Gel/shellac nails

[Breeindisguise]

Hey all.....just wanted a general opinion on how long they should last. I've been having my toenails done for year and they last anything between 5-8 weeks depending on where I go. I had my fingers done a few times a few year ago and it never lasted than 2/4 weeks. It lifted and chipped and am I'm a picker I just ending up peeling it off.
People mentioned oily fingernails?
Anyway, desperate to make my fingers look less like a mans I had them done on Thursday. A couple are already chipping and one is quite visibly lifting off?
I'm not concerned with the chipping as guessing that's normal but why do they keep coming off my fingers so soon?

*years

My nails, gel usually, last up to 3 weeks but depends on brand of gel and even colour! Some colours last well. If only lasting days I would go back as should last 10-15 days at least. I find hormones and my thyroid can affect length of them. I like Mint, national salon, last longer than when I’ve used independent ones!

2/4 weeks is pretty standard for hands tbh. It always lasts longer on your toes as, when you think about it, they see much less wear and tear. You're not using your feet to do the dishes or gardening or whatever, and you're not washing your feet multiple times a day. All those things are going to have an effect on longevity.

Different colours and brands will also have an effect. My nail lady says she says her customers often comment that certain shades, particularly darker ones, last better than others.

Fingers 2-3 weeks, never had gel toes as normal varnish lasts 6 weeks

It's really important to strip the nail bed of any oils before applying and curing the base coat - a quick swipe of acetone does the job.

Don't peel it off - it's the worst thing you can do to your nails as you'll be peeling off some nail layer with it. Sounds mad but I always carry a teeny tiny little superglue (the one with a little brush applicator) so if they do start to peel off, which is unusual, I can stick them back on. Works a treat 😁

I'm a picker too.
I do my own and love them but they generally last 2-3weeks.

When you get them done, do they put on a layer of primer on before the base layer? Not everyone needs it but some people do.

The acetone wipe before the primer should remove all of the oils from your nail and skin.
The primer, obviously, primes the nail for the gel to adhere to.

If you're not getting the primer perhaps you can ask for it at your next set?

3 weeks max on my fingers. And only with acrylic powder as a base strengthener.

Shellac is marketed as a 14 day gel polish tbh, they aren't designed to last much longer. If you want 3+ weeks wear, you'll need to consider a different brand.

Oh and as others have said, if you pick your nail bed will be damaged and this will case lifting in the future. Also certain handcreams and other products will lift the product, and make sure you always wear gloves when cleaning (even with cleaning wipes as this are a prime culprit for lifting gel).

I'm a nail tech :)

I with you OP. Mine last a matter of days, lifting up at the sides and chipping, and that’s no matter where I get them done. I’m also a picker so once they lift they’re gone... must be my nail type or something?

Shellac always chipped within days on my hands. I went to someone who used Gelish and that stayed put for weeks so I think brand has a lot to do with it. Shellac is fine on my toes though. I’ve stopped having manicures though as my nails were an absolute wreck underneath after just a few applications, never did I think I’d see my fingernails peel

2-3 weeks normal on fingers, my toes usually last 6 weeks (not shellac, I do them myself)

It's all in the prep - make sure you buff nails very gently to remove any oil/shine. Don't use hand cream/apply moisturiser before. Wash hands with washing up liquid just before you start (most hand washes contain moisturiser that stops polish sticking)
Wipe with cleanser and air dry for a few seconds before you apply primer

Cap nails with every coat - run brush across the tip horizontally as well as painting vertically as normal

Open and honest - I work for a gel polish company so get lots of tips from our nail techs and customers!

Mine usually last about 4 weeks.
The place i get them done does a really good manicure beforehand and does a good seal at the tip and never goes over the cuticle, so they rarely lift.
The only issue i have is my nail tebds breaks half way down and then starts to catch.

I tend not to have it done very often as my nails are never good afterwards, but I do love how they look. They usually last around the two weeks mark, but last Christmas on holiday in Poland I had the best one ever. It lasted nearly a month and I was very sad to see it go. I think the difference was that she spent a long time on my admittedly appalling cuticles, and I had my nails very short. I love short dark nails a lot. As they grew, the tips were still too short to get bashed on things.

Alot of my lifting happens when I put too much lacquer on. Particularly with my base coat on the left thumb... no idea why but I have to be extra careful as it then attaches to my skin and lifts within a few days.

Then I have to make repairs 🙄

I also agree that if you're picking, you must give your nails a rest. I hate having naked nails but if I end up picking off my gel nails I end up giving it a break for about a month.

Mine have lasted over 5 weeks before, but the place I go uses really good stuff! Less than two weeks I'd be complaining - they should put it right for you.

Fingers last less than a week for me so I've given up and switched to SNS which lasts 3-4 weeks. I only had the last lot changed as I couldn't stand the regrowth.

What's SNS @PinkSparklyPussyCat ?

It's a dipping powder. Its probably not great for my nails but they are rock hard. The downside is it doesn't feel as natural as Shellac

SNS

I had to move to an acrylic overlay with a gel varnish on top. They last 4 weeks and only need redoing due to re growth rather than peeling or lifting.

My gel finger nails look pretty shabby after 3/4 weeks because of the regrowth, they rarely lift or chip. My gel toenails last 10/12 weeks, for some reason they don’t grow as fast.