Please explain nail salons to me

[salviapages]

I would love to be someone who always has nice nails but I do not understand how nail salons work

Cuticles: first time I got my nails done she did a soak ans then trimmed my cuticles beautifully, I was so happy with it I went back again. This time I got someone else and she just started scraping them back dry, it hurt and bled, they looked terrible and so did the polish over top. She basically said it's my fault because I don't oil them every day. I thought maybe she's just crap and next time I went to someone else who did the same? How do I get someone to do my cuticles properly?

Once for my birthday my mum got me gel nails which I loved! But I don't really get how they work, do you literally have to go to a salon and pay like £20+ every time to maintain them?

I want to have nice nails but I don't know what to ask for and how much to budget and I'm fed up of wasting money and coming out with disappointing nails! Help!

It's expensive to keep your nails looking nice, but you're right, £20 to have them done, then you'll need a take off which is about £5-10, and then redone again. Your natural nails will look awful underneath so you'll want to keep having it done.

I'm really funny about nails! And once had a bad experience with a woman trying to flog me some kind of set of implements in a shopping centre. I'm not sure how the nail bars do the modern nails but know it's not for me..

Having said that. How are your actual nails? There's easy ways to get them stronger healthy etc can tell what I think if you like. And of course- free and no having to go when need changing etc.

What about press on nails?

I just assume nail salons = human trafficking, money laundering and modern day slavery. Don’t know why anyone would buy into that. You can keep your nails healthy at home if you want to.

@Finfintytint

I just assume nail salons = human trafficking, money laundering and modern day slavery. Don’t know why anyone would buy into that. You can keep your nails healthy at home if you want to.

Why do you assume this?

your nails won't be awful underneath from having gel put on them. Improper prep and removal can cause damage, not the gel.

Some product lines ask for 'dry' prep. So no cuticle soaking, just tools. But it should be gentle, not cause pain or bleeding and they should look nice afterwards! Just ask them! Id like to think someone would ask me if they had a genuine question.

You're right, it's whatever their price is, plus whatever removal is (some do it free if you're having them re-done) it's your choice how often you go between appointments, 2-3 weeks for gel is about normal.

Go to a reputable salon, have a look at their Instagrams, ask people who have nails that you like the look of where they go. Ignore those who tell you not to bother and to care from them at home, if you want them, have them!

@Finfintytint

I just assume nail salons = human trafficking, money laundering and modern day slavery. Don’t know why anyone would buy into that. You can keep your nails healthy at home if you want to.

I know that happens but that’s another (very important) discussion. There are loads of salons which employ people who are clearly not there under duress or people who run their own nail businesses. You’ll pay more for obvious reasons.

Beauty salons/ hairdressers that also do nails are often more ethical than places that only do nails. They will often do a better job too because they’re not under pressure to do as many people as possible in a day.

Lordy. Gone are the days of a quick coat of Rimmel Rapid Ruby!

It’s a bit like drug use
Once they’ve sucked you in …..

more like haircuts. some only spray the hair then cut (most often barbershops) and some wash condition then cut.
you certainly can tell them you want a soak and gentle treatment vs the cuticle trimmers.

Don't start, they don't look very nice anyway IMO, and the upkeep is expensive. I agree it is like drug use - people who do it think they need it and people who don't are at the expense.

You can speak though - when it hurt/bled you could have said no, stop, that isn’t how it was done last time and you can see it’s bleeding.

Or if you really liked how the lady you went to originally did them then when you ring up you can specifically say ‘can I get an appointment with Jane who did my nails last time please.’

I get acrylics and they cost £35 for a new set and £25 for infills. I get them done every 3-4 weeks

polkadotpixie how long do acrylics last before you have to replace the old set with a new set?

I prefer builder gel on my own nails ans then grow for 3-4 weeks, tidy up and more builder and change the colour. My cuticles are dry pushed and its never been a problem.

I dont use salons, i use independent technicians.

Can you put acrylics over badly bitten nails or is there something better?

I just assume nail salons = human trafficking, money laundering and modern day slavery. Don’t know why anyone would buy into that. You can keep your nails healthy at home if you want to

Bit of a generalisation there 🙄 I go to a salon owned by someone who was born and bred in the village I stay in. She went to college & is fully trained.

I love my acrylics. They cost me about £20 a month.

@5zeds acrylics will cover bitten nails perfectly. My natural nails don't look great but they're transformed with acrylics

🙄 thought that photo would be at the bottom of my post

I hate the look of acrylics.
Gel over a natural nail is not so bad but acrylics just look so fake, which they are of course. Same with those ridiculous lashes.

Until April of this year, I had bitten my nails most of my life. Badly bitten them. Horrid to look at and I was so embarrassed of them, I’d often buy cheap acrylics to cover them up. I had my nails done once, professionally when we got married. Those false nails lasted about a week and cost me £30 odd quid and that was early 2000’s!

However, in April, literally on a whim, I saw an offer at a local hair dresser/beauty salon for £20 gels and called them. I was so embarrassed but explained about my nails. The nail tech couldn’t have been nicer and explained what she could so for me.

She used something called “builder nail” on my first visit. This was very natural looking gel but prevented me from biting. Three weeks later, went for soak off (£5) and replication of the builder nail. Three weeks after that I had my first colour with builder nail as a bottom coat. Honestly, my nails are really strong and I’m thrilled I made the leap.

But like you I was utterly confused before I contacted them and I felt really out of my depth. Now I love it! I went in Thursday and as she was painting on my current colour, I was looking to see what I will have on next.

Can't see the point myself. It's surely massively impractical and having weird talons collecting all manner of actual shit underneath them in gross!
I also judge people who have tacky colourful nails, sorry not sorry

@Finfintytint

I just assume nail salons = human trafficking, money laundering and modern day slavery. Don’t know why anyone would buy into that. You can keep your nails healthy at home if you want to.

I agree with this. As a business model it makes no sense. I don't know anyone who uses one yet they are everywhere.

Hi also loathe acrylics. I work with someone who has them and all I hear is that tap tap tap in the keyboard. I swear, one day ill sit on her and take my clippers to her fakes!!

Hurts my ears!

@MrsDThomas

Hi also loathe acrylics. I work with someone who has them and all I hear is that tap tap tap in the keyboard. I swear, one day ill sit on her and take my clippers to her fakes!!

Hurts my ears!

Yes! 😂

I give myself a manicure every once in a while. Sally Hansen quick dry is my ultimate weapon of choice. My nails are short so they don't chip too easily, so I get a lovely finish and great colour for at least 5 days. Costs a fraction of the price and doesn't harm my nails. (most of my colours are built up from 25 years of buying here and there, the stuff lasts forever)