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Original poster

Having gel nails done regularly

32 replies

Boyboyboy10 · 19/09/2023 18:07

I would love to have gel nails most of the time. I don't because cost has been an issue. I WFH 4 days, office 1 day. I don't go out out a lot these days. I do like to try to be well-groomed as much as I can. I love the look of gel nails.

Would it be a waste of money to have gels all the time ? Considering I'm wfh most of the time and I don't go out out loads. I go to other people's houses for drinks/dinner quite a bit, so I do see people socially.
Thoughts ?

OP posts:
TomAllenWife · 19/09/2023 18:10

I have had gel nails for over 10 years.

They're ruining my nails so have to keep having them.
I keep them short and normally a fairly nude colour unless I'm going on holiday

CallingElfRescue · 19/09/2023 18:10

I bought the Mylee full works set back in lockdown and do my own now. Without being too full of myself, I do think I do a good job and have had a few compliments. You just need to take your time and make sure you do all the prep. The Mylee gels are about £7 with free postage on eBay and last ages.

Obviously you need the time to be able to do this but I get a good 3 weeks out of each time I do it.

Best money I spent in lockdown!

LifeBeginsNow · 19/09/2023 18:10

It's made me feel soooo much better about myself. I'm a biter though and used to try and hide my bad ones as I was so embarrassed.

I don't really go anywhere either but they make me so much happier. Do it for you. I'll make you smile every few minutes you catch sight of them. Mine are Barbie pink today and soon I'll choose something autumnal.

vestedinterests · 19/09/2023 18:11

I think if they bring you so much joy you could perhaps try to make savings elsewhere and maybe stretch the appointments to every 3-3.5 weeks depending on how long they last on you. Definitely not a waste of money if it makes you feel good about yourself and you don't get them on credit carc

theduchessofspork · 19/09/2023 18:16

If it makes you happy and you can afford it, do it.

I did it for two years till it ruined my nails. I like it but I also got fed up with the admin of an hours appt every two or three weeks

also wear hand cream, those lights aren’t good

mummyh2016 · 19/09/2023 18:21

Go for builder gel and you'll be able to go 4-5 weeks.

Allthestories · 19/09/2023 18:23

Just be aware how badly they ruin your nails.

BobbyBleu · 19/09/2023 18:24

I'm a nail tech.
The best advice I can give is to go to a nail tech who uses hypoallergenic, hema free gel polish.
Some brands of gel and 'at home' kits have been linked to reactions, it's been reported on the bbc and trading standards are investigating.
Not sure if I can post the link here but if you google reactions and at home nail kits I think you'll find the article.
I had a reaction myself to a so called 'professional' brand.
My nails lifted off the nail bed. It was awful. I now use a hypoallergenic, hema free brand with no issues. It is probably one of the most gentle ones on the market.
My customers still get really good wear with these gels.
I enjoy having gel on my nails, it makes me smile when I catch a glance of my nail art and I think it's a nice way to express yourself.
If you can afford it/want to treat yourself then I say go for it. I don't have my nails done for special times, I do them for me.

StorminanDcup · 19/09/2023 18:27

If you have good nails now, I wouldn’t opt for continual gel nails because of how damaged your nails are likely to become over time.

Id be more likely to go for some really good polishes or nail wraps and manicure set at home and to it myself and leave gels for an occasional treat.

Anewnamea · 19/09/2023 18:38

I agree, save gel nails for a special occasion like your birthday or Christmas . Find a brand you really like and buy some nail Polish, top coat, nail oil etc and do them yourself weekly.

I have naturally strong long nails but they were gradually getting damaged by regular gel treatments last year when I had a lot of public speaking events.

I like the look of gel nails too but haven’t had them for a few months and my nails are already stronger, longer and better looking -someone even asked last week if they were real as I’d painted them quite nicely They could’ve passed for gel nails.

Anjelika · 19/09/2023 19:10

Mine are permanently done. I get them done every 4 weeks. I've now got builder in a bottle/builder nail under the gel colour and this keeps my nails strong. I'm sure in the long run it's not good for my nails but I just like having chip free coloured nails. I don't get anything else done - I tint and shape my own brows. It's my little monthly treat!

JohnNolan · 19/09/2023 21:39

Like another PP, I also have the mylee gel nail kit. I absolutely love it. It's well worth the money. I'm pretty good at them now (need much less gel than you think - you need thin layers).

I've got about 30 different colours now, glitter, special effects ones (magnetic & mermaid scales etc) & chrome effect pens.

Appalonia · 19/09/2023 22:37

I used to have mine done regularly and I loved them. When I stopped, my actual nails were so thin! It took 6 months till they were healthy again. If I were you I'd just get them done for special occasions.

vipersnest1 · 19/09/2023 23:20

Excuse the aging hand, but I just wanted to show you that you can absolutely do them yourself. I drill the top surface off, but soak off the rest, so I never drill down to the natural nail. I've been doing my own about four years, and also sometimes use builder gel or polygel. I'd advise starting with gel and see how you go.

Having gel nails done regularly
Prima123 · 20/09/2023 07:45

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WeRateSquirrels · 20/09/2023 11:37

I'm just having a break after continuous gels for years, and my nails are absolutely fine. I did love having them look nice all the time, but the price just went up again and I thought I'd try and economise.

I WFH and am very antisocial so it was very much just for me!

Bearpawk · 20/09/2023 11:44

They ruined my nails and my oncologist says they're seeing an increase in melanoma nail bed cases since they've been raising in popularity.
I now paint mine at home, Essie polish and seche vite top coat (looks like gel and very durable! ) plus use a nail cuticle oil regularly. Lasts 4/5 days so I do them once or twice a week. If I have a day at home I'll remove and let them breathe.

evilharpy · 20/09/2023 12:30

It's not the gel that ruins your nail (assuming it's a professional brand) it's the prep and removal if it's not done properly. I use a HEMA-free brand which requires the nail plate to be lightly etched to help with adhesion, but nobody should ever be filing away your natural nail or scraping it roughly.

Before I did my gel polish training I used to use Blue Sky on my own nails and it was really difficult to soak off - I did end up damaging my nails more than once and had to grow it out. Professional brands (that require a qualification to buy, they are not available on amazon) are very different and much less damaging but you can't buy them at home. This is part of what you're paying for at a decent salon. My nails are naturally paper thin and weak but I keep gel on them which makes them much stronger and less likely to break. When I soak off the gel every couple of weeks to redo it they are in lovely condition.

Anyway that's not what you asked, OP. I don't think it's a waste of money at all if you can afford it and it makes you happy. I love having my nails done, it just makes me feel much more put together.

CaveMum · 20/09/2023 17:15

I used to have mine done every 3 weeks over 3-4 years (though there was a break because of Covid). Everything was fine until last summer when 7 of my 10 nails started lifting from the nail bed within a few weeks of each other. I’ve now not had my nails done in over a year and they’re only just about recovered now.

HaddawayAndShite · 20/09/2023 17:22

I feel 10000% better about myself when I have my nails done and I go absolutely nowhere. It’s the only thing I do, I do my own box dye, hair cuts, eyebrows etc.

I find my nails are fine when I have a break unless I don’t get the gel removed, but that’s because I pick it off and that absolutely ruins them. It’ll depend on your nails how they bounce back.

Get them done if you want them done, you don’t need an event to make yourself feel good

theemmadilemma · 20/09/2023 17:24

I've been using this since vivid and have been complimented multiple times on my nails before I've said I do them myself...

Rio Quick Dip Acrylic Nails Extensions amzn.eu/d/2CGHMgs

Yes my real nails are shit, no I don't really care. 😂

theemmadilemma · 20/09/2023 17:24

*covid

JanefromLondon1 · 20/09/2023 17:40

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otherwayup · 20/09/2023 17:44

I've just discovered nail wraps, absolute game changer!!!

evilharpy · 20/09/2023 19:22

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That can be caused by an allergic reaction to the products. Be careful if using it in future, you might get on ok with a HEMA-free brand, or you might be allergic to something else. Definitely let your nail tech know it's happened in the past.