Gel manicure?

avoliss

I was talked into a gel manicure the other day. I really like the way it looks but I was checking some reviews and it seems the 2nd appointment takes forever and getting the gel off is a nightmare.

 Anyone have any experience? Thanks.

Andrea0429

Did you just get the gel polish or the full on gel manicure with the UV light and all that?  I had a gel manicure for years!  Loved the way it looked, it was time consuming though.  I can't remember if I went every 3 weeks or 5 weeks and every other visit was about 2 hours because they re-did the french manicure part of it, rather than just a clear fill-in.  For me it was horrible to take off.  I went to a place that screwed them up first and wound up using acrylic instead of the gel and really ripped my nails apart when taking them off.  Make sure you go to a reputable place that has lots of experience with gels and hopefully you'll be better off than I was.  Sorry, that was a really long answer!

fish606

I get a gel manicure...they use the OPI Axxium.  It usually lasts me 2.5 - 3 weeks.  I am usually at the salon for 30 minutes...never more than that.  It doesn't take too long to get the gels off...they soak you in acetone and then procede with the manicure.  If you don't want to sit at the salon to have the gels removed, you can do it at home with acetone.

AmyRob04

I got two gel manicures and the second destroyed my nails. They were so weak and peeling, it seriously took a year to heal them. Never again. My friend had the same experience. Ow she uses the shellac and loves it.

PugMama11

I love Shellac!  It really does last 2 - 3 weeks and you just soak it right off...don't let them use the drill to get it off that will mess up your nails!  ten minutes in acetone and it peels right off.