Another lesson in Manicures

About a week and a half ago I got a gel manicure, which is apparently the best new thing since sliced bread. OPI Axxium is what the product is called. I work with a girl who loves these gel manicures, so hearing about someone's first hand adoration (and not just reading about it in a magazine) convinced me to try it. They say it's supposed to last for over 2 weeks, which is a feat when you work in a restaurant, especially a bar. I'm lucky if I go chip free for 2 days with a regular manicure.

So I get the manicure. The colors are slim-pickings, and I end up choosing a demure pink that under no other circumstances would I ever voluntarily put on my nails. Maybe if I was attending a wedding or meeting a significant other's parents for the first time, but aside from being appropriate for those instances, this color sucked. I feel pushy and rude changing my color choice halfway through the manicure process though, so I stuck it out. Whatever. After an hour, I have a shiny new manicure.

Fast-forward a week and a half...

My index and middle finger are entirely lacking in polish. This is because the gel PEELED off. Literally, in one big piece, peeled off. And as you'll notice, my pinky nail is in severe danger of losing it's polish also.

Remember being a little kid (girl) and having that plastic-y nail polish that was non-toxic? it would come with those little make-up kits. And it would peel off as soon as it was dry. THIS IS THAT.

Ok, it's not the same as that non-toxic junk kids play with, but the result is the same. And now, instead of just being able to wipe the rest of this disaster off with nail polish remover, I have to go to a nail salon and soak it off in acetone.

I will not be getting another gel manicure. Ever.