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Original poster

I admired a friend's nails today

118 replies

Dotandtime · 02/07/2023 19:13

Gel on her own nails, pretty design. She told me they'd cost £78 in a place in Bond Street!

Cue a general discussion around nails and what they cost. The consensus seemed to be around £30/£35 and most of the people I was with "always" have done nails.

I feel extravagant when I pay £40 for a haircut. I'm not sure what the point of this is, but I had no idea people were routinely spending such sums on their nails.

OP posts:
Iamblossom · 02/07/2023 19:47

I have powder nails done once every 3 weeks. If I do them myself they chip within 3 days. Costs about £38

Coppergate4 · 02/07/2023 19:50

I think I've had 3-4 manicures in my life so far - last one was 20+ years ago.

I only know one person who gets her nails done like this - I admire the workmanship but they're just not something I like the look of really. I don't even like painted nails now. I play the piano so I keep my nails short.

I get my roots touched up every four weeks and hair cut every 8 weeks and that's about it. I definitely waste plenty of money elsewhere though - this just isn't something that interests me.

Hibiscrubbed · 02/07/2023 19:51

My hair costs £400+ a time (every eight weeks) and I get a lot of massages, facials l, good quality tans, and aesthetic treatments (injectables, laser etc), plus I spend money on quality skincare. Don’t bother often with nails, though. It’s an indulgence, certainly, but I work hard and it’s my money to do with as I see fit.

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regustering · 02/07/2023 19:51

FAFO · 02/07/2023 19:17

I’ve never understood getting your nails done. I can paint them myself, job done.

Get the cuticle and hang nails trimmed.

Get gel polish or polish that's applied much better than I can.

Variety of colours.

Top and base coat.

UncleRadley · 02/07/2023 19:51

£78! Are they really fancy?

Nails are something I get maybe once a year, and I love them when they're done. But I can't justify doing them regularly when I can do them at home really easily. I do think they look great when done properly though.

GeriatricMumma · 02/07/2023 19:52

I have acrylic nails done every 3 weeks. Cost is £33 and I think it's a bargain!

FarTooHotForMe · 02/07/2023 19:54

I do my own now (weekends and holidays only) as it’s now £35 to £38 every two weeks.

Sunshinebuttercupsrainbows · 02/07/2023 19:54

I pay £35 a month for acrylic nails with nail art. It brings me joy and is far less than many spend on booze and cigarettes which I don’t partake in! It’s a small price for something that genuinely makes me feel happy every day.

regustering · 02/07/2023 19:55

pambeeslyhalpert2 · 02/07/2023 19:21

Mine are £26/£30 with builder gel, the salon is always full

That's because it's cheap

NancyJoan · 02/07/2023 19:55

I pay £35 every three weeks, and £120 every six weeks for my hair. Pay for them both with the money that I earn.

Whatajokr · 02/07/2023 19:56

I'd rather slap on my own polish at home and spend the money on a couple of decent bottles of wine.

Beezknees · 02/07/2023 19:56

I have fake nails (acrylic). They cost £35 for a full set and £20 for an infill. I wouldn't pay £78! Not in London though.

Beezknees · 02/07/2023 19:57

I don't have my hair done though, I trim it and dye it myself with box dye. Terrible I know.

GeriatricMumma · 02/07/2023 19:59

Beezknees · 02/07/2023 19:56

I have fake nails (acrylic). They cost £35 for a full set and £20 for an infill. I wouldn't pay £78! Not in London though.

It doesn't cost that much in london usually - only posh places

Campingsuperstar · 02/07/2023 20:00

Have an LED lamp at home (much less UV) and do my own. Change them weekly or fortnightly. I do my toes too. The kit and lots of varnish cost £70 and haven’t run out of anything yet. Probably had it a year or more.

massiveclamps · 02/07/2023 20:01

I spend too much time with my hands in compost to be bothered about what my nails look like. Anyway, they need to be short when I play the guitar (not as often as I should play it, but hey ho).

SemperIdem · 02/07/2023 20:01

£78 seemed steep on first reading but then I read again and realise she had some sort of design on them.

Nail art is a skill apart from general nail tech, and there will be a charge for it on top of the usual nails.

Gowlett · 02/07/2023 20:02

I’ve never had my nails done. Or my toes.
Used to do nail polish myself, but I don’t bother now. Always had thin, weak nails. They just don’t like it. Same as my hair, it won’t tolerate dye. Used to get blonde highlights in my 20s, but haven’t touched hair colour in over 20 years now. Of course some hairdressers ask, but I haven’t got grey.

DidyouNO · 02/07/2023 20:04

I've had gel nails on for over 5 years. My own nails are awful. Started costing around £22. Now costs me £40. Not only the cost but I started to worry about the UV light

GeriatricMumma · 02/07/2023 20:05

DidyouNO · 02/07/2023 20:04

I've had gel nails on for over 5 years. My own nails are awful. Started costing around £22. Now costs me £40. Not only the cost but I started to worry about the UV light

Why are you worried about the UV light?

ThatFraggle · 02/07/2023 20:08

GeriatricMumma · 02/07/2023 20:05

Why are you worried about the UV light?

Show quote history

It's basically a sunbed on your hands.

kitsuneghost · 02/07/2023 20:09

I personally dislike them and wouldn't give a fiver
Always think they make people look a bit lower class

whatsinanameeh · 02/07/2023 20:16

I get acrylic nails done every 3 weeks, £27-£40 depending on designs.

However I get a basic haircut twice a year, £35. I wasnt always in a position to be able to spend money on something that's not essential, so I enjoy this activity and I don't like it when people say oh but that's a waste of money.

I don't sneer at folks who have made other choices with their money, spend your cash on whatever boosts your happiness.

GeriatricMumma · 02/07/2023 20:17

@ThatFraggle ahh I see,
My place use an LED light

gogomoto · 02/07/2023 20:21

Mine cost £27 every 3 weeks. If you just have gel colour (and have strong enough natural nails) it's £20 every 3 weeks.