Recently, I got the chance to stop by a Kokoist certification class at Gellipop in Torrance, Calif. Gellipop is a distributer for brands including Kokoist, Akzentz, Crystal Culture, and imported Japanese brands. It offers certification classes, Japanese gel art classes, and DIY nail art parties. The class, which cost $250 and included $160 of Kokoist products, was taught by Kokoist president Koko Kashiwagi and Kokoist educator Iori Iwaza. They demonstrated a number of techniques, including a hand-painted gel-polish French technique, ways to apply Kokoist gel, and crystal application.

The students were enthusiastic and eager to learn from Kashiwagi. Kokoist’s new gel formula is between a hard and a soft gel; Kashiwagi demonstrated how to apply it over nail tips and over forms. Kashiwagi advised students to turn the hand palm up after applying a coat of gel, so that gravity causes the gel to naturally flow to the apex of the nail, saving filing time and reducing the amount of gel used.

The students were excited about the Kokoist nail tips, which are now available in the U.S.  These tips have a deeper well, lessening the contact zone between the tip and the natural nail. Kashiwagi explained that this means the tip will last longer, because the majority of the nail will be covered by gel, and nail glue is more likely to degrade. The tips also have a straighter shape, making them easy to apply.

Visit Kokoist at www.kokoistusa.com.

Learn more about Gellipop at www.gellipop.com.