Salon worth if it if I don't want gel nails?

[mavornia]

I've had gel nails a few times and it completely wrecked my nails and left them flimsy and weak. It took months for them to recover. I like the look of polished nails and was wondering if most people just do it themselves if they don't want gel polish?
I hate the thought of spending a lot to have normal polish put on and then it chipping in a day or two. Or do you get lots of extra treatments in a salon that would make it worth it?
I find I don't bother making the time to do it myself at home (and I was never terribly good at it and would have to stick to pale colours so that any messiness was less noticeable).

It is for toes as they last. I always get normal polish for a pedicure as it lasts to the point of growing out anyway. I don’t think it’s worth it for hands myself. Lasts about a day on me.

I take my own two step polish in with me. The Essie Gel Couture one - hardens like gel (no lamp required) but just comes off with nail polish remover. I get about 10 days out of it, and as I have the exact colour match at home, can often squeeze a couple more days with a touch up. I have a slight tremor, so doing my own nails is just about impossible for me. I take it off when it’s done, give my nails some breathing space for a week or so, then have them redone. I usually just get charged for a file and polish.

It depends on your nails.
Yes it should last longer than doing it yourself but normal polish on lasts well if you have strong nails and are good with aftercare.

Great, many thanks for your answers x

Gel polish shouldn't wreck your nails if you go to a place that only buffs your nail plate lightly (no Dremel-type tool) and if you soak them off with acetone instead of peeling them off. But if your nail plate is thin, it will damage it at least a little because they do have to buff it a bit to key the surface.

If they peel off, it might be that your nail plate naturally produces a lot of oil, or it could be poor preparation. Or both.

If you want to do your own nails but hate waiting for the polish to dry, try Seche Vite top coat - it really does make a difference. Essie Gelsetter topcoat is good too. If you find you're flooding your cuticles you can tidy up, before topcoat, with a small angled brush dipped in acetone.