A couple of weeks ago I told you about a relatively new procedure where your nails could enjoy a fab polished look that doesn’t chip nor smudge for up to 2 weeks! I was elated as I forked over my $28 for my OPI Axxium Gel Manicure, but wasn’t so happy when the very next day one of the coatings peeled off and then in the passing days a few more. My left hand stayed intact though.

Since I’ve been going to the salon I got them done at for YEARS, I decided to give it another go. I figured maybe the manicurist standing in for the regular person might have put a bit too much gel on my nails. All is forgiven–it’s a new procedure anyway. But you wanna know something—the second time is definitely a charm because my nails look FAB a little over a week after getting them done—check them out:

They also show no sign of letting up for another couple of days which works for me because I plan on going for a new one this Friday.

If you’re in NYC and want to try this out, go to the Aveda Natural Look Salon located in the basement of Queens Center Mall. They also have a manicure program that allows you one free manicure after 5 paid ones. Fab!

My right hand

I can’t say that I hate this, but I also can’t say that I love it. The day after I got the OPI Axxium Gel Manicure, one finger that had a bit too much gel on it wound up peeling off the very next day. I got it fixed and all was well. But then a few days after that, one nail chipped and then two other nails peeled right off. No bueno. My right hand is intact though (not sure why seeing as how I’m right-handed). I’m sure the salon where I got them done would fix them with no issue, but that would have required me to actually go there and get them fixed…lol.

My left hand–the gel on the ring finger came off shortly after taking this pic

Perhaps I’m a glutton for punishment because I’m actually going to try them out again because I do love the idea of them. Maybe my first time was just a fluke? I’ll keep you posted.

*UPDATE*** The second time is the charm! Check out my updated review: OPI Axxium Gel Manicure: An Update–It WORKS!. This will now be my staple manicure until I get tired of it…lol.

Over at The Fashion Bomb (where I also moonlight as a beauty blogger), I shared that one of my New Year’s Resolutions was to always have a manicure. While I’m very particular about my makeup, I’m not always as meticulous with my nails. So the other day when I went in for what I believed would be the first of my standing weekly manicure appointments, I was instead talked into trying a gel manicure. I thought I had heard about the gel manicure procedure from one of my fellow beauty blogging buddies, but I always assumed it was something I would need to venture into Manhattan to get (mama loves Manhattan, but when you live in Queens and drive to work in Brooklyn, you are so not trying to hear getting on a train to nobody’s 5th avenue).

Anyway, my manicurist explained that the gel would last like 2 weeks without chipping or smudging. I was sold–but worried it would cost me like $50 (I’m not playing with my budget this year)–I breathed the hugest sigh of relief when she told me it was just $28. Yes, $28 is a bit steep considering a regular manicure is around $10-$12 but how many times have you gotten a regular manicure and felt cheated when only 2 days later your nails look shot? Exactly. Plus, you would have to go in for a manicure every week.

The procedure took about 45 minutes. Your nails will be filed, clipped, and buffed like they normally would with a manicure, but then the magic comes. First a coat of a clear OPI Axxium base was applied to my nails. After each coat, my hands would sit under a UV lamp device. After the clear coat dried, then came my base coat. Unfortunately for now, OPI Axxium doesn’t come in the full range of colors like their regular line. The colors they do have come in a good range though. I chose OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark because I love dark, vampy colors for fall/winter. It didn’t take very long for my nails to dry and when it came time for me to dig in my bag for my wallet to pay—not a single smudge. And they’re super shiny and are supposed to look this way for 2 weeks!

I’m only on day 3, but I really love them! I had to go back to the salon yesterday to fix one nail (seems like some of the gel bubbled over past my nail bed that the manicurist didn’t see and got caught in my gloves and caused the polish to peel back), but they happily fixed it and realized the error. I’m still a happy camper.

I will report back in 2 weeks to let you know how they lasted. If they still look great 2 weeks from now I will be soooo happy because it will definitely cut down on salon visits (I love my salon, but I don’t always have time to go), and will help me have gorgeous nails all year long.

If you’re in the Queens area, try this out at the Aveda Natural Look Salon in Queens Center Mall (where I get my brows threaded to the gods by Rajni). I hear this same procedure is $40 and up in Manhattan salons so bring some extra change with you if you’re city-bound. This procedure is offered at many salons nationwide (and perhaps worldwide), so inquire with your manicurist.

What do you think of the gel manicure? What do you get done at the nail salon? Tell me in the comments!

****Check out my updates on this manicure: OPI Axxium Gel Manicure Update and OPI Axxium Gel Manicure: An Update–It WORKS!

So if you follow me on twitter, you’ll know that I’m obsessed with Walmart. Probably mostly because there aren’t many here in New York and because I can’t believe how low their prices really are! I’ve been overpaying for many of my drugstore products over the years, so to get some of my favorites at a great price is always a good thing for me. But what was missing from the equation was the ability to shop online for the products I love. Sure, I could go to my local Walmart, but they don’t always have the products I want in stock (this never happens when I visit my sister in Georgia–they always have everything!). So when I found out not only can I buy beauty products online but they also ship for only 97 cents each, I darn near fell off my computer chair!

I’m so excited I already started a list of some of my favorite products:

Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara, 951 Very Black, .22 fl oz
(I get dramatic lashes without any clumps. I’m on my fourth tube straight of this stuff)

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 70 With Helioplex Dry-Touch Sunblock, 3 fl oz
(You know how some sunblocks can be super greasy and leave your skin looking grey and ashy? Not this stuff–it dries to a smooth finish and protects your skin from the sun whether it be summer, fall, winter, or spring)

Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation Sandy Beige Medium 1 Foundation 1 Fl Oz
(My shade is Cocoa Dark 3–I’m NW 47 in MAC for reference. I love this foundation—it’s more like a tinted moisturizer, but the color, the texture, and the finish is just perfect for me. Check out my earlier review on this here.)

Going to place my order now…lol. What are some of your favorite drugstore beauty products?

A dark nail in the fall isn’t exactly groundbreaking, yet paint your digits in a midnight shade and it instantly gives your look a very edgy chicness. Plus, darker nail colors are more universally flattering than brighter and pastel shades. Check out six hot shades from the OPI for Sephora collection. Priced at $9 each, you can upgrade your look without downgrading your wallet.