I’m Taking A Break From Shellac Manicures, And This OPI Treatment Is Saving My Nails

If there’s one beauty service I never skip, it’s my nail appointment. I’ve seen the same nail tech at the same salon one to two times a month for the past year, so she knows exactly which shapes, colours, and nail art I like and dislike. I’m fairly sure she could pick my hands out of a lineup blindfolded. Heck, she probably knows me better than my therapist does. But last month, I did something shocking. OK, shocking might be an overstatement, but it was a big deal to me: I got my shellac removed. I can hear you gasping audibly.

Now, just because my hands feel naked doesn’t mean I want them looking straight-up gross. This is just a break, I’ve assured my tech, not a breakup, and I want my nails to stay in good shape until I paint them again. That means one very important step has been added to my daily beauty regimen: nail care.

I’m not a complete stranger to this, of course. I use cuticle oil daily, but the last thing I want is to return to my nail salon with my tail between my legs and broken hangnails all over the place. For that, I’ve enlisted the help of one key product: OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum.

My review of the OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Serum

As I said, when it comes to at-home nail maintenance, I have my (very simple) routine down. I have a cuticle oil for at home, and one for my purse. I also always have a nail brush on-hand for scrubbing (this part has become particularly important with bare nails), and a nail file to keep my tips from looking wonky. But one thing I hadn’t been doing is using a nail strengthener, because shellac kept my nails rock-hard and ready to tackle any task.

I certainly wouldn’t call my bare nails brittle. In fact, my nail tech constantly compliments me on having great nails, and I’m inclined to agree (let me brag!). But the thing is, I’m not used to babying my talons. To me, they double as tools. I can’t go on living this way with bare nails, though, or they’re bound to break. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles. Thus, the introduction of OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum into my routine.

Let’s start with the details. The serum comes in a glass bottle, similar to what you’d find nail polish in. It contains 9 mL of product and has a twist-off cap with a slim, integrated brush that makes application easy.

The formula is vegan and 9-free. For newbies to the nail space, 9-free means it’s made without formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalates (DBP), toluene, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens, and lead. In short, it’s safe and made without nine commonly avoided nail polish ingredients.

It goes on clear and sinks in almost instantly, meaning you don’t have to wait around before getting on with your routine as you would with nail polish, which I really appreciate. Unfortunately, just because it doesn’t feel like nail polish doesn’t mean it doesn’t smell like it. Albeit, the scent is a little less overpowering and doesn’t linger quite as long.

As for efficacy, I’ve been using it twice a day for six days now, which is the recommended use period for repair, and I haven’t seen any breakage or peeling. The brand promises 4x stronger nails in six days, and I really am seeing a difference. My nails do feel stronger than they did when I first got my shellac removed, so I’m going to call this a win. I’ll be continuing to use it until I return to my nail tech at the end of the month, and I know she’s going to be thrilled with the state of things.

OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum: To Buy or Not to Buy?

Why it’s a winner…

• Effectively strengthens nails and encourages growth
• Sinks in quickly, allowing you to layer products over top
• Slim brush makes targeted application easy
• Vegan and 9-free formula

Why you might want to keep on looking…

• More expensive than most drugstore nail treatments
• Doesn’t create a protective layer over the nail
• Strong scent

What are reviewers saying about the OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum?

The OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum has earned reviewers’ seal of approval, with an average rating of 4.1 stars on Amazon Canada and 64% of ratings being 5 stars. Users say it absorbs easily and helps their nails grow harder, faster, and stronger. The main complaint is the steep price, though many say the results justify the cost.