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 do my own nails with my gel nail kit - only do it myself because it goes through me when someone else buffs and files my nails otherwise I'd pay. I spend a lot each month on my hair and eyebrows and I have a massage once a month. I can afford it, it's not a struggle and I enjoy it.

Why does having your nails painted mean you can't use your hands? Not everyone goes for the acrylic, long pointy nails.

Most people are just having their own nails painted and cut/filed to a normal length.

Take it you’ve got elephant bum paint on your walls then ?

@Marshbird
So you think women who choose to have their nails done are all impressionable saps with no mind of their own?

I don't get my nails done (no time) but actually think it's an important service for women and has replaced the 'shampoo and set' women used to have decades ago. I think it's more about the social activity and talking than the nails.

I'm the same - older car, smaller house, wear clothes a lot rather than constantly buying a new outfit, don't eat out much. But I work in a job where my hands are on show a lot to customers so I like them to look nice.
£35 every 4-5 weeks for BIAB gel.

£30 and hour every three weeks is entirely manageable for me. I like the way they look, they never chip, and don’t have to think about them in between appointments.

My student child spends very little money on food and actually has a super healthy diet. She eats porridge with chopped fruits every morning and vegetable chilli is her favourite dinner. She actually eats what she wants and likes and is vegetarian, the food she likes is healthy and very cheap though.

As a nail tech, you might be able to answer my question - how can I tell which nail salons are legit and which are a front for modern slavery? Because I’d like to know I’m not supporting the latter if and when I get my nails done (DD is badgering me about this but I’ve explained that until we know this it won’t happen). TIA

I have psoriasis (among other things) so my nails are pitted and flake without gel,

The trip to get my nails done is my social life most months.

I only have a hair cut every 2-3 years (I donate my hair to The Little Princess Trust).

Totally agree.
Why the need to justify what to spend your own time and money on?

I get my nails done...and my hair. I like make up and fancy clothes. I don't need to justify any of that to people who choose to spend their money on different things.

Would you change your mind if you learnt that you can still use your hands when you have gel nails?

THANK YOU. So many people seem to think they’re a better person/virtuous/more serious/intellectual because they don’t get beauty treatments. Doesn’t hold up in real life IME.

I stopped having mine done as it was difficult to get an appointment and I won’t use certain salons where you can just walk in and get them done on spec.
I don’t miss it at all. The only thing I would say is I wouldn’t mind a manicure but without the paint, just to treat my hands and nails.
I think the op was making the point that some people moan they can’t afford to feed their dcs yet spend money on beauty products.
I can tell you from previous jobs I’ve had, there are an awful lot of people who make shall we say strange priorities. Then expect others to bail them out when they have no money to pay for essentials.

It's just what people prioritise, I'm not interested in have nails done at all but I guess it costs about the same as my Sky subscription which a lot of people choose not to have and probably less time than I spend watching TV

They get on my nerves after a couple of days and I start nibbling them!

You need a different nail tech. I have biab every 4-5 weeks and it just doesn't budge.

Exactly.
I often see threads like this and genuinely can’t fathom what the OP is hoping to get out of it.

It’s a common MN opinion that in order to be intelligent you must put no effort in to your personal appearance. Getting beauty treatments is for bimbos. Smart women haven’t had a haircut for 5 years and exclusively shop in Boden. It’s tedious on here sometimes.

Exactly! On reflection, the most intellectual women I know (academics, Big Law, surgeons) are also all extremely well-groomed. It’s a weird badge of honour to not bother with your appearance. Fine if you don’t want to, but it doesn’t make you better than those that do.

Everyone has different priorities. You could ask that about anything, how does anyone have money or time to have any beauty, hair, barber, gym, take away, meals out, cinema, any kind of treats but people who want it usually find a way

And these so called intelligent woman act all naive about why anyone would want something so shallow.
It's tedious.

Each to their own I suppose. To me it's a complete waste of money,to others it's a luxurious treat and makes them happy. We all need a bit of that in life.

It’s one of those things that make many women feel happy, it’s a nice thing to do for yourself, a little bit of colour on the nails, the pampering. I can see why it’s popular.

I can’t afford to get my nails done every month - well, I could in theory, but I would need to watch spending in other areas. We don’t have a big disposable income.
I prioritise the food shop. I could spend less on food, but I like to get the best we can afford. Organic stuff, nice kefir yogurt, sourdough bread, nice meat, good flour, that kind of thing.

For those who do their own nails, what do you use?
Does it last along time?

The home gel kits are good. It’s a bit of a faff but IME lasts a good couple of weeks with no chipping/peeling etc. overall I’d say it takes less time than removing and reapplying regular nail polish every few days.

It's 18 pound and takes less then 30 mins lasts a few weeks. I also have a lamp at home so sometimes I just do that.