Having a manicure and pedicure is one of those little treats that I really miss when I’m broke. As soon as I have a little money to spend on myself I head out to have my feet scraped and my cuticles trimmed by a professional. (Unlike many of my friends, my own manicures are a joke. I can apply liquid eye liner with a steady hand and paint fashion illustrations, but painting my own nails is nearly impossible. I don’t know why.)
The last last time I went to the nail salon the lady at the front desk asked me if I’d like to have the “gel” manicure. ”What’s a gel manicure?” I replied. She then explained that the gel polish didn’t chip and could last anywhere from two to three weeks. I’m pretty hard on my hands. As a result normal nail polish usually chips in two days. If I really work at it and apply top coat and touch up bad spots I can keep a regular manicure going for about four days, but that’s it. So I decided to try out this exciting new polish.
Gel nail polish is officially called “Axxium soak-off gel lacquer” and it’s made by OPI. The colors all have the usual fun OPI names. The color below is called “Strawberry Margarita”. The photo was taken about one week after the gel was applied:
Yes, IT’S ALMOST PERFECT AFTER A WEEK and it looked great for another two weeks. I was amazed. The problem is when it does start to peel the color won’t come off unless you soak your hands in nail polish remover for at least 15 minutes. I’m don’t like the smell of nail polish remover anyway, and the thought of SOAKING my hands in the stuff really makes me unhappy.
Here’s the manicure at 4 weeks of age:
Amazingly IT STILL HASN’T CHIPPED! Instead, it peeled from the cuticle up. Also, my nails had not torn, broken, peeled or snagged. The polish protected them from all harm. They were LONG. I’m one of those people who’s nails are always breaking. My new 1/8 inch long nails seem almost miraculous.
Back I went to the salon to have it removed and reapplied. In the end I think the benefits of having my nails looking great for three weeks outweigh the problem of removing the stuff. Because a gel nail polish is applied differently than regular polish I thought you might want to see the process, so I photographed it.
First the old polish is soaked in a special solution (that I believe is sold on Amazon) and then scraped off. (I forgot to get a photo, but after just a couple of minutes the old polish goes white and peels up.) Your cuticles are then trimmed and nails filed as usual. Because my nails have ridges they’re usually sanded down a bit. Mittens are pulled over your hands, (more on that later) and your nails are prepped with a special adhesive.
Next a base coat is applied. Between each layer you stick your hands in these ultraviolet cookers. You wear the mittens to keep the rays off your hands. This is probably the creepiest aspect of the whole process.
The polish has to be carefully mixed because it tends to separate. The second time around I chose a pale pearly sheer taupe called “Cosmo, not now honey” so the eventual peeling wouldn’t look so obvious.
The polish and top coat is applied as it would be normally. Your hands are massaged afterwards as the polish dries completely in the ray soaking devices. Here’s my new manicure, a few days after application. That was last week, and they still look great!
I’m not the only one of my friends who’s thoughts have turned to manicures and nail polish recently. If you haven’t seen it yet check out Beautifully Invisible’s “History of Nail Lacquer” and Grit and Glamour’s “Nail Polish: Faves, Tips and Tricks”.
What do you think of this? Have you or would you try “Axxium” soak-off gel lacquer?
63 Responses
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That is AMAZING. I can’t believe the tips still looked so perfect after 4 weeks of wear.
This is definitely something to look into for anyone who doesn’t mind wearing the same color for an extended period. I have a tendency to change mine more often than that, but this would be perfect for vacations and other times when I needed to be chip-proof!
The glove part does make me a bit leary – if they need to protect that part of my hand, what about my fingers?!
Beautifully Invisible recently posted..The Deal of the Century- Gucci Leather Cage Ankle Boots
Its totally addictive and is not dissimular really to having acrylic or fibre glass wraps on yr nails but a simpler more friendly process if your nails are basically strong to start with..looks fab and makes your hands feel amazing..been doing it for 19 yrs..just wait till you have a break from it, then you hide yr hands away…Lolyr nails look gorgeous and its totally worth the pampering every 3 weeks
Funny, I am about to get a manicure…. maybe I will try this!!!!
My nails are constantly breaking and I have to apply lotion several time a day or my cuticles crack (not fun!), so I am thinking this may help me out…
Alexis of NorthOnHarper recently posted..Wine Of The Week 34
I always keep my nails short: I make my own bread, so not much point; but I am going to get myself some OPI nail polish, as soon as I set my eyes on it.
Missing you
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Twitter: thestyleconfess
I didn’t know this stuff has been available for 19 years! It’s only been at my salon for about a year.
Twitter: gritandglamour
Hey sweets, thanks for the shout!
OK, so I had Axxium done last Halloween and loved it…great stuff (you I love OPI). My mani went three solid weeks with no chips, breaks, or flaws. I chose not to continue with gel color only because I don’t like the UV exposure and my wallet didn’t need the expense either. At the end of three weeks, the only evidence that it was an old mani was the growth at the cuticle.
Which brings me to this: Your mani should not have peeled at the cuticle. Now picking at it…that’s one thing. But it just coming up, there only, means the manicurist did not remove all residual moisture from cuticle oil or a hand massage before applying the product. Washing your hands isn’t enough; they should also go over your nails with alcohol to be sure there is no oil on the nail bed. Can you recall if they did that? If I were you, I’d find another salon, or insist that they go over your nails with alcohol as the final step before the product application begins.
I do like the fingerless gloves, however…that’s smart!
GRIT & GLAMOUR recently posted..WVW- The Jumpsuit Loving and Loathing
Twitter: annembray
no, that cooker thing looks scary.
(extra sensitive about medical looking devices these days)
I would want to know exactly what kind of rays one is being zapped with and how harmful they are.
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Twitter: thestyleconfess
In all honesty I kinda picked at the first mani (the hot pink one.) But the new one seems to be sticking better than the first. Thing is the second time I went first thing in the morning and I think the manicurist did a better job then when I went in the afternoon. Normally it doesn’t seem to matter, but small things can mess up something that needs to stick for 3 weeks! I’m pretty sure he applied alcohol to totally clean the nails, but I’ll double check next time.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Yeah the cookers kinda freak me out too. I’m thinking about my own gloves and just cutting out a spot for the nail.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
I can’t manage to change my nail polish unless I go to the salon – it just seems like there isn’t enough time in my day! The salon is a treat, so I make time for it once a week or so, but I doubt I’ll ever be able to take care of my own manicures. Sometimes I can throw some polish on my toes, but only if they can dry as I run errands!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
I’d love to hear what you think of it Alexis.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
My nails are usually really short – all the drawing and typing I do isn’t nail polish friendly.
I’ve been lurking on your blog I just need to leave a few comments!
How cool!
And pretty!
Love that Strawberry Margarita!
xoxox,
CC
I had never heard about gel nail polish! It sounds pretty good. The only down side, as you said, has to be the difficulty to remove it. Loved the Strawberry Margarita nail polish!
I don’t have any nails.. I am very anxious waiting for people on the street to photograph. hahahaha
lee x
Lee Oliveira recently posted..An Oversized bag
Thanks so much for the info, Heather! I’ve heard alot about the gels, lots of my friends are raving about them. But, got to be lots of serious chemicals to make the polish stay so long….and between the chemicals in my hair, I’ll probably start to glow in a few years….
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Hhmmm, this makes me want to try this again I’ve only done this once before but wow, 4 weeks?!!
I’m always a bit hesitant about going to just any manicurist for this special technique… so picky these days! Good post! -xo
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Thanks for this review Heather, I don’t have a clue on anything nail-related and have seriously misbehaving nails, chipping away constantly. My sister has introduced me to a better way of painting my nails and I have noticed a slight improvement but I was wondering what was the deal about the gel manis and your detailed documentation of the process is very useful. Loved the colours you went for by the way
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Twitter: thestyleconfess
My nails are kept super short for a reason – if I don’t they break and look horrible! But not anymore. They’re now almost 1/4″ long, haven’t broken or torn, and this time the polish hasn’t peeled at all. I’m really wowed. Let me know if you try it out.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Yeah, 4 weeks! I know, it’s amazing.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
You know there might be mega-chemicals, but they don’t smell bad at all. I’ve never tried wraps or tips or anything like that because the smell was so nasty I couldn’t believe they weren’t toxic. I’m not sure about this stuff, but it’s probably no worse than the nail polish we already use.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Can’t wait to see some more street style Lee!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
I had never heard of the gel polish before my first try with the stuff. The salon said they started offering it last summer, so it’s fairly new.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Thanks CC! I might have to get it again. It is a great color.
Twitter: theloudermouth
I’m a little creeped by the cooker, but besides that, this looks like a fab idea! Thanks for showing us the details of the whole process… great post
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wow, I’ve always wanted to know more about this! I’m really rough on my nails too and its hard for me to grow them out as a result. I think I’m going to try this!
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I have no idea why, but your nails after 4 weeks looked REALLY COOL! I really liked them
haha they’re unique
This is really interesting! How odd that you’re an artist and find it difficult to paint your nails, and I can’t draw a straight line yet manicuring isn’t too hard for me.
I’ve only seen gel nail *extensions* – so fake nails – and I haven’t liked them because they just look, well, fake. Your nails, however, look great! I’m not sure if I would do this but I am really happy you told us more about it!
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I became addicted to gels this year. Went from having manicures that chipped after two days to manicures that last two weeks! So fantastic.
WendyB recently posted..What Wendy Wore- Plus Thoughts on Bill Cunningham
I think gel nail polish is great! I have friends who get this or Chellac and love it, but I have a problem with keeping polish on my nails for more than a week. I love changing my polish weekly, and that’s the one thing keeping me from trying it! Your nails look very lovely; I’m glad you found something that works for you!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
If you’re interested PM me and I’ll send you the name of the place so you can try it too if you want! It does cost $15 more than the usual mani-pedi.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Let me know what you think if you try it!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
LOL! I felt like a mess with the weirdest chipped nails ever.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
You do such a nice job on your nails yourself I’m not sure you’d need to do something like this. I can paint my left hand, but my right hand ends up a big, ugly, mess. Plus I have kids at home and there never seems to be enough quiet time to sit and do my nails appropriately, which is why I have them done somewhere else. Having my nails done is a big treat for me!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Hi Wendy! Thanks for stopping by, and I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s addicted. I can’t wait to go again.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
To tell the truth I get a little bored of seeing the same color on my nails for more than a few days, but I’m starting to get used to it.
I love gel polish is the only thing that works for me. In order from them to not peel from the cuticle up is to make sure they don’t apply too close to the cuticle, otherwise it lifts. Mine don’t peel at all and it saves me money and time.
Veronica
Twitter: thestyleconfess
This time round the gel polish is sticking quite well. I think it’s been on for over two weeks at this point and they’re still perfect!
The last time I went for a mani the woman next to me was getting gel mani and she raaaaaaved about it! I’m so happy that you went into way more detail than she did.
I am kind of a lover of changing up my nails with fun mani’s but this would be great for vacation! How about toes?! Can you get this done on the little piggies?
I’ve been wanting to try the gel or even shellac nails.. but I don’t have loads of bills lying around, cause I know I would get hooked!
hehe
Thanks for sharing.. and making me want to get them more.
XO
Marissa
I’ve never had a gel manicure, but now I am intrigued!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
The place I go doesn’t offer the gel for the toes, but a pedicure will easily last me 3 or more weeks. Let me know if you try it!
Twitter: odetoawe
I love OPI but after doing the gel polish for a few months consecutively, my nails became quite thin and brittle underneath. It’s great, but I would suggest breaks after every two times or so to prevent damage to your nail.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Good to know! I’ll keep that in mind for the future.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Let me know if you try it out.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
I think I might be hooked!
Wow!!! what a nice Nail Polish. I’d love to hear what you think of it Alexis. Really fantastic blog. Thanks for sharing this post so much.
Ok, I’m actually so glad I just saw this and read your post! Opi invited me to try this when it first launched and I was too chicken because of the removal process and the chemicals. So, after reading your post I’m leaning a bit more toward it, but getting my nails done is my least favorite thing to do in the world–I don’t know what happened to the girl who had to have them done once a week–she disappeared 2 years ago and I haven’t seen her since. Are you still liking your second gel?
xo Mary Jo
Twitter: thestyleconfess
It’s actually less stinky, chemical wise, than a regular manicure! Try it out. I’d love to see what you think.
I’m at the point in this manicure when it must come off, and it must come off soon. The problem is I’ve been swamped with work. Not that that’s a bad problem to have! I’m happy about it, but the problem with the gel is I can’t get it off myself.
I was wondering about these! The ultraviolet rays will keep me away. Thanks for the info!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Yeah the ultraviolet rays are a little creepy. I’ve now had the gel polish three times in a row, and each time I’m amazed by the staying power of the product. The next time I’m just getting a regular polish, to give my nails, and my hands, a rest.
the rays are nothing more than UV.
it’s basically the same thing as going outside on a sunny day.
Twitter: PopularNews21
yes, a nail can be a very cute part of a woman
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I recently bought the do it yourself version of this and I love it. It lasts so long and stays shiny and chip free for about 2 weeks. I use Red Carpet Manicure from Ulta and my light is LED, and only covers the tips of my fingers. This stuff really can take some abuse. However, it does take me an hour and the removal is a bit tricky.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
I’ve seen the do-it-yourself versions on-line and was wondering if it looked OK. Sounds like it does! The lady at the nail salon told me you had to use pure acetone to remove the stuff though.
I had this done for the second time today, and my salon didn’t use gloves or mittens of any sort (not to mention, no hand massage~boo!!). I wonder if I should be worried about this?!?!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
I don’t know Tori. I think the UV cookers are rather light sunlight, but it does seem a bit creepy. The salon I usually go to is kind of expensive, so I think they try to do little things to make it seem like you’re getting more value for your money. I think the no hand massage would really make me sad. One of the main reasons I have my nails done is for the pampering!
But, got to be lots of serious chemicals to make the polish stay so long….and between the chemicals in my hair, I’ll probably start to glow in a few years…. It’s only been at my salon for about a year. Your nails, however, look great! I was wondering about these!
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Twitter: thestyleconfess
Hi Jenna, I’m glad you found the article informative. I’m not sure that the chemicals involved in gel nail polish are any more caustic than the ones in regular nail polish. It doesn’t smell any worse, and it does last a long time.
Hi. Just found this because I have been doing Shellac nails for about a year and was intrigued by another brand. I like Shellac but am getting tired of the same few colors to choose from. I was told by my manicurist that the lamps are similar to a tanning bed lamp so if I wanted to rub sunscreen into my hands before I left home it would soak into my skin and I wouldn’t need gloves and my whole hand, finger tips too, would be protected. I like not having to worry about my polish for a couple of weeks and usually get a light color. I can put a bright or dark color over my Shellac for an evening out and remove it with regular nail polish remover and my Shellac manicure still looks great. I was also searching for info because I heard from a friend that you can put the gel topcoat on over regular nail polish and it will last a really long time so I just wonder if it really works.
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Hi Camille thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I haven’t tried the Shellac nails only the OPI product, but like you I wasn’t excited about the color options so I sort of stopped having them done. Right now I’m experimenting with the old-fashioned “silk wrap” with regular polish. I have to say I’m really happy with the staying power of the polish over the silk wrap.
I don’t know anything about putting a gel topcoat over regular polish, I’ve only know what my manicurist has told me and what I’ve tried myself.
Thanks so much for this post. Really helpful to see exactly what happens. I read (somewhere) that you can dry the gel under non-UV lights, but it will take 2 mins, rather than 30 seconds. That’s something I’d gladly do. Have you heard about that?
Twitter: thestyleconfess
Hi Grace. Honestly I’ve only had the gel polish done professionally so I don’t really know how much the process can be changed. I know the UV lights are kind of freaky! I do know that OPI and other companies have updated the product, so maybe it can be done differently now.