Do you get your nails done regularly?

[rumun88]

Or do you just have them natural?

I get them done occasionally, mainly for special occasions so about 3-4 times a year. I prefer to look after them myself at home now though especially as I like a natural sheer nail and none of my local manicurists seem to be able to provide that.

There are some great top coats on the market now that 'cure' in sunlight a bit like gels but obviously slower. I have one from Nails Inc, others are available (Eg Nailberry, Peacci) and it makes my manicure last a lot longer, currently on day 4 of an ordinary manicure and no chipping. Also If you use regular polish make sure your natural nails aren't oily and ultra glossy, buff them slightly just like with gels, then you'll find nail polish adheres better too.

Yes, BIAB every 3 weeks. Not long and a fairly neutral colour.
It's the first time in my life I've had decent nails all the time. My length now but BIAB on too.

I love having mine done, my nail tech is absolutely brilliant at cuticles and a perfectionist with her painting. I can’t get mine anywhere near as nice or to last as long. However it is expensive so I just go for special occasions right now, maybe when I’m older and have more disposable income I’ll be able to justify them more often.

Btw had awful nails for years, they flaked and were very soft. I now take a really good multivitamin plus extra vitamin D (prescribed) and biotin. Nails are strong and healthy. Wish I'd realised how I could sort them out years ago.

I’ve got a mylee lamp so do my own. I’m currently on their fix and flash tips which are great. Having my fingers and toes done makes me feel much more put together. I wouldn’t want to pay someone to do them every 3 weeks though!

I pay £28 for a gel manicure every 3 weeks. I really don’t think that that’s extravagant.

Other forms of self-care, like facials and massages, are far more expensive IME.

I love having them done but it’s expensive and a time drain.

I have shellac on my toes last me months and only £20. This year I've got into builder gel for my hands a bit more pricey but my nails were breaking with shellac and I'm a nail biter if left natural.

Try builder gel it's more durable and less filing.

A time drain? I’m in and out in 45 minutes. I think I’ve spent longer than that on MN today!

45 mins in and out here too at a cost of 30euro every three weeks which is a tenner a week which here is not even a bottle of wine a week.

BIAB here too.
Every month or so.
My nails underneath are in perfect condition- I agree it's the removal that damage.
My salon buffs off the Biab when i get a refresh, but never down to the nail itself, they leave a thin coating of product before using builder product. They never soak my nails or use any harsh solvent.
So my own nails are never subjected to abrasion or solvents.

I was a dental nurse for 13 years and couldn't have them done. I now get them done every 3 weeks

Never had them done

I know, some of these comments are bizarre!

Why can’t people say “Nails are not that important to me” or “I prefer to spend my money on other things”.

Incredulity at who has the time and money to get their nails done simply doesn’t make sense.

Every three weeks.

I work in an office and looking at my pretty nails while I’m typing away makes me happy.

@pambeeslyhalpert2 I was a dental nurse too! I'm going back into it and I'm going to miss my nails what made you leave it?

I do gel nails myself. It's the only way they grow long

I have long, bright, sparkly acrylics done every three weeks. I LOVE them.

I do my own now with nail strengthener then Essie or MyMood normal polish, they don't last as long but I couldn't stand how weak and ugly my nails had become under the constant back to back gel I used to have.

I also found the 45 minute appointment every 3 weeks bloody tedious! At least at the hairdressers I can read a magazine or a book instead of making mindless dull small talk.

Gel every 2-3 weeks - natural nails have zero damage underneath.

I don’t use gel anymore as it was really damaging my nails. I also got fed up of the time commitment and cost - I needed to have them done every 2 weeks due to the regrowth and it’s £30-40 a time in my area. I can afford it but stopped enjoying it - plus the good nail techs are booked up ages in advance so it all became a bit of a faff.

I just file and use clear polish. I prefer the way they look now, I have slim fingers and nice healthy nails and it’s very little upkeep. I am thinking of a regular non-polish manicure as I do like how they shape the nails (better than I can do) and also the cuticle work etc.

Every 3 weeks for 18 years. Except in lockdown.

Never had my done. We have about 6 nail salons where I live. Always busy no matter when I walk past.
Maybe I will treat myself one day.

I don't have the time to go to a salon every 3 weeks. It's not 45 mins, it's driving there, having the appointment, driving back. Plus if one of the DC is sick that day/something happens, I've lost the appointment and still get charged. Then I have to rebook. Or if one chips or breaks, it's all that palava to go in and get it fixed, or live with it looking crappy until the next appointment. No nails look better than chipped nails.

I bought myself a gel lamp (£14.99 Amazon), I use a fantastic brand of Portuguese gels (about a tenner each on Amazon) and I only use the natural pink builder gels. One has a sparkle to it which is really pretty.

I do them whichever evening suits me, in front of a film, around every 3 weeks and they literally paid for themselves from the first time I did them. First few attempts took much longer because I couldn't do my wrong hand, but I'm very good at them now, to the point people ask me where I get my lovely nails done.

My mother couldn't believe you could make your own nails look like this at home, bought herself a little set up too, and now hers look better than mine.