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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:
Zarataralara · 02/07/2023 21:23

Never seen the point in having mine done, they’re either in soil or picking up dog shit ( albeit inside a plastic bag) They’d be ruined within hours.
But now I realise how much I’m saving…….

putthatdownsteve · 02/07/2023 21:23

PuddlesPityParty · 02/07/2023 21:17

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

Show quote history

It does worry lots of people.

I get my moles mapped and checked every 18 months, strong history of skin cancer in my family and I was allowed to burn to a crisp when I was a child.

The nurses at the skin clinic always check my entire body, and always takes a good look at each toenail and fingernail and one of the questions they always ask is do you have acrylic nails put on, (never have), I asked why and was told that the UV lights are a risk.

Temporaryname158 · 02/07/2023 21:23

£17-25 where I live. £78 sounds an incredible amount of money!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Beauty General style & beauty
RattyHealy · 02/07/2023 21:26

I have BIAB, £40 every 3 weeks.
I had flaky, shit nails that I couldn't grow and now I have long lovely nails that look really nice.

Notamum12345577 · 02/07/2023 21:29

doingthehokeykokey · 02/07/2023 20:52

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

Show quote history

She is a spoilt princess! However, she has just finished her exams and is planning on doing A levels in college, and then wants to go to uni after that to study what hopefully would lead to a good career 👍

Tosire · 02/07/2023 21:33

I never even paint my nails myself. I don't ever look at my nails and wish they were pink or sparkly. I wouldn't go to a nail salon if it was free so £78 seems a waste to me.

regustering · 02/07/2023 21:42

ComeTheFckOnBridget · 02/07/2023 21:19

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.

Incorrect. I had CND shellac (a brand name) for four years solid. Nails file

mondaytosunday · 02/07/2023 21:46

Not sure what the point of your post is either. I know people who signs £200 getting their hair coloured. I do it at home for £8 (and it looks fine @AlwaysGinPlease, certainly as good as the time I did 'treat' myself to a £200 professional).
If your friend can afford it so what?

madeinmanc · 02/07/2023 21:46

I had the same feelings when I found out nearly everyone I know was having Botox and how much that costs. It just won't ever be affordable for me. It's not just Botox, it's many other procedures/treatments/haircuts etc. too. But when I look at the big picture there's other things they have that I can't afford either, like nice cars etc. so I don't know why I was surprised. I was probably a bit naive about it tbh.

Stickybackplasticbear · 02/07/2023 21:53

Bearpawk · 02/07/2023 19:27

People do forget about the melanoma risk from regular uv lamp exposure too. Melanoma in nails is fairly common.
£70 a month to massively increase your cancer risk.

A quick Google shows there's research into this am no real increased risk.

I can't stand misinformation on health.

PuddlesPityParty · 02/07/2023 21:54

putthatdownsteve · 02/07/2023 21:23

It does worry lots of people.

I get my moles mapped and checked every 18 months, strong history of skin cancer in my family and I was allowed to burn to a crisp when I was a child.

The nurses at the skin clinic always check my entire body, and always takes a good look at each toenail and fingernail and one of the questions they always ask is do you have acrylic nails put on, (never have), I asked why and was told that the UV lights are a risk.

Show quote history

Then Put sunscreen on your hands when you go that’s what I do.

bendmeoverbackwards · 02/07/2023 22:21

I don’t understand the different types of nails. Are gels and acrylics the same? Do they both require a UV lamp?

My 22 year old dd has amazing nails, she always does them herself. She’s addicted to a US brand of polish called Halo Taco, she treats herself to their boxes and changes her nails at home once a week.

bryceQ · 02/07/2023 22:26

Everyone has different priorities.

I don't drink. I get hair cut twice a year.

I enjoy having beautiful nails, it makes me feel nice when I look at my hands.

GeriatricMumma · 02/07/2023 22:29

surreygirl1987 · 02/07/2023 20:27

@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."

😨

MumApril1990 · 02/07/2023 22:51

I used to work at the council and all the (not very well paid) women had their nails done every 2 weeks. I couldn’t imagine wasting that kind of money every month.

Thetilesareblue · 02/07/2023 23:01

MumApril1990 · 02/07/2023 22:51

I used to work at the council and all the (not very well paid) women had their nails done every 2 weeks. I couldn’t imagine wasting that kind of money every month.

Why is it a waste if they like it? Surely every 'leisure' activity or choice is a waste to someone and I say that as a person who has never once paid to have their nails done but appreciate others like to.

PlasticineKing · 02/07/2023 23:02

Normally I’m every 3 weeks but can stretch to 4. £34-37 normally. I get builder gel as my nails are naturally really soft/bendy so standard gel peels off them. I get the gel infilled normally. My nail lady is lovely. She has a home salon so it’s just me and her. We have a good natter and put the world to rights. If I wasn’t able to afford it any longer I’d do my own, I have my own builder gel for emergencies. Hate the feel of bare nails now.

BoatsAndHoes · 02/07/2023 23:10

About £2.50... I do them myself, vinyl wraps.

I admired a friend's nails today
RattyHealy · 02/07/2023 23:10

MumApril1990 · 02/07/2023 22:51

I used to work at the council and all the (not very well paid) women had their nails done every 2 weeks. I couldn’t imagine wasting that kind of money every month.

It's a waste for you but not for others. I'm sure there's things you spend money on that others wouldn't.

Im99912 · 02/07/2023 23:11

I pay between £30 -£40 every 10 -days - 2 weeks depending on what I have done
£40 a month for a pedicure every month

£90 a month for a monthly subscription for eyelashes / infills eyebrow shaping waxing tinting
I have my eyelashes infilled most weeks and eyebrow shape /tint every 3-4 weeks

Redglitter · 02/07/2023 23:16

MumApril1990 · 02/07/2023 22:51

I used to work at the council and all the (not very well paid) women had their nails done every 2 weeks. I couldn’t imagine wasting that kind of money every month.

And im sure you spend money regularly on things other people would class a waste of money. I think my nails are worth every penny.

timegoingtooquickly · 03/07/2023 06:36

BoatsAndHoes · 02/07/2023 23:10

About £2.50... I do them myself, vinyl wraps.

I was planning on trying these. Are they easy to use?

The other thing I don't like about gel nails is you're stuck with one colour for a few weeks, it limits what I can choose!

mondaycatterday · 03/07/2023 06:54

I stopped having gel nails done as it's expensive - £35 in my local salon including removal.

Surely gel nails should be getting cheaper by now. Salons/nail places must be making a huge mark up.

Mookie81 · 03/07/2023 11:59

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

Your attitude is lower class.

Beezknees · 03/07/2023 12:12

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

That says more about you. You're a snob.