Gel Nails vs. Axxium Powder: Which is Right for You?

Question
I went to a salon to get my nails done. Orginally I had them done before in acrylics and I did not enjoy the constant lifting and more frequent visits back to the salon. So I went with Gel nails. The tech said 95% of her customers get Gel nails and heard few comments from customers that they rock. So I decided to go ahead and went with Gel with White tips for a French look and to help grow out my nails. I hate the white tips, but I have them covered with nail color now. Anyway, tech said come back in about 2 weeks for a fill, and in about one week I went out of town. I had to glue my nails down to prevent lifting 6 times. While out of town, I got fed up and went to another salon and got my nails filled there. Paid more than what my other salon would have charged. However the nail tech did them with Axxium and told me that my other tech should not have used the drill to file down and should not have used the Powdered mix with gel. So far the Axxium looks better and more natural and I dont see any signs of lifting yet in three days. Three days with the other tech I had signs of lifting.  The first tech did the drill, and tips and then mixed powder with this liquid substance and applied them like acrylics (but it did not smell like acyrilics do) and had them cured under the regular light bulb not the UV as supposed to, and then applied this coat of something gel-like and had me put my nails under a UV to dry. The second nail tech hand filed the lifting and fixed the nails and applied Axxium and each layer was cured under the UV light, and then applied the final coat and also dried/cured under UV. then painted my nails etc.. Now I did some googling and am very curious as to why the different techniques and what was different, and if I should continue with the Axxium? (if I can find a salon that uses it in my town) or go back to the first tech?  I work in the medical field and need something that last longer than acrylics.. THe first tech feels like she did acrylics but said gel?  Help me out here!! Thanks!! I can clarify more in email if needed.

Answer
Hi Caroline
 I sure hate to be the one to tell you this, but you were taken advantage of and deceived by the first tech. The is no such thing as a "powdered gel". This has become such a problem within our nail industry. Techs(usually at walk-in, discount salons) are passing off acrylics as gels. Many are charging a premium price as well. If I were you, I would not only never return to that salon, I would highly suggest that you contact your state board of cosmetology and report them. What happened to you is fraudulent.
OPI Axxium is a good product. In case you are unable to find those locally, there are a few others that I would consider to be high quality:T.E.N gels, Akzentz, LCN and CND Brisa are all good.
I am wondering why you are having a lot of lifting, though. A good tech should use cuticle remover and push them back before you begin your service. I hear a lot of other technicians say they just go over them with a sanding band(w/ an electric file, also called a drill). I don't recommend you allow that to happen.

I wish you luck in finding someone good :)

Brooke Gilliam