OPI Axxium Coloured Gel - Nails Breaking!

[purebeauty]

I've had the OPI Axxium Coloured soak off Gels in for about 2 months now.
initially I was very impressed with them, then a few of my clients started saying their nails were breaking......... now virtually everyone who's either using or has used the gel is complaining of nails breaking.

I brought this up with my OPI/Lena White rep and she said other salons had been experiencing similar problems and had been in touch with head office. I then called Lena White/OPI head office and they have categorically denied that ANYONE is experiencing problems.....:irked:

I am now terrified to use this product (which has cost me hundreds and hundreds of pounds and looks like it is now going to lose me some of my really good clients!:cry. I've got 7 years experience, I did the OPI training and I'm doing nothing different to the training, so I'm pretty certain it's nothing I'm doing wrong.

Is anyone else having the same problem with this product or does anyone have any idea what might be going wrong here?

 

[mlw1]

I done the coloured gel course a couple of months ago too. Are your client's nails long? On the DVD it says that if they are long then to use a regular axxium gel overlay first to build up strength, then overlay with the colour.

 

[jewel-it]

I am having the same problem with this product !!! and also very worried as i have a lot of clients that have changed from having l&p on there nails to having this !!!
I will give you an example i had a lady that had lovley long nail bed and strong nails !! ok did break some time but all in all a fab set of natural nails !! Now she wanted this product as she like the idear that the colour would not chip ect and she loved them!!! Now she sore split broken and very thin nails to the point last week i took then off and told her she could not have them any more as her nail where so damaged. Now as a master tech with 13 years behind me i feel i have failed her nails and her and i know have a big job on my hand to get her natural nail back to how they where. now i have not done any think different to how i was trained and used the correct products and only opi products for this treatment .I also called Lena White/OPI head office and they have categorically denied that ANYONE is experiencing problems. This product has also cost me hundreds all the gels, polish to match removal, products and the stress that when i order they dont have what i need in stock or they have stop a prodcut due to there being a problem ( one of the gels fading ) and not being advised of this problem .
I do feel very worried and terrified for my clients nails .

Ps This is only one client i also have others with the same problem and have short nails .

Pss sorry ive not got bee in my bonnet!xx

 

[nixnewcastle]

So sorry for you both having this problem. It must be terribly frustrating as it's an expensive product and when things like this happen it's bad for your reputation. If you decide to to try another brand i highly recommend Akzentz. I've just started using it and i've got alot of clients who love them and the colours are amazing!

 

[geeg]

This situation is exactly why I always say you need to use a product for months before you can assess its performance.

I never trust those who say , "I just got this new product and I'm so impressed". No one can make an intelligent comment until they have used it for a considerable period of time.

It is longevity that counts for your clients ... not just how it looks or applies or any of those things. CND stands the test of time ... big time. Clients love it and YOU for using it. THAT is what builds business.

 

[jane5]

OPI have let us down with the Axxium coloured gel range, I have also had problems with it, I had a client want the pompei purple on her fingers and toes for her honeymoon.
I had a visit to the salon on her return to show me how bad they looked :irked: all the colour had faded and they looked really bad.
I had to remove the product and do a free manicure and pedicure for her as I was so ashamed of the look of them.
I called OPI several times and I am constantly told someone will look into this, I was told that it may have been caused because the client swam too much lol. I said that I need to speak with someone about this problem, no phone call yet
I learnt the hard way with this product, never again. I am now going to use only products that have been around for a long time, that are tried and tested and that good support is offered by the company.
Sweet squared here I come x

 

[taraO]

Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquer can be used on natural nails that are longer than 1/8" if it is layed over a foundation of Axxium Clear Overlay gels. Here are the guide lines:
AXXIUM SOAK-OFF GEL SERVICE
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ideal for natural nail clients when:
The natural nail is no longer than 1/8” from the smile line.
Natural nails are in good condition.
Natural nails are not overly thin, flexible, or damaged.


Should be used over a foundation of Axxium Gels when:
The natural nail is longer than 1/8” from the smile line.
Natural nails are overly flexible and need strength.
Tips are used, requiring added reinforcement at the stress area.
Natural nails beds are uneven.

I hope this helps, if not call me - Tara Oldham - at Lena White Head Office and I will see if I can help you further.

 

[purebeauty]

I am having the same problem with this product !!! and also very worried as i have a lot of clients that have changed from having l&p on there nails to having this !!!
I will give you an example i had a lady that had lovley long nail bed and strong nails !! ok did break some time but all in all a fab set of natural nails !! Now she wanted this product as she like the idear that the colour would not chip ect and she loved them!!! Now she sore split broken and very thin nails to the point last week i took then off and told her she could not have them any more as her nail where so damaged. Now as a master tech with 13 years behind me i feel i have failed her nails and her and i know have a big job on my hand to get her natural nail back to how they where. now i have not done any think different to how i was trained and used the correct products and only opi products for this treatment .I also called Lena White/OPI head office and they have categorically denied that ANYONE is experiencing problems. This product has also cost me hundreds all the gels, polish to match removal, products and the stress that when i order they dont have what i need in stock or they have stop a prodcut due to there being a problem ( one of the gels fading ) and not being advised of this problem .
I do feel very worried and terrified for my clients nails .

Ps This is only one client i also have others with the same problem and have short nails .

Pss sorry ive not got bee in my bonnet!xx

I think perhaps Lena White should stop denying that anyone is having the same problem!

I have tried to contact my Lena White rep again many, many times, leaving her messages to please call me back and have had NO REPLY.....

Lena White Customer services suggested I pack up my kit and all the gels I spent hundreds of pounds on and send it back to head office so they could analyse the gels and if a problem was found with any of them they would of course send me a refund.

My problem with this is that they are probably just going to say (as they already have) that ther is no problem with thier gels!

Rest assured I am not going to let this drop. I am NOT using the gels again as I'm too frightened of losing my clients or having to do even more free manicures and give away more free products to try and passify them!

I'm currently trialling another gel system, (what a shame OPI do not offer a trial) and if needs be will chuck the OPI stuff in the bin (it doesn't look like they're going to be of any help!), but I am going to write to OPI in the USA and let them know of my experiences with Lena White.

The more people who let Lena White know there is a problem with this gel, the more likely they will be to take notice of us!

:irked:

 

[purebeauty]

Tara,

I did the training, read the instructions, watched the DVD and spent many hours ensuring I was using the product correctly and on the right client base, in short I have followed everything to the letter.

I really feel badly let down, not only by the product but by the so called 'customer support' at Lena White. I have years of experience and a lot of very loyal, satisfied clients who I feel I have let down by choosing a product that has compromised their nails!

If lots of other salons are having the same problems why would Lena White deny this?

I will not be using OPI products again. (Shame because some of the colours are really nice but then again I still soooo love my CND colours!)

Sorry if this sounds really harsh but I can't afford to use products that jeopardise my client relationships. The Axxium Soak Off Coloured Gel has cost me dearly, first for the products, the matching varnishes and the down-time training, then for the free manicures and products I have had to give away to try and keep my clients happy!

In the Lena White sales literature it says "because we realise you have a choice..." perhaps this statement needs to be understood and internalised by your customer services team!

 

[taraO]

Hi Purebeauty

We have had many 100's of customers take on the new colour gel system and I would lying if I said that no one had experienced issues with it, however, out of those that i have spoken to I have been able to help them clear up their problems, so please do call me at our Head Office. I have personally been using the gel on clients for 11 months now and can catagorically state that I have not had any issues with either the product or the condition of my clients nails. I do accept that as Head of Education I have got a better understanding of the product than most, but this product does work - so please do not give up - call me and I will give you all the help I can.

Out of all the colour gel systems I have used - this is undoubtedly the best of them all. The colour gel looks like a lacquer - it is smooth, thin and even and is so simple to apply. Damage is only ever done to the nail during removal and application - the product it self, so long as the clients care for their nails in between appointment, will not damage the nail.

I hope that you can find the time to give me a ring so I can help you further.

Regards

Tara

 

[purebeauty]

I agree entirely that the gel is great to apply, it is smooth and thin and the finished result is excellent, however I just can't risk using this product on my clients any more. So far I've had to give away many, many free treatments to placate my unhappy clients.

I do not believe I have been applying or removing the product incorrectly.

I cancelled my last order and told the sales team I would not be placing any more orders with Lena White until I felt the Axxium issue was being resolved. A week later a member of the customer services team left a message saying she would call me back tomorrow, she never did.

My rep hasn't bothered to return any of my calls and this morning I had a meeting booked with her that she simply failed to show up for... not even a message to cancel the meeting so I could use the time instead to service a client!

I have now gone with Bio Sculpture instead. I am not having problems with clients nails breaking, this clearly defines that my application and removal technique must be ok.

I appreciate your coming back to me via this forum but am really disappointed that in my direct dealings with Lena White they have not been so quick to respond.

If anyone from Lena White wants to get in touch to try and resolve this I am easily contactable at the salon, Pure Beauty, Tenbury Wells.

 

[mlw1]

Hi I am having the same problems with the gel as well - nails breaking, chipping. I am very confident in my application but when I rang to discuss issue I was told that either I was applying the gel too thin or too thick. I am doing nothing different to what I done in my assessment and my assessment was good. I have lost some clients too. I thought I would have more problems with my acrylic, i.e. getting mix ratio right but it is the other way around. Some of my clients have gone back to Bio Sculpture as it is a lot thicker and lasts longer!!! Very disappointed. I have also had a few a clients comment that the colours aren't all that.

 

[Bezza]

This is awful!! It's really putting me off doing my course... I've just booked to spend just over a grand with OPI and I was really looking forward to the coloured gel. This is just terrible news!! :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

 

[lealei]

sounds awful, im tryin to avoid making similar mistakes withproducts, the trouble is the expense involved in even testing the products! Does anyone else recommend Akzentz?

I had been considering the opi range, but looks like i dodged a bullet. Thanks!

Lealei

 

[Doorie]

I will not quote and answer every message but wow!

I have been using this product before it came out as we wanted to be included in its development.

I do not agree with you Geeg in saying it has not been tested. it has, for years before being released.
[EDIT]
What I mean(meant) is that to me it is an amazing product and I have tested it for years before it was released, and therefore I do not agree with saying it is a bad one. I let my original comment but you can erase it if you want. I never wanted to make you say something you didn't mean, but when I read your comment I did understand that you meant/implied that it had not had enough testing before being released. again, blame my native language for that and I apologize for any trouble, I didn''t want to offend you in any way.[/EDIT]

I cannot agree with the post mentionning the 1/8 rule. you cannot measure and say one you go, you have an overlay because yours is too long and what not.
this product is a long lasting polish and, to our conclusion, should be advertised/sold as such. it is not an enhancement, and it is not an alternative to l&p and/or gel. it's just a long lasting color.

I cannot say anything regarding the UK pricing as I do not live here and have nothing to do with Lena White's choices.

we also did recommend training with this gel prior to ordering a kit because it does have a tricky application method and watching the DVD alone may not lead you to a proper set.

here in my country we do not have so many unsatisfied clients, but who knows?? I am glad I've been trained to use this as I can always answer our customers' questions about it. so far the biggest problems we've heard were due to the color being different from the lacquer because the clients often forget to mix the gel...
or, and again it IS NOT the gel fault, I'd say a lack of judgement (Okay I translated it off my native (French) language and it sounds crap) from the tech because they have clients coming and they don't say that the product will not stay. you have to use it only on healthy nails, on ppl who take care of them, and as I said earlier, not as an alternative to a hard enhancement, as the client will still use her nails the way she did with a hard product on.

another thing I have noticed that corsses my mind, not to offend anyone nor to repeat myself, but you have to apply it really with your canvas and stuff. otherwisel if you apply it like a common color gel it chips. our best clients here are the SPAs and such, whose techs had never touched a common gel before.

 

[geeg]

I will not quote and answer every message but wow!

I have been using this product before it came out as we wanted to be included in its development.

I do not agree with you Geeg in saying it has not been tested. it has, for years before being released.

I cannot agree with the post mentionning the 1/8 rule. you cannot measure and say one you go, you have an overlay because yours is too long and what not.
this product is a long lasting polish and, to our conclusion, should be advertised/sold as such. it is not an enhancement, and it is not an alternative to l&p and/or gel. it's just a long lasting color.

I cannot say anything regarding the UK pricing as I do not live here and have nothing to do with Lena White's choices.

we also did recommend training with this gel prior to ordering a kit because it does have a tricky application method and watching the DVD alone may not lead you to a proper set.

here in my country we do not have so many unsatisfied clients, but who knows?? I am glad I've been trained to use this as I can always answer our customers' questions about it. so far the biggest problems we've heard were due to the color being different from the lacquer because the clients often forget to mix the gel...
or, and again it IS NOT the gel fault, I'd say a lack of judgement (Okay I translated it off my native (French) language and it sounds crap) from the tech because they have clients coming and they don't say that the product will not stay. you have to use it only on healthy nails, on ppl who take care of them, and as I said earlier, not as an alternative to a hard enhancement, as the client will still use her nails the way she did with a hard product on.

another thing I have noticed that corsses my mind, not to offend anyone nor to repeat myself, but you have to apply it really with your canvas and stuff. otherwisel if you apply it like a common color gel it chips. our best clients here are the SPAs and such, whose techs had never touched a common gel before.

Please point out to me where I EVER said that the product was not tested??

If there is anything I detest it is when people post that I have said things that I have NOT said :irked::irked::irked: PLease edit your post and delete your incorrect comment.Because if you don't, I WILL.

 

[dexterbigdog]

Hi sorry that you all seem to be haveing problems with the gel, it's not good to hear when I have just got my new kit! i just wondered if anyone can let me know how much they charge for a set of colour axxium gel on natural nails (no tips). also how long it roughly takes. thanks so much

 

[Doorie]

35-45 mins, a bit more for a french.

charge is CHF 75
like € 50

in GBP I don''t know...

 

[cuticles tech]

Hello there,

The gels have worked wonders for me and my clients. Everyone that works in our salon wears them so we can maintain well manicured looking nails while doing our services. I am on week 3 with Lincoln Park AFter Dark. No problems.

I do know from training that the gel laquer system should not be used on nails that extend past the fingertip. This system is not meant to strengthen nails. for that the system should be applied over a gel base of the axxium nail system.

try that and see what happens. good luck.