Treating myself to nice nails - clueless, please help

[Blastandtroph]

Work clinically in the NHS so for years have never been able to have nice nails.

Got some annual leave coming up and thought I'd treat myself and get my nails done.

Things have moved on somewhat since I last had a professional manicure (over 10 years ago). Nails are quite short and split easily (alcohol gel at work does them no favours at all).

What do I need? Can someone explain shellac to me as think this is longer lasting? Should I go for tips - is that a thing? Needs to be easily reversible for when I'm back at work.

I love shellac, but it does depend on how long you have off.

It'll be just over 3 weeks. Is it worth it for that long?

Oh yes sure that’s perfect. I get longer out of mine but most people aim for about 3 weeks.

So you’ll either need to book an appointment for soak off, or be prepared to sit there at home for aaages while you do it yourself. But you will have lovely shiny nails for your AL, and there are about a million colours to choose from.

I recently got Calgel nails and they lasted really well. It was my first time getting gel nails. They were a reasonable price, lasted three weeks and worked for my short nails. I got them done at a beauty salon as opposed to a nail bar as I find they're intimidating.

I'd recommend having an acrylic overlay or a builder gel rather than just shellac or gel on your natural nail if you say they tend the break.

Builder gel is like a thick, stronger gel, almost like acrylic.

You can also have this natural, like just a trench manicure so you can have them done when you go back to work?

Smear a tiny amount of vaseline over nailed at bedtime and you will have beautiful supple nails very quickly. File daily to remove rough edges.

I get gel extensions with shellac on top. I think it's the most expensive nails they do they last for 3/4weeks though. I don't get them very long, but it makes them SOO strong. I have a long bath nearly every day so have to use cuticle oil after that or the washing up to keep them in good condition, so might be an idea to start using cuticle oil?
If I don't have gel extensions with shellac, I just have shellac. Normal nail polish or acrylics ruin with my in 24 hours. I do use alcohol hand gel, wash my hands every half hour or so, clean for at least an hour a day and use a lot of strong products.

I meant not very long in length. If you get them quite short they last better

Thanks for replies.

@JustBeenNosey Can't have any acrylic once back at work as infection risk/against uniform policy.

Think I'll opt for trying shellac this time if it lasts around 3 weeks.

@ShabbyAbby good idea re cuticle oil. Can you recommend a particular brand?

@Blastandtroph ahhh okay! I'd deffo recommend a builder gel or acrylic over your own nails and then a gel or shellac on top. Just stops it from chipping as easy x

You’ll need a nail oil to strengthen the nail, and to buy the removal kit or book in for removal.

Ask if they do ibx treatments. It’s the best treatment for nails.