A client receives arty pink tips at Tips Nail Bar (Image: Paige Dzenis)
We all know the post-manicure mantra: “Don’t rummage through your purse, and forget whatever’s in your pockets.” Even if we make it home smudge-free, the best polish job is bound to chip within days. We’ve noticed that soak-off, UV-cured gel lacquer is quickly becoming the norm at some salons across the city — thin layers of colour are applied to the natural nail, exactly like polish, except that each coat is cured under a UV lamp, making it instantly dry to the touch.
Tips Nail Bar, WowWow Nails, The Ten Spot and Ritual are among some of the best practitioners in the city, and with two leading nail polish companies producing their own soak-off gel systems (OPI has Axxium and CND makes Shellac), we can pick a Pantone and replicate it on our nails (and a gel lacquer manicure stays shiny and chip-free for longer than two weeks). Unsurprisingly, a nail technician at Ritual said nail polish is “so 2010,” which means we can keep our hands in our pockets until there is an unnecessary 2010 revival.
Click on to see our rundown of the best manicure specialists in the city »
I’ve had several CND Shellac manicures (from Ritual) and one OPI Axxium manicure (from The Ten Spot Leslieville). I wouldn’t recommend the Axxium at all. The manicure started lifting after less than a week and the removal process was horrifying: the manicurist took a very abrasive file and used it to buff a stripe down each of my nails before beginning the soaking process, followed by a lot more buffing after. My nails wound up scratched and are still weak (three months later) as a result. In contrast, the CND Shellac manicures lasted for 3-4 weeks and came off pretty easily after being soaked. I’ve been hearing great things about Tips and hope to check it out soon.
May 9, 2011 at 5:58 pm | by SarahAn abrasive file is not necessary for Axxium. Sarah, we would love you to come give us a try. We offer Axxium, Shellac and Entity services. Hope to see you soon!
Leeanne
May 9, 2011 at 6:45 pm | by Tips Nail BarI too had the Axxium from the ten spot and was disappointed! It chipped off in less than 5 days and the colour started to look dirty not long after.
Dont get me wrong, I LOVE the girls at the ten spot!!!
I just don’t love a 50 dollar mani that chips after 4 days.
May 9, 2011 at 8:00 pm | by EmmaI have had three axxium manicures from the Ten Spot and while I love the salon, I wouldn’t recommend the manicure (except for maybe once in a blue moon for a special occasion).
The manicure really damaged my nails (totally scratched up and super weak). I had to wait until all parts of the damaged nail grew out until I could even think of them looking decent or wearing normal polish (it would chip off almost instantly because of the damage).
I did love the salon and would go back for a regular manicure or other services though.
May 9, 2011 at 9:12 pm | by lifebeginsatthirtyrightI hate to say it but Axxium at the Ten Spot is a total waste. It chipped after 48 hours and they almost charged me to repair it. I was hesitant to try it again but went to Tips Nail Bar and am obsessed – there isn’t anything Rita and Leanne can’t do! I leave happy every time without fail.
May 9, 2011 at 10:49 pm | by Lisa RWe are so sorry to hear about your Axxium experience at The Ten Spot!
We always invite our guests to give us feedback directly – and if ever you aren’t happy, we want to make it up to you!
Please email us at getnailed@the10spot.com
May 10, 2011 at 9:35 am | by Lisa KozorizTalk to you soon!
Lisa
i’ve had numerous Axxium jobs at Tips Nail Bar & I can say with confidence that they are the best! Rita, Melissa & Leeanne really understand nails and application techniques – I’ve gone on vacation twice with Axxium and they’ve lasted well over 3 weeks even in contact with sand and tanning oil/lotion – things that typically caused my nails to chip in the past. Call them ASAP!
May 10, 2011 at 10:25 am | by AlexI also had a TERRIBLE experience with Axxium at The 10 SPOT. The manicure lasted two weeks, which was great, but the removal process was horrible. The technician used an abrasive file to lift and scrape the nail polish off my nails. My nails were so damaged, had white streaks and ridges on them, and broke continuously for 3 months after that. I contacted 10 Spot to let them know what was going on and they told me that “technicians are very well trained, and that sometimes “an individual might have a negative reaction to the removal process” and then they suggested that I come by and purchase a nail strengthener from them! I was so offended that they had ruined my nails, offered no help, but on top of that, suggested that I should purchase something additional from them, to FIX THEIR ERROR. From these comments, it’s clear that I am not the only one who has had this problem- I am sorry to hear that others have had this experience, but I do feel vindicated that it’s not just “a bad reaction” that is somehow unique to me. I used to go to 10 spot all the time, after this, I will never go back.
May 10, 2011 at 9:30 pm | by SFWoah, the 10 Spot better do some damage control.
May 10, 2011 at 11:31 pm | by IngridWow, what a lot of comments! I kinda feel bad for 10Spot with everyone uploading negative comments.
I really like Ritual and Erin is great. Will definitely try Tips Nail Bar.
Has anyone tried Noir Nail Bar in Liberty Village?
May 11, 2011 at 7:47 am | by Sarah HI’ve been getting these manicures every other week for about 6 months from tips nail bar and haven’t had a problem once. My nails always look great and are even staying strong. A lot of my friends have problems when they go to other salons and I believe it is because technique is a factor in the manicure lasting. Have to make sure you go to a good place, I highly suggest tips
May 11, 2011 at 8:12 am | by LCHi everyone!
Kristen here, the owner of THE TEN SPOT.
Just reading these reviews and I am extremely disappointed to here anyone’s been unsatisfied with our Axxium service!
These comments come as a shock as it is inconsistent with the reviews from our clients and perhaps maybe some of these comments are FAKED from our competitors.
In any case, THE TEN SPOT is totally committed to being the best beauty bar in Toronto and giving our guests the best possible services in the city!
I strongly encourage anyone to contact me directly at kristen@the10spot.com
We are also inviting guests to join our focus groups where we get to learn how to improve our services and where you get free services! send an email to getnailed@the10spot.com to participate.
So please, please get in touch!!!
xoxo, Kristen
May 11, 2011 at 10:59 am | by Kristen GaleHere is my two cents – I’ve been to the Ten Spot a few times, for other services and Axxium. I’ve always been happy and I didn’t have a problem with my nails after taking it off! Ten Spot rocks in my books!
May 11, 2011 at 11:23 am | by BreanneThanks Breanna! You just rocked my socks!!!
Send me an email and I’ll let you know when we will be conducting our next focus group.
After all these dismal comments we are doing everything we can to make sure we are doing the best job! We’ve never had any internal feedback on our removal process (and we record each and every bit of feedback we get and review it in our monthly management meetings), so it’s all come as a bit of a shock to us!
We’ve been doing the service for about 7 months now and it has fast become one of our most popular services AND with loads of repeat clients, so it’s caught us all a little off guard!
However, in lieu of this we’ve contacted OPI (which makes Axxium) to review once again their process, we’re revamping our protocol and of course, we are getting in a slue of guests to come in and have the service complimentary and then to give us feedback on the Axxium manicure every couple of days for feedback. We will be doing this with every esthtician as well to ensure things are tip top across the board! So like I said Breanne, shoot me an email and I’ll get you signed up for your complimentary service!
Kristen@the10spot.com
May 11, 2011 at 11:38 am | by Kristen GaleMy girlfriend and I tried the Axxium at the 10 Spot last month and we both loved it! It was a trial for my girlfriends upcoming wedding and we were so happy that it lasted over 2 weeks! We will be back in June for another set!! We didn’t experience any problems with the removal- just don’t pick them off yourself! Our nails look and feel great! I’ve already recommend the 10 spot to so many other girlfriends!!
May 11, 2011 at 12:57 pm | by NI