Anna94
Member
Anyone have experience with Akzentz gel? I can't seem to find many details on how to use it and what the prep is but have heard it's a good soak off gel that can be used for extensions. Would appreciate any help 
Akzentz gel help
- Thread starter Anna94
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Help Support SalonGeek:
Anyone have experience with Akzentz gel? I can't seem to find many details on how to use it and what the prep is but have heard it's a good soak off gel that can be used for extensions. Would appreciate any help
There was a thread posted recently asking about Akentz actually.
I know that @Tracey1969 uses the Luxio range, so it may be worth contacting her direct?
justanailaddict
Well-Known Member
Hello, Akzentz user here!
OPTIONS:
I generally quite enjoy this range as it comes in a good selection of colors, is pretty durable, and I have used their crystal clear as an overlay without any issue. I haven't tried using it for extentions yet simply because the gel is so runny I feel like building the proper shape with it would be a nightmare. Usually I use opti-bond (in favor to their 'base' gel), followed by colour, then the shine-on topcoat. Options is a soak off gel and takes me anywhere from 10-20 ish minutes to remove. the gels are OK for nail art, depending on what you are using them for...but remember to stir up the pots before using them as they tend to separate. options also has a subcategory called 'options gel art' - I just want to emphasize that this is NOT the same as their gel play line.
PRO-FORMANCE UV/LED:
Used enhance and balance. enhance is their thinnest consistency hard gel, followed by balance, then structure. IMO balance is plenty thick, to the point where I feel like it almost doesn't self-level at all (I live in a colder climate as well, keep in mind). I've used the IBD builder gel prior to this and find that it is right in between the consistencies of enhance and balance (thinnest to thickest: enhance , IBD, balance). It cures pretty dang hard. I usually sculpt just the extension portion with balance, then go in with enhance to cover the natural nail and form my apex/ do my sculpting, as I feel the balance is a little too thick for my liking and skills. Have also heard that you can use the Options line 'base' or 'optibond' as your base gel alternatively, however I have yet to experiment with this since I do own the base gel for this line, 'adhere'.
LUXIO:
Hit and miss for me. some of their lighter colors have been a nightmare for to work with as they shrink like CRAZY as you are applying them...maybe i'm just not shaking them up enough?? to the point where I can do only 1 or 2 fingers at a time. Other colors apply like a dream and I can get full coverage in 2 coats. luxio is a gel polish and soak off time in my experience has generally been around 10 minutes or so. good selection of colors, and I enjoy the brushes.
GEL PLAY:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this range, specifically their black, white, and glitters. super pigmented and designed for nail art. The gels are quite thick as well so the running/bleeding is minimal to none- for that reason I love the black and white for lineart since they come out very sharp and I rarely have to 'go over' my lines since the product is so pigmented.
I haven't trained with the company but the salon I work at uses them. For all my removals I remove shine with my file then wrap in foils with cotton.
hope this helps!! xx
OPTIONS:
I generally quite enjoy this range as it comes in a good selection of colors, is pretty durable, and I have used their crystal clear as an overlay without any issue. I haven't tried using it for extentions yet simply because the gel is so runny I feel like building the proper shape with it would be a nightmare. Usually I use opti-bond (in favor to their 'base' gel), followed by colour, then the shine-on topcoat. Options is a soak off gel and takes me anywhere from 10-20 ish minutes to remove. the gels are OK for nail art, depending on what you are using them for...but remember to stir up the pots before using them as they tend to separate. options also has a subcategory called 'options gel art' - I just want to emphasize that this is NOT the same as their gel play line.
PRO-FORMANCE UV/LED:
Used enhance and balance. enhance is their thinnest consistency hard gel, followed by balance, then structure. IMO balance is plenty thick, to the point where I feel like it almost doesn't self-level at all (I live in a colder climate as well, keep in mind). I've used the IBD builder gel prior to this and find that it is right in between the consistencies of enhance and balance (thinnest to thickest: enhance , IBD, balance). It cures pretty dang hard. I usually sculpt just the extension portion with balance, then go in with enhance to cover the natural nail and form my apex/ do my sculpting, as I feel the balance is a little too thick for my liking and skills. Have also heard that you can use the Options line 'base' or 'optibond' as your base gel alternatively, however I have yet to experiment with this since I do own the base gel for this line, 'adhere'.
LUXIO:
Hit and miss for me. some of their lighter colors have been a nightmare for to work with as they shrink like CRAZY as you are applying them...maybe i'm just not shaking them up enough?? to the point where I can do only 1 or 2 fingers at a time. Other colors apply like a dream and I can get full coverage in 2 coats. luxio is a gel polish and soak off time in my experience has generally been around 10 minutes or so. good selection of colors, and I enjoy the brushes.
GEL PLAY:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this range, specifically their black, white, and glitters. super pigmented and designed for nail art. The gels are quite thick as well so the running/bleeding is minimal to none- for that reason I love the black and white for lineart since they come out very sharp and I rarely have to 'go over' my lines since the product is so pigmented.
I haven't trained with the company but the salon I work at uses them. For all my removals I remove shine with my file then wrap in foils with cotton.
hope this helps!! xx
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justanailaddict
Well-Known Member
other points I want to add:
I haven't yet tried doing a rebalance with the options gels, as I only experimented on my own nails for the overlay for future reference. usually I stick with having a hard gel base cuz acetone lol. If you were to commit to buying some of the products I would recommend to just go with the options gels and the gel play line, as I personally prefer working with the IBD builder, and there are just too many hit and misses (in my experience) for the luxio line.
If another tech with experience in Akzentz and some other reputable brands comes along I would be interested in knowing how they compare, as I've really only used them and IBD (newbie here), and i'm still in the market for stocking my home set-up
I haven't yet tried doing a rebalance with the options gels, as I only experimented on my own nails for the overlay for future reference. usually I stick with having a hard gel base cuz acetone lol. If you were to commit to buying some of the products I would recommend to just go with the options gels and the gel play line, as I personally prefer working with the IBD builder, and there are just too many hit and misses (in my experience) for the luxio line.
If another tech with experience in Akzentz and some other reputable brands comes along I would be interested in knowing how they compare, as I've really only used them and IBD (newbie here), and i'm still in the market for stocking my home set-up
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Anna94
Member
Wow thank you for all that information! That was really helpful, it does sounds quite a complicated system though... I have hear good things about IZ gel so I'm considering that too... So many options it's hard to know where to start! Thank you againother points I want to add:
I haven't yet tried doing a rebalance with the options gels, as I only experimented on my own nails for the overlay for future reference. usually I stick with having a hard gel base cuz acetone lol. If you were to commit to buying some of the products I would recommend to just go with the options gels and the gel play line, as I personally prefer working with the IBD builder, and there are just too many hit and misses (in my experience) for the luxio line.
If another tech with experience in Akzentz and some other reputable brands comes along I would be interested in knowing how they compare, as I've really only used them and IBD (newbie here), and i'm still in the market for stocking my home set-up
justanailaddict
Well-Known Member
It's a decent system, but I find they tend to have products that do almost the same things within some of their lines (options optibond vs options base, options clear vs crystal clear..etc)
I will say I really enjoy the packaging (my second favourite next to the CND ones)
Absolutely do alot of research before diving into any system though! If you have any further questions lmk
I will say I really enjoy the packaging (my second favourite next to the CND ones)
Absolutely do alot of research before diving into any system though! If you have any further questions lmk
hi there!!! I am looking into trying akzents ans wondered which problem colors in the luxio line are problem children. I see the colors all the time and am afraid to commit to buying more colors without good color payoff (I use OPI gel color).. also do you like the options line for natural nails since it can be soaked off?
OPTIONS:
I generally quite enjoy this range as it comes in a good selection of colors, is pretty durable, and I have used their crystal clear as an overlay without any issue. I haven't tried using it for extentions yet simply because the gel is so runny I feel like building the proper shape with it would be a nightmare. Usually I use opti-bond (in favor to their 'base' gel), followed by colour, then the shine-on topcoat. Options is a soak off gel and takes me anywhere from 10-20 ish minutes to remove. the gels are OK for nail art, depending on what you are using them for...but remember to stir up the pots before using them as they tend to separate. options also has a subcategory called 'options gel art' - I just want to emphasize that this is NOT the same as their gel play line.
PRO-FORMANCE UV/LED:
Used enhance and balance. enhance is their thinnest consistency hard gel, followed by balance, then structure. IMO balance is plenty thick, to the point where I feel like it almost doesn't self-level at all (I live in a colder climate as well, keep in mind). I've used the IBD builder gel prior to this and find that it is right in between the consistencies of enhance and balance (thinnest to thickest: enhance , IBD, balance). It cures pretty dang hard. I usually sculpt just the extension portion with balance, then go in with enhance to cover the natural nail and form my apex/ do my sculpting, as I feel the balance is a little too thick for my liking and skills. Have also heard that you can use the Options line 'base' or 'optibond' as your base gel alternatively, however I have yet to experiment with this since I do own the base gel for this line, 'adhere'.
LUXIO:
Hit and miss for me. some of their lighter colors have been a nightmare for to work with as they shrink like CRAZY as you are applying them...maybe i'm just not shaking them up enough?? to the point where I can do only 1 or 2 fingers at a time. Other colors apply like a dream and I can get full coverage in 2 coats. luxio is a gel polish and soak off time in my experience has generally been around 10 minutes or so. good selection of colors, and I enjoy the brushes.
GEL PLAY:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this range, specifically their black, white, and glitters. super pigmented and designed for nail art. The gels are quite thick as well so the running/bleeding is minimal to none- for that reason I love the black and white for lineart since they come out very sharp and I rarely have to 'go over' my lines since the product is so pigmented.
I haven't trained with the company but the salon I work at uses them. For all my removals I remove shine with my file then wrap in foils with cotton.
hope this helps!! xx[/QUOTE]
OPTIONS:
I generally quite enjoy this range as it comes in a good selection of colors, is pretty durable, and I have used their crystal clear as an overlay without any issue. I haven't tried using it for extentions yet simply because the gel is so runny I feel like building the proper shape with it would be a nightmare. Usually I use opti-bond (in favor to their 'base' gel), followed by colour, then the shine-on topcoat. Options is a soak off gel and takes me anywhere from 10-20 ish minutes to remove. the gels are OK for nail art, depending on what you are using them for...but remember to stir up the pots before using them as they tend to separate. options also has a subcategory called 'options gel art' - I just want to emphasize that this is NOT the same as their gel play line.
PRO-FORMANCE UV/LED:
Used enhance and balance. enhance is their thinnest consistency hard gel, followed by balance, then structure. IMO balance is plenty thick, to the point where I feel like it almost doesn't self-level at all (I live in a colder climate as well, keep in mind). I've used the IBD builder gel prior to this and find that it is right in between the consistencies of enhance and balance (thinnest to thickest: enhance , IBD, balance). It cures pretty dang hard. I usually sculpt just the extension portion with balance, then go in with enhance to cover the natural nail and form my apex/ do my sculpting, as I feel the balance is a little too thick for my liking and skills. Have also heard that you can use the Options line 'base' or 'optibond' as your base gel alternatively, however I have yet to experiment with this since I do own the base gel for this line, 'adhere'.
LUXIO:
Hit and miss for me. some of their lighter colors have been a nightmare for to work with as they shrink like CRAZY as you are applying them...maybe i'm just not shaking them up enough?? to the point where I can do only 1 or 2 fingers at a time. Other colors apply like a dream and I can get full coverage in 2 coats. luxio is a gel polish and soak off time in my experience has generally been around 10 minutes or so. good selection of colors, and I enjoy the brushes.
GEL PLAY:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this range, specifically their black, white, and glitters. super pigmented and designed for nail art. The gels are quite thick as well so the running/bleeding is minimal to none- for that reason I love the black and white for lineart since they come out very sharp and I rarely have to 'go over' my lines since the product is so pigmented.
I haven't trained with the company but the salon I work at uses them. For all my removals I remove shine with my file then wrap in foils with cotton.
hope this helps!! xx[/QUOTE]
justanailaddict
Well-Known Member
I struggled with some of the lighter colours in the luxio range such as "fairy" or "lovely" back when I was working in my previous salon- however that issue seems to have gotten a lot better so I'm wondering if maybe they just had a bad batch?? Do make sure to shake up the colour well though as the pigment likes to settle and 80% of the time, I find shaking up the bottle improves any shrinking issues.
Also, they carry two blacks- 'nightfall' being the more pigmented one IMO
I like the options line for clients that have alot of lifting issues as it is a bit more durable, but as far as soak off time goes, luxio definitely wins in that department. I also find the options colours to be a little streaky at times.
I do also want to do an update on my thoughts on the options "crystal clear" and "clear"- which are actually quite different products. "clear" is basically just a clear soft gel- it cures soft, and is comparable to the luxio "build". "crystal clear" on the other hand can be used as a builder gel, and I actually prefer this over their pro-formance hard gel line, as it offers a bit more flexibility (less lifting as the nail grows out due to curling).
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