Gel Nails cont…

Not so long ago I wrote my controversial Shellac post where I stated how much I loved the concept of having long lasting polished nails but found the removal process frustrating.

Turns out that Shellac isn’t the first or the only Gel/Varnish hybrid on the market. Good old OPI has been doing their version – Axxium – for a good year or so now with the added benefit of having much cooler colours.

Did you devote your nails to Cajun Shrimp over summer? Well… get it in the Axxium version and it will last longer, won’t chip and will remain shiney. Are you a big fan of Lincoln Park after Dark? Get it in Axxium. How about You Don’t know Jacques? (the OPI version of Chanel’s Particuliere). I’m sporting it on my nails.

Axxium is painted on with a brush – the first coat is the gel base and is treated under a UV light, then two coats of varnish (the special gel version), zapped under UV light and then a top coat. Just like Shellac you can walk away without worrying about damaging the paint job – instantly. You can fish about for keys, ding them against the car door, put on your seat belt and fiddle with your belt/strap/earring etc. The cool thing about gel is that it is virtually indestructable.

Some say that Axxium is not good for your natural nails – the process of removing can be damaging. As it’s only day One of this wonderful treatment (i’m lovingly gazing at them while I tap about on the keyboard), I am yet to see if this is the case or not. But for now I’m just thrilled to have long lasting nail varnish on my nails again!

Have you tried it?

I went to Nails on Richmond – if you’re keen to give it a go, enter the competition for a free Axxium manicure!

Tamsin xo