I feel like a numpty but i have to ask this about mail polish

[washnomore]

I've been trying to look a bit more groomed, so I put clear nail polish on a couple of days ago. But now my nails are growing a bit - do I clean it all off, cut and file them, then reapply it?

Never polish your mail.

your nails have grown in a couple of days weirdy person

FFS. You can see why simple tasks are beyond my capabilities.

They've grown a bit - I'll get another couple of days I reckon - but I'm panicking about what to do next, so I need some sort of framework in place to deal with these talons.

Given I'm usually easily mistakable for a vagrant it feels bloody strange having nails longer than a couple of mms!

Ummm do you think perhaps you're examining your nail growth too much? I mean, is anyone gonna notice that the first 2mm is matt and the rest is shiny.

It is clear polish after all.

Noooooooo, I mean if I cut and file them won't the polish all flake off from the tips? So should I remove it first? Or can I just file them with the polish on IYSWIM?

Seriously, I may have to return to hoodies and rigger boots soon. The complexities of this are totally beyond me.

Nobody cares minds, honestly.

thanks for that reassurance BoF

I guess some big-sisterless people are destined to be clueless then. Perhaps I have to buy my way in to some sort of sisterhood to discover these secrets!

Oh I see! Soz!

I have a big sister but she's butch as hell not girlie...my knowledge is very much trial & error.

Umm, yes, sometimes polish does flake off when you cut & file but it depends on the brand I think and whether you're gentle or use a sawing action :) I can file gently with Rimmel Maxi brush polish (idiot proof) if that helps? File gently from the outside to the middle only never back & forth.

I personally don't like long nails at all so I keep mine trim and colour with a dark polish as it looks chic (I think!).

Anything else you want to ask, just shout :)

Personally I file before applying varnish and then just leave them alone for a week when the polish is chipped to fuck-- ready to come off again.

Yes yes always file before polish as a rule, but if you need to file with decent polish still on, if you have a catch for example, then...

you're panicking? love, wait til it starts chipping off, then clean it all off, tidy nails and re apply.

You must do it every morning without fail. Just incorporate it into your usual beauty routine, perhaps apply while you wait for your hair to set.

go to a beauty salon, get a professional manicure and a pale polish applied, you will feel so much better.

But if you want to do it yourself it is better to remove polish, trim, shape and re apply nail varnish.

It doesnt really matter though.

hullygully reapply polish every morning ? WTF?

Also at "waiting for your hair to set" . Very Maggie Thatcher/Mrs Slocombe

I am too much of a woos to go to a salon as they tend to be filled with fragrant coiffed superconfidant women

Hope this rambling selection of commnets on this thread has helped you OP!

you need to get a job OP

cyb it's ML, it's killing me