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Never had a manicure...is this unusual?

102 replies

Keha · 26/09/2026 10:36

Late 30s woman living in UK. Just reading an article about "bare nails".

I've never had my nails done professionally or had a manicure. When I was much younger I would attempt nail varnish at home and it would usually look rubbish. I think in my 20s, I didn't feel like I had enough money for it (although I had a professional job and didn't really know the cost). Then at some point I considered it but felt overwhelmed with all the options and not knowing what to ask for, so never went. Is this a common experience?

OP posts:
Smallpoxy · 26/09/2026 11:21

No.

JustWalnut · 26/09/2026 11:21

I haven't either.

FiveShelties · 26/09/2026 11:22

Me neither

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FadedRed · 26/09/2026 11:23

Me neither, nor a pedicure, facial or ‘spa day’, none of these appeal at all. Rarely go to the hairdresser either,

mogtheexcellent · 26/09/2026 11:23

54 and had basic file and clear varnish by wedding make up lady 16 years ago. Other than that nothing else.

sherbetlemonade · 26/09/2026 11:26

I had a manicure bought for me as a present, some years ago. Hated it, and I don't think my nail beds have been the same since.

BoldNavyCritic · 26/09/2026 11:29

Me neither, and I'm 61.

AvidHazelFox · 26/09/2026 11:30

I've never had a manicure

HobgoblinNorFoulFiend · 26/09/2026 11:31

FadedRed · 26/09/2026 11:23

Me neither, nor a pedicure, facial or ‘spa day’, none of these appeal at all. Rarely go to the hairdresser either,

Me neither. Sounds horrible.

Artefact23 · 26/09/2026 11:31

I've never had a manicure either. I used to paint my own nails all the time, had dozens of polishes, but I've not bothered for years now. I've got so used to my nails being bare I don't much like the polished look on me anymore. Which apparently means I'm unintentionally "on trend" now according to the news article today. May also be unintentionally racist as well though, apparently 🙄.

MrsLFii · 26/09/2026 11:32

I used to get my nails done all the time but the cost and the time commitment put paid to that once I had my kids, but I don’t think it’s unusual not to regularly. I think to have never had your nails done at all is possibly more unusual (as people will have them done for special occasions but not otherwise, for example) but even then, certainly not worth commenting on.

SingingShrews · 26/09/2026 11:33

The only time I have had my nails done is when my teenager does them. She is very good but also very expensive 😅

Thecomfortador · 26/09/2026 11:36

No you sound similar to me. I wouldn't know what to say if I went to a nail salon.

Rhaidimiddim · 26/09/2026 11:36

I haven't either.

Fiddlesticks1 · 26/09/2026 11:40

Nope never had my nails done and not going to start as I’ve got better things to spend my money on.

OddBoots · 26/09/2026 11:41

FadedRed · 26/09/2026 11:23

Me neither, nor a pedicure, facial or ‘spa day’, none of these appeal at all. Rarely go to the hairdresser either,

I'll be 50 soon and likewise, and by rarely to the hairdressers it must be well over a decade, maybe closer to two - I can cut, colour and style my own hair. My nails (fingers and toes) are clean and trimmed.

Life is expensive enough without adding these things on too.

GoodkneeBadKnee · 26/09/2026 11:43

No. Not unusual. Very very usual in fact.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 26/09/2026 11:46

No. Mind you, on the rare occasion when I did go to a beauty salon (usually for waxing), I ended up asking what things were on the list of services!

savoycabbage · 26/09/2026 11:47

Nobody I know gets a manicure. None of my friends do and I’ve got young adult daughters with countless friends. I got one before my wedding twenty five years ago.

RosesAndHellebores · 26/09/2026 11:48

Only on my wedding day. 35 years ago! And I smudged it when I got in the car!

I have a pedicure when I go back into my sandals every year. With ordinary polish. Sets me up for the summer vis a vis the shape which I follow.

Hair: cut, colour and blow dry every 7 weeks.

Cleanse and moisturise face night and day and use hand cream.

That's my beauty routine.

Iloveeverycat · 26/09/2026 11:49

60 never had nails
done

MarchInHappiness · 26/09/2026 11:50

I am mid 60s, only had my nails done twice - on my wedding day, and when I was maid of honour, both times back in the 1990s. It just seems an unnessary expense.

miffmufferedmoof · 26/09/2026 11:51

I never have and I thought that article was pretty strange - who knew my preference for bare nails was white supremacist?!
I painted them a handful of times as a teenager but didn’t like the feeling, and never have since

Tigerthebreadroll · 26/09/2026 11:52

Keha · 26/09/2026 10:36

Late 30s woman living in UK. Just reading an article about "bare nails".

I've never had my nails done professionally or had a manicure. When I was much younger I would attempt nail varnish at home and it would usually look rubbish. I think in my 20s, I didn't feel like I had enough money for it (although I had a professional job and didn't really know the cost). Then at some point I considered it but felt overwhelmed with all the options and not knowing what to ask for, so never went. Is this a common experience?

Not that usual. But you may have fab nails. Or nails that truly need one to know the benefit. Post a pic of your nails !

spreadandsprinkles · 26/09/2026 11:54

I have recently started having paraffin manicures, no polish, about twice a year as I am not very good dealing with my cuticles. Not into this gel and nail art crap. What a waste of time and money.

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