Nails are big business, from a salon mani to the endless stream of lacquer collections. While blush, neon and lip gloss-looking nails dominate the 2023 trends, one thing that never goes out of style is healthy, strong nails. OPI’s Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum is the year's most exciting nail launch. A growth-enhancing serum four editor rates. Read on to learn more.
Image BeautyEQ post OPI Repair Mode, and a gel manicure with OPI Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath polish combination.
You are sold if you have invested in a serum for your skin, right? Well, the latest serum to land on my desk is for my nails, and boy, do they need it. Detoxing from gel salon manicures, my nails are weak and dehydrated. So, I tested the new OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum to discover if it works. Read on to learn more.
MY REPAIR MODE JOURNEY
There are a lot of nail oils out there that promise stronger, longer nails. Each is stacked with ingredients like keratin, biotin, peptides, amino acids, vitamin E, jojoba oil, or proteins… the list can go on and on. But Repair Mode is different. It’s a nail serum that rebuilds the bonds in your nails, much like Olaplex rebuilds broken bonds in the hair after bleaching or heat styling. Back to Repair Mode, applied morning and night for three weeks, it takes a few seconds to sink in; it’s essential you apply this serum to dry clean nails (no polish, but you can paint the regrowth on your gel mani). So, I doubled up with OPI's Nail Envy on the days I wanted to feel well-polished (which leaves a shiny finish), also stacked with nail-loving ingredients like wheat protein and calcium. Back to Repair Mode has been brilliant for my weak nails and helped my chronically dry and hard cuticles. Five stars, OPI; this is one hell of a beauty innovation.
What is OPI’s Repair Mode?
Cheryl Cooke, OPI Professional NZ”s national education manager.
What is OPI Repair Mode?
It’s the first bond-building nail serum with patented ‘Ulti-Plex technology’ that provides 99 per cent nail keratin repair and 94 per cent protection of keratin protein from damage, which results in four times stronger, smoother nails that are resistant to breakage.
What’s in the 'Ulti-plex' Technology?
A patented breakthrough technology in a serum that penetrates the nail and interacts with your natural keratin to create new bonds. It’s also vegan and free from formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, xylene, dibutyl phthalate(DBP), camphor, parabens, ethyl tolsylamide, or triphenylphosphate.
How does it strengthen the nails?
Repair Mode repairs the nail from the inside by biomimicry (imitating nature) the nail’s natural keratin, recreating protein bonds in the nail. Once applied, it penetrates the nail immediately.
How do you use it?
It’s designed to be used on bare nails or applied as a prep booster before a nail salon service or lacquer. Apply one coat twice daily for six days on bare nails to get the full benefits and bond restoration. It’s important to wait 10 minutes before applying any products that create a coating on the nails, and then you’re ready to apply your favourite OPI lacquer product on top.
How long do you need to use it to see results?
It must be used twice daily for six days (12 applications) to get maximum efficacy. After that, you can use the product once daily or when needed.
Can you use it over gel nails?
No, but you can use Repair Mode as a prep booster under your OPI Lacquer or GelColor shades. Just apply two coats of Repair Mode to clean bare nails; as the prep step, wait ten minutes before the gel polish.
What results can you expect, and how long will they last?
Repair Mode penetrates and repairs your nails, creating smoother, stronger nails resistant to damage in just six days. The longevity of results varies depending on daily activities like washing your hands, showering and exposure to everyday chemicals which can damage the keratin bonds in your nails. But using Repair Mode as a daily treatment can protect your nails from everyday wear and tear.
Any other tips to share?
Use the Dream Rou-team for weak nails. A power pair treatment featuring Repair Mode and OPI Nail Envy used together to repair and strengthen your nails. Follow an at-home regimen based on the condition of your nails. For nails that need extreme repair, use Repair Mode alone for one week to get the best repair results. After that, use Repair Mode as a prep booster, followed by two coats of Nail Envy Strengthener. Then, apply a coat of Nail Envy daily for a week. Then, on day seven, remove and start over as needed.
A DIY two-step mani that promises to cure weak, brittle nails.