talk to me about nails!

[Honeymoonmummy]

Hi all, I have never had false nails, I've always been worried about them wrecking my nails. However, I'm starting to get ridges in my nails now ( I'm 41) so I figure I have nothing to lose! Where do I start, bearing in mind I've only had 2 manicures in my life?!? What's the difference between shellac and gel? My nails are fairly short.

I'm going to liverpool today (live in the sticks) so contemplating biting the bullet and going somewhere but I don't want to look like a drag queen, just want something natural looking! Help!

As a qualified therapist I think I can help

How long are your natural nails?

How long can you spend on them weekly?

How is your budget?

Any medications or illness?

Regarding the ridges...which way do they run?

With false nails they would sand your own nail down so they can stick easier, the problem is you nails will look fantastic for a couple of weeks but will be as weak as a kitten underneath. IME anyway.

I bought an LED nail light for about £15 and some LED gel/shellac vanishes that can cure with LED - not all of them do. My nails also have ridges but look amazing with the undercoat/colour/top coat over them. The varnish lasts a good two weeks and makes your nails look shiny and ridge free.

Oops! Ignore me and listen to the experts!

Hellkitty you are basically right, although we use the term file instead of sand

Re the ridges, horizontal ridges are unfortunatly part of the aging process and therefore apart from being unsightly cause no cause for concern....vertical on the other hand is a whole different ball game.

Illness and medication need to be taking into account. For instance diabetics are advised not to have nail treatments at all.
So medication will react with the chemicals and some sensitivity will be felt with the use of a uv lamp.

There are numerous ways to get a manicure nail...

Acrylic extensions, time consuming and expensive. However done properly will give you a lovely French manicure finish. You can also repaint these yourself at home.
Infills are normally done 2-3 weekly, depending on the skills of your technician. Tips are glued to nail plate and cut to length. Hurts like hell if you happen to rip one off

If you get a skilled technicians she might be able to offer 'free form' extension. Basically as above but the tip of free formed from acrylic saving on the glue and the buffing down of natural nail plate.

Personally I would avoid acrylic. If your nails are starting to ridge that means your body is naturally protecting them due to weakness. Any filing and chemical application will only make them weaker over time.

I suggest a really good manicure and buffing treatment. Tidy up the cuticles and buff out the ridges. May be have a gel applied so they look groomed for two weeks or so. Regular mani can actually stimulate the nails to grow so the length will come naturally over time.

Oh and finally

Shellac is a brand name for a gel product.

Shallac is by the creative nail company (one of the biggest in the nail industry) and I happen to know they are very good at training and making sure therapist are to standard

I agree with Barbie! Catching a false nail has to be up there with the most painful thing ever! Laundry baskets were always my downfall.
shuddering

Thanks all for your replies. They are vertical ridges, esp one in particular which has one pronounced ridge right in the middle of my little finger. I am now slightly freaked out by the choice which is why I haven't done this sooner! And I can't read replies as on my phone but think I will try manicures and gel for a bit see how that goes.

So - um - where do u start looking for where to go in Liverpool?? [clueless] any nail bar that looks fairly busy?

The ridges aren't that bad actually, they only seem to be on my thumb and little finger and I think with enough nail varnish they could probably disappear.