OPI Gel Manicure

[Cinerbelle]

Has anyone had an OPI Gel Manicure? I took off my acrylic nails, but they are super thin and peeling that they HURT and snag on everything. I was researching this OPI Gel Manicure that is supposed to be like a reg. manicure that doesn't hurt your nails, but the nail polish is curred under a UV light and the manicure is supposed to stay nice for 2-3 weeks without chips.

Anyone with any insight into this manicure would be appreciated!! I would love to be able to grow out my reg. nails without resorting back to acrylics due to the snagging, etc. I have tried soooo many times to take my nails off before and always go back.

 

[DLB]

I have had this polish and it really does stay for 2 weeks. You do get re-growth lines (like artifical nails), When I had it done they were tacky for the first day, yet they did not smudge? It was strange, but I am not sure if this is normal. The place was using a gel light that did not go with the product and we think it didn't cure correctly?

I would think thus would be a good transition from artificial nails, it will help protect them until they are stronger, you will get the longer polish wear. I say try it and see how you like it.

 

[Sammy]

My co-worker got one of these when she was in a wedding about 6 weeks. ago. She liked it so much, she has gone back twice since then to keep it up. It really does last two weeks and it looks great. My nails break easily and I'm thinking of getting one to protect them so they can grow out a little.

 

[MErnst]

Last year I tried to transition from acrylic back to my natural nails which were very thin and in bad shape. I tried the OPI gel for several months and it didn't quite last me 2 weeks as it started to peel. I'm not sure if it was because my nails were too thin (they were like razors) or if it was put on too thick but it did help for a short period of time. After 4 months or so I gave in and went back to acrylic. The part that most difficult was the soak off. If it didn't soak off easily, then the gel had to be scraped off and since my nails were thin, it didn't always feel too good. I was a bit disappointed in the lack of color selection and always picked the same 2 colors....Lincoln Park after dark and I'm not really a waitress!

Give it a try even if it doesn't last 2-3 weeks, it may help you with the transition back to natural. Good luck!

 

[ZachnElli]

I don't know about the gel, but I love shellac! It goes on like regular polish but lasts 2 weeks. It also dries under the UV. I've been doing it since summer and it's never peeled or chipped yet. I soak my fingers for about 5 mins in acetone and they scrape it off and put on the new. Ijust got French tips done. I really love it!

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

I tried it and they looked fantastic for the first week. By the middle of the second week my nails started yellowing. Once removed, my nails were extremely dry and brittle. I would only do it again for a special occasion.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I don't know what this is (never have had a manicure) but I had to read cause OPI Nail Envy is my one and only indulgence for myself. Without it my nails peel and break but with it... they are beautiful and strong!

 

[woodkins]

I did not like the OPI Axxium gel manicure. I much prefer the Gelish or CND Shellac manicure. Both lasted well over 2 weeks-would have lasted 3 if my nails would grow slower! No damage to the natural nails at all.

 

[crz4mm2]

I had an OPI pedicure MONTHS ago.... The polish did not smear or smudge (put on sock and shoes RIGHT afterwards) but I did not go back to the same place. Next pedicure I had done, the tech could NOT get the polish off... Ended up using a grinder to get it off.
WOn't be doing it again.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I have natural nails. My nail tech has this product line. It costs about the same as a gel fill, $40-$45. She claims it is a time consuming process and the removal of the polish is not easy. If soaking the polish off doesn't work, she then has to file it off. On natural nails she would only do it for a special occassion.