Desperately need advice regarding Gelish nails!

[JudithOfThePiece]

I had gel nails done for the first time nearly two weeks ago. For the first week they looked fab, but now they are looking a bit tatty - visible growth area at base of nail and I can see a few places at the edges where are very small chips or the gel is starting to lift. I am having them removed on Saturday. However, I am still thinking I will get them done for my holiday in four weeks time, as I really want bright nails for that and it's only a week long.

So, my questions:

1 - There will be 3 weeks between having this lot removed and me wanting to have them done again for hols. Am I better off having back-to-back gel nails until then or can they go bare? Are they more likely to peel and look shite if left bare in the meantime?

2 - Could I have done anything different to have helped them last more effectively?

Thanks!

Watching with interest. I had two lots of Gelish nails and don't think they are all they are cracked up to be (sorry, just had to slip that in ) I'd love nice nails for my holiday but don't want to pay for something that's going to look tatty before I come home.

I've had Gelish loads of times - back to back, with a break (but you have to be sure the removal is done well, as it can damage your nails if scraped or peeled off). I love how it looks.

Ways to extend it: use solar oil or similar (I find the Flexitol cuticle cream good, and the Boots own cuticle cream); take care of your nails - use gloves when doing washing up is best example.

If you're leaving a break in between, I'd really recommend you use OPI Nail Envy, it's been fantastic for replenishing my nails after I've been mean to them .

I've seen Nail Envy mentioned on here before. I'll have a look at that.

Thanks for your comments, ladies. Am still undecided about it, though. If my nails have suffered a bit, would 3 weeks be enough to bring them back to normal?

I have been using cuticle oil, but only a Sally Hansen brush thing. I probably haven't looked after my nails that well, I suppose.

Just had a little look for Nail Envy and there's so many bloody sorts! What do I want?

Just bumping in case anyone can offer more advice!!

Any more thoughts on whether I should have a break for 3 weeks or go back to back gels?

What nail envy do I want?

Please?!!

It shouldn't make a difference whether you have Gelish back to back or with a break, providing you have a good nail tech remove/apply it. No electric drills!

To make it last longer, always use rubber gloves when washing up and use cuticle oil on your finger tips twice daily.

I used to have my nails Gelished/Shellacked every 2 weeks but now I do it myself using this home kit. It's very good. But I am tempted to try the new CND Vinylux product which is meant to be like Shellac but without the need for the lamp.

I prefer doing my own as then when I get a chip, I can repair it myself.

I had Calgel back to back for 7 years my nails were fine I now use that sensationail kit and do them myself, it's dead easy put on but quite a faff to get off as a result I have perfected the art of making it last 3 weeks.

Thanks ladies.

For the record, my nails are fine and dandy. They seem to be in good condition, actually. I decided not to have the gels put on again yet because my nails grew really fast and after 2 weeks the re growth was very noticeable. With 3 weeks to go until hols, it wasn't ideal - so I just had a normal manicure after and will go for gels just before the holiday.

But if anyone finds this thread through searching for info about gels, then the condition of my nails after 2 weeks of gels was the same as before. I did use cuticle oil and had them taken off properly. After 1.5 weeks, they didn't look quite as good but for a special week, they will be fab.

I would do it back to back, but that's because my nails are quite weak so break easily without polish. But with they stay nice and long! I guess it depends on what yours are like without, but I wouldn't risk ending up with short stubby nails just before a holiday.