As someone who’s spent a decade reviewing beauty and nail products for a living, I’ve seen trends come and go—and I’ve grown a little picky. So when I sat down to test out several items from the brand Venalisa (yes, the one you’ve likely spotted on social media), I approached them as both a seasoned reviewer and a fellow user who wants real-world results. The good news: some of these items genuinely impressed me, especially for home-manicure fans and aspiring nail-art lovers. Over the next several minutes, I’ll walk you through five picks—in friendly, candid style—what I liked, what to watch out for, and whether they’re worth your shelf (or cart) space.
Venalisa Transparent Gel / Cat Eye Gel (#JS1-#JS7)
This is the kind of product I keep coming back to when I want simple yet versatile nail-art boosting. According to the site, the Transparent Gel (#JS1–#JS6) is a soak-off UV/LED gel, and the #JS7 variant is the “Spar Cat Eye Gel” which works with a magnet for a cat-eye finish.
What I liked:
- The formula is relatively easy to use: I applied base coat, then a layer of the transparent gel, cured under LED for about 60 seconds, then added the cat-eye gel and used a magnet. The effect was surprisingly clean for a DIY attempt.
- The transparency of #JS1–JS6 makes it a good base if you want to layer effects (glitter, stamping, etc.).
- The price point is modest (the page lists around US$3.40 for one of the transparent gel options) so risk is low.
Things to note:
- As with any gel, proper prep matters. If your nail surface has ridges or leftover oils it won’t adhere as well. (Venalisa themselves advise this.)
- The cat-eye effect demands the magnet and a bit of technique: I found that if you linger too long before curing, the pattern might shift.
- For heavy wearers (typing, manual tasks) the gel still showed minor edge wear after ~10 days on my nails—fine for casual, but maybe less robust than salon-premium gels.
Verdict:
If you’re into creating fun effects at home (cat-eye, layered looks) this is a good starting point. It doesn’t feel like a pro-salon level ultra-durable gel, but for the price and fun factor, it’s a win.
Venalisa Liner Gel 7 Colors Kit-A
This one is a little different: a kit of 7 slim-brush liner gels designed to draw fine lines, French tips, or nail-art details.
What I liked:
- The slim “liner” brush attached to the cap makes free-hand lines much more controllable than regular polish brushes. That’s a big plus if you like doing stripes, waves or embellishments.
- I found the colors in the kit to be well-pigmented and smooth. Makes layering easier.
- Easy to integrate into a standard gel manicure: base coat → cure → liner → cure → top coat seemed straightforward.
Things to note:
- If you’re a total beginner with nail art, you might still need practice to get clean lines—so the tool is only as good as your steadiness.
- The kit is geared toward detail work rather than full-colour coverage—so if you expect thick opaque coats, that’s not the goal here.
Verdict:
For those who like creative nails (striping, patterns, accents) this kit is quite handy. I’d recommend it for intermediate/good beginner level. For pure colour coats maybe less essential.
Venalisa Glitter Gel Polish 6 Colors Set (HEMA-Free)
I always appreciate when a brand spells out “HEMA-Free” (for those worried about allergens) and this set does just that. The “Glitter Gel Polish 6 Colors Set Hema Free” is marketed as vegan, cruelty-free, eco-friendly.
What I liked:
- The glitter effect was rich and vibrant. I used one of the darker shades over a base neutral colour and got a salon-look sparkle that held up well under lighting.
- The fact that it claims 3 weeks of lasting time (when properly applied) is decent for home use.
- The set format gives you variety and can be a fun addition if you like switching up looks often.
Things to note:
- Glitter gels often require careful removal (soak-off) to avoid damage to the natural nail, so take your time.
- While the kit is HEMA-free, I still found some reports (in forums) that users with very sensitive nails found some minor irritation—always patch test. (See Reddit commentary on Venalisa: some users say “nice colours… but they do chip more easily compared to other gel polishes.”)
- Because of the glitter texture, the finish may feel a little rough unless top coated well and buffed lightly around edges.
Verdict:
If you’re into glitter, want some sparkle in your rotation, and care about “free from” claims, this is a solid set. Not ultra-salon heavy duty, but fun and reliable for DIY.
Venalisa Gel Polish Set 120 Bottles (Whole Set)
This product is aimed more at enthusiastic collections or salon-style stash: “120 Bottles Whole Set Gel Polish” (colour gels + platinum gels + base & top coat included) on the site.
What I liked:
- For someone who wants massive variety (e.g., nail-artists or serious hobbyists), this is a strong offering: you get over a hundred colours plus extras.
- The packaging and presentation are impressive; I unpacked it and found the display card and storage box quite convenient.
- Colour selection: you’ll rarely be limited by “I don’t have that shade”. Huge range.
Things to note:
- With so many bottles, you’ll need storage space and to keep track—so less “grab-one-quick” and more “planned rotation”.
- Unless you use many colours regularly, many bottles may sit idle—and nail gels do have shelf life (and proper storage matters).
- The cost is higher (set pricing much greater than single colours), so you commit a chunk of budget upfront.
Verdict:
If you’re passionate about nails, change colours frequently, maybe run side hustle or do nails for friends, this is a worthwhile investment. If you just want a few go-to colours, go smaller.
Venalisa Base & Top Coat / Foundations (General)
While this isn’t always named as a single product in the same strong way as others, the brand’s base & top coat items (including no-wipe top coat) deserve attention because they underpin the manicure quality. From reviews of Venalisa, people emphasise the base/top coats as key.
What I liked:
- Using a good base coat is your first defence against chipping, lifting and short manicure life. Venalisa’s base seems adequate and affordable.
- The no-wipe top coat is a handy feature because it saves an extra wipe step—less mess, faster finish.
- In my own trial, I used the base + top with one of the coloured gels above and noticed the finish looked more professional (smooth edges, sealed tips).
Things to note:
- Even the best base/top can’t compensate for poor prep or thick colour layers—so still invest time in filing, buffing, cleaning nails.
- Depending on your lamp (LED vs UV) and nail health, curing times vary. Brand advice: LED ~60 seconds, UV ~2 minutes.
- Top coat wear: in heavy use over two weeks I saw slight dulling on the top coat—so you might reapply or refresh earlier if you’re active.
Verdict:
Essential foundation piece. I’d argue you should never skip this just because you already bought a fun colour—it impacts longevity far more than many people realise.
Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up
After spending time with these five picks from Venalisa, here’s how I’d summarise:
- The brand delivers real value for what you pay: accessible, fun, decent quality for home users and nail-art lovers.
- If you are looking for ultra-long wear or hardcore salon-professional durability, there are higher-end brands that cost more and may offer better chip resistance—but for DIY or lighter use, Venalisa hits a very good sweet spot.
- My top tip: Don’t skip the basics (prep nails, use good base & top coat, cure properly). With Venalisa I found that when I followed the steps, results were far stronger.
- If you’re undecided which to start with: pick one fun colour set (like the glitter kit) plus a solid base & top coat. Then, if you find you enjoy the routine, step up to a larger set (120-bottle) or speciality kit (liner gel) later.
- Storage, curing light and technique still matter—a great product won’t work miracles without decent nails and good process.
- Lastly, always patch test if you have sensitive nails or skin—some users report mild issues despite the “HEMA-free” claims.
In short: If you’re at home, love switching styles, and enjoy playing with your nails, the Venalisa line is friendly, affordable and fun. Treat it properly, and you’ll walk away with nails that feel a bit more polished (literally and figuratively). Thanks for reading — and if you pick up one of the kits, I hope your next manicure turns out exactly how you envision it.
