Nice nails - really, does it matter?

[Merguez]

Doing my nails comes very bottom of my list or priorities. Manicure and polish only for very special occasions. But other mums I know always seem to have immaculate nails.

Does anyone really notice or care? Is it important?

I have nice nails. I have never had anything stuck on them. As a result they are healthy looking and strong. I keep them neat, clean and not too long and occasionally paint them if I CBA.

I get my toes done throughout the summer, but leave them over the winter other than trimming.

As for fingernails, I get them done over the festive period a few times, on my birthday and other special occasions. I love it when I have them done. Added bonus that my DH thinks they look really sexy, as I generally get in a dark crimson.

I wonder how many people have awful nails as a result of having stuff stuck on them all the time?

I once had a boyfriend, in my teens, who looked at my nails and was so disgusted that he told me that I needed to make them prettier. Nope, he did not last.

So, yes, people do notice. However, I am not blessed with almond shaped finger nails. They are short and stubby and there is nothing I can do about them.

I have gel on my nails, looks just like ordinary nail polish but shiny, and my own nails underneath are absolutely fine.

I get lots of comments on my nails, so people must notice, makes me feel more groomed even if I'm just in jeans and a t-shirt at the weekend.

I really don't like painted nails, on me or anyone else.

Maybe it makes people look more glam but it doesn't make them look more together or classy. Nails need to be neat and clean but long and painted is horrible IMO

I realise I'm in the minority but I don't know any serious women or properly stylish women who regularly have coloured nails. IME, in the professions it's the secretaries who have painted nails while the doctors/solicitors may well be manicured but they'll be natural. That sounds snobby and it probably is but that's my experience.

I imagine that doctors aren't allowed to wear nail polish at work anyway.

It's my new obsession. I use a manicure as a treat as opposed to food now. I've lost a lot of weight and having my nails done has helped as I used to reach for the nail file and polish on an evening instead of chocolate or crisps.

I don't really notice anyone else nails, unless they are particularly manky, but my one hour a fortnight having a gelish manicure and my eyebrows waxed is a lovely treat. Well not so much the eyebrows!!!

Of course doctors, solicitors, teachers etc can TheAwful and some do, but IME the ones who are taken most seriously don't.

I always have painted toenails. Fingers not all the time but I enjoy doing it and using different colours. Today I have a dark red with flakes of gold dotted over it

I keep mine short I hate the feeling of long nails and as soon as they get to a certain length I have to cut them. I make sure my cuticles are tidy file them and occasionally use clear nail polish. As others have said I pay more attention to feet.

I notice other people's nails, mainly if they're painted a colour I like, are very long or are fake.

I'm not a fake nail fan for myself but I don't dislike them per se.
I keep my nails short and clean and day to day I wear clear varnish. If I'm going out, I'll apply a very dark red or navy or dark green.
I always keep my toes painted. I hate unpainted toes on me and every other woman. Bonkers I know.

I keep mine short but painted.

I don't like very long nails, they are a bit "witchy".

I don't choose to have my nails unpainted, but I don't think much of it if they look like this. (like clean short even human nails)

If your nails look like this then you might want to do something about it. (that's Frodo btw)

I love my gel festive nails! Having my nails done is important to me. I'll be patching the tips this evening.

Although I notice when people have their nails done, I don't notice if they don't.

And I find myself wondering how they have the time and why they bother …

I try to keep mine nice. I'll file them and paint them, at the moment they're clear but normally I like colour.
It makes me feel better to have nice finger and toe nails.

I notice other peoples too, not in a judgy way as I don't really give a frig what others do with theirs, but in the same way I notice eye or hair colour.

I think acrylics or gels can look very fake if they're not pinched. If they're too broad they look very fake indeed. I quite like the completely ott gel / acryllic stiletto nail- it's very in your face fake, and a bit of fun.

I like some nail art, but think one finger accented is best otherwise it looks like a kids' party! Of course, a festive mani is different.

Fwiw my nail bed is short and my nails don't grow long, but I use lemon cuticle butter from burt's bees and it's the business for keeping them strong.
If you're looking for a stocking filler, I recommend a little tin of it for everyone!!

I love my nails!!
They are quite long and usually painted ( even if it's just very pale or clear)
People always comment on them and often think they are fake but I have never had extensions - when I was in labour the MW commented on my nice nails.
I am by no means immaculate and don't always dress well but I don't feel right if my nails are a mess.
Can't say that I notice other peoples much though.

Venus - My nails were quite honestly crap. Wouldn't grow very long etc.... until I bought some Sally Hansen teflon tough. It's magic. 2 coats and it helps them grow and protects them. I got mine a while back from Poundland.

I don't do nails at all. I do my face every day and have grown my hair out from a pixie so, need to spend time on that a bit now. I cut my nails short and keep them clean and buffed. I love to see nice nails as long as their not talons but for me, I'd feel overdone with hair, face and nails every day.

I agree with smartleatherbag - I hate the feel of polish on my fingernails. It makes me feel as though lots of dirt is collecting under them. Ick.

I find it weird that having a manicure and doing your nails is so popular now, there seem to be nail bars everywhere. Each to their own but it doesn't appeal to me at all. I much prefer the look of nails neat and completely bare. Maybe it's ingrained from years of playing the piano (short nails essential!)

I used to think mine looked really stumpy (I have short wide nail beds), but I keep them short and properly shaped now (2mm max of white tip) also cuticles pushed back and kept neat and they look far better polished than they used to when I wore them long. The worst shape IMO is long and squared off, I really don't like that look.

As long as they're clean and not overly long and claw like then I say it's all good!
Personally, I like having short, manicured nails (classic red, vamp or perfect nude, even pale blue). But that's a me-time ritual :-)
I have to say though, as for noticing, when I used to interview people for any position at my job I would always check nails and shoes...