gel nails

[JokersGiggle]

I love the look of French manicures but the never last long. Thinking of trying gels but a friend said they ruin your natural nails.
What are peoples experiences?

Anyone?

If you get the right person no damage at all.

I'm addicted .

I've had gel nail manicures on several occasions. Always a good & long lasting finish. You must have them taken off properly (don't peel them or use regular varnish remover) or they do wreck your real nails.
I am not a convert despite decent manicure as my original nails (normally strong) need a good few weeks to recover, even having been removed correctly. They flake/break & are weakened.
Not a great review from me, though I'd have another if a particular occasion required (holiday rather than one-off to take advantage of long lasting finish).
Hope that helps a bit.

Thanks

French manicure shellac is good. You don't need to redo it quite as often as coloured shellac as you don't see the re growth as much.

I really rate them and they do honestly last very very well. I find they do weaken my nails but only if I've had them done several times in a row. Then I might have a break of a month or two and go again. Fantastic, especially for holidays.

I get mine re done every 10 days.

I love them!

I will only have Jessica on my nails though as shellac is a bit shit imo.

You will pay a bit more for Jessica nails

Thanks for the advice will book in to have it done tomorrow.
The salon in looking at having it done at is £37, is that about right? Or look around for cheaper?

I have Orly GelFX. For just a polish it's £15. With a full manicure it's £25.

I do my own with Gelish products (bought from Amazon) and a little LED lamp I bought for about £40 from the Sensationail website.

I used to pay £35 every 2 weeks and after about a year, worked out that I knew how to do it myself from observing the lady who did mine, and could save loads of money. In total I have about £175 worth of kit, including the 4 colours I use most often. Paid for itself in no time.

Shellac doesn't last more than a few days on my nails. Its about £25 around here to have gel nails french manicure (lots of nail salons with Vietnamese technicians who do a great job), I'm in Surrey.

Like HomerPigeon, I have bought the lamp and Gelish kit and do my own. It only lasts a week (have a job that involves hands in hot water), when I go on holiday it lasts a lot longer.

I et my gels done every month/5weeks. If you are careful with them they'll last. Have just had a 3 month break but am going back to them next week. Can't wait!

I've had them every 2 weeks for a period if time and they didn't damage my nails at all - the acetone soak was drying though.

Also shellac is much easier to get off but they don't do as many colours.

If you use cutical oil and have a few days break in between applications you should be fine. I have strong nails and have it applied pretty much back to back but I do notice some damage after a few months so my advice is to have a few days break.

Ps French won't last as long as it's much easier for moisture to get in the join of the white / pink and lift the gel. Full nail
Colour will last ages - sometimes it'll be a case of the nails are immaculate but the re growth looks awful!

Bloody love 'em. Used to have Bio Sculpture gel which lasted easily 3 weeks, sometimes 4 (but they would be really grown out by then). Would very very very rarely lose one. Had to change beauty therapist and now have Gelish which sometimes doesn't quite last 2 weeks which is annoying. Cost me £30 for the Bio and now £25 for the Gelish. I am seriously considering getting a lamp and a few colours though, it's just disciplining myself to allow 45 minutes to soak, scrape, undercoat, cure paint (and repeat as necess), cure, top coat, cure. It's somehow easier when I am going out of the house for an appt because I can't be distracted by other things. Never noticed any damage to my nails.

Oh, but I've never had a French manicure with gel so I don't know whether that lasts differently to block colours.

Thanks everyone. I'm off to get them done on Friday

I've just bought the Fuse mini kit from Boots. £35, one coat (I have to add top coat for shine, but who cares...) and 30 second cure. Lasts really well if you prep properly.