To not know how everyone has the money and time to have their nails done

[Beckywiththegoodnails]

Cost of living crisis - have you cut down on having nails done?
I was surprised on the engagement ring thread how many people had nails done. I’ve had to cut back on loads and I earn pretty well- nails are now a luxury
my small town has about 6 pop in salons in the town and they’re always full
aibu to not know how such a high proportion of people have nails done so regularly

I've never had mine done. They grow, then I trim them. Repeat ad nauseam!

It is about priorities, I know lots of ppl who get their nails done regularly and then whine they don’t have money for heating or holidays etc. Personally I earn a pretty decent wage but would rather paint my own nails and save money for other more important things like holidays, eating out or just savings etc.

I agree it's about priorities a lot of the time. I don't see the point, personally. I'd rather shape them myself and put on a coat or two of Dior Glow. I don't personally like nail art or the weird pointy shape a lot of the techs seem to do, so no loss to me at all!

I can't be bothered with getting them done or removed more than anything. I find it a chore. (They do look nice when done though)

I love having my nails done but for me it’s an occasional treat not a regular thing. The problem with this seems to be how my nails are afterwards - I soak in acetone for ages like in the salon but my nails are always flakey and rip easily until they’ve grown out. I always say this to the manicurist and they always promise their product won’t do this. It always does. And is it only me who chips gels nails really easily? My record is same day. If I’m lucky I get a week-2 weeks. By this point they’re also lifting at the base. I don’t have a particularly manual job, just 2 children like most people on this thread I imagine. They’d never last 3-4 weeks for me!

I did, then one day had them soaked off. My nails were so sensitive, I hated the time it took. It’s less trendy now and my own nails grow fast, they look fake (lovely and shiny) but clearly they aren’t real. I just can’t be bothered! Biab! Takes too long! I prefer a clean, shorter nail.
But I like gardening, cleaning, have DD 9 I have better things to do! But if others enjoy them, get on it!

I agree. Just not something I can be bothered with and would regret the expense and hassle of going. I had a manicure at a salon once and hated every minute and also took the polish off as soon as I got home.

I do have the money to get my nails done but I don't. I don't like the upkeep of getting them taken off and out back on etc. I also dont want to spend my money on it. Some people would prefer this to a bottle of wine or a meal out etc. Depends how you want to spend your money

I posted on that and have my nails done but I only do it 3 times a year , I bite my nails so do it on special occasions only . It’s to expensive to spend monthly imo

I would have the money (financially comfortable) and time (Dh can always take dc if I need to do something), but absolutely zero inclination to ever get my nails done. I’m active and we have a farm and I do a lot of gardening and they would look good for all of 30 minutes. In fact, last time I had my nails done was for my wedding and Dh are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary this year. 🤣

Can afford it, have done them plenty of times but truly could not be bothered.
I prefer a clean nude nail. If I do paint it’s clear mail varnish.

Once a month and it's my only treat / time to myself I get. I do find the time somehow although I have to beg for someone to take my kids 😂

£45 but it's my only wind-down. I don't really go out, my life revolves around doing things for others so I like the 1h peace and pamper and silence a month.

I have the money but not the time.

I work part time so get mine done on my days off, every 4 weeks. I’ve become really close to my nail tech so it’s a really nice catch up too.
I’m in the north and it costs me £40 for BIAB, it also completely stops my skin picking which is worth every penny for me too. So I really prioritise it in my budgeting!

Do you eat takeaways op? Personally we don’t. They don’t interest me and I think they’re a shocking waste of money. But they’re very popular too. Different people spend on different things 🤷‍♀️

I’ve never had mine done mainly because I don’t know how to tell if a nail salon is tied into modern day slavery or not (all seem to be staffed by Vietnamese people round my way) - is there a way of finding out? Because it sounds like a nice treat!

who knew that a thread about having a manicure could bring out racism, classism and sexism with a side of misogyny

We’ll all just turn a blind eye to the - possibility - of modern day slavery then shall we? And note I said possibility, not ALL nail shops obvs to the piss takers - but this is a known cover.

But go ahead, call me a racist for pointing out the obvious red flags (according the Clewer Initiative - google it).

Numbers of “Chinese” (Vietnamese) nail salons are a cover for modern day slavery. Not only are these people enslaved, they are don’t have the hygiene standards you would want.

I have my nails done, at my friends salon, I would not go anywhere else, regardless of how cheap

I genuinely don't get the obsession with nails. Like why did they become one of the most important bits of your body? I just paint mine myself but usually in a clear shade.

I got a cost of living pay rise of about £4k in 2022, and I hadn’t really seen any increase in my living costs - so that all went on personal grooming and still does. I get my nails done religiously every 3 weeks, and I have a hybrid working job where I’m in charge of my own diary and working hours so can usually fit in an appointment on one of my WFH days.

Having nails done regularly is a relatively new thing. Well at least for those that weren’t loaded and very wealthy ladies of leisure.

having nails done regularly is a commercial marketing success. Make out that people who don’t have perfect nails are scruffy, ill groomed etc . Make out it’s normal, what EVERYONE is doing. Create a market. Social pressure. Social media led. And there’s a generation or two of women who fall for it. And are wasting money still doing it and seeing it as a need. It’s a want.

no different than paint companies telling you they “this years paint wall colour is elephants bum “ and you’re old fashioned to have elephants ear. Or that you need black metal shower frames (really? Ever tried keeping them clean in hard water area?). Or designer handbags by the dozen. It’s all just marketing to those that feel they have to keep up appearances to be fashionable.

I do get facials though

I have dark red, short gel nails done every 3 weeks by a local beautician. Takes under an hour and I love it. I look after them and they last but I have a bottle of the same colour in nail varnish to touch up if necessary.

I'm retired so I have the time but when I was a busy working Mum, I'd have been hard pressed to find an hour to go anywhere on my own. Gel nails weren't a thing then and we just did our nails with polish. I'm all for busy people finding time for themselves though so if it's important to you then why not?

Likewise. Not at the moment cause I'm doing too much DIY, but normally I do them myself with a lamp.