That fresh new-mani feeling straight from the salon but at home, customisable and in a box. Welcome nail art house MoYou London and its newest launch: the semi-cured Gel Nail Wraps range.
Thick like acrylics but gentler, shiny like gel polishes but easier, and longer lasting than false nails: it’s MoYou London Gel Nail Wraps.
MoYou London Gel Nail Wraps: product & packaging
MoYou London calls for creative nail stamping plates and a huge array of designs. This time the brand just released something totally different with an equally large selection of patterns and fun. This summer is all about gel nails with its newest range, the Gel Nail Wraps. MoYou London Gel Nail Wraps are ready-made nail art wraps with that signature thickness and colour payoff of UV gel nail polishes. MoYou London Gel Nail Wraps aren’t like traditional nail wraps, they’re made with semi-cured gel and turn into a solid gel in 60 seconds under any UV or led nail lamp. They are non-toxic and cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and free from glue and resins. Plus, they don’t smell like synthetic nail colours.
MoYou semi-cured Gel Nail Wraps (£12.99) come as a kit with two essential tools for application and removal – an orange stick and a nail file. The wraps are safely packed and protected from light and air. Like a matryoshka, in a box, placed on a plastic sheet and sealed inside a black sleeve. Each kit contains 20 pre-made nail wraps in different sizes with a double edge to fit your cuticle area shape. They’re kept very fresh because a thin film protects them individually.
How to apply and remove MoYou semi-cured Gel Nail Wraps
The application is similar to common nail wraps except for the curing step. This is key to allowing your mani to harden or – as pros technically say – cure. The removal is even easier because you don’t need to soak off and scrape away your old gel mani. Why spend so much hassle and virtual ink if I’ve posted a complete video for you? Watch, enjoy and subscribe if you haven’t already!
MoYou semi-cured Gel Nail Wraps: Designs
Following the first launch, MoYou London released new drops – meaning new designs, now for a total of 50. If you love MoYou for its playful plate collections and themes, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll find solid colours – comprising pastels – gradients, shimmers and glitters, and patterns on a clear base. When it comes to designs you know that MoYou’s creativity box is wide open for you! Here are two examples from the first drop…
MoYou semi-cured Gel Nail Wraps Style #21 and #25: Review
Wrap style #21 is an earthy-toned mani featuring an animalier pattern. It consists of two solid shades – beigey sand and a caramel/camel hue – and a leopard print. The animal motif is over a light translucent beige.
Style #25 is a full glam nail art playing around the deepest black you can think of and silver foil. The wraps have three designs: full black, full silver shimmer and a geometric “French” mani. This elegant design sees the two main colours over a clear base.
MoYou London UV/LED Nail Lamp: product & packaging
These new kits need a nail lamp for the application but you can use any UV or LED lamp. If you don’t have already one, MoYou has one for you. MoYou London UV/LED Nail Lamp (£16.99) is a travel-friendly device that works well for first users. Measuring only 131 x 67 x 19 mm, it’s a compact and lightweight nail lamp. You can carry it everywhere you go thanks to its sleek design and foldable legs! It has 6 mini LEDs that consume up to 6W and comes with its USB cable. It’s so light, pink and girly that it looks like a toy but works – trust me.
How to use MoYou London UV/Led Nail Lamp and Tips
As with any USB device, you just need to insert the cable into the port and pop it into the nearest plug to start using your new led lamp. Here are some tips…
Due to the device being so light and small, I suggest placing it on a non-slippery surface. The cable can be rather short, so you might need a longer cable or an extension. Just a quick note: the actual working time is 45 seconds instead of the needed 60′ but the MoYou team told me I can use their device up to 3 times in complete safety. There’s more in the video above, it’s worth watching if you haven’t already – you, naughty!
MoYou semi-cured Gel Nail Wraps: Pros & Cons
PROS:
- it’s a brand-new idea;
- they’re safe and non-toxic (free from glue and resins);
- cruelty-free and vegan-friendly;
- they have a thick texture (that’s easy to apply);
- a super colour payoff;
- they’re resistant to scratches and chemicals;
- they last up to 3 weeks;
- come in 50 varied styles;
- don’t need to soak off for removal;
- don’t need post-cure steps.
CONS:
- more sizes are needed (read below why);
- they don’t fit well on very curved nails.
MoYou London UV/LED Nail Lamp: Pros & Cons
PROS:
- it’s light and compact;
- easy to use;
- travel-friendly;
- suitable for newbies.
CONS:
- it doesn’t last for 60 seconds;
- the instructions on the box could be clearer;
- the cable can be short (subjective).
MoYou London says its newest wraps are “perfect for holidays, weddings, special events, or your everyday life!“. With its array of designs, it’s easy to find the one for the perfect occasion and taste. I feel this new launch is for everyone, from the nail veteran to the newbie. It really gives you salon results at home for a fraction of the costs and time. These wraps are also faster than doing your own free-hand nail art (and curing it).
I do love the shine, resistance and thickness of these wraps. If you know me, you know I like functional products. Even if sensationalist claims might attract me, I’ll always find something to point out. This makes an honest review, here as well.
My first application wasn’t 100% perfect, in my fussy opinion, but my second try lasted weeks. In one month of wear, I just needed to retouch my right pinky, one of the curviest nails I have. In fact, due to their thickness and hardening process, these wraps seem to adapt better to flat or less curved nails, while curved nails need a more tough application. The double-sided wraps are a smart idea to help every user; however, the 20 shapes are still not enough. Although MoYou suggests pulling the wraps to make them wider, touching the underside of the wraps is a big no-no. The more you touch your wraps to mould them, the more they’ll lose grip. Unfortunately, if your wrap loses stickiness, your nail surface isn’t clean enough or your nails are too curved, the wraps will start lifting around the edges.
It sounds like it’s a big job with too much attention to putting in place but it’s not. Just watch the video to get the idea – last reminder, I promise. There you’ll find my two essential tips to make your MoYou London Gel Nail Wraps last for one, really one, month!
Hint: you’ll need to buy these to prep your nails to perfection.
There’s nothing to be disheartened about! If I did it, you can achieve the same lasting results. If one application isn’t enough to get skilled, MoYou helps you to get your nails polished with less and get better with practice. You can have 3 designs for the price of 2 and with 50 styles there’s just plenty of choice of Gel Nail Wraps. Does your nail technician take £12.99 for a last-minute full mani? I doubt so, especially if you want to change your style on a whim…
I’m looking for something new to wear on my way back to the UK and I fancy something quick and lasting. *hint
Valentina Chirico aka Valens
