Alternative to getting nails done-low spend 25

[Ontobetterthings]

I spent an absolute fortune getting my nails done every 2 weeks last few years. I wants to save some money this year. I've tried a few nails varnishs but they chip immediately.

Can anyone recommend any good nails varnishs or alternatives please

I’ve been really impressed with Glaize nail wraps this Xmas holiday. Easy to apply, no uv lamp required and I much prefer the fell compared to gels- less thick. Cost about £14 and lasted a week altholugh some customers reckon they can get 2-3 weeks.

I just clean and file my nails, probably not what you’re looking for though.

I exclusively use Essie polishes - 2 coats plus a top coat and it looks gorgeous and lasts 2 weeks easily (it always chipped when I used other brands).

Ive just started using nail wraps. Only cost a few quid from lily and fox.

Vinylux with a coat of Sally Henson Insta Dry. I don't think any polish can last 2 weeks without chipping. I think 6 days good going.

There's no real replacement for professional nail care that comes close but I find I can go 3 weeks instead of 2 and I take mine off (tomorrow) and keep off until Easter to rest my nails unless something really important comes up event wise

Currently very impressed with Superdrug's own brand nail polish. Goes on very nicely and lasts, especially with a top coat of clear (and not doing any washing up which seems to kill my manicures).

Seche vite top coat is indestructible; dried really fast and looks like gel. I use it over Essie polish. Do them once a week with a cuticle trim and use cuticle oil daily.

I’ve switched salons and have Biab. I can stretch my nails out to 3/4 weeks with no chips at all and the growth doesn’t look bad. My previous salon was chipping and looking awful within a week.

I tried doing my own with nail polish but it never looked as good.

I use 2 different methods

Dipping powder kits - these last me two weeks. You can get cheap ones off amazon or Shein. Sassy saints ones are more expensive but slightly better quality. Sassy saints. Very quick and easy

Or my usual nail varnish but with a clear gel top coat cured under a lamp which easily do 2 weeks but take longer as you have to fully dry each coat.

Slathering your nails in all sorts of chemicals is not "nail care".

I've stopped having gels. More to do with the damage to my nails than the cost. I recently got an ordinary old fashioned manicure (was hard to find anywhere that did them) and I've kept up on the shaping of my nails myself. I use OPI nail varnish and top coat and I can get away with a week before I need to remove and reapply, doing small patch up jobs in between.

I use Dior Nailglow and reapply every two to three weeks. It's not the most exciting and obviously you can't play around with colours, but it lasts well, looks neat and well groomed and the regrowth doesn't show. Having said that, I do have strong nails, so if nails are weak, it might not work as well.

I got these but couldn't manage tidying up the ends of my nails. Was very disappointed.

Lily and fox wraps (free postage from Australian site)

I've bought a gel kit from Amazon for £30 that came with a large amount of varnishes, UV light box and all the kit.

Same here. The only issue is that Seche Vite dries my cuticles, so I need to be careful applying it.

Almond oil and a nail buffer.

I would set aside time each week to do them while watching an episode of a series you love. An effective top coat is the key, I think, and really leaving enough time to dry.

Thanks so much for all these tips. This is very useful 🙂

2-3 weeks!! I've tried it and it lasts a few days on me before it starts peeling. How do you get it to last 3 weeks ?

Wow - that's a shame! I'm not very good with nails and have never done anything special. Just remove all traces of the previous coat, leave for a few minutes then paint on the next one. I'm on my second bottle now and both have been good. I do wear gloves to do washing up and stuff though.

I'll be honest, it doesn't last that long on me either. It dries very quickly though so I sometimes use it in "emergencies".