To want regular manicures?

[StrongCoffeAvalanche]

Mum of young children. Youngest is now in full time nursery for the first time so I have a bit of time to myself (I work part time). I always feel like I have really crap nails and regular manicures would cheer me up and make me feel more like myself. But a manicure is either about £26 a pop or £36 if shellac. This is quite pricey for us. And even a shellac one lasts only 2 weeks, if I'm lucky.

Do normal mums get regular manicures? Do it themselves? Just leave their nails to be natural? I feel a bit lost.

Natural. I don’t have the time or money for anything else.

I just do my own nails- rarely wear polish only if going out. Main thing is though if it is something that makes you feel good and you can afford it then crack on. Everyone needs something that is a treat if possible. Mine is having my hair done and buying good make up. Of course if your children are dressed in rags and starving it is a luxury you would give up

I just buff my fingernails so they're nice and shiny but generally get gel on my toenails. Love having nice red toes.

I get gels but only because my dd2 is a beauty therapy student and has all the gear and needs lots of practice.

Until she started her course I'd had my nails done precisely once, and I've been a mum for almost 22 years.

I do my own nails. I have a very expensive hobby so couldn't justify manicures as well

What do you mean by normal mums? Normal will mean different things in different circles.

I use a good buffer, keep cuticles pushed back and put oil on cuticles (almost) every night.
Gel polish only for special occasions.

Thanks for replies. Realistically I can't afford it. If they lasted a month or so it would feel worth it, but with my lifestyle that'd never happen. I've never done my own cuticles, wouldn't know where to start

I do. Have 1dc, 6yo. I've been getting regular gel polish manicures for about 3 years now, once every 3 or 4 weeks. It's not money we miss, and it cheers me up.

Depends if you have the time and money.
I never could justify either, but would have had for a special occasion pre covid. Since covid I only have had my hair done once.
Everyone deserves a treat, choose whatever you like and can afford.

I get acrylics every month for £35-£40.

I'm a SAHM but that's my treat. I like having nice nails that I don't have to up keep myself.

I have my nails done (gel nails) every 3 weeks.
It costs £20 inc a tip. I've had gel for years repeatedly without a break. During lockdown, I didn't get it done for months. At first, my nails were in an awful state thin and broken. I used a conditioning treatment on them and they were back to being healthy-looking.
I'm now back to gel every 3 weeks I know if I stop my nails will be shit again.
Probably better to be natural 😄

I used to be very into nails, was great at doing my own, always had polished nails.

I've worn my own polish maybe three times since I had a baby three years ago, and had gels twice for special occasions. I just don't have the time, or patience for nails that don't last at least two weeks. I do hope to go back to it at some point!

Do my own gel polish with a DIY kit
Much cheaper! Aldi have got them on sale at the moment for £30

To add - I'm not kind to my hands. I don't wear rubber gloves when doing housework/dishes etc. I do use cuticle oil though. But basically, it's really really hard to ruin a decent gel manicure, especially if the base is builder in a bottle. If it's not lasting 3 or 4 weeks, you need a better nail tech.

I go to the salon every Thursday for lash infills, and I have gel polish too every second visit. I'm in a small town in Scotland, so it's likely not as pricey as England - I pay £45 on my lash infill/gel polish visit, and £20 for the weekly lash infill (a full set of fresh lashes would be £70).

What do you mean by normal mums? Normal will mean different things in different circles.

Good point. I guess normal to me means an average income - not super rich but comfortable ish. Both me and DH work, do not have a nanny.... I just have no idea how often most people in that sort of set up have their nails done professionally.

I get gels done as a treat every couple of months (remove them myself in between times); I’m a normal mum and it’s my favourite treat!

If it would be a struggle to afford regularly, can you invest in some nice cuticle oil and a good buffer, and a couple of nice polish shades? Take 15 mins every other day to buff and oil your nails and they’ll look good.

I’ve had one manicure in my life, the D’s day before my wedding day. I’m now mid 40s!

But I treat myself in other ways eg regularly have coffees and croissants out, but clothes much more than I should etc.

@StrongCoffeAvalanche

What do you mean by normal mums? Normal will mean different things in different circles.

Good point. I guess normal to me means an average income - not super rich but comfortable ish. Both me and DH work, do not have a nanny.... I just have no idea how often most people in that sort of set up have their nails done professionally.

Well I’m in that bracket and I’d say this is about priorities. I’d rather have my nails and eyebrows done regularly, and cut back on haircuts and buying clothes. So the money is usually available to me to get these two things done on the regular.

Just look up to tube tutorials & teach yourself. Shellac isn’t hard if you get the equipment & baking machine, I got one 10 years ago off AliExpress.

With so many YouTube tutorials there really isn’t an excuse to be so befuddled & not know where to start. You own a device that has this info at your fingertips, learn!

Thanks all, some great advice on here!!

@StrongCoffeAvalanche

Thanks for replies. Realistically I can't afford it. If they lasted a month or so it would feel worth it, but with my lifestyle that'd never happen. I've never done my own cuticles, wouldn't know where to start

I get why you want to do your nails. It feels nice. There are loads of utube manuals you can watch to learn how to manicure your own nails.

Get the stuff to do gel nails at home. It is a piece of piss. This kit has everything you need for £60 - DM has it and says it's just as good as the salon.

www.amazon.co.uk/Polish-MYGEL-Colours-Starter-remover/dp/B00J3WYJLM/ref=sr_1_69?s=beauty&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1635982831&refinements=p_4%3AMylee&sr=1-69

I'm sure there are other options out there, just as good and cheap, if you are boycotting Amazon.

You Tube *

Also not sure how nails can make one feel like oneself…. If it was winter & wearing mittens would you not feel yourself ?

I understand nails being a trend now, but it seems odd to feel not yourself if nails not done to me, at least

I do see it as indulgent to spend that on nails if you can’t afford it. But I enjoy learning beauty techniques at home & being in control of my appearance & not relying on a service for grooming related things.

Maybe try stick on nails ? They are apparently much better quality ones out nowadays!

I like doing my own nails. I hate having them done for me, as the few times I've had them done they were shit. Also I don't like shellac or gels or whatever as I pick them off - I need the flex of normal polish or I find them irritating.

Get some cuticle oil, a cuticle pusher, and buffer (personally I like the square type) and put aside some time every few days to really concentrate on them. Oil and push them back every day, keep them neat and buffed and they'll look lovely.

Or, just have it done as a treat and see how you get on.