Does anyone else genuinely not care about their nails? At all?

[TheYearOfSmallThings]

I'm pondering this after reading another thread about nails, which made me realise how much I just don't care about my nails.

It's not that I have more important things to think about - I waste oceans of time on trivia. And it's not that I am above caring about appearance - I would kill for great hair, and an often consumed with envy of someone's slender ankles (I have cankles).

But nails? Why do people care about those?

I have perfectly bog standard nails. I might paint them once in a while. But when I see "done" nails all I ever think is "eh." And yet it is a MASSIVE industry, with shops everywhere, and they are well used. But who is it for? Who loves these big nails?

Is this an age thing? It probably is. I'm in my 40s.

@TheYearOfSmallThings

I'm pondering this after reading another thread about nails, which made me realise how much I just don't care about my nails.

It's not that I have more important things to think about - I waste oceans of time on trivia. And it's not that I am above caring about appearance - I would kill for great hair, and an often consumed with envy of someone's slender ankles (I have cankles).

But nails? Why do people care about those?

I have perfectly bog standard nails. I might paint them once in a while. But when I see "done" nails all I ever think is "eh." And yet it is a MASSIVE industry, with shops everywhere, and they are well used. But who is it for? Who loves these big nails?

Is this an age thing? It probably is. I'm in my 40s.

Obsessing over others to the extent of being 'consumed with envy' in your 40s is not normal or healthy. Some people choose to put time and effort into their appearance and others don't. Why does it matter so much to you?

Why does it matter so much to you?

Nosy and insecure

But in fairness, this probably isn't the venue for someone who has no interest in others.

Same here! As far as I'm concerned they're just part of my fingers
My one concession to grooming is a cut and colour every 6 weeks, which I love, a slick of lipstick and spray of perfume and I'm done
I use micellar water and Cerave moisturiser and am told I look 10 years younger!

Yes! I always wonder how people with those stick on talons manage to do stuff like, er, go to the loo, etc. Bonkers

I don’t bother with my nails, never paint them and can’t imagine ever setting foot in a nail salon. I also don’t care about hair, never dyed my hair or had it styled, I cut it myself. I don’t ever wear make up either and never have. All of these things seem completely alien to me, but each to their own and I don’t judge people who value these things as important.

No interest. And don't like long painted nails on anyone. Tidy clean hands is more attractive to me.

I guess it’s the people in the well used shops that are part of the massive industry???? Do you really not understand some people like something and others don’t? There’s a massive industry in high performance cars, I don’t see the appeal but it’s horses for courses isn’t it?

I think. Your question would be more valid if you were saying I see these shops but no one in them and don’t know anyone else who bothers with their nails 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’m the same as you OP - I also find most shellac manicures look really tacky. And the longer ones just seem u hygienic to me. I’m a makeup and hair girl and do everything else - I just much prefer a nice short nail that’s well kept and maybe with a clear polish/buffed. Much nicer and tidier. I also shudder at the cost of upkeep, while teenage boys can save their money for something useful, teenage girls are spending £30 every two weeks on nails (I say this as a teenage girl who used to do so!). I do get a shellac pedi but they’re great as only need to do every 2 months or so

As a lesbian, nails are the only thing I do care about, but only to the extent that they should be short, clean, and neat!

Shellac nails are just as often as not short, subtle and neat, IME. In fact I’d argue that most gel nails are, because those who want the much longer nails will likely be using acrylics.

I love a gel pedicure - I can get them done at the start of summer and not have to re-do them for the entire season. I always have the same colour - a very dark red.

I’ve just bought a beautiful burgundy to wear this month and next - staying away from gels for a couple of months because I can’t be bothered with the faff and I haven’t been able to find a colour that I really like.

[quote PlanDeRaccordement]@Sn0tnose
I’m talking about the hypocrisy of putting moisturiser on, embracing hair dying and body hair removal, wearing make up and jewellery and particular styles of clothing or, as in the OP’s case, caring that her ankles aren’t slender, but then appearing to think that they’re different and somehow far more worthy a person because they couldn’t possibly imagine caring about something so frivolous as having painted nails

So femininity is an all or nothing thing or you are a hypocrite? I don’t understand? That’s very anti feminist to say that you’re a hypocrite if you moisturise, shave, wear make up/jewellery but then (gasp) don’t paint your nails? Surely we all have freedom to choose without being accused of hypocrisy? And no one on here has said of implied this makes them “more worthy” or superior in an way to women who do choose to paint their nails/get manicures.[/quote]
No, not at all. You can embrace any aspect of femininity you want and reject any you want, all without being hypocritical. I embrace having my nails done, but I can’t remember the last time I shaved my legs (although that’s a laziness thing rather than a feminist thing).

My point is that I think it’s hypocritical to look down on and judge others for performing one aspect of femininity that you don’t, when you happily perform others. And let’s be honest, 99 out of 100 times that there’s a thread about nails or eyebrows or eyelashes, there are snarky and spiteful comments. You don’t get that the other way round.

I think it’s not only hypocritical. I think it’s snobbery.

I don't care about my nails either, I've never filed or shaped them, occasionally used to paint them, but haven't done for more than 20 years.

I never have days or nights out, apart from day trips to Edinburgh, maybe 3 times a year with DD2, and she doesn't bother about her nails either.

I used to have acrylic nails but stopped that as it was so dear for the upkeep. Grew my own and rarely polish them. I think so long as your nails aren't bitten, dirty or ragged then you'll look ok.

Obsessing over others to the extent of being 'consumed with envy' in your 40s is not normal or healthy.
I’d venture there is a level of archness to OP’s tone and her obsession is tongue in cheek…

Even with my long nails, I use a mooncup!
They've been long since I was a teenager, there's nothing I notice that I can't do with them.

I'm my 30s.

Have had my nails done a good few times over the years but within a week I'm sick of the length and take them off. Then I hate how weak my actual nails are.

I wish I was one of those women who has perfectly manicured nails but I just cba.

I've come to accept my nails as they are. I'm stuck with (to?) them, and they, me

Never had false nails. Maybe paint them once in a while if I'm going out but they're usually chipped by the end of the night.
I work in childcare so long/sharp/false nails wouldn't be practical, much prefer to keep them short and clean

@TheYearOfSmallThings

With other beauty stuff I can kind of see what people are aiming at. Long lashes are pretty, so when people use false lashes, even though they don't look great, I get it.

But nails? Who is the intended audience? Is it a way of signalling to other Nail Ladies that you are one of them?

Nail ladies! Yes, agree with you. My friends do it and I don’t get it. They look like quite thick claws and, to me, not very visually appealing.

I'm 62, and until 20 months ago, always bit my nails (often so much that I developed Whitlows at times). Then, during the first lockdown, I just decided to stop it. I now file and paint them - never been to a salon - and love them looking nice.

I don't care about them. I try and keep them short and practical. When i was a teenager I painted them occasionally but I wouldn't bother again.

I'm with you OP. Most I do to mine is file them short. I've had other women show me their latest nails and I really have to work to feign interest. Literally don't care

they are on the end of my fingers that's it. they get used for undoing things peeling things off etc but that's all

I could never have those long nails ans do all the things I do, type, wash dishes, walk lively dogs. How would you even do it? Even gel nails chip off after a few days for me.

I don’t think the stuck on talons look nice at all. Clean healthy nails are nice!

@TheYearOfSmallThings I genuinely don’t care about my nails. Haven’t had them professionally done I’m years and hardly paint them. I cut them when they grow and keep them nice and short. They annoy me when they are long. I do like gel polish as it lasts a few weeks and looks okay even on short nails but the last time I had that done was over a year ago. 😕