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!

For those of you asking how to spot a non standard salon, here are some clues...anywhere that doesn't ask you to fill in a client consultation form at your first appointment. Anywhere that is unable to show you proof of insurance when asked. Anywhere that doesn't clean and disinfect their tools properly (or at all). Anywhere that is unwilling to answer questions regarding the products they use or the services provided.

Also acrylic and Gel does not ruin nails. The prep for both is the same. I always give my clients an aftercare advice sheet after their first appointment, after that they have to take some of the responsibility for looking after them and not expect them to be indestructible!

@AutumnInBustletown

I have to be honest, I do judge people who are really into getting their nails done. It seems so incredibly superficial.

Well, so is getting your hair/eyebrows/eyelashes/anything else done in that case...

Luckily I don't give a shit what other people think. I get pretty patterned bio sculpture gel nails done every 4/5 weeks. I pay £30 as my lady is very creative with her designs and they can take a while. They always grow out fine and healthy underneath.

Just to add, it's been a tough enough couple of years for those of us in the industry. Especially for people like myself who were too newly self employed to be entitled to a single penny. It really doesn't help us to have misinformation spouted like it's fact.

This is my livelihood, it's how I pay my bills and feed my children. I accept it's not for everyone but please don't belittle the way I earn my money or those people who choose to spend their money that way.

I don't like acrylics. I think they look cheap. Whenever you look at programmes on TV about people that can't be arsed to get a job and are on permanent benefits, most of the women go and have their nails done . always the same bright colours and long nails. Awful. If you look at the nails of the royal family for example (who I've got no time for) they are short and look lovely , usually neutral colour.

Obviously hit a nerve with one or two🤷🏼‍♀️

At least one agrees. Nothing racist. Those are the places who dont treat your nails correctly.

So those of us who have our nails done are benefit scrounges which support slave trafficking and organised crime ? Is that about it ? Righty ho 🙄

Yes you have to pay £20 every time to maintain gel nails.

Ask them to trim your cuticles wet and not to scrape them. Just tel them you have sensitive hands or something.

@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.

Ah yes all that trafficking at the Harvey Nichols nail counter, or the local hairdressers or by a mobile nail artist 🙄

Come on say what you really mean...

@nameyouwhat I know a lot of people who use them. Usually teens and 20s and can't afford the nicer places.

Lots of people use acrylics because they bite their nails

@MrsDThomas

Obviously hit a nerve with one or two🤷🏼‍♀️

At least one agrees. Nothing racist. Those are the places who dont treat your nails correctly.

Are they Chinese?

I said they were. Have you never seen the places?

@AutumnInBustletown

I have to be honest, I do judge people who are really into getting their nails done. It seems so incredibly superficial.

Do you also judge people who dye their hair, get a fake tan, get waxed or their lashes done? Do you see all these things as superficial too?

Judging someone because they have their nails done - ffs 🙄

So those of us who have our nails done are benefit scrounges

That's not what I said or thought.

Imagine being all haughty what people choose to spend their own money on

Do you also judge people who dye their hair, get a fake tan, get waxed or their lashes done? Do you see all these things as superficial too?
I have no objection to those things but yes of course they are superficial do you understand the meaning of superficial?

Buy a builder gel and nail lamp and cuticle oil/sticks and do them yourself!

I get gel nails every 3-4 weeks. The old gel is removed, a builder conditioning treatment is put on and then new gel polish. You need to maintain them and always have your next appointment made

@dogmandu acrylics don't mean long and gaudy - that's the design the customer chooses. I have acrylics, they are short almond shape with a clear pink gel on top. I get acrylic overlays because I have weak nails that I tend to bite if not got acrylics on

Perhaps ask on your local Facebook group?

Unfortunately, you can't get acrylics done with out cuticles being hurt. I have had experience with different technicians. Each one has made me bleed.

I just grit my teeth at that stage and think it will be worth it. Average price for nails here is £25. I hope you find somewhere as it is a nice treat

@dogmandu

I don't like acrylics. I think they look cheap. Whenever you look at programmes on TV about people that can't be arsed to get a job and are on permanent benefits, most of the women go and have their nails done . always the same bright colours and long nails. Awful. If you look at the nails of the royal family for example (who I've got no time for) they are short and look lovely , usually neutral colour.

Only on mumsnet would someone manage to try and link someone getting their nails done to being a recipient of benefits ffs.

Hopefully the royal family will be scrolling this thread and be so wowed by your dull nails and how much better you are than everyone that they will ask you to join.

I have no objection to those things but yes of course they are superficial confuseddo you understand the meaning of superficial

Judgemental AND rude

@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.

Huh? My salon is owned and run by a 30 something year old Vietnamese woman. Her husband does the books and their toddler daughter comes in after nursery. She has one assistant who does the pedicures. She is looking for staff but only wants someone with minimum 5 years experience and is struggling to find someone good enough as she valued her reputation. No one is being trafficked thanks very much.

I think the salon nails look cheap and tacky, sorry! I like the look of a French manicure, or just neutral/natural looking nails that can be done at home.

@AutumnInBustletown

I have to be honest, I do judge people who are really into getting their nails done. It seems so incredibly superficial.

Do you just people who get regular hair cuts and massages also?

I used to get gel manicures and a pedi Ute done every 3 weeks at a nail salon. The owner had children attending the local school. The employees were neighbors and local university students. It was most definitely not a front for trafficking or crime. It was also not cheap.

Each person did have a slightly different technique, but I only ever encountered one technician that I didn’t like. Official recommendation is to not let them cut your cuticles because there is a risk of infection, but in reality, most of is let them do it.

I never had anyone push them back without soaking first.

I had to stop going because I developed allergies so I am now diy and use nail wraps. They work so much better than gel I am surprised they haven’t caught on more.