Nail Confusion

[PoppityPop]

For the first time in my life, I have long nails. I’ve always been a biter but have finally managed to stop and grow them. I’d now like to get regular manicures but I’m unsure what to get. I don’t want anything that will damage my nails too much.

I’ve seen people mention Biosculpture nails and dipped nails. What’s the difference? I don’t want false nails like acrylics but I’ve no idea what I should be choosing. Is it better just to have a traditional polish or is there a more modern equivalent that doesn’t damage nails?

If your nails are strong and in great condition perhaps just have a normal polish (clear or coloured) put on them, by yourself or a nailbar.
I have a gel put on my natural nails because they are pretty soft and easily broken in their natural state. But gel needs soaking/filing off which causes some damage.
Honestly, the more you can avoid nail treatments the healthier they will be.

Thanks for replying. My nails seem to be in quite good condition because I’ve been using Nailtiques so I’ll see if I can practise doing my own polish and failing that, go to a nail salon. It might take a lot of practice as I’m really crack-handed!

A lot of nail salons push gel nails rather than a straightforward manicure. I’d stick with what your doing and learn to do your own, you’ll get it right eventually and you can have fun experimenting with different colours/brands.

Yes, I'd avoid gels if you've managed to get your nails long & strong. I do my own gels because my nails are weak due to anemia (that won't be fixed until I have a minor op) so it keeps them nice. For normal polishes you can pick up some decent ones in Poundland, Superdrug etc then when you get confident doing them Zoya have some lovely colours & the polish lasts really well.

Hi OP. I do my own nails and use nails inc base coat, polish and top coat. I usually get a weekend and good few week days chip free.

Invest in some good tools like a cuticle pusher and nail files and apply nail oil and cuticle cream containing aha every day. I get all mine from Amazon.

Enjoy your new nails!

I have nice long nails that are reasonably strong and I get gel put on my nails every 3 or 4 weeks.
I don't have to soak or scrape the gel off - it peels off in one piece leaving no damage to my nails what so ever!!
They look really nice for 3 or 4 weeks, the gel strengthens my nails while it's on and it's virtually impossible to chip.
If you are in doubt, go to your salon and speak to the people there.
Years ago gels did damage your nail but things have changed.
I personally don't understand why you would use normal nail polish and get maybe 3 days chip free when you could get 4 weeks with gels but that's just my preference

Initially I did it to save money. I can buy everything I need for a year for the cost of 2-3 gel manicures. Then lockdown happened and I got really good at painting my nails.

Also my gels never lasted more than 2 weeks though I think that was because I didn’t oil them regularly enough.

The salons near me are booked up until Christmas and not taking new clients which is a shame, because I really want a neon tip French manicure. I wouldn’t be able to do that on my own.

In a similar situation, can I ask if there are any particular nail polishes people recommend for home manicures?

@Comeonmommy

I have nice long nails that are reasonably strong and I get gel put on my nails every 3 or 4 weeks. I don't have to soak or scrape the gel off - it peels off in one piece leaving no damage to my nails what so ever!! They look really nice for 3 or 4 weeks, the gel strengthens my nails while it's on and it's virtually impossible to chip. If you are in doubt, go to your salon and speak to the people there. Years ago gels did damage your nail but things have changed. I personally don't understand why you would use normal nail polish and get maybe 3 days chip free when you could get 4 weeks with gels but that's just my preference

What sort of gel is this ? Mine get soaked and filed off and it's such an unpleasant process . Peel off gel would be amazing .

@DuchessSilver

Nails Inc is very good. Especially the gel effect polish. OPI is good too and Barry M is a great cheaper option.

Op - where do you get nailitiques from??!!?? I am desperate for more!

@masterofone
You can buy Nailtiques on both Amazon and EBay. It was really hard to get for a while because I think they had a fire at their factory (?) but it suddenly seems to be available again. It’s amazing stuff - the difference in my nails is incredible.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I’ll have a look at Nails Inc

I second nails inc products. A good tip when painting your own nails with regular polish is to use a fast dry coat, wait a couple of minutes then dip finger tips into iced water for as long as you can bear, they dry fast and hard.

Also soak cotton wool pad in remover and clean top of the bottle of polish, it will last years.

IZ pro and Calgel both peel off with no soaking or scraping 🥰

I have just looked - brilliant thank you

I use Jessica base coat & polish, followed by seche vite top coat. I get a good 5-6 days out of it. If nothing else, I’d recommend seche vite over anything else, it’s incredible!

Seche Vite top coat is the best one there is!

I can really recommend Essie polishes, and in particular EssieExpressie ones. They glide on, are very fast drying and so far I'm on day 4 of a new polish (3 thin coats plus a Sally Hansen topcoat) and there have been zero chips or peeling, it still looks freshly applied.

I'm really impressed. I love the ordinary Essie polishes but the Expressie are the best I've ever had (I'm very, very, very hard on my nails!).

I found Nails Inc hard to apply without streaking, Mavala the same, No 7 the same. Maybelline are OK, but after Essie, I like Rimmel polishes.

I have also got Chanel and Dior polishes and haven't found them to be particularly special.