If you want to create a stylish ombre effect on your nails without any hassle then using color changing gel nail polish would be the best way to do it. Mood changing gel nail polish is a polish that changes color according to temperature.
Today I’ll show you the best mood changing gel nail polishes and explain how to use them.
My top 3 picks
Each mood changing nail polish gel has a basic “cool” color that changes into another “warm” color with higher temperatures. So there are two colors per each nail polish bottle.
For example, when you are holding a cup of hot coffee in your hands the tips of your nails can change color and you’ll get a cute looking ombre effect on your nails.
Does mood changing gel nail polish really change color when your mood changes?
If you’ve ever seen a mood changing gel nail polish in stores, you may have wondered if it really changes color when your mood changes.
The short answer is no, it changes color when temperature changes.
So it’s not really your mood that mood gel polish reacts to but your body temperature and the surrounding temperature.
However, some people may find that their mood changes when the temperature changes, so in a way, the nail polish can be said to change color when your mood changes.
Best color changing gel nail polish brands
Kiara Sky Ombrebase
Kiara Sky is a brand from California that manufactures nail products and manicure tools.
They are famous for their high-quality dipping powder kits.
The brand’s other best-selling product is its color changing gel polishes in lots of cute and trendy colors.
Kiara Sky’s mood changing gel nail polish is called Ombrebase because ombre is the effect that it creates on your nails.
The brand calls the basic shade you get out of the bottle the Wicked color.
It’s a brighter, more vibrant shade.
The mood change shade you get when your nail polish comes in contact with hot temperature is called Enchanted.
It’s a softer shade.
Kiara Sky Ombrebase color changing gel polish also has a unique 2-step formula.
It means that it contains both the color polish and the base coat in one bottle.
So you don’t need to use the base coat before applying Kiara Sky Ombrebase mood changing gel polish.
You can even paint this polish over Kiara Sky dipping powder nails.
However, if you are applying Ombrebase over acrylic nails or just want your manicure to last longer and stay better then you can use the base coat.
The top coat use is always necessary with Kiara Sky gel polishes.
Kira Sky manufactures a no wipe top coat that doesn’t leave a sticky layer after you have done your nails.
So you don’t need to wipe the nails at the final stage of your manicure.
Kiara Sky Ombreglow
Kiara Sky also manufactures an amazing product called Ombreglow.
It’s a mood changing gel nail polish, just like Ombrebase.
Its color changes according to temperature too.
However, this polish also glows in the dark.
So you actually get 3 colors in one bottle.
That way you get two colors with a mood changing ombre effect by day and a glowing color by night.
Ombrebase is also a 2-step gel nail polish. So the use of the base coat is optional with this gel polish too.
Kiara Sky ombre polishes are salon-quality products.
They cure well and don’t shrink or bubble up in the lamp.
All Kiara Sky gel polishes are soak-off ones and you can remove them with an acetone remover for gel nail polishes.
LeChat Perfect Match Mood Color Changing Gel Nail Polish
Le Chat means “a cat” in French.
This mood changing gel polish is another professional-quality salon-grade gel nail polish.
But you can also use it at home.
LeChat has named its main line of products Perfect Match because for each gel nail polish shade you can find a perfectly matching shade of nail lacquer or dip powder.
That’s why LeChat offers their gel polishes in duo pack bundles together with matching nail lacquer.
You can use the lacquer for quick touch-ups if your nails chip a bit with time.
Mood changing gel nail polish by LeChat is sold as a standalone product, but every color has a matching Dare to Wear mood nail lacquer too!
Like with Kiara Sky’s polish, LeChat’s color change effect is activated by the temperature of your hands, when your body temperature rises, when you hold your hands under warm water, or when you go outside in hot weather.
This polish is very sensitive to temperature and changes color quickly.
Some of the colors of LeChat color changing gel nail polish even have glitter!
There are also simple cream colors.
And the prettiest ones are “frosted” colors, with holographic glitter.
The polish is pretty thick, so it’s not too easy to apply in thin layers.
However, it cures really well and provides good coverage and even glitter distribution in 1 or 2 layers.
LeChat also promises that their polish can last very well, for up to 3 weeks.
Cre8tion
Cre8tion manufactures gel nail polishes with gorgeous effects.
They make products with mermaid glitter, marble effect, cat’ eye, glow in the dark effect, platinum glitter, flakes, and, of course, mood changing gel nail polishes.
Cre8tion color changing gel polish is also activated by the temperature of your body or by the surrounding temperature.
The mood changing gel polish collection by Cre8tion has lots of shades to choose from.
The manufacturer recommends using a bond primer before you apply the base coat.
This step is optional, the primer just helps the bonding of the color polish to your natural nail plate.
So this helps your manicure stay on your nails for a longer time.
The manufacturer even promises it would stay on for up to 3 weeks.
Cre8tion also makes a no cleanse top coat that you don’t need to wipe after finishing your manicure.
Cre8tion gel nail polishes are soak-off ones too.
DND color changing gel nail polish
DND stands for Daisy Nail Designs. The brand was founded by a team of professional nail technicians and nail artists.
Like LeChat, DND often sells their gel nail polishes as duo packs that contain both gel polish and ordinary nail lacquer of the same shade.
So you can do little touch-ups as your nails grow out.
However, unfortunately, DND mood changing gel nail polish is only sold as stand-alone bottles.
This is another gel polish that changes color according to the temperature.
Like all DND gel polishes, color-changing nail polish is easy to apply, not too thick, and stays on very well.
DND products are often used in salons, so professional nail techs really trust this brand.
Aimeili Winter Collection with color changing gel nail polish
Aimeili is a budget-friendly brand that manufactures gel nail polishes and other nail products in Hong Kong using components from the USA, Germany, and Japan.
Its line of gel polishes is easy to use.
Aimeli gel nail polishes are not salon-grade ones but they are a great choice for at-home users and beginners.
Plus these polishes contain absolutely no animal-derived ingredients and are not tested on animals.
Glitter mood changing polish:
The best polish that Aimeili makes is the mood changing gel nail polish, which reacts to temperature.
So it’s called Aimeili Temperature Color Changing gel nail polish.
This line of polishes has gorgeous bright colors and even glitters!
They can last for at least 2 weeks, as Aimeili promises.
However, they are a bit thick, so make sure you apply them in thin layers or they would shrink in the lamp.
You can buy these polishes in sets.
And another unique product that Aimeili makes is their light changing gel nail polish called Aimeili Sun Play.
This product changes its color with UV/sunshine exposure.
The color changes instantly according to the intensity of the UV rays from the sun.
The stronger the UV intensity the sunlight has the darker the color becomes.
This polish line also contains glitter.
In addition to that, Aimeili sells a very nice no wipe top coat.
Modelones
Modelones is another budget-fiendly brand that manufactures their products in China.
Modelones sells sets of gel nail polishes, dipping powders, and polygels with all kinds of effects.
Including glow in the dark, marble, neon, magnetic, glitter, and mood changing gel nail polishes.
They also offer a set of color changing gel nail polishes with glitter and beautiful, trendy colors.
The colors in the set are bold and fashionable, like black with gold glitter, red, hot pink.
They change into lighter, pastel colors with warmer temperatures.
At the same time, it offers good coverage even with just one color coat and doesn’t run into the cuticles.
Modelones polish is a bit thick so be careful when applying it and try to spread it in thin layers for better curing.
Elite 99
Elite 99 is another nail polish manufacturer from China.
They specialize in creating gel nail polishes with fun effects, including glittery mood changing gel polish.
You can get a set of 8 gel nail polishes.
The pack contains lovely bright colors with glitter.
This polish is a bit too thin so you may need to apply up to 4 coats to get a fully opaque manicure.
How to choose the best color-changing gel nail polish
Here are several important factors to consider when choosing the perfect color-changing gel nail polish:
1. Color-Changing Effect
The most important aspect of color-changing gel nail polish is its ability to switch between colors.
You’ll want to look for a polish that provides vibrant and distinguishable color shifts, with accurate and consistent transformations.
A high-quality color-changing gel nail polish should create a pretty and noticeable mood change.
2. Durability and Longevity
Get a polish that stays on without chipping and lifting throughout the expected wear time.
Plus the colors should remain vibrant, and the mood change effect must continue to work.
Look for a formula that resists fading, doesn’t lose its effect easily, and is resistant to chipping or peeling.
3. Application and Coverage
Easy and smooth application is a must-have feature for any nail polish.
You’ll want your color-changing polish to apply smoothly, evenly, and without streaks.
It should be easy to control during application and ideally require only 1–2 coats for full coverage.
4. Safety and Nail Health
Look for a non-toxic color-changing gel polish that doesn’t excessively dry out or weaken your nails.
It should be formulated with no harmful ingredients.
There are even polishes that are enriched with vitamins that promote nail growth.
5. Compatibility and Versatility
If you like experimenting with different nail products or nail art techniques, compatibility is important.
Make sure that the color-changing gel nail polish you buy works well with different base coats and top coats that you prefer using.
6. Removal Process:
Nobody wants a hassle when it’s time to remove the nail polish.
Look for a color-changing gel polish that can be easily removed without excessive scraping or soaking.
It should leave your nails clean without any stains or residue.
7. Style
When choosing color-changing gel nail polish, consider your skin tone, wardrobe, wear occasions, and personal style.
Look for colors that complement your skin tone and match your wardrobe.
You can also experiment with different shades to find your perfect color.
How does color changing gel nail polish work?
If you want to get a nice ombre effect on your nails but don’t want to use any complicated techniques to create it then the easiest way to get this effect is to use a mood changing gel nail polish.
Each mood change gel polish color is actually formulated to contain two colors instead of one.
The second color is temperature-activated.
It works just like the cute mood rings that you may have had in your childhood.
One of the dyes that the color changing gel nail polish has in its formula reacts with a special solvent and becomes transparent in one temperature and opaque in the other.
The other dye is an ordinary one. So you see it when the first dye becomes colorless with a temperature change.
Cool color
The “cool” color is the basic color of the mood changing polish that you get right out of the bottle when you are applying your polish to your nails.
It’s also the color that stays on your nails at cooler room temperature, or, for example, when your fingertips are cold.
Warm color
The “warm” color of the mood changing gel nail polish is the one that your nail polish changes into when your body temperature rises or when you are holding a hot object, or when you are staying in a hotter room.
For example, you may be holding a cup of coffee or submerging your hands in warm water.
You may even see this effect right away, while you are still painting your nails with the mood changing gel polish if your hands are warm when you are doing this.
So your basic color may begin changing into the “warm” color as you go, while you are still distributing the polish over your nail plate.
Also, the entire nail may change color in the lamp after you cure your polish because of the heat coming from the lamp.
Your nails can also become fully colored with the “warm” hue when you are in a hot room.
Then as your fingers cool down the basic “cool” color will come out again and the ombre effect will return.
And if your entire nail is cold the ombre changes again into one flat “cool” color.
That’s why the ombre effect can sometimes be inconsistent.
The gradient effect actually works great in cold weather when you are trying to keep yourself warm.
So your fingers are warm and the free edge of your nails is cold and there you get the cool-looking gradient.
You usually don’t get any more colors in your color change polish gel other than two or three.
Of course, the words “mood changing” are not really accurate to describe this effect, but this sounds nice.
So with color changing gel polish, you get a beautiful ombre nail art effect with the same amount of effort as when you use an ordinary gel nail polish.
Recommended reading:
Kiara Sky Gel Polish: Full Review And Buying Guide
Best No Wipe Gel Top Coat: An Honest Review Of 12 Best No Wipe Top Coat Gel Brands
Best Gel Base And Top Coat: The Updated List Of The Best Gel Nail Base And Top Coat Sets
Best Professional Gel Nail Polish Brands Used In Salons
Non-Toxic Gel Nail Polish Brands 101: Choose The Safest Gel Nail Polish
Most Popular Shellac Colors – The Ultimate List Of 15 Best Shellac Colors For Fantastic Manicures
Rubber Base Gel 101: The Rubber Base Coat And Rubber Top Coat Ultimate Buying Guide
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Kupa ManiPRO Passport Nail Drill Review: The KUPA E-File That Nail Techs Swear By
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