OPI to the Rescue!

OPI to the Rescue!

September 17th, 2010 @ 10:40 am by Mrs. Zebra
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Sissy got married in July! Let’s all join in on a congratulating chorus. OK, stop. Did a cat just die? I kid, I kid. The day before the wedding, the bridal party and close family went to get manicures and pedicures in preparation. I have always had exceptionally long and strong nails due to my childhood spent in front of a plate of steak and potatoes. I was just going to go with a typical, non-fancy-pants manicure and hope it wouldn’t chip before the wedding, until I saw this product…

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OPI Axxium is, in my very non-professional opinion, pretty frickin’ awesome. I don’t like acrylic nails because of said strong nails and the way they feel after inevitably biting the suckers off. Also, I cannot lie to you: I have worried about this for the big day on more than one occasion. My hands will be taking their 15 minutes, and I don’t want to worry about chipped nail polish. I’m wicked excited that I no longer have to worry.

It has been four days since the gel polish was finished, and it looks exactly the same. Gma (Zeb’s Maternal Grandmother) has them done every few weeks and told me that they usually last around three weeks and when they are ready, they just peel right off. My only complaint is that they are slightly thicker than what I prefer, but I bet any money that can be remedied with a little conversation with the nail tech. There are no foul smells or acrylic dust, and they are finished in about a half hour. Please make sure, however, to get them professionally done.

OPI to the Rescue! : wedding beauty providence Img 049

You can read more here.

Update: OK, I wouldn’t exactly say they peeled off. I had to scratch them off. They left my nails brittle, but only on the tips. So, while not completely destroying my nails, they did damage them. They lasted for two weeks. Sissy peeled hers off on the plane after her honeymoon. I think hers lasted closer to three weeks.

For the Zebra wedding, I believe I might rock the au natural nails. For another opinion, see Pengy’s recent post.

Tags: beauty, providence |

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12 Responses to “OPI to the Rescue!”

Guest

kandaceandjason

Any idea how to find a salon in my area that does this? I’m a lifetime nail biter and would love to stop!

9/17/10 @ 10:59 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Meerkat (message) 3,216 posts, Sugar bee

I think the thickness isn’t something that can fix. My sister uses this and loves it but it always has a thicker look to it.

9/17/10 @ 11:31 am (reply)

Member

BrooklynBride10 (message) 746 posts, Busy bee

I get them done every 3 weeks, and I love it! Mine aren’t that thick. I’d recommend not peeling them off though. I get mine removed at the salon, and they soak cotton balls in nail polish remover, wrap the cotton ball around each of my nails, and hold the cotton ball in place for a few minutes by wrapping each finger in tin foil. Then the gel comes right off with minimal damage to my nails.

9/17/10 @ 11:43 am (reply)

Member

jordynrose (message) 6,351 posts, Bee Keeper

I am tempted to try this despite the brittle nail side effect since I always chip my nails within seconds of them drying.

9/17/10 @ 12:21 pm (reply)

Member

chrispygal (message) 1,113 posts, Bumble bee

I’ve used both the OPI and Shellac, and I prefer Shellac. I agree if you peel the polish off it can peel some of your nail off, but if you let the salon remove them (by soaking in a special purple liquid and NOT acetone), then there is minimal damage to the nails. I find two weeks is about as long as I can go without peeling. I work in Prov by the way, so if you need a place to go, let me know. I go downtown and she does awesome work! You can even just get clear or a sheer pink. That is my personal favorite.

9/17/10 @ 12:38 pm (reply)

Member

Swiss Miss to Bee (message) 1,004 posts, Bumble bee

I got them done last week for my bach. weekend, and I had Shellac. I don’t think you’re supposed to peel it off though! I heard you have to have it proffesionally soaked off. I’ll prob. go again the week before my wedding to have my wedding day nails done! It costs a little more but imo it’s worth it!

9/17/10 @ 1:43 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Zebra (message) 1,044 posts, Bumble bee

Peeling it was free and I’m cheap

9/17/10 @ 6:54 pm (reply)

Guest

Yoyo

@kandaceandjason: go to opi.com and click on “where to buy”, then put in your zip code and hopefully there is one that does “Axxium Soak-off Gel” in your area. Good Luck!

9/17/10 @ 10:27 pm (reply)

Guest

Janine

Thanks so much for the link, Miss Z!

Four things:

1) To find an Axxium salon in your area, email OPI via this link: http://www.opi.net.au/form.shtml

2) Damage is easily avoided via proper salon removal. Peeling it may be free — *grin* — but borked nails as a result take time to recover.

3) I’ve tried Shellac as well as Axxium. My naturally peely nails prefer Axxium, which seems stronger and more likely to chip rather than lift and peel off. Shellac peeled off my nails, taking layers of nail with it. Nails now in recovery — had to cover with Axxium to prevent them from getting worse.

4) I asked my most excellent nail expert to reduce the layers of gel. I have one layer of base coat gel, one layer of colour and one layer of top coat. The finish is no thicker than nail polish and lasts me three weeks. Genius!

Thanks again for the link!

9/18/10 @ 1:18 am (reply)

10.

Member

photographernico (message) 527 posts, Busy bee

Intringuing. Will have to check this out. My DIY polish usually chips the next day. I did buy the Essie quick-dry finisher so at least I avoid smudging it.

9/18/10 @ 1:56 pm (reply)

11.

Member

BelaBBear (message) 85 posts, Worker bee

I personally prefer straight-up clear gel with a regular nail polish coat to the colored gel. My nail tech does, too — it lasts a lot longer! Though I guess if you’re just going to do it for the wedding and not continue, you wouldn’t need it to stay for longer than two weeks … Just figured I’d put that out there. =) In my opinion, gel is more natural-looking and less damaging than acrylic. Could be worth trying?? They do NOT peel off.

9/19/10 @ 9:09 pm (reply)

12.