Can I ask a really noddy q re nails?

[nowwearefour]

What are people mostly having done to their nails now? I have been having nail envy recently and went into a nail bar this pm to treat myself. But I was so overwhelmed I didn't know what I wanted and I left. Do people have shellac or gel polishes now? What is the difference? What happens when one falls off? Do people go and get them removed and then new ones put back on again? Does anyone just have a colour polish done any more?

[VenusRising]

Why don't you ring a nail salon? Ask them the questions with relation to your own nails? And get some recommendations. Sometimes a salon will give a free consultation face to face.

Ime regular moisturising will help nails grow, and using a glass nail file will keep them neat.
I use burt bees cuticle lemon cuticle oil, but sometimes vaseline.

[chocoshopoholic]

I have gel polish on mine, but bought a kit for home rather than salon.

Shellac is a brand of gel polish, other popular ones are gelish and opiGelColor.

I get 2-3 weeks before my gel polish starts to chip, then I remove (&either reapply or take a break)

Gel nails are different to gel polishes. Gel nails are more like an enhancement, gel nails can be sculpted or lengthened from natural nails. Gel polish can go over a natural or gel nail, and is the glossy colour part.

[GoingHomeNow]

Gel Polish is just a "long life" nail paint. It's not false nails, but you do have to got back to the salon 3 weeks later to have the polish removed. You can still have a normal shape and polish, but I guess there is less call for something that lays a week, when you can get a gel nail done which lasts up to a month. Shellac and opi etc are brand names.

Hope this helps - go treat yourself!

[GoingHomeNow]

*lasts a week ....

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

My nails are always polished. Sometimes times one color matching or complimenting what I'm wearing. Sometimes nail art. All depends what mood I'm in.
Shellac nails are ideal I guess as saves time on your painting, or how about the false nails with the white tips. They always look nice.

[Janethegirl]

I really grudge the costs of manicures and tend to do my nails myself and spend the money I 'save' on other beauty treats

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

You can get gel polish off at home, using a remover with acetone in but it is quite a palava compared to normal polish. A good salon will be able to talk you through it.

[nowwearefour]

Ok thanks all. there was a bit of a language barrier for me today so I wasn't entirely clear what the story was. I have made an appt for Monday so I will see what happens! Wd I expect to pay about £25 for a gel polish?

[FirstOfficerDouglasRichardson]

Depends where you are price wise. Locally for me (SE) shellac a polish with manicure is £25, shellac with manicure is £35.

[FirstOfficerDouglasRichardson]

Sorry that's meant to say polish £25 and shellac £35. In my part of SE.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I've only had it done a couple of times, in an express nail bar I think it was £20 for shaping and gel polish only, £25 for a full manicure (cuticles and dead skin sorted out first). Last time I went I paid £34 for a full gel manicure in a conventional beauty salon, which I personally preferred, it was much quieter and more relaxed - in the express place it was busy, noisy, crowded, smelled very strongly of solvents and although I came out with great nails the speed at which the nail tech was tackling my cuticles with sharp tools was quite unnerving.

[nowwearefour]

Thanks. I haven't thought of going to a proper beauty salon- the express nail bar was my first port of call. But I have. Other options now! Thanks mners!

[Coumarin]

I have just a colour put on. I go to Nails inc and it lasts about a week before chipping slightly but by that point the re growth at the bottom is visible so I'd be taking it off anyway.

Toes last for eternity until I get bored.

The nail technician always tries to get me to have gel but that's probably because it costs more. I don't, because I live some distance from where I go so mightn't be able to go for it removed properly.

[Coumarin]

Btw, although Nails inc are excellent at perfect manicures and the colour and finish is gorgeous, I wouldn't recommend because they are over priced.

[nowwearefour]

Thanks coumArin

[carrie74]

I regularly have Shellac done at my local salon, where she charges £20 (including removal if applicable). I get an average of 2.5 weeks of good looking nails, after that, it might chip or peel off in one go on a nail. Depending on how bad it is, I'll either remove them myself (a bit of a faff, so need a free evening and some good telly!), or make an appointment for a new application. The biggest downide for me is how inferior my nails seem afterwards: the Shellac makes them hard as nails, but once it comes off, I forget they're not super strength anymore and of cours they break. But I keep my nails quite short anyway, so it's not a big deal for me. The quality of my nails doesn't seem as good anymore either (I've been doing this for a few years now, although I have the odd month off every few months), but I'm not sure if there's an element of them not looking so good in comparison rather than as a standalone.

I find my nails need quite a bit of maintenance now: I use a nail oil or cream (currently solar oil: your salon may provide you with a sample bottle to use) at least once a day. This helps keep the nail moisturised. Also, make sure you use gloves when doing washing up to protect your manicure.