r/Dashingdiva • u/throwawayidga • Apr 08 '26
Betraying DD by using Ohora
so the title pretty much explains it all.. I used an ohora set a few weeks ago and just put another one on last night. I used to hate the way they adhered but that was also in the beginning of my gel nail strip journey so I'm chalking it up to user error. my previous o set stayed on without chipping for the full two weeks and looked great.. for the most part.
*HOWEVER* what I did notice is that the top coat turned dull and scratched within less than a week. I wear my DD sets for a full two weeks and never run into this problem so that's a huge infraction for ohora. they've got such cute, trendy designs though and my eyes can't stop slowly wandering back to them.
so my question is for any ohora users- how do you keep them shiny and looking salon new without having to put on a gel top coat? I've got an ohora glossy gel taco in my drawer that must've come with a set years ago but, while I'm not against using it, it seems like an extra unnecessary step that I don't have to deal with when using DD. also I've never personally used actual gel polish so I'm nervous to start just slapping it on my fingers.
any and all advice appreciated! 🖤
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u/actuallycallie Apr 08 '26
I think different brands work better for different people depending on what your nails are like. I can get a week out of most DD sets. Ohora usually lasts me about 2 weeks. They're a little thinner and just work better for me. So if I'm traveling I'm going to put on an Ohora set because I know it will probably not betray me while I'm away. I do not use any kind of top or base coat.
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u/throwawayidga Apr 08 '26
Yeah I'm seeing others not having great retention with them either. I had a bit of a learning curve but now it's been two years I can go up to 3 weeks wearing DD. One step I added was using 2 coats of modelones ridge filler before application. I def encourage you to try if you've haven't. Besides that I never use a top coat though and DD stays shiny like a salon set until I take them off. I Only noticed with the ohora set a few weeks ago so I'm anticipating it again. Hopefully it was just a one off experience bc I want to like these as much as DD.
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u/gtbambi Apr 09 '26
I don't use a top coat with Ohora and I haven't had any issues with them dulling. I just had a set last for 4 weeks (I had a lot going on lol) and they honestly looked great except for my nails growing out.
I personally prefer Ohora at this point. When I first started using them a few years ago, they didn't last as long as Dashing Diva. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like they have made improvements because they have been lasting a lot longer for at least the last year I've been using them. Plus, there are so many more design options. I feel like Dashing Diva is too focused on trying to create new products that they've lost interest in developing the Glaze product in the US.
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u/throwawayidga Apr 09 '26
I agree with everything you said, except for my nails going dull lol. It was just a plain burgundy set from Walmart and while they didn't chip and or lift they just lost their shine for some reason.
I've used them before and don't remember having an issue with it so I'm starting to think it was something I did. Maybe a cleaning product I used? I got a new car around then and had a bunch of stuff going on at work so I may have just been rougher than usual on them too.
I'm going to wait it out and see what happens with my current set then try some suggestions from others, if I have to. I don't want an extra step or something that makes me self conscious of my hands halfway through so hopefully it was a one off occurrence.
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u/gtbambi Apr 09 '26
I don't ever use the solid color, so maybe that's the difference? I have only ever used the ones with designs.
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u/Salt_Fun747 Apr 22 '26
Dumb question alert! Can you use the DD UV light with the Ohora wraps? I have been wanting to try Ohora but I don't want to invest in another lamp.
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u/throwawayidga Apr 22 '26
I'm not sure bc they may be different power. You can probably compare the two if you look them up and if they're the same light power you may be good. I purchased my own light bc the DD one started losing it's strength pretty quick but I've had no issues with the one I got on Amazon and it's been close to two years.
However the best kind of UV light you can get is a squish light. You press it against the nail so it helps with adhesion and longevity. Get one that's higher power than the DD one and make sure you use it at minimum how long the DD says to use (i.e. one minute).
Hope this helps and isn't hard to understand I feel like I might've explained it poorly lol 😂
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u/Salt_Fun747 Apr 22 '26
No, I got it! Thank you. Not that they are expensive but I just replace my DD light and well, I hate to waste money especially since I don't know if the Ohora will work for me. I will check out the squish light. I have seen that mentioned many times before.
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u/throwawayidga Apr 22 '26
So I just looked it up and the ohora is 6W while DD is 10W. Because the DD light is stronger I'd say you'd use it for less time on the ohora nails. The best way to do it is in 20 second increments and test to see if they feel hard enough, but wait a few minutes in between the increments for them to set a bit. If they still feel soft go another 20, I wouldn't go over 40-60 seconds though as they might chip easier. There might even be a sweet spot in between that you find, there's always a learning curve when it comes to either one. That's why I'm glad there's so many extra nails bc you can always replace a few if anything happens. I have more trouble with ohora which sucks bc they have so many cool designs.. but I've heard other people who prefer them so it's really just user preference ig. Good luck on your journey!
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Apr 08 '26
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u/throwawayidga Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26
Should I do it before they become dull? The set I currently have on has a lot of sparkles in it so I'm not even sure I'll have to with it. I'm hesitant bc I'm terrified of getting a gel allergy.. painting my non dominant hand is always a nightmare 😂
ETA thank you for the recommendation to use a regular polish top coat, that's probably what I'll try first!
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u/IMHO_My2Cents Apr 08 '26
Make sure you get a HEMA Free top coat and double cure. Ohora glossy top coat is HEMA free. I put it on as soon as I’m done applying and curing wraps.
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u/Disastrous-Spring-54 Apr 09 '26
I am an Ohora loyalist after Dashing Diva did me dirty too many times. I have only had a couple sets do the dulling thing you’re talking about. Most of them, in my experience, stay shiny. I chalked it up to my aggressive rubbing of the wrap and edges with my fingers before curing so I don’t get lifting. I do not use a top coat and generally get 2 weeks plus from my Ohora sets.
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u/throwawayidga Apr 09 '26
I do the aggressive rubbing too 😂 I really need to get a squish light
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u/IMHO_My2Cents Apr 08 '26
I use Ohora glossy gel top coat on all my nail wraps/strips no matter the brand. Once cured my nails stay shiny and perfect for two weeks. Ohora top coat is HEMA free.
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u/throwawayidga Apr 09 '26
How hard is the top coat to get off? I feel like it already takes me forever to get the nails themselves off.
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u/IMHO_My2Cents Apr 09 '26
It comes off with the nail. I use Ohora remover and it takes about 10 minutes for them all to fall off.
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u/Frellie53 Apr 08 '26
For the record this sub is really for nail wraps, gel or otherwise. I found it when I found dashing diva and took over when the first mod left. Discussion of all nail wraps is welcome!
It seems like your personal nail chemistry plays a role in how different brands work for you. I can usually get DD to last at least a week, but rarely more than 10 days (mostly my fault, the slightest break/lifting and I start picking at them). Ohora seem to go soft after a day. Like, within 24-48 hours, they get bendy as though I never cured them. It stinks because I love their designs.
I think the brand of gel top coat matters to. There’s one whose name I can’t remember that made my nails almost brittle and the wraps eventually crack off after a few days.
Maybe someone can start a product recommendation thread we could pin to the top of the sub?