Help me with nails!

[MrsMorton]

I'm trying to essentially, get myself together in the most efficient ways I can find. I'd like to get my nails done at the same frequency as eyebrow tinting, every 3 weeks or so.

I'm fairly au naturel, no make up but eyebrow and eyelash tints, no hair dye etc.

If I want something to last that long, am I looking at shellac? Is that the same as gel? I don't think I want acrylic?

TIA

See if you can find someone that does The Gel Bottle - they have something called Builder in a Bottle which I swear makes it last without chipping. I have that as an undercoat and all I get is regrowth within the three weeks. It's supposed to help the nail underneath unlike acrylic.
It's gels essentially.

My nail tech doesn't rate BIAB at all. My gel nails easily last three weeks if I use cuticle oil.

How strong are your nails to begin with. Mine are quite strong so normal gels work for me.

Shellac is just a brand of gels. To last 3 weeks you need gels.

BIAB - Builder in a bottle is really good for weaker nails and is less harsh than acrylic, but costs more so only get it if you need it.

Definitely BIAB.

Totally agree with BIAB! I have biab, with a gel polish colour on top - I went six weeks before Christmas (I'm religiously three weeks normally but was ill) and didn't have a single chip or damaged nail at all. Six weeks of cleaning, tidying, working, putting up decs and living my usual life. So low maintenance! An hour every three weeks and my nails always look fab. I find my gels last longer with BIAB under, especially during winter.

BIAB fan here - I can easily last 4 weeks without a chip

Fascinating thank you. They are v strong. Will have a read of BAIB.

Echoing the above, I’m a BIAB convert after never really bothering with my nails.

Mine last 4 weeks easily.

Dipping powder. No BIAB available near me but I find dipping powder brilliant. So hard.

Dipping powder bonding agent - the stuff they paint on before you dip, typically has Cyanoacrylate in it which is another name for superglue. I have done my own nails for decades after years of having them professionally done. There are many nail technicians on YouTube sharing their knowledge like The Nail Hub who I highly rate. Have a watch of her videos to learn what you may want.

I wouldn’t start a glow-up with nails, esp not if the rest of you is low key. Just keep your nails trimmed and neat, use some oil to keep them in good condition. I think long manicured nails are tacky - but if you have fake eyelashes and heavy makeup then it’s a “look” you could go for I suppose. But it wouldn’t fit if the rest of your style is natural.

Having your nails done regularly doesn't mean they need to be long or over the top. Mine are kept short (they don't grow past the end of my fingers) and I have a neutral colour on them so it helps them look polished most of the time. I go for colours in the summer and at Christmas.

Was going to go for short & neutral, like @Claudia84 definitely not long or gaudy.

Sounds good!