Manicure novice - what to expect?

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I've always painted my own nails and am pretty good at it, however it never lasts more than a few days so was thinking about getting gel or similar done for my holidays. However my cuticles have got into a real state lately and spoil the look, if I go to a nail bar will they push them back and tidy them up for me? The thought makes me feel a bit weird but I would like lovely neat cuticles for once. What should I expect?

[PeriPathetic]

Yeah, they will soak your nails and push the cuticles back. For gel, they then file the nails all over so the gel can attach. Several layers of 'stuff' get put on your nails and each layer is set under a light. It's very quick. I'm very impressed with how long a gel manicure lasts and am a recent convert.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Thanks, it's just that I've tried pushing the cuticles back and they just end up looking raggedy and worse than ever, just wondering what they do that is different. I don't know why they get so bad, my nails are fine and I don't pick or chew at the skin.

[PeriPathetic]

I've always pushed my own cuticles back during /after a bath or if my hands have been soaking. I just use my thumbnails. But then I've done it for years so they've always been well behaved.
Some nail techs will clip your cuticles with snippers, some may get over enthusiastic, which hurts and bleeds (only happened once) while others use a metal tool to push back.
Just tell them to be gentle!
Once you have had it done properly, you should be able to care for them yourself.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Mine never get a good soaking (showers only and got a dishwasher) which doesn't help. That's what I do, use my thumbnails after putting oil on, but they have got really bad lately. Right, will go this week and report back.

[PeriPathetic]

Sorry, disappeared to do decorating - gel coping very well indeed!
Try adding a good soak in warm, soapy water to your own manicure - I don't wash up! loads of oil or cream and work on your cuticles. Personally I find manicurists too harsh with mine.
Hope you enjoy your mani :-)

[ozymandiusking]

Sit down with a bowl of warm water with plenty of hand wash liquid, and soak hands for about 15 minutes. Dry, and then use a cuticle remover, I use Boots own,leave on for about 4-5 minutes, and then ease back with an orange stick with cotton wool on the end. or your thumb nail, but be gentle. Try and do this before you go for your manicure.
Do let us know how it goes.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Thanks, I've got a tube of cuticle remover somewhere that I used to use, they never used to be this bad but I have definitely neglected them this year, hardly worn polish either which is not like me. I don't envisage having gels regularly, just for holidays really but if I can get the cuticles back under control it might encourage me to do my own polish again a bit more often.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I did it. Gave them a bit of a soak and push back first, but the cuticles still looked really tatty, so I let the technician trim them, it wasn't an experience I'd want to repeat in a hurry, she nipped me once and I was worried she would do it again. Was horrified at how much dead skin she removed! They do seem nice and smooth, but feel a bit bare and vulnerable round the cuticles, definitely going to look after them better myself from now on. The gel is a nice finish (American). Will see how well it lasts before deciding whether I'll have them again.

[PeriPathetic]

Well done!
I totally agree on the cuticle experience. I hate it and usually don't let them near.

What colour did you go for? I'm getting mine redone in a couple of days. I find they last about three weeks then the re growth is too obvious.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

French (well, American which is more subtle), I tend to stick to nudes in summer and keep brights/darks for winter.

[PeriPathetic]

Ah, I hadn't heard that term. They look lovely! And should last for ages as the re growth won't be noticeable. Unlike mine which are black with silver sparkles on the ring fingers! I'm not good at subtle

[PeriPathetic]

Bad photo (it's really hard to take a photo of your own hand with an ipad!) but you may be able to see the gap of growth. About two weeks worth.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Wow, that's impressive. I wear a metallic black sometimes, I do love dark colours but I tend to change them frequently, not sure how I'd feel having the same colour for a fortnight plus.

It has just occurred to me that I want to redo my toes, hope I can get the polish off them without damaging my finger polish. Might have to stick on rubber gloves. I usually do both one after the other.

[PeriPathetic]

Gel is impervious to non acetone nail varnish remover! I think it will even withstand acetone and long as it's not in contact for long.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I've got both. I knew you needed acetone for the gel ones, but was not sure if the other sort would damage the surface without actually removing it IYSWIM.

Tell you what, I'm not letting that nail tech near my toes . Luckily they are good for a couple of weeks with normal polish as I rarely wear closed toes in summer.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Reporting back again - removed it last night at home. I'm not sure if I'll do it again, even with a natural effect the regrowth was quite obvious by the end of a fortnight and my nails had grown longer than I would usually let them (they do grow very fast). So, they were driving me a bit mad, but I knew I wouldn't have time to get back to the salon till the middle of next week, so I had to get them off at home. It was a bit of a rigmarole with remover, cotton wool and foil and even then it all just turned to gunge which I had to scrape off, there is still some residue so I'm going to have to have another go later, but no damage.

On the plus side, they were as glossy on Day 14 as Day 1, the only chip was self inflicted (trying to separate lego bricks) and I did like the look. I really disliked the amount of effort to get them clean again. I'd be very nervous of coloured gel in case I ended up in the same half scraped off state. I'm glad I tried it but I don't think regular beauty treatments are for me.

[itsbetterthanabox]

A tech will fix your cuticles and moisturise them. They will either soak your hands or use a cuticle remover cream and them push them back with a cuticle pusher when soft. Mostly that will be fine but any ragged bits can be carefully trimmed.
Get a paraffin treatment too to keep them soft and flexible.
After the treatment use cuticle oil regularly.