I admired a friend's nails today

[Dotandtime]

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.

@GeriatricMumma

"These lamps are typically used to speed-dry regular manicures, and they are required to set gel manicures. Some nail lamps are called “UV” lamps, and some are called LED lamps, but both emit UV radiation. They predominantly produce UVA rays, which have been linked to both premature skin aging and skin cancer."

I pay £24 every 2-3 weeks. I have shellac and have them as short as possible, I ask for them to be cut with scissors and then filed down, I hate nails any longer than my finger and would never have nail art or a design and have them painted in a plain colour. They look totally natural and just like I’ve just painted them.

People can colour their own hair too. Often looks awful though. What do you use?

I say it's the location aswell. the rent etc must be huge aswell as its a skill. I pay 40e every month for my nails and eyebrows. I love getting my nails done. I used to bite my nails and getting them done is the only thing that has helped me stop all be it not fully. my beautician is a good friend now been going so long to her aswell so look forward to our catch ups. my feet us about 50e every 2 months around spring summer. do some touch ups in between myslef. get my eyelashes permed and tinted which is about 60e every so often (hate the fake eyelash look though) my hair cist me 200e last month for cut and color. Will have to get it colored again in 2 months for about 100e cause I can not stand the grey. If people want to spend that on themselves go for it but I do hate it when people say it's such a waste of money. it's a skilled industry that employs so many people

I spend about £100 per month on nails and waxing. It makes me feel more confident and better about myself.

I think your nails are probably awful because you have gels all the time. What would happen if you give them a break?

Normal polish never stays on my nails for more than 2 seconds. And I can't be faffed buying a UV light etc to do my own gels.

Plus a proper manicure will sort out cuticles, shape nails, proper under and top coat etc all giving a better more polished finish than a home "paint only" job.

I went through a phase of having BIAB every 3 weeks. Cost £35 a time and I loved having beautiful, strong nails all the time. It was quite addictive!

Then my salon upped the price to £40 and it suddenly felt a lot more expensive. I also started a new job so wasn’t as flexible for appointments etc.

Had the gel completely removed a month ago and my nails are ruined, really thin and weak. Wish I’d never started having them done.

I hate having to sit in a salon and talk to someone for an hour just to get my nails done. I bought a full kit last year and do them myself now. They aren't as professional looking as the salon does but I don't care. £30 every 3 weeks I could afford but I don't want to talk to someone.
If someone could create a chain of silent salons that would be amazing.

My nails is the one luxury I won't give up. I have acrylics. I pay about £20/£25 every 3 weeks. Worth every penny

If someone could create a chain of silent salons that would be amazing. Yes please!

Had my nails done for my wedding, first and last time
I paint them myself if I want to

My salon is £25-£30 dep on design etc for gel/BIAB. They will often add a stamp/sparkle/sticker without extra charge.

I only get mine done for special occasions/holidays. So about 3-4 times a year.

I always put spf on my hands before I go because of the UV light.

They look far better than I could do myself.

There's a salon near me that gives the option of a "silent" appointment. You just tick a box on their booking app. So you could go in with headphones etc (or a book if having a pedicure) and you don't have to talk. It's popular!

Fucking hell. Hope she’s driven and smart and gets a good job!

Do you mind me asking what kind you use? I've been using Candy Coat but they don't last longer than 2-3 days no matter how much prep I do 😫

this is going to be the next health disaster! UV blast every 3 weeks.

If you really want cheap gel nails go to a local college that has a beauty department. You can get all sorts of treatments.

Usually £35 to £40 for a whole set of acrylic/ gel extensions then £25 to infill them- which you did every 3 weeks or replace the whole set.

Gel colour just in your actual nails lasts well and is about £20

I pay £25 a time for BIAB, I can't do my own because my nails are so flimsy and weak that it chips off within a day (they've always been weak - it's not the BIAB that's made them that way!)
It lasts a good 4-5 weeks and it's my hour of me-time which is priceless - so good value in my opinion

My nail tech works from her home based salon. I pay £18 and go every three weeks. It includes glitter, nail art, nail maintenance and a good old gossip. It's my bit of luxury and worth every penny.

I injured my middle right finger as a child and my nail grows at a ridiculous angle. Having nice nails detracts from the scarring. I am a corporate trainer and spend lots of my time pointing at peoples screens and papers in a room, so I like my nails to look decent.

I have an acrylic on my wonky nail which she makes appear straight and an overlay and gel on the others. £25 a month. Talk if I want to, not if I don’t. She asks when we start the appt! If I don’t she offers to put the radio on or leave it very quiet.

that’s why she’s booked months in advance and I keep going back.

I get mine done, I like gel but if I want to save money I have a nail glue thats amazing and just get cheap falsies. The glue I have keeps them on for weeks 😂

I think you need to look into it a bit more before making wild statements.

The problem is that gels and shellac etc aren't great for your real nails, it takes them a week or two to recover so people get into the habit of having them done repeatedly to hide the fragile nail beneath.

I just had to talk myself into spending a tenner on 3 new nail varnishes ( but two get one free)! I love nail varnish and my nails are rarely without them but have always done my own. Had them done professionally for my sister's wedding once, they didn't do them any better than I could have done so for my own wedding I did my own.