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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think getting nails done all the time is a waste of money

151 replies

Unsurefriend1983 · 07/11/2022 23:30

Had my nails done 4 times in my life all for special occasions. Just had them done for my wedding. I always have to have them taken off though after 2 weeks as I can't stand my nails being long. I think for a special occasion its ok getting gel nails but at 25 quid a pop isn't it a waste of money to have them done all the time? The nail people in the shop seemed to think I was bonkers for wanting them taken off and nothing new done. I was so happy to get home chop them file them and put a clear polish on. Most women would be sad to not have posh nails but I was happy to have my short nails back. Only had them done for my wedding so I wouldn't have to worry about chipping. With the cost of living is it justified to spend this amount of money every 2 weeks. I know we have to treat ourselves but I think there's better things to spend money on.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 07/11/2022 23:32

Please yourself.

What one person wants to do doesn't suit another.

Chailatteplease · 07/11/2022 23:33

Why do you care? Do what you want with your nails, don’t judge what others spend their money on. It’s a non-issue.

Stationsofthecross · 07/11/2022 23:34

I get mine done every 6 weeks but I like them done - each to their own and all that.

LaBellina · 07/11/2022 23:34

I used to have long acrylic nails that didn’t even allow me to pick up a coin from the floor. I’ve had my own natural nails now for years, just file them by myself and use cuticle oil / handcream and I think they look pretty in all their cheap low maintenance simplicity 😂

Sparklesocks · 07/11/2022 23:35

It’s all relative based on your interests isn’t it? Someone who doesn’t like cycling could argue spending £100s/1000s on bikes and gear is a waste of money. Or a non drinker might think it’s a waste of money for people to spend their Friday nights in the pub. There are probably people who think your particular interests/likes aren’t worth your money, either.

Youdoyoubabe · 07/11/2022 23:36

I don't like long fake nails either. I think they look tacky. They are still in fashion though.

XanaduKira · 07/11/2022 23:36

To each their own!

Fenneloup · 07/11/2022 23:37

I don't think it's true that most women would be sad not to have posh nails.

BrokenWing · 07/11/2022 23:37

Never had my nails done by anyone but myself, even then only do it a couple of times a year as its a faff.

Not sure where you get "most women" from. I know very few that have them for more than special occasions.

GroggyLegs · 07/11/2022 23:38

It's like any other cosmetic beauty treatment - waxing, tanning, lashes, eyebrows...

Expensive, doesn't last but people pay money to enjoy the way it looks for a while. It's no worse than spending cash on a night down the pub or a trip to the cinema. In fact it lasts longer.

In a personal level, I'm with you, I don't like my nails painted but I know some people who'd feel naked without.

Skyrimisveryrelaxing · 07/11/2022 23:39

I have shellac and short square nails because im super bad at painting my nails

BlackBarbie · 07/11/2022 23:39

it’s not compulsory to have your nails done. what other people spend their money on has nothing to do with you

Hibernationsetting · 07/11/2022 23:41

Technically, most things are a waste of money, aren’t they? Any drink that isn’t water, is a waste. Any food that isn’t the bare minimum is a waste. Any sports related expenses are a waste. But there’s not much joy in that!

who said nails had to be long? Mine aren’t. They are green, not black, it’s a dark image.

To think getting nails done all the time is a waste of money
WinterWitchy · 07/11/2022 23:42

My gel polish lasts 3 weeks, I get my eyebrows done at the same time, my highlights are refreshed every 6 weeks, I go for a blow dry every week…. It’s fuck all to do with you what people spend their cash on ☺️ HTH

adiosamigoo · 07/11/2022 23:44

£25? It’s £45 here for a new set and I’m no where near London

thirstyformore · 07/11/2022 23:44

What a bizarre post! People can spend money on what they want. I like nails and eyelashes. I can afford nails and eyelashes. What difference does it make to you if I spend my money on nails and eyelashes or candles or avocados or cat food??

Kite22 · 07/11/2022 23:45

You could argue that anything that isn't essential to maintaining life is a "waste of money" but life would be pretty miserable without things that make us happy, wouldn't it?

I'm fairly confident you spend money on something that someone else would thing was a bit of a waste of money. We are all different.

I personally have never had my nails "done" by anyone. Occasionally, over the years I have put some nail varnish on myself. But I don't begrudge someone else deciding to spend their own money on something that gives them a treat anymore than I expect to be judged spending money on something else I think of as a treat.

Scautish · 07/11/2022 23:46

YABU

Never get my nails done - and don’t see the attraction at all - but surely it’s a personal choice?

I buy lego. A lot of people won’t understand that (though loads will!). They don’t need to understand, just as you and I don’t need to understand the attraction of nails.

Ponoka7 · 07/11/2022 23:46

It's up to the individual to decide what to spend their money on. I had that discussion with my builder who couldn't get his head around the price of the new televisions. He goes to the pub every night and the chippy on the way home. You don't see many betting shops closing, either. I hate the way only women's spending is scrutinised.

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 07/11/2022 23:52

I have sensory issues and hate having natural nails never mind fake nails but I love the feeling I get when my nails are being done and I like the atmosphere.

I like to feel pretty for a few hours before I compulsively pick them all off, and when my willpower let's me down.

I don't have them done that often, a few times a year.

For me, it's only a waste if I place the value of it on having and maintaining long nails, and not the experience of having them done.

Keroppi · 07/11/2022 23:53

Well maybe some people might think there's better things to spend money on than a wedding? 🤷‍♀️ Different strokes.
I feel like in times of austerity people actually spend more on little treats for themselves as a ~self care~ thing.. I do see a lot of women learning to do their own gel extensions now though. Gel polish is easy. DIY acrylics would be harder

Brainks · 07/11/2022 23:54

I would say it is a waste of money if you can’t afford it. If you can then it’s not.

Changemaname1 · 07/11/2022 23:57

If you have better things to spend your money on then spend on that . For others the other thing is the nails .

if people have disposable income it’s each to their own what they spend it on

iv had my nails done exactly once in my whole life as it’s not something I’m bothered about . However botox and holidays - take my money

Luredbyapomegranate · 07/11/2022 23:58

Well this is bizarre.

Are you unaware that people are different?

If you can afford a manicure and it brightens your day, why not? It provides employment for people too.

And no, 'most women' would not be sad not to have posh nails. Most women don't have manicures. So you are not special.

Luredbyapomegranate · 08/11/2022 00:00

adiosamigoo · 07/11/2022 23:44

£25? It’s £45 here for a new set and I’m no where near London

@adiosamigoo

It's often more expensive outside London. Less competition I guess. £45 is a lot! It's £32 near me (affluentish London suburb)

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