails at home, etc. Since my nails are so fragile and thin, I prefer to wear tips and love when I get the gel overlay in the salon with my tips. I just can’t justify spending that much when I have the knowledge and all the tools at home. However, since I graduated in ’93…yes, long time ago..things have changed. THere were no led and uv and gel nails…lol.
So, my question to you is….This lamp you mention recently as a good “home” nail lamp, the MelodySusie 12W….would that be a good choice for me to use at home and specifically with gel overlay w/tips?
Thank you. You do a great job on your site btw. You must be passionate about nails.
Hi Pamela – Yes, this lamp should work well for what you are using. :)
This LED lamp is a much cheaper and affordable choice for me who don’t do gel nails a lot. I bought it at $39.99 via Amazon instead of $46. Good surprise for me. Thanks Andrea!
Thank you for all the info, I’ve learned so much from your site!
I just purchased this lamp after reading all the great reviews on Amazon as well as your video review.
I do have a quick question though – do you know if this lamp with cure Gelish Structure Gel and Gelish Hard Gel? I’ve read mixed information on the topic
I believe they are both LED curable, so they should work.
It’s a cute affordable option for a led lamp on budget! Just found their 24w led light, which is supposed to cure nails faster in 15 seconds, but it’s much more expensive.
I will be reviewing the 24w lamp very soon. The 6-watt lamps generally don’t cure as well as higher powered ones.
Ended up buying the 24w MeloySusie lamp. Have not used it yet but excited to try. Going to try doing the Acrygel thanks so much for your video and information!!
Thanks for sharing and the reviews! I learnt a lot info for doing gel manicure from you website, and this 12w MelodySusie lamp works great.
My friend who’s a budding nail artist would appreciate having something like this. Is this model durable enough for frequent multiple uses, or is this designed for personal use only? If not, which model would you recommend?
It’s durable enough for frequent use.
Considering the price, I can’t decide which one to take. The 12-watt or 24-watt? Can you give suggestion?
I too am trying to decide between the 12w or 24w. I mainly want it for toes. Which would be better?
Either would work
hi andrea!
I have the 12w after all the great reviews. I am still liking it. I noticed that my gelish polish is only lasting 3 or so days then it chips. and after that a complete peel off. I tried curing for 30 sec,60 sec, 90 sec, but still peels right off. what am I doing wrong?! thank you!
Hi Andrea! I am in the market new nail lamps for at home use since the adapter on my OPI Sefora lamp bent and no longer works. I plan on getting a nice one to keep at home, maybe the MelodySusie 48 Watt that you reviewed, but I also want something portable for travel in case I need touch ups. You mentioned in this review that this 12 watt one is slightly too large for travel. Do you have any recommendations on a small travel sized one? Thank you!
I’ve been having trouble with my gel polish: (a) wiping off a bit when I apply alcohol to remove the sticky residue but only on some nails and not all and (b) when I remove the sticky residue my polish is not very shiny anymore. I cannot seem to figure out what I am doing wrong.
You should only wipe the sticky residue after applying your top coat. If your top coat goes dull after wiping it’s not fully cured.
Hello Andrea. I wanted to ask you regarding curing all 5 fingers at once. Since the lamp does not have LEd lights on the sides, does it cure well the thumb? As when you put all 5 fingers at once, your thumb is a bit turned and does not get the direct LED light. Did you ever have issue with that? By the way, have you heard and used ORLY Gel FX polishes? My friend recommended me this brand but I don’t see people commenting it anywhere.. Thank you, I appreciate your answer!!
Ingrida, I love Sally Gel FX. I use a lot of different brands of gel. I have never had an issue with Orly shrinking or wrinkling it lasts a long time, and goes on nice and smooth. It is probably in my top three of favorite gel polishes and I have a lot of gel polish. Not quite as many as Andrea though ;)
That can be an issue. That lamp has reflective surfaces all over the inside so the light does reflect onto the thumb but it may not get direct exposure if it’s turned. I don’t use this lamp on a regular basis, so I can’t say whether it’s a common issue. I haven’t used the Orly FX polishes except for the Shade Shifter.
can you use OPI gel brands with this lamp?
Jennifer,
I have some OPI gel polishes and I use them with this lamp! :)