With the addition of the “Mirror Image” event and the sculptured gel nails at Sacramento, I’ve really got some gels to do this year. With this in mind, I started to think about my old gel lamp. I’ve been thinking about replacing it with maybe a bigger unit, or a tunnel lamp with more bulbs, or even upgrade to a sleek 36-watter.

But even though more bulbs mean faster, more even curing, they also mean more bulbs to replace. And have you priced these things lately?

Then there’s the issue of how it will fit into my suitcase. I can barely get my little one in there now, with its 9-watt bulb that hasn’t been replaced since I don’t when. I bought it after I won my first competition and received a gel kit as part of my award. It has performed for me without fail.

I look at all the paint spilled in the vent; the excess gel stuck to the reflector surface, and can’t help but think about all the time we’ve spent together.

Late nights at the salon.

All the places we’ve traveled.

We even have pictures in magazines together.

So maybe it just needs some sprucing up. A fresh coat of personalized “paint” and a new bulb will do wonders. So for now it’s just me and my old lamp Gelly for another year. “It’s just me and you kid, me and you.”

— Lynn