Months ago I talked on the social sphere (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) about getting a couple of OPI Axxium soak-off gel manicures. After reviewing the pros & cons of Axxium versus Shellac (by CND), I had chosen Axxium because I thought it lasted longer, was thicker & thus better for my nails, and came in more colors.
Boy, oh boy, was I wrong. About three weeks ago I decided to visit a chic new day spa & nail salon that opened up on Kirby Drive here in Houston. I was enticed by the gorgeous interior, the no-fume policy, and the fact that it is full-service. I noticed they did Shellac, so I thought, “Why not?”
Three weeks later, I’m a complete Shellac convert. Not only does Shellac come in more more fun (IMO) colors than Axxium, it’s thinner*, cheaper (at least in my area), faster, shinier, and lasts longer. *Why would I want it to be thinner, you ask? Well, it turns out that the thicker your Axxium manicure is, the less stable it is – something I learned firsthand when the hardened gel would start to separate from my nail after about a week or so.
I will tell you the only reasons why you should not get a Shellac (or any long wearing manicure, for that matter, including Axxium):
- if you are impatient or otherwise indecisive about nail color & change it more than once a week
- if you have problem nails such as fungus, pitting, spooning (not the romantic kind), or other nail conditions
- if you actually like the look of chipped nails (um, heroin-chic? hate that word.)
- if you’re on a budget (but I will say that I spend more on bottles of barely-used nail polish than I did on this $35 manicure)
I decided to document my first Shellac manicure’s progress, so I was sure to take a photo on the day that I went for a another manicure to show you the difference. The above first photo was how it looked right when I got back in the car from the salon. And below, after nearly 3 weeks of continuous, hard-on-my-nails, wear:
Okay, so the cuticles are a little yucky. Hey, mine have been a lot worse in the past–just trust me on that one.
The main thing you’ll notice is how shiny they still are, with no chips–and the only thing that makes you come back into the salon is the unsightly nail growth. I chose a classic red (Wildfire) first because red polish always, without fail chips on me in less than 24 hours. Always. Not black, not purple…red. I felt like this broke the curse!
Then I happily went for my favorite shade: a pale beigey pink (Romantique) – similar Axxium or OPI color would be Bubble Bath.
Have you ever tried a long-wear manicure like Shellac or Axxium? Love to hear your thoughts (and favorite Shellac colors)! Oh, and test out the tweet button — I think you’ll like the link shortener I’m now using instead of bit.ly (which, let’s be honest, is such a dull domain!). ;) Use the tweet button (it should but right ^^ up there somewhere on your screen) to see what I mean!
I updated my thoughts on Shellac one year later, click here to read.
P.S. – this is not a sponsored review and is just an honest opinion. I am not affiliated in any way with the brands or products mentioned in this post. I just write what I want!
Hey everyone! Welcome to my style & beauty blog. I'm kind of, teeny-tiny, slightly, crazily, obsessed with anything sparkly. I'm also obsessed with makeup. Are we in the circle of trust right now? Because if we are, I'd tell you that I use this blog as rationalization for spending way too much money on both of these things.
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I had my first shellac manicure recently and LOVED how shiny it was and the fact that you can walk out of the salon and not worry about being careful because it has set straight away. In saying that it didn’t last as long on me as the reports I have heard, after about 4 days it was starting to come away from my nail, but not sure if that is the salon I went to or just the nature of my nails.
It was so good to see that my nails underneath weren’t at all damaged by the shellac so I would definitely do it again for a special occasion! I can’t remember the name of the colour but I got a bright red/orange and loved it.
Loved CND. Used it for a year THEN the problems started. If I did my nails tonight , my fingers would itch for days. I mean itch like you nerver itched.. Can’t sleep, can’t do anything but scratch!, I’ve bought the whole system. Will throw it away . Be careful
Omg Is this because you have formed an allergy to the CND polish? I am new to shellac and have just bought my uv lamp & I’m about to buy the rest of the products I will need. Any chance you would be interested in selling yours instead of tossing it? :) Also, does anyone know if I can use a regular color coat and uv over & under? I have so many nail polishes- I hate that they will all be wasted when I begin using CND shellac only. Thanks!
See if you can find the Good Housekeeping article on shellac nails.. Scary!!
I hope they correct the formula ( take out the carcinogen ). I really want them to get it right.
I did read early that you could use regular polish with base and top coat.
If you do continue to use the product, when you get ready to remove color, just start peeling at cuticle. It comes off quite easily and no acetone
I have been getting shellac manicures for 9 months at a nail salon. About a month ago the problem started. Just like you my fingers would itch for days. The itch would be around the nail bed. About a week or so after the manicure the skin around some of my nails was bubbling and then it would peel. It looks like I have become allergic to this product. For the days that I experienced this itch I would take antihistamines. I would also keep rubbing hand cream on that contained aloe. I was beside myself with this itch. It helped a bit but not entirely. It looks like I’ll have to do something else.
Thanks for this post Kristina! I tried OPI Axxium once during summer before a vacation because there was a groupon for it. I loved it, up until its removal. I didn’t want to pay the $25+ to get it removed (it’s insanely expensive in Canada- to get an application is about $60) so a friend brought me some shellac remover..which proved to be awful and ruined my nails for weeks. That being said, it was my fault and I would definitely go for these manicures regularly if they weren’t so crazily priced – I love how shiny they are and us girls that type so much need the worry free durability. I’m very curious about Shellac and would definitely try it if the opportunity arose and it was priced right!
Hope you’re having a great week and Merry Christmas in advance!
xox
Jen
FYI: OPI is coming out with a new line, not sure if they are retiring Axium or not but its called GelColor. It’ll be available in salons ONLY at this point. I used to go get my nails Shellac’d. Its a very good product but didn’t work for my wimpy nails. I ended up investing in Gelish and learning how to do it myself. Love the product! I watched alot of YouTube videos to get idea’s and hints. FingerNailfixer is wonderful. She uses Shellac and I just amend it for Gelish. She shows how to glitterize, foil and all kinds of wonderful things to make nails fun.
As to your issue with the damage to your nails…there are a few easy things to do that will make your nails good as new in no time. CND makes a product called Solar Oil. It’s a blend of almond, jojoba, and rice oils. Use this 2-3 times a day and you will notice a huge improvement. It can and should be used over your nail polish/gel. I personally use straight jojoba oil and am thrilled with the improvements to my skin and nails.
Hope you get a chance to treat yourself soon!
Erica
I love Shellac and Gelish manicures! I’ve been getting them regularly since this last spring. They last just under 2 weeks for me because my nails grow insanely fast (I take Biotin supplements, could be why) but otherwise, they are amazing. The salon I go to here in California only charges $17!!! I also soak them off myself, not that my lady charges (she’s just awesome like that.) but I hate sitting there for 15 minutes in the salon with my fingers in the bowl. I pour straight acetone into a glass bowl at home and wa-lah, they come right off.
I’ve tried every color under the sun now. The Romantique was one of the only colors I didn’t like. It chipped on me and it cracked actually. Despite how fast my nails grow, they are very thin, so they are pliable even with the Shellac on. I think this caused the Shellac to have fine cracks in it. Other lighter colors in the Gelish sorta “bleached out” on me, like the color “Go Girl” (an awesome bubblegum pink) but I also have tried Reds, Hot Pinks, Blacks and Berries, my most recent one was called Midnight Caller by Nail Harmony Gelish and it was a titanium grey with a slight frost. It was beautiful.
Hello! May i suggest an easier removal technique for your Shellac manicure. You need Aluminum Foil, Cotton balls, and 100% Acetone. Take 5 fluffy cotton balls and pull them into two parts. Put Acetone on your cotton balls making sure they are wet but not overly saturated. Wrap each finger with the cotton ball placed on your nail bed and wrap a square piece of aluminum foil around your finger. let it sit for 5-10 min, and your done. you may need an orange wood stick to help remove some of the stubborn gel. This way, your not confined to a glass bowl and can move about, making the 5-10 min go by faster!
That nude pink looks absolutely STUNNING on you!
XX Kathryn
http://lacoquettedumode.wordpress.com/
Thanks for doing this post, I’ve been thinking about getting a shellac manicure and I do believe you’ve convinced me to finally do it! :)
I just had my first shellac manicure today and am absolutely loving it. It’s like this post was meant to be! Thanks for your honest opinion. I believe that these are the best to give especially when it comes to our fashionable lives. Your nails look great, too. I chose a natural french. I know boring but it’s me. LOVE your blog!
I had a gelish manicure done once and i was in love.Hubby bought me all the supplies to do it myself from ebay and amazon..I checked at sally beauty supply here in Canada and it was ridiculous what they were charging for the tiny bottles.I love that it adds strength to my nails without the damage of acrylic.
As for removal its just a pad soaked in acetone based polish remover ,wrap each finger in foil and wait for it to work.Personally i like a french manicure and after doing it twice id say it looks pretty good lol.Id love to try the pale beigey pink next :0
Love the dark colors. Fedora is my favorite. Asphalt is a dark grey and is fun for winter. Rock royalty is a dark purple – my 3rd choice. Wish they made a shimmery burnt orange or a dark shimmery blue.
I think they do make those colors. Shellac is great for color layering. You’d be amazed at what you can create. (You can check out CND’s Shellac page and scroll thru the colors. Also go to YouTube and watch Fingernailfixer’s video’s. She is amazing!) They have a color called Purple Purple. Its very pretty. They also have a color called Zillionaire. It can be put on top of any color and it brings the bling to it! A lovely bit of sparkle!
Hope this helps,
Erica
I’ve tried both and I have to agree with your assessment. I am an OPI devotee, but Shellac is MUCH better for a gel manicure option. Great post!
I actually bought a use-at-home gel lacquer for my nails and I’ve tried it once this far and love the results! It’s like Shellac, but it’s clear and you can use any normal nail polish in desired colours underneath, and it stays on for two weeks! I’m wearing a nearly black OPI polish under it and it’s stayed perfect for five days already. It’s Rio 14 days clear polish, and comes with that hardening light to use at home.
i loved it but then i hated it when i wanted to take it off without going to a salon. insert last year i didn’t have a job… so lots of soaking in acetone and lots of dry dry dry fingers. i think if i could have afforded to get it professionally removed, i’d be singing a different tune!
I have been reading about Shellac and now cannot wait to get one done! I am also looking at the Seacret Oil you show above…your nails look FABULOUS!!
I got mine done in Denver, loved it… until I went to a salon to remove it. My nails have been ruined for weeks. :( I am staying away.
I just got a Gelish manicure for the first time last Thursday, so it has only been about 5 days. They still look just as perfect as they did when I walked out of the salon! I went for a red with sparkle (I believe the color is called ‘Good Gossip’) for the holidays. If it holds up for the 2 two 3 weeks or so and the removal goes well, I will definitely go back for it! I type A LOT at work, and my manicures chip every single time within a day or two, so it’s pretty much a waste, but I love having polished nails! I’m hoping this is what I have been looking for. Thanks so much for your review!
Maybe it’s just me but my Shellac mani didn’t even last a week. I was really sad. Especially after forking over $35 +tip for a 5 day mani. Personally I would just go the UV Calgel route. If you just get a clear or nude solid color it’s about 40-50 dollars. You can paint over the polish with any normal color and it comes off with non acetone polish remover, and doesn’t hurt the gel. When I had a Calgel mani it lasted 3 months. And looked great the whole time!
<3
Aly @ http://www.therosealley.com
I had the same problem. I loved the way my nails looked but at 5 days I had three nails that had started to peel away. I went back to the salon and had them redone. I’m now at 10 days and all 10 nails (including the three that were redone) are chipped/peeled and look terrible. And I’m finding that just getting the remaining polish removed is going to cost $10-15. I don’t think I’ll do this again. I was very disappointed. :(
I do my own and have found through trial and error that you must get rid of the true cuticle first ,then clean the nail plate with a swab of pure acetone.The trick is to do thin coats.My last lot lasted 14 days.This is the strongest my nails have been in years and Iuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurve it !
What is the Calgel manicure? I got the Shellac Pedi (color was the Sea Green and it’s so beautiful..not the original name just color) one week ago & it still looks awesome & the Shellac mani yesterday. So far both are doing great but the price at the Salon is so expensive. I wish I could buy my own system but am not a beautician. But I would like to know what the Calgel manicure is if you don’t mind, Aly. Thanks for any tips. And to all these other comments I thank you, too. I was first looking to see how to take care of my Shellac manicure and have learned a lot from all these comments.
I love Shellac! Around me there is a salon that does it for 25$ so it’s even cheaper! I personally usually get Romantique also because it is nude and beautiful, but when I’m feeling fun I get the dark purple color – I think it’s called Rockstar or something.
i personally use Shellac–haven’t done my own experience to compare how the two wear, but i think this is great. and i LOVEEEE the neutral pink in the last pic. looks so great and sets off your GUH-orgeous ring so well!!
The salon I go to get my gel manicures has colors from many companies and I love that about them. It’s great to have that variety in colors! Their newest brand is Gelish. They have great sparkly or glittery colors when you’re feeling festive!
thank you for your honest opinion…I have often considered…
I’ve always wanted to try a Shellac manicure but I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, so thank you for the very comprehensive review! I love the two colors you chose, both look smashing on you! :)
I just did a review on my blog and a few days later my mani started peeling on the edges. I have teeny tiny nail beds so I am not sure if that is the problem. I LOVE OPI, but Axxium was too thick. The mani I just had was Gelish and that is what started perling :(. I want to wear polish to show off my engagement ring, but without the hassle.
This is awesome. My nail polish always chips. This makes me want to go try this out now! I love the second color…it’s so pretty :)
I’ve been getting french shellac manicures for the past four months and LOVE it. When it grows out, you hardly notice because of the lovely natural color of the manicure, and if you get the white part painted on fairly thick, you can file it down as your nails grow out and it will last a full month with hardly anyone noticing! Going in tomorrow to get a nice dark wine red shellac put on my really short nails! Love the look.
I also usually get the shellac french nails for the same reason. I can get a good 3 weeks out of it and you don’t really notice the outgrowth as with dark colors and I love being able to actually walk out of the salon without already ruining my mani. I was wondering if anyone else has had problems with white spots on their nails. At first I thought it could be from when they scrape the shellac off. What I found on-line about that is the acetone used to remove the shellac can damage the nail surface and there has also been warnings about putting your hands under the light curer as it is akin to a tanning booth. I decided to give my nails a rest from the shellac this last time and got a regular mani with OPI. It was only $5 cheaper and less than 2 days later the color on my nails has already started to chip/peel. Also, some of my nails seem to be very thin which has not been an issue in the past before I started getting manis. I will definitely go back to the shellac, although I am concerned about long term usage.
I just did my first gel polish (I did the OPI brand in a taupe-y color, don’t remember the actual name) a little over week ago. I get the appeal, but I have a couple of problems. First, my nails grow like weeds, so mine have the crazy growth already, and I can’t stand it. Also, I’m a picker (ew, I know, don’t judge me) and when a little corner came up on my pinky, I couldn’t leave it alone and now have a super jacked up, naked nail. That’s more my fault than the gel polish, but there you go. All that being said, I’m glad I did it for my vacation so I had nice nails for a week, and I would do it again in that circumstance.
I am your gel sister! Romantique is my FAVE!!! My only issue is it always picks up on the sides somewhere between day 7-10. I HATE that. But I keep going back because I LOVE the shine. I think I’m additcted
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