The Axxium nail process does what it promises: an application that takes no longer than a typical manicure and lasts about two weeks. Application involves filing the nails slightly with a drill, painting on a clear base layer then two color layers with a paint brush and then a top coat, curing each layer for several minutes under a UV lamp. Then my nails were completely dried. I didn’t have to sit with my hands under dryers or touch things gingerly for the rest of the day like I do with regular polish. My nails remained exceptionally shiny and smooth for an entire week with nary a crack or chip. This was especially a treat because the color I selected was very dark and bold - usually those colors show blemishes right away. (Bogota Blackberry is a flattering deep dark wine.)
After about 10 days, the tips of my nails became dulled and small cracks were evident to me. After two weeks new nail growth was easy to notice because of the dark polish color. The only chip appeared after two and a half weeks. I am sure that no one else would have noticed these things from afar so I could have kept it another week.
Removal involves soaking the nails with acetone polish remover, scraping it off and filing with a drill. I’m sure that if you regularly remove and reapply the product your nails will thin out similarly to artificial nail procedures so I don’t recommend doing it more than occasionally such as for special events or vacations. The ~$40 cost may also be prohibitive to doing it on a biweekly basis but those used to acrylics will find it a bargain.
Note: I paid for these manicures myself.
