Grey-fitti and I Lilac You

You probably already know from the title I'm talking about Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polishes. Someone at work bought two colors and didn't have a grand go at it, so gave them to me to try out.

I'll start by saying, I don't like them. If you do like them, what's your application secret? I tried them numerous way, base coat, no base coat, different top coat, etc etc and couldn't get a good manicure. The top coat pulled, the colors were chalky (they were two pastels and those are notorious for chalkiness), and cleanup was a hot mess. Someone give me the secret to using these!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Grey-fitti (left two fingers), I Lilac You (right two fingers)

Grey-fitty is a nice neutral light gray that doesn't lean blue or silver. Very neutral and work appropriate.

I did my nails all in the Grey-fitti color as I liked the application from this polish better. I liked the color of I Lilac You more but in the end, application won out in color choice.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Grey-fitti (on a different day for some nail art)

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Grey-fitti

I'm sure you can tell below the I Lilac You was more streaky and applied like a pastel, very shaky. It pulled like crazy around the cuticle and edges with any top coat I used, I think here I used the Miracle Gel Topcoat to get a sense of the application. The uneven edges were AFTER clean up, I couldn't get a good edge. I should have left it after I applied it, I think it looked better pre-cleanup. I couldn't even do a full manicure with it.

I Lilac You is a soft pink leaning lavender, very chic. Gorgeous color, just wish I could figure out how to apply it to look even.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish I Lilac You

Overall very unimpressed. I gave these back with a heavy heart and haven't purchased any of them. I see so many pictures that are beautiful -- maybe it was the color selection? 

Any advice or suggestions would be great. I used different base coats (proteins, hardeners, bonders) and different top coats (Miracle Gel topcoat, Seche Vite, Posche, Barielle) and I couldn't get a single manicure to look good... Very sad.