how long do you 'get' out of a manicure?

[Gatekeeper]

Had my first ever on Saturday and by the end of the day the nail varnish had worn away at the end of the nail. Sunday saw it flaking off and today it looks shite. She used base and top coat and OPI nail polish. Not impressed really and I was all excited about having it done !

[TheCatsMeow]

A month but I have Shellac. Normal nail varnish chips off on me

[pookamoo]

10 days depending on what's going on.

[Nabootique]

I've never had a professional one, but from what I've read that is really bad! Most people seem to get at least a week, I'd say. The wearing away at the end straight away sounds like she didn't "cap" the ends. I get 5 - 7 days when I do my own.

[MissyMaker]

2 - 3 weeks with either Gelish or Shellac. I wouldn't bother with a 'normal' manicure any more - the polish lasts a day or two at best.

[ASmallHenInItsLateForties]

Vinylux is very good and lasts a good week on me. Also dries fast too.

[itsbetterthanabox]

Normal polish really varies on people depending mostly on the strength of the nail. It lasts very well on strong nails but on bendy, thin or flakey nails then not long at all. It also depends on lifestyle. If you do a lot of typing, cleaning or have your hands in water a lot it won't last well. A professional manicure will last better. Some ladies have professional normal polish manicures last a week plus if they have very strong nails and look after their nails.
Gel polish lasts much better, most people get 2+ weeks. Again it lasts even better on strong nails.

[Crusoe]

About a week. Had mine done Saturday morning and they still look like new.

[Eastpoint]

Usually a week

[Sparkletastic]

Gellux lasts me 3 weeks easily. Has completely converted me to manicures - never bothered before and am now never without one.

[Gatekeeper]

looks like I had a duff one then

bums

[itsbetterthanabox]

Gatekeeper was it normal polish or gel polish?

[Gatekeeper]

just the normal one; I didn't dare try the gelish ones as i was a manicure virgin so to speak

[TheCatsMeow]

Gellish isn't any more difficult to have than a normal manicure

[Gatekeeper]

don't you need to have it 'specially removed????...that's whatthe manicurist said

[TheCatsMeow]

Yeah but you can buy the stuff and do it at home yourself

[itsbetterthanabox]

It is better for the nails to have it removed by a nail tech.
Normal polish really does vary depending on your nails so I don't think you got a duff one. I don't get long out of a pro manicure because my natural nails are thin and bendy.

[Doobigetta]

Shellac looks good on mine for a week at the most. My nails grow stupidly fast, so after a week there's a noticeable gap at the ottom. After two weeks it looks shit and I have to take it off. I've never had shellac chip or flake on me though. Just grow out really quickly.

[Toxicity]

I always find a good manicure using OPI or Essie last 5 to 7 days. Did you keep your hands away from cleaning products? To make the varnish last longer I find this is really important and am often found in my marigold gloves! The only time the polish chipped within 24 hours was when I went to a cheap salon near me (you know the no frills kind of place) and even though they had Essie polishes I wondered if they were old or had put something in to make them last longer?

Sorry yours didn't last long, hope you have another manicure somewhere else soon and its longer laster :-)