Frequently asked questions
What is LDS Gel Color?
LDS Gel Color is the foundation soak-off gel polish line from LDS (LAVIS DIP SYSTEMS) at ND. It has 189 shades in 0.5oz salon bottles, cures 60 seconds LED or 2 minutes UV, and uses the standard HEMA formula. Pairs with LDS Base Gel + LDS Top Gel for full salon application.
Is LDS Gel Color HEMA-free?
No. Standard LDS Gel Color uses HEMA. If you need a HEMA-free option, switch to the LDS Color Craze (Healthy) line, which is HEMA-free and TPO-free with the same cure time and durability.
How long does LDS Gel Color last on nails?
With proper prep, LDS Gel Color wears 2 to 3 weeks reliably. Use the matching LDS Base and Top Gel for best adhesion. Cuticle oil daily and gloves for cleaning extend wear to the upper end of that range.
Can I mix LDS Base and Top with other brands?
Stay within the LDS family for base + color + top to avoid adhesion issues. Cross-brand mixing with OPI, DND, or other base coats can affect cured tone and accelerate lifting at the proximal nail.
What is the wholesale price?
LDS Gel Color is priced $4 to $9 per 0.5oz at the ND wholesale tier. No business license required, no minimum order. The LDS Buy in Bulk and Save category adds 10 to 25 percent volume discount for orders of 50+ bottles. Free shipping over $99, same-day dispatch on orders before 2pm PT.
Why salons stock LDS Gel Color
LDS Gel Color is the foundation soak-off gel polish line in the LDS family at ND Nails Supply, with 189 shades in 0.5oz salon bottles at wholesale value pricing. The line built its reputation with high-volume salons that need broad color choice without paying premium-tier per-bottle costs. Where OPI sits at the $14 to $22 per 0.5oz tier and DND DC at $7 to $14, LDS Gel Color holds the $4 to $9 sweet spot, which lets salon owners stock 80+ shades at the cost of a single seasonal premium collection.
For ND's wholesale-priced-for-everyone model, LDS Gel Color is the workhorse foundation. Same-day dispatch on in-stock orders before 2pm PT, no business license required, no minimum order. Salons running gel-led service tier typically build their first 50 to 100 SKUs from this line before adding the matching LDS Nail Lacquer for mani-pedi service and the LDS Color Craze (Healthy) HEMA-Free line for sensitive clients.
The 189-shade library
LDS Gel Color covers the full salon color palette in 0.5oz bottles. The shade numbering runs from 001 through 189 with periodic seasonal additions. Strong sellers include classic French staples (148 French White, 180 Blissful White), deep evening reds (013 Mulled Wine, 074 Black List), spring pastels (008 Green Chantilly, 181 Pink Rose), and nude foundations (005 Beige Me, 149 Milky Way). All shades use the standard HEMA formula, cure 60 seconds under LED or 2 minutes UV, and reach full opacity at 2 coats for most colors.
How to apply LDS Gel Color
The LDS application workflow uses the matching LDS Base Gel and LDS Top Gel for adhesion and finish. The brand-matched system extends wear past 3 weeks for client salon visits.
- Prep the nail. Push cuticles, lightly buff the natural nail surface, dehydrate with LDS Nail Prep. Skip this step and lifting risk goes up significantly.
- Apply LDS Base Gel. One thin coat from cuticle to free edge. Cure 60 seconds LED or 2 minutes UV.
- Apply color coat 1. Thin even layer. Cure 60 seconds LED. Most shades show partial opacity at this stage.
- Apply color coat 2. Build to full opacity. Darker shades (074 Black List, 013 Mulled Wine) may need a third coat. Cure each layer.
- Apply LDS Top Gel. Seal with one coat, cap the free edge to extend wear. Cure 60 seconds LED.
- Wipe the tacky layer. Wipe with 99 percent isopropyl alcohol for the glossy finish. Some LDS Top variants are no-wipe formula.
Care & maintenance for clients
LDS Gel Color wears 2 to 3 weeks reliably with proper aftercare. Share three rules with clients at checkout for the maximum wear:
- Cuticle oil daily. Hydrated cuticles reduce lifting at the proximal nail fold. Recommend the Cuticle Oil category for client home stock.
- Glove for cleaning. Bleach, ammonia, and acetone-based cleaners attack the gel film. Dish-washing without gloves is the biggest premature-wear cause salons see.
- Book removal at the 3-week mark. Peeling off gel pulls the natural nail layer. Soak-off removal with 100 percent acetone-soaked cotton wrapped in foil for 10 minutes is the only safe method.
For salon storage, keep LDS Gel Color bottles upright in a cool, light-protected drawer. Direct sunlight on the bottle accelerates pigment degradation over 6+ months.
LDS Gel Color vs LDS Color Craze (HEMA-Free)
The two LDS gel lines cover different client profiles. Use this comparison to stock the right line per service tier:
| Feature | LDS Gel Color (standard) | LDS Color Craze (Healthy) |
|---|---|---|
| HEMA | Standard HEMA formula | HEMA-Free + TPO-Free |
| Shade count at ND | 189 shades | Reformulated shade range |
| Cure time | 60 sec LED / 2 min UV | 60 sec LED / 2 min UV |
| Typical wear | 2 to 3 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Best for | Foundation salon stock | Sensitive-client salon |
| Price per 0.5oz | $4 to $9 | $6 to $12 |
Salons reporting allergic reactions from clients should switch over to the LDS Color Craze (Healthy) line without changing application technique. Both lines work with the same LDS Base and Top Gel.
Wholesale pricing at ND
ND offers wholesale pricing on the full LDS Gel Color catalog. No business license required, no minimum order, no membership fee. The LDS Buy in Bulk & Save category adds 10 to 25 percent volume discount on top of the wholesale tier for orders of 50+ bottles. Free shipping on every order over $99, same-day dispatch on in-stock LDS ordered before 2pm PT weekdays.
Salons that lead with LDS Gel Color as the foundation gel brand typically stock 80 to 120 shades plus the LDS Base and Top Gel system. Pairing with LDS Nail Lacquer in matching shades enables mani-pedi service tier at the lowest combined cost in the LDS family.