Has anyone given up on nail polish?

[citygirl1961]

Hi

After having a break from wearing nail polish on my fingernails I decided to start wearing it again, just a nude colour with a nail conditioner underneath, and my nails have started splitting and flaking again (the reason why I stopped using it before).

I always paint my toe nails just in the summer as I don't like to see bare toe nails with sandals. I can cope with fingernails with no polish on them to a degree but I do like to wear a nice nude colour.

Is it time to just give up on painting my fingernails?

@Serpenta nope. Gel application and removal is different to Shellac - has to be buffed off which is very damaging to nails. Hopefully, a nail technician will come along to clarify!

I only ever wear clear nail varnish on my nails and I keep them really short. I'm gutted though because my favourite clear varnish has been discontinued and the one I bought as a replacement is really shit - started chipping off within hours of putting it on.

Anyone got any good recommendations?

Shellac is just a brand of gel nail polish ehich is set by a lamp @MrsCatE
Are you thinking of gel nails which is painted onto your actual nail like an acrylic? So you could have a gel nail (I.e, an extension) with a shellac polish painted on.

I have had gel nails training. A good gel nail polish shouldn’t ruin your nails! I have a full time job so just starting to do nails on the side so don’t have a lot of experience - and I never had gel nails myself before I trained, but everything I learnt was about being very gentle and protecting the nail plate and cuticle. The gel brand I use soaks off, so no need for scraping or filing down. I’ve been practising on my friend and she can’t believe I’m not hurting her when I do her nails - she’s used to being cut and scraped and scratched by the nail techs at the salon she used to go to!
I do my own nails every few weeks and my nails have never been so strong and long. Gel nails can help your nails to become stronger if you find a good technician.

Im the same, I think a clean, well shaped natural nail, maybe with a clear top coat, looks far better than nail varnish. I hate the look in all the pictures where around the nail is all oily, and the cuticles have all been trimmed back to nothing. Its very unnatural and ick to me

never worn it sadly, I have short thin nails so keep them smart and tidy and best I can, HOWEVER ..

I spent hours watching Nail design videos... soooo mesmerising and beautiful. 🥰

I can dream 🌸

I love painting my nails. Not overly keen on gel. I've been doing it for years and have a huge collection of polishes. Currently have Essie's Russian Roulette on fingers and toes. My nails are good and grow like weeds. Polish lasts 6 days on my fingers - it's growing out by then as my nails grow quickly.

I posted above, but to add, I do use a nail buffing thing that makes my nails very shiny. I love it and I think it's a good alternative to polish if you don't care for it.

I love how nicely painted nails look but removal seems to ruin them - they flake and split. Hand gel isn't helping either.

Gel polish (not builder gel) does not need to be totally filed off. (You only need to file the top surface so acetone can penetrate.)