I haven't had a manicure for so long but I have heard the gel nail lasts longer.
If I ever get through digging in the dirt I will consider getting a gel manicure.
Let us know how you like it.

I didn't get it. Gal next to me did, and she liked it.

i've been thinking of trying one, the Axxium gel's from OPI. i've read they last 3 wks. i would not do it often thou as i collect the lastest-greatest nail polishes and change usually 2X a wk. i also have concerns about the light curing process and the chemicals used to soak them off damaging my real nails. considering i am on the hunt for a $25 bottle of Chanel polish & a $15 essie Chinchilly set, right now the cost wouldn't matter, just the fact i'd be stuck w/ a color soooo long. i would do it for a vacation, the holiday season (china glaze Party Hearty on top of Mrs. Claus) or during my crazy busy spring when i rarely have time for nail polish.

if you try it, let us know i'm curious....i linked up OPI.com you can find AXXIUM under the Hands/Feet tab. ~ liz

geez...i'm sorry...here's the link long bad day at work, i usually stop and buy nail polish to pick me up but i already stopped once this week LOLOL ~ liz

Here is a link that might be useful: opi nail polish

The manicurist said they had only been doing them 6 months, and lot of salons are just now starting to use the gel polish.

I got one about two and a half weeks ago. Very shiny. No chips. All you can see right now is that my nails are growing. At the cuticle line there's maybe a sixteenth inch of unpolished nail. I had two "objections". 1. There were only about 20 colors available. The polish is called "Shellac". 2. And my other objection is that my own natural nails had to be roughed up with a wooden nail file in order for the polish to adhere properly. But they look great, have withheld the test of time (it will be three weeks Monday). I'll let you know how my next gel color manicure goes. The cost is $23 but they gave me a five dollar off coupon I'll use next time. This place normally charges obly 48 for a regular manicure, so it's like three times normal.

12-15 years ago I sold a product called Lumé which was a do it yourself home kit. It came with nail disinfectant, primer, gel and an ultraviolet bonding lamp. I quit selling it because it was $125 and people had so many problems getting the product to work properly. The gels were strong but if any air whatsoever got under an edge, it would lift. Also, you have to roughen up the surface of the nail for the chemicals to adhere an even then, it didn't work as it should. Maybe things have improved a little in the last 15 years, but I don't know.

Jodi-

I had been getting acrylic nails for years, until about 2 months ago, when I switched salons, and tried the gel. Love it love it. Three weeks, no lifting, thinner, feels much more like your natural nails, thinner than the acrylic. I don't do color, so that isn't an issue for me.

I think the extra cost is worth it, because it lasts longer and feels very natural.

Gel or acrylic makes no real difference, both damage your natural nail according to my manicurist. She's been doing my nails for nearly 20 years and I credit her with keeping looking good.

I love nail polist too, Liz. I just bought a bottle of Chanel, Kahaki Rose, LOVE IT!!!! It's a great transition color! Have it on my fingers and my toes!

A co-worker has this done every couple of months and just LOVES it. She does French manicure, and boy do they look nice. It lasts about 3 weeks for her, then she removes it herself. Around here the cost is $40. The only problem I see, is that by the time three weeks is over her nails have grown enough that it's REALLY obvious to see.

LOVE my gel nails - I've been doing them for over a year now. Much lighter than acrylic, and at least around here, the UV Gels cost the same as acrylic so cost isn't an issue. And I can actually go 4-6 weeks in between fills (they're that durable) so it ends up being cheaper for me. I've (so far) never had a problem with lifting or chipping. I also get the clear gel so color isn't an issue either. I've done a french manicure on top and I've done color, both look and wear great. Just my 2 cents worth, but I love em :-)

And I can actually go 4-6 weeks in between fills (they're that durable)

I still get the acrylic gel nails...and a French manicure hides the new growth at the cuticle better than colored polish.

HOW do you get 4-6 weeks between refills? Do your nails grow very slowly? I get only 2 weeks before new growth can be seen, and tried 3 weeks, but found very obvious growth.
It's not a matter of durability, just nail growth. Even colored polish obviously shows growth after 2 weeks.

The new growth just isn't that noticeable. There isn't an edge, like with the acrylic, and that's where the lift usually comes. So with natural (not French tips), it's just like polish growing out. Part of your nail is shiny and part isn't.

I wore acrylic nails for over 20 years, when my nail teck ( same one for all these years ) started doing the gels, I switched. I love them! I normallly do the french, but once in a while do the colored gels, there are many colors to choose from, just like diffrent polishes,these colors are not a surface color, so they do not fade or chip. I have a standing appointment every 3 weeks. I pay $34.00, I do not smoke or drink soda, so I rationalize this is money I can spend on myself..
My own nails are very thin, and would never have pretty nails otherwize. I keep them realatively short, but long enough to look nice, and believe me I give them a work out...I am always digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, packing rocks, and doing serious deep cleaning..they hold up just fine. Only once a a great while I will have one lift, or come off..I usually make it in tact for each appointment. They are just my treat to myself..

So with natural (not French tips), it's just like polish growing out. Part of your nail is shiny and part isn't.

Yes, sort of like dark roots when you wait too long to get your hair colored.

I've read the reports on them and I don't think they are any better or less damaging than the acrylic nails. If you are willing to do that to your nail beds then go for it.........I have on occasion had acrylic nails and hate what they do to your real nails and nail bed.

They look awesome. I love pretty nails but I try to stay away from unnecessary chemicals so I don't use anything on mine. I've been very tempted though.

I wish salons had more chemical-free options that actually worked as I'd love to indulge. Same with hair dye.