Question for the PS nail afficianados

[Gayletmom]

I didn't want to thread jack but I have a couple of nail questions that Amethyste and others might be able to answer. I've done my own manicures for years b/c I just can't stand to pay $ and have my nails chip after two days. I do my pedis sometimes too but I recently reconnected with an excellent manicurist from my past who is back in town. I went to have my toes done and she told me about the Axxium soak off system that sounds similar to the Shellac process someone else mentioned.

I tried it out and I loved the way my manicure lasted. It looked great for about 8-10 days and still decent until I hit the two week mark. I had it removed yesterday and when I asked her about reapplication she said it was best to not keep it on all the time. What's the deal with that?

Having my nails look great for a couple of weeks made me realize how much I like having a polished, pretty nails. If I want to do my own regular manicure at home sometimes, do you have any tips? I wear my nails relatively short and almost always use gloves when I clean or do dishes but they still chip like crazy. I do use my hands throughout the day-on the computer, doing laundry, etc.-nothing unusual but I stay busy. My manicurist likes the Jessica polish for durability so I'm thinking about picking up one of their polishes and a topcoat. Btw, my nails are somewhat thin but they grow fast. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Amethyste]

Axxium is a soak off gel - applied with a brush. More on the Gel family than the Gel/polish hybrids out there.
You could try to call several salons to see if they offer the Shellac or Gelish. I have both lines at my home and I interchange between the 2 cause both put together have more color choices. I do not like Axxium much - I'd rather do true gels then if I am going to bother with this line and do the the process as I would with the Gels.

I totally disagree with the "it's better to not keep it on all the time". You CAN have your nails on all the time. The trick is to find a GOOD nail tech that will not destroy your nail beds while applying/removing/filing required to perform the service you paid for.
I have been taking care of my clients for close to 10 years and if I removed their nails, they wouldn't be trashed.

Would you stop coloring your hair? Most women that color their hair either trust themselves to do it right or a stylist that has proven to them that they can be trusted while in their care. Same thing applies for nails.

 

[radiantquest]

I got the Axxiums done and I like them. The newer stuff hasnt hit my area yet. We just got these. I am amazed by them. I cant imagine something being better.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

I can give you a pedi tip that works for me: get generic Stridex pads from your drug store and use them on your feet all over--heels, soles, between toes, ALL OVER. Wait 20-30 minutes and rub in cheap cocoa butter. Keep your toe nails clipped and polished. You will not need to get pedicures your feet will be so soft. I haven't had a pedicure in two years.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

I have been getting Shellac manicures every 2 weeks for the past several months and am loving it! There is no noticeable damage to my nails from wearing it all the time. I work at a restaurant, so I'm pretty rough on my nails. Shellac is great. I have the same frustration with my at-home manicures...they just don't last.

Hope you find something that works for you!