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

These threads are so fucking tedious!

Does it not occur to those who start them that others have more money/less expenses/different priorities???

Do they think that everyone has the same income and expenses and that if others can afford something they can't they must be doing something wrong?

Week in, week out, year after year these pointless and stupid threads are started!

So, got your answer OP? Any astounding revelations? 🙄

I get my nails done every 3 weeks, and toes every 5.

It’s not something I would consider to be expensive, and it’s pretty easy to take an hour out of my day every so often to get them done.

For such a small thing, it makes me feel so much more well-groomed and presentable.

I'm 60 never had them done.

Absolutely. I make no apologies for having the disposable income to do the things I want to do either.

My cleaner used to have her nails done and I ended up knowing quite a bit about her life as she was with me for 8 years. It was literally the only treat in her life. She never went out for dinner or did anything but work, do her own domestic stuff and watch tv. She didn’t have hugely flashy nails with individual art on or anything. I’m lucky my nails are ok, I imagine hers would have needed TLC considering she was a cleaner.

I’ve had my nails and toes red for about 30 years I only peep underneath at the salon it’s not pretty under there 🤣 I look at my hands all day typing cooking just generally being on the end of my arms I don’t want to see stubby fingers. £20 ever 3 weeks or so. Went the pub last night was £30 so if I’m sacrificing anything it’s that

Painting my own nails, to a decent standard: takes about 45 minutes and lasts 3 or 4 days. Looks really shitty as soon as it chips. Nails easily broken. I can choose from the polishes I own.

Getting a set of gel or dip powder nails done: takes about 45 minutes and lasts 3 or 4 weeks. Doesn't chip. Nails pretty much never break. I can choose any colour from hundreds. Looks better than my own efforts.

Basically, my nails cost me £30-40 and 45 minutes of my time per month and make me happy every time I look down at my hands.

People earn more money than you or have different priorities op. Not difficult to understand.

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.

I'm an academic and I've been in a meeting this morning where there were around 15 other female academics. On the back of this thread I took notice of who had had their nails done. I counted 10 of us.

Love this! Neglecting yourself is not the display of intellectualism so many on MN like to think it is. It’s not a flex and self care and grooming is definitely not for bimbos and air heads.

It takes me about 45 mins to get mine done-plain gel on my natural nails. And it costs £25 every three weeks or so. Affordable for me and I just feel better with them done.

I work on a farm and mine rarely chip.

All the female students I teach (aged 21) have salon style nails!
And the amount of debt they have already accrued, many with no job to go to!

Ditto takeaway drinks/Pret sandwiches etc

I used to go to the salon fortnightly to get my nails done, but I started doing my own nails when my salon put their prices up. I just bought a lamp, CND Luxe colour and top coat, nail prep, lint free wipes, acetone, gel scraper and finger clips for removing the Shellac. The cost of the equipment came to around the same as two salon sessions.

It took around three or four times to get the knack right, but I probably wouldn't go back to a salon now. And having all the equipment myself allows me to redo a nail if it gets chipped.

I'm the same...it feels "heavy" somehow.

According to my daughter I have the perfect natural nail shape (long nailbed apparently - who knew?) so I really should at least file them, as at 57 they're probably my only "good" feature😂

I used to get a pedicure every three months but now only do it twice in the summer.
People's priorities are their priorities. I know someone in a budget but wouldn't dream of missing a hair appointment to get her roots done every six weeks. I do mine at home myself, but I'd be reluctant to give up my facials.

Are you do wraps or a gel polish?

That's just the most stupid comment 😂😂

You think everyone who gets their nails done can't use their hands. How would that work 😂😂😂

The mind boggles 😂🙈

I'm an academic type (retired from decades of public service now) and I've always worn make-up, heels and had good hair cuts. My nails look fab (dark red gel). I've worked with some very well groomed women and also those with no make-up, bare hairy legs, flat pasty shoes and messy hair. I've never looked down on them for their choices but I've received some snarky remarks about being 'dressed up'. They were often surprised that I was a lefty, vegetarian, vocal feminist as though I'd let down the entire sisterhood by looking a bit glam!

Its £35 and an hour of my time once a month. Whilst I appreciate that's maybe not possible for some people, it's perfectly doable for me. I enjoy the appointment as I love my nail lady we have a right laugh, and I feel good with fresh nails.

Ok it’s much cheaper than I thought. I was going by my toenails which are £40 and I was thinking nails need redoing every 2 weeks

i’m on 6 figures (someone up thread mentioned being able to afford because they are on that) but honestly my mortgage is so huge and other outgoings gone up so much with 3 teens and saving like mad for uni I guess it just isn’t a priority for me and I would find it hard to find an extra £80 every 4 weeks

The people who do their own - has anyone tried the Mylee 5in1 builder gel? I want something that will strengthen my nails but can't afford loads of experimenting.

Yes, I've used this but only the clear under a colour as I've read on FB group that the colour ones aren't as strong.

I'm a spender, but I can't justify nails and lashes. Plus would not have the time to commit to having them done two/three weekly. I just about manage a pedicure every couple of months. I think they look good though. On the rare occasion I'm out I always wish I had my nails done.