I can probably count on one sausage-fingered paw how many times I’ve treated myself to a manicure, but when I do go get one, I’m always like, “Dayum gurl! Why you been making those pretty babies suffer so long?!” That is, until I leave the salon, walk down the block, fish around my purse for my phone, and fuck it all up. Or, manage to salvage the beauty until I get to work, where it’s ruined after washing countless cocktail glasses. Such a waste. Which is why I tend to paint these puppies at home for free, usually when I’m sad about something. I don’t know, it’s therapeutic, leave me alone.
ANYWAY. I decided to try this gel manicure I’ve been hearing about cause apparently it lasts for weeks without chipping and frankly, I felt like pampering myself. And pamper myself I did…cause at $45, this was by far the most I’ve ever spent on some goddamn fingernails. I wanted to be sure I wouldn’t be walking out with some 8th grade status stick-on looking claws, so I did a little research before going and found out that a gel manicure is simply a gel that’s applied to the nail and cured under an ultraviolet light. It doesn’t contain the same acid as acrylic, so it won’t damage my nails. Additionally, a gel manicure tends to look more realistic, as the gel nails are more flexible and bond naturally to the real nail. The only downer, for me, is that I have to go get them soaked or filed off… which is annoying for someone who goes to a nail salon like, three times a year, but whatever, I’ll deal with it when the time comes. Fine, good, sign me up.
The salon I went to used OPI Axxium Gel. They applied one coat of clear gel, then my hands went under the light for about 3 minutes. Then they applied the first coat of color, then back under the light. I realized the pink I chose was way too sheer so I asked them to apply a darker shade for the second coat, which they did. Then I asked for a second coat of that second color, cause I’m a pain in the ass. The end result I lovingly refer to as “grandma pink.” I don’t hate it… just probably should have gone with the navy.
The whole manicure process took about 40 minutes. My nails look natural, but they are ridiculously shiny and smooth. I keep rubbing them cause they feel so perfect. I’ve already worked two shifts since getting them and there’s no chippage yet, which is a good sign. I’m kinda excited to see if they really hold up.
My only real suggestion to those who want to try this is to ask your technician about the colors; which are pretty sheer, which aren’t, etc… cause if you’re not thrilled with the color you chose, you can’t really go back and change it like with regular polish.
As for me, I can’t say I’d do it again. There was nothing unpleasant about it, I just don’t think dropping $45 for this kind of thing is really my style. Also, the colors are pretty neutral, and I’m sorta going through a… louder phase. Also, I like to change my nails pretty often. Like even every couple of days sometimes. Like I said… therapy. I think if nails are real important to you and something you get done professionally pretty often, this is right up your alley. If you’re someone like me who sorta just plops on the couch one day and digs through your 10 year old nail polish selection and tosses some shit on there and calls it a day, maybe not so much.
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I never get manicures or paint my own nails because I hate the look of chipped polish that inevitably occurs within 24 hours. I can’t wait to try this out! Do you have to pay for the soaking or filing off? Please give us an update on how they hold up…
Hi – so glad you did a spot on gel nails. I too tried them out after hearing many positive things. Getting them on was fine. I totally agree with you about the color selection, wish there was more. But I do have to say getting them off kinda sucked. It took about 45 mins and there is some residue left on my nail. They are not damaged, but they are not the same. The 1st coat if gel didn’t come off. And I had to pay 10 to have them soaked off. Don’t know if it’s that everywhere, but my place they charge you for a reg manicure. So with the inital application, tip, removal and tip it was expensive. And I only had them on for 10 days. Not for me, nor would I recommend. For the time and $ involved a regular manicure is far better.