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.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
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!