Let me confess that I’ve been eager to try this no chip gel mani and pedi using OPI’s Axxium Soak-Off Nail Lacquers and recently one email in my inbox caught my eye.
Allure Magazine had named this product as a beauty breakthrough (like the Smashbox Primer and other staples that I love) so I figured I really need to investigate Axxium, though I knew I was late to the OPI tea party.
These are some images from Posh Nail Spa in Dallas, TX (which obviously, I haven’t been to) but the nails look flawless I had to blog about it. The way the Axxium Gel Soak-Off Gel Lacquer system works is essentially the same system as any other manicure, but you have to soak off the color to remove it.
The system consists of a soak-off gel base, a soak-off gel sealer, and a soak-off gel lacquers in 26 shades. It typically retails for anywhere from $40-$50.
These manis typically last 2-3 weeks without chipping, which, in the interest of pure unadulterated value and the anti nail-chip movement (remember that article from the New York Times last year about how chipped nails were in vogue? Eeek!), I totally adore.
The nail lacquer is UV cured for no chip, long lasting than an everlasting gobstopper results, and actually strengthens nails.
Pretty pics, huh? I’m going to get my nails done soon in NYC so stay tuned to find out if that 2-3 week claim really holds water. These pictures came courtesy of the Posh Nail Spa in Dallas.
3501 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204-4517
(214) 219-7674
Have you tried the OPI Axxium Soak-Off Gel Mani or Pedi? Tell us your thoughts. We’re dying to know!
From Kate:
The Axxium Gels are great – but if you get any of the darker colors, you may need three coats, depending on the manicurist you get. Depends on how much gel they apply with each coat. I tried ‘Bastille My Heart’ once, and two coats was not its true color.
Also be aware that its not easy to remove at all. That’s the only downside of the Axxium. I wouldn’t advise doing it yourself because you could end up damaging your nails. It will cost around $10 depending on where you go to get them soaked off.
But these are great – they make your nails seem stronger, and they won’t break easily. You can do things that would have broken your natural nails before, with no worries about breaking your nails.
From Suzanne:
I just got home from getting one of these manicures. I got the color strawberry margherita or something and i absolutely hate it. The color looked to be a hot pink on the box and it is a see through pink and its completely ugly. Any recomendations of what color to get? and can i paint a layer of pink over it?
From Tia P:
I have gotten this manicure at least 3 times and I’m hooked! I wash my hands constantly and the traditional manicure would not last past the second day. So far I have had a french mani and clear twice. It’s natural and beautilful, very elegant. Keep in mind I usually just get my nails buffed. But I get alot of compliments.
Now that I have found the perfect manicurist, I am relocating to the Dallas area. Can anyone help me find a opi axxium gel soak off professional in the North Dallas area?
This is not an easy web search.
Thanks
From C:
Love this mani, my nails are healthy and strong. this mani does not damage your nails
From Val:
Suzanne!!
The color isn't meant to be see through, I think your manicurist missed a layer of color, OPI recommends 3 layer, first 2 layers that need to be cured then a final layer.
Hoe this helps
Val
From Margie:
Great Stuff!!!
I have gotten the chipless mani in a red shade and it has been great! I got it on December 16th and I did end up chipping it on my thumb slightly after about a week of normal wear. I did however install a thermostat and upper radiator hose on my car which is no easy fate and it didnt even phase the manicure, I used brake clean and battery terminal cleaner and paint and other misc. items to finish the reapair and nothing hurt it. Concerned…lol a little you have to wonder what your dipping your hands into to get this stuff off. I will be getting another one soon.
From Bernadette:
Before getting a 2nd gel mani, does the first one have to be soaked off each time getting a new mani or can you do a second mani over the last one?
From Ashley:
I've gotten the OPI Axxium mani at least 12 times and I love it,it lasts me at least 2 weeks and I was a nurse working in a doctors office and washed my hands constantly! I have gotten tons of different colors such as a regular french mani as well as italian love affair,cosmo not tonight honey,show stopper(the burlseque series),bagota blackberry,pompei purple,passion,bubble bath,hawaiian orchid ,aphrodites pink nightie and etc. its not hard to remove your self if you use the foil/cotton/acetone method. You just buff/file off the shine then cut a cotton pad soak it in acetone place it over the nail and wrap with foil ,leave it on for at least 20 to 30 mins then remove and take a orange wood stick or cuticle pusher and gently push the product off the nail but dont force it off, if you have trouble removing it just repeat the process of placing a soaked pad on the nail with foil and leave it on for another 15mins and the product should come off easily. You should never really scrap it off the nail and if you have a little bit of the remaining base gel left you can lightly buff it off with a super fine buffer block. To Suzanne I think you got a tech that either didn't apply it right or didn't apply the right color(usually because the wrong cap or color was placed on the box/bottle by the last person that used it.) The tech should have applied one coat of the clear gel base coast then cured you,then 2 coats at least of the color and cured you between each coat and then done a third if needed and then applied the sealer and cured you again. You can paint over the OPI Axxium colors which I love you just need to make sure you use a base coast first and then apply your polish. To answer Bernadettes question yes if you get a proper nail tech who does it the right way you have to remove the old manicure even if you still want the same color, also the nail tech should not be taking an electric file to your natural nails at all in this process.