Thought you might like an update on the OPI Axxium Gel mani I had 11 days ago at Tips Nail Bar & Spa. This one has only one coat of colour, which means one less layer of gel than the usual application would involve (two coats of base, two coats of colour, one top coat). Look, Ma, still chip free and shiny. Sweet.
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I LOVE my OPI Axxium Gel Manicures!
My personal trainer Dani, who walks her 2 dogs twice every day and trains dozens of women a week (lifting heavy metal weights and equipment), turned me onto it and it’s AMAZING. I travel a lot for work and speak in front of many people on a weekly basis teaching seminars and workshops and my biggest pet peeve is chipping nails. I think it looks so unprofessional and tacky – and I no longer have to worry about this at all! I can wear all my favorite dark shades and it never chips. It costs a little more than a regular manicure ($25 in Brooklyn NY) and it takes an hour to apply but its WELL WORTH IT! Highly recommended.
Your prices are different in New York from ours in Toronto, Ariel. *sigh*
Ariel — if you’re set up to get replies to comments and are still reading this, lol — do you mind if I ask where you get your nails done in Bklyn?
OMG this may be the best thing that has happened to me beauty-wise in the last year. Yesterday I was spraypainting and got it on my nails and was so sad, and then remembered — I can just take nail polish remover to remove the paint, and leave my manicure intact!!! I’m obsessed. I’m on Day 5 and it’s still perfect. Though I want to go back now and get dark nails now that I know it won’t chip!
I’m so happy you love it, Chantelly! Your paint-removal revelation is amazing, and I’m especially chuffed that it’s expanded your nail-colour universe to include dark!
I went to Tips today with Katherine, love that place! Rita gave me Axxium and Katherine got SHELLAC, so we’re going to see which one is the victor. Leanne made an awesome hybrid colour, You Don’t Know Jacques mixed with Alpine Snow. They’re working on the name, either You Don’t Know Julia or Hannah’s Hands. Because Leanne had Lesa in mind when she concocted the shade.
LOVE it! You and Katherine are having a mani-off! Can’t wait to see the results! And I’m going to have to try that new colour, natch.
Hi – I recently heard about the OPI Gel manicure and from what I have been reading, it seems to be a hit. I am a once a week manicure person and I am totally frustrated with the chipping, fading and peeling of nail polish within 2 days. Also, the quality of the manicures I have been receiving is terrible and I have tried MANY places throughout Brooklyn. Can you please let me know if there are any Salons in the downtown Brooklyn area that offer this new manicure?
OPI isn’t so good at listing its Axxium salons, Tara. Luckily, the first comment after this post is from someone who lives in Brooklyn — maybe she can help? If you click on her name, Ariel, you get this URL: http://arielpublicity.com/. Drop her a line!
Update! To find an Axxium salon in your area, email OPI via this link: http://www.opi.net.au/form.shtml
I also love my Axxium manicure. I just got my second one on Sunday in Bubble Bath. I don’t see “You Don’t Know Jacques” listed as one of the Axxium colors on their website. I am thinking of going crazy and trying Miami Beet next! I usually get very sheer colors, but since this lasts so long, I may go for a darker color.
That’s odd, Kiki — it should be listed there, because it exists! Love that the chip-resistance is bringing out your wild side *grin*.
I got Soak-Offs 4 weeks ago. The first technician seemed to do a great job. I was very happy & 3 weeks later when I needed another appointment couldn’t get an appointment at the same salon.
I went to another salon.
The tech seemed to know what she was doing and to do a good job, but the next day it was apparent my nails looked sort of lumpy. Within a few days my nails looked dull. The polish hadn’t chipped, it just didn’t look good. My nails feel soft and are tearing at the edges, so I’m fairly certain Tech#2 damaged my nails.
I’m sold on soak-off gel nails, though; but my question is this: Is it appropriate to ask a nail technician if she’s “trained” on OPI Axxium Soak-Off gels?
Oh dear, Aleyne. Did Tech #2 rough-file your nail surface before applying the gel? She might have overdone that.
I’m not sure how she could have caused a change in the finish, unless perhaps the product hadn’t cured properly. I’ll have to check in with Leeanne for her input.
And yes, it’s appropriate to ask a technician anything that pertains to the service she’s about to provide you. Safety first!
Hi Aleyne!
Janine is right! The dullness most likely is due to under curing. The U.V sealer which is the final coat should be cured for 3 minutes. If it was and the product dulled like that there is a possibility that the bulb strength was low in the lamp. The bumpy issue is probably because she didn’t prep your nails correctly before the application and applied too much product. Each layer of axxium is meant to be applied extremely thin. Some techs think if its thicker its stronger but that is WRONG!
Hopefully Salon #2 didn’t damage them too much. STAY SOLD on soak off products. They are amazing so long as you find a great place to go. Sounds like salon # 1 is busy so make sure to call in advance and book an appointment. Tell them about your mishap so they know how to deal with your nails.
Hope this helps!
Re: bumpy application, again, I’m no pro but this may relate to the nail tech’s skill as well as the curing process (don’t these salons have UV boxes with auto-timers?). Artisanal brush work, à la Leeanne Colley at Tips Nail Bar & Salon, makes all the difference. The product is fairly fluid, but it needs to be spread carefully to give a perfect result. I’ve also found, from previous experience with regular gel nails, that if you hold your hand upright while the tech works on the other hand, the gel may slump down toward the cuticle; try to hold your hands flat. Aside from bubbling, less-experienced salons need to ensure all dust from filing is whisked away; otherwise, it can mar the finish. P@MELA
I just got the Opi axxium done for the first time, and I’m a little disappointed. They are not glossy all over. They have dull spots on them. I plan on going back to my salon and ask them about it, but they are not open until monday…sigh…anyways, does anyone know why the look dull in certain spots. The parts that are shiny are very glossy but I can see dull areas.
Hi Eliana,
Well pooh! A similar thing happened to reader Aleyne, above. According to Leeanne Colley, award-winning nail technician and owner of Tips Nail Bar & Salon, where I go for my flawless Axxium applications, thinks a dull finish may be the result of improper curing. Perhaps the bulbs in the UV box need replacing?
I went back to the salon this afternoon and the owner took a look at my nails. He kept saying that they are just starting to do this and it takes practice to perfect. He first applied another coat of the axxium top coat and that helped some of the nails but not all of them, so then he proceded to add another coat of polish gel and then the top coat again and that seemed to work. He determined that not enough of the gel polish was used and it was not put on evenly. There is no dull spots on them anymore, but I think they could be glossier looking (that might just be my personal thing though). They look alot better though. I’m concerned with all the amount of gel he used though. I hope this doesn’t ruin my natural nails when I get it removed.
Yes, I suppose the application takes a little practice — unless the salon is used to doing standard gel nails, there’s a little learning curve. I don’t know re: not enough gel — I think the application calls for four or five layers of gel; I usually ask for just three (one coat of colour because I like the more subtle colour result), and still get shiny long-lasting results.
The gel shouldn’t harm your nails — neither should the removal. If you haven’t already read this, here’s what to expect of the removal process: http://imabeautygeek.com/2010/05/25/soak-off-opi-axxium-gel-mani-removal/
Please do let me know how everything goes!
Hey, Janine: I agree about just three coats, as I prefer a thinner, more sheer application. If you’re going for a deeper all-over shade, then perhaps a second coat of the coloured gel is warranted. Five (including top and base) feels excessive to me. P@MELA
Hey, I’m no expert, but perhaps the nail tech didn’t wipe over your nails properly after the top coat and last curing? Mine still look shiny-perfect, even after three weeks.
In response to:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/beauty-basics/how-to-apply-nail-polish-like-a-pro/article1811609/
Or just go to Tips Nail Bar at Danforth and Jones in Toronto, and have Leeanne or Rita apply OPI Axxium coloured gel, which is UV cured and lasts three to four weeks—with no chipping, peeling, or breakage, and it dries instantly, with no waiting or waving. You can even have them paint your favourite polish (from an array of fashionable selections and French to custom glitter and ombré) over the coloured gel, so you can remove it and wear other shades while maintaining the perfect gel colour underneath. For more, see Janine Falcon’s imabeautygeek.com blog, or the latest issue of Shoppers Drug Mart’s Glow magazine. Given the duration of Axxium, and the no-chip performance, it’s not that expensive to maintain a perfect 10 (or 20, if you do your toes, as I have)—and it’s way less hassle than painting your own nails. P@MELA
Given the flawless results with OPI Axxium I’ve experienced at Tips Nail Bar & Salon, it sounds as if the above postings and concerns involved inadequate staff training and experience at other places. Clients, if you’re not happy, go see Leeanne at Tips. She’s a relentless perfectionist. And Leeanne, I know you don’t have time for it, but considering that you’re a pioneer of this technique in Canada perhaps there’s a niche open for you to offer training, at a premium price, say one or two evenings a month, to motivated salon owners and nail techs. And since you opened up the Canadian market for Axxium, if you start doing training I know you’ll let OPI know that they should be sending you a big bonus or free product for life to thank you for your support and professionalism. My nails have never looked so spectacular, and I’m one of your faithful fans. (Shout out to Janine for introducing me to Axxium.) P@MELA
Holy geez, P@mela, how did I miss these comments from you? Thanks so much for the support!
Does anyone know where to get it done in Toronto downtown area? Please and thank you.
Nora
Hi Nora,
For location information, try contacting OPI via this link, or via their Twitter account, or via the OPI Facebook page.
I just started using OPI soak-off gel for my nails. I’m not pro, yet. But I already love the results. My first application was not good, because I didn’t leave space enough between the cuticles and the gels (I kinda applied like the traditional nail polish). Now on my third application I feel more confident and I cannot see going back to regular polish ever :)
I think my investment was paid off by now…
Where in New Jersey can I get this done? I sell jewelry and I hate having to change my polish every three days due to chipping polish….
Hi Tanita,
Fastest way to get that answer is to contact OPI via their Facebook page, Twitter or through their website. Hope it’s quick — sounds like you’ll love it!