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

Nail bars are often used by crime groups to employ trafficked victims, with Vietnamese victims making up a large proportion. That's not racist, you can read numerous articles and recommendations about it from GLAA, NCA and similar. It's a cash heavy business where people often don't concern themselves with the conditions of the person providing the service - see also car washes and barber shops, although the nationalities tend to differ in those industries.

I live in a deprived area and 30-40 in 5 miles is not an exaggeration. I'd say there's around 10-15 within a mile of me easily, in an ex mining town. I can't imagine it's too dissimilar in other areas.

It’s usually the people least able to afford it and complain about money.

I love that in the last few years gels have allowed my nails to grow and look nice at last.
I stopped biting them years and years ago, but I nibble and if there's a slight split I'll fiddle with it. Gels protect them and I feel oh so grown up as I'm typing away.

They cost £20 every few weeks. I take time out of my WFH day to walk to a lovely woman in the village and have a good old natter. It's a treat.
They grow out rather than peel or chip. If they didn't grow they'd last much longer. She's a good nail tech.

I'm 54 with one teenager at home and do have a bit more disposable income than in the past.

I don't get pedicures as I run, the nails and hard skin are functional rather than pretty!

Some people choose to spend their money on nails but then they might not drink alcohol or might not go on holiday or drive a car so they save money elsewhere. People spend money on different things. Or they just have lots of money!

Do not know about "everyone". I had pedicure done a handful of times and only because I have really callused heels, but otherwise, I had mostly been doing it myself.

It's not a question of time and money for me (I could probably afford it if I really wanted to), I just don't see the point. I keep my nails rather short and I sometimes put nail varnish on them, but I don't need an "expert" to do that for me. To me it's a bit like - I don't know, maybe having a nose job or something - I get that it is important to some people but I can't really imagine how that feels.

Same. I think good gel nails can look neat but every time I've had them done they've chipped or cracked within 2-3 days (I have bendy nails) and trashed my nails to boot.

I do my own toenails in the summer from time to time but I am not a fan of fancy fingernails and ironically find them a little bit cheap. In the past, there have been threads about how to look 'expensive' and I wouldn't actually class nails as part or this. Less is more.

Depending on your income level, getting your nails done every month or so is an expensive luxury to some women but only a small luxury to others.

Perhaps in an economic downturn, it's a less expensive alternative to the more costly treats higher income earners spend on when they do have more disposable income (trips, fine jewelry etc.) As others have said, it's all relative.

I like my nails to look good, but can't justify spending £30-odd every few weeks. I do my own with Max Factor Nailfinity polish. I use a basecoat to protect my nails, then 2 layers of polish and a top coat, it takes around an hour a week and costs about £15 for 6 months' worth. Now I've been doing my own for a while, they look as good as if I had them done professionally, although admittedly, they don't last as long as gels etc.

This thread feels similar to a race to the bottom .. “ I get my nails done but not my hair and I don’t drink wine or get take aways “
Everyone has different priorities and spare cash .

I almost always have perfectly painted red nails, have had since I was 18. I do them myself, paint them when I'm in bed and have learnt the skill of sleeping with my hands flat on top of the covers so they don't smudge. I repaint them every 3 days or so. I do them so often I can do then really neatly very fast. My nail polishes were almost dead so I bought a bottle of reviver and now they are perfect again. It's cost me almost nothing over the years and makes no real dent in my time, it's very do-able

Also, meant to add, getting your nails done is one of the few things that hasn’t gone through the roof with COL. My nail bar charges the same today as it did 10 years ago,

Unlike going out for dinner or the supermarket shop which feels like they have doubled in cost!

I have gel polish every 3 weeks, it’s £25 and takes 45 minutes

Its not exactly breaking g the bank or eating into my previous time

Possibly because big ticket things like holiday arent possible little treats are seen as important t

I have the money to do them, just not the inclination I slap some red polish on for a night out and cannot wait to take it off the next morning. Too high maintenance for me.

I have the money and time and I loved the way they look but I stopped getting them done because I found out about the cancer risk from the machines. I don't smoke or drink so it seemed silly to be hypocritical about this.

I'm one who was on the engagement ring thread, I had my nails done on Friday so it's a new photo I posted.

We live comfortably so £26 every 3 weeks (and another £20 every 6 weeks for a brow tint and wax) is more than affordable for us. I'll also get a lash lift if we have an event on.

We also eat out and go to the pub regularly. We do live in a cheap area for a lot of stuff, especially eating out or going for drinks (a round in the local for me and DH is only £7.20 for a beer and a wine whereas I know even in our closest city I would be more than that just for my wine).

I've known my nail tech/beautician since our DC were at nursery together and they've both just turned 21. I've been going to her since she started her business in her spare room and now been to the 3 different shops she's moved to in town. A lot of beauticians have been struggling as people have made cutbacks, so I'm happy to continue to support a friend's business since I can afford to and it's nice to have a good chat with her every time I'm in.

I wouldn't have painted nails if I didn't pay someone else for them, I don't have the hand dexterity to do it neatly myself and shop bought nail polishes are lucky to last a day on me. The gels usually last the full 3 weeks and my nails grow so nicely now compared to before I had them done. (Although I'm going back to see her tomorrow to fix one that I went and broke this weekend 🙈).

I am rather overdue a trip to the hairdresser though, it's not the cost so much as trying to have the time since it takes so much longer than a nail appointment does. I've been dyeing it at home since that's faster for me but it's definitely not as nice and I need a good cut again soon.

I just do my own stick ons as I can't wear varnish or false nails for work so if I have a week+ off I buy a set £4-8 and do them myself. I think they could pass for being professionally done. They usually last a week at least and I just carry glue and a few spares incase one does fall off!

Only ever had them done professionally twice and I actually hated it. Hated the experience and didn't love the nails. I am a bit antisocial though. I do my own hair to avoid the hairdressers ect.

I’m not interested in getting my nails done at all but I’ll spend £50 a month on a massage! So much more worth it imo 😂

I do my own. Have been doing so for around 8 years!

I also drink and go on holiday, out to dinner etc. I don't drive or smoke though... Where am I on the morality COL graph?

Honestly, let people enjoy things. We all prioritise different things.

I have managed to go my entire life without ever having my nails done. I think my Mum and sisters have, too, I sincerely doubt they've ever set foot in a nail salon!

I always disliked the feel and smell of nail polish so for me I never have gone to get them done (I think they can look great though for those that do like it).

I think it’s an interesting question about time though for such appointments (for me it’s hair salon appointments or waxing jobs). Pre-kid, I had way more time but now I am much busier. Some weeks if I am lucky, I get half a day to myself. I don’t like spending too long out of the house on those days. I stick to low-key housebound activities such as watching tv or relaxing in bed.

Complete crap really! I didn't mean it as something aspirational 😂 She eats leftovers at work (works in care), and then it's cheap freezer meals/pot noodles and raiding my fridge when she comes over to babysit (which is obviously fine by me!)