Who else paints their own nails?

[Globules]

I feel like I'm in a minority painting my own nails with a block colour.

Most of my friends pay £30+ every fortnight to get theirs done professionally.

I'm happy that it gives them a buzz, but I just don't understand the appeal myself.

Do you get your nails done regularly?

Always do my own. Rarely have bare nails.

Nail Envy is OPI

@NeedthatFridayfeeling could you say what brand you use please? (or post a link) they sound good!

I'm 45 and, having bitten my nails since I was 4, I've been having acrylics done for the last couple of years. I don't bite them(obviously), am very proud of them and they have been worth every penny to me.

My lovely DIL gave me a Japanese manicure as a treat last week and she also gave me a set of products so I can continue DIY.
It's bloody amazing and I'm definitely going to continue with it. My nails are super shiny with no varnish required. I'm also allergic to gels so this is ideal.

Google P-Shine for anyone that wants to read up on it.

i do my own but have worried about the uv light. have invested in one of those sassy saints kits and it is good - apparently they get better with time but was not unhappy with first go

Here's what it looks like on my ancient chunky hands.

I do my own gel nails fortnightly

@LifeInAHamsterWheel here you go, i use all 3 companies, can be a bit of trial and error to find what works for your nails, bonus with lily and fox is they are cheap so you don't feel like your taking a big risk, they do take a while to get to the UK though.

https://lilyandfox.com.au

https://nailsontherun.store

holygrailnail.com

I have done my own for many years. I liked doing them so much that I trained as a nail tech to learn to do it properly and now do the odd friend or family member too, although it will only ever be a hobby. I can do gel polish, builder and hard gel, and acrylic, and I absolutely love doing nail art. I currently have multi coloured neon leopard print. I keep mine short but I do still like having fun designs.

I only use HEMA- free professional products, nothing from amazon. I also use an efile extensively for both prep and removal and it annoys me that they have such a bad rep. Efiles don't damage nails, untrained nail techs damage nails.

I paint my own when I can be bothered and always have done, I've never had them done professionally. I'm mid 40s if that's relevant. I have a huge selection of nail polishes as can pick them up for a pound or two each. Just wish they didn't chip off so easily even with a top coat they chip.

Can anyone actually recommend a good top coat which will make my own nail polish more chip resistant. Currently use Sally hansen Base & top coat but I'm not finding it to be that great. Had a brilliant loreal one years ago but it's since been discontinued.

I get mine done. It cost £20 for a set of gels -
I do it probably 4 times a year.

@asbestosmouth24 I use either Seche Vite or Sally Hansen Insta-Dry. I find the main thing that determines how well they last is nail length though, the shorter the better. I try and keep mine to about 1-2mm of white tip and it definitely lasts better than if I let them get longer. Also always wipe the nails with polish remover before base coat to remove any oil or dust.

@asbestosmouth24 Essie Good to Go. I get a good 6 or 7 days out of my home manicure. My nails are growing out at the bottom by then anyway and I'm ready for a new colour. I will very rarely get 'tip wear' which I touch up, but no chipping or flaking or anything.

I have treated myself to a nail bar on occasion but usually do my own

I don't do any of the above, or expensive clothes, or expensive stuff for the house, I have a cheap car and don't spend money on things like coffees out. Instead spend my spare money on travelling and going to gigs.
Neither is right and some people can afford both but I prefer more trips away.

Thanks for posting this, will have a read.
I've never liked the look of painted obviously "done" nails, especially if they're long.
Much prefer healthy clean and shiny and no longer than tip of finger.

I paint my own, twice a week. This is an absolute me time. I put on some music, put out all my files, nail oils, cuticle oils and Essie colours, and then do my nails. It is one of the ways I relax, and after that I can sit in peace for a bit while my nails are drying (I pretend they are not dry yet so everybody leaves me alone for a while).
I can highly recommend Essie Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil. Somebody mentioned it here on S&B, I tried it, and it is really very good.
I put on gel nails once. Never again. It took me some time to get my nails back to healthy again.

My nail varnish lasts a week to two weeks. You have to put a top coat on every other day to preserve the colour from fading and chipping.

Did these last night, they'll last at least two weeks.

Are those false nails you've put on or your own nails? They look nice.
I've been taking collagen supplements for 3 months now and my nails have improved and look lovely and healthy.

I go through phases - painting my own (with normal nail polish, nothing technical), buffing them instead, and nothing. Currently in a buffing phase - I find it relaxing, and love the way they look all shiny with nothing on them.

Buffing phases usually finish when I realise I've thinned the nails down; they start to look thicker at the cuticle end because I've rubbed so much off the lengths with all my absent-minded buffing while watching Netflix 😬

I've had my nails painted a couple of times, but it didn't look any better than my DIY, and don't really like the look of hard-shell nails. My only DIY tip is to use a topcoat and leave plenty of time for them to set!

I do my own :) I have had them done once or twice but for me getting them done just isn't something I prioritise the time and money for :) Most of my friends get them done professionally and they look amazing and I know they love it. For me I always get my hair highlighted and trimmed and my brows threaded professionally. But do tinting and my nails myself. I am also pretty boring and pretty much always do a very pale neutral shade with a gel top coat :) I do quite enjoy spending a half hour on a quiet evening filing, painting etc (while watching a good crime programme) 😂

Haven’t read the whole thread. Just came on to say anyone considering a gel manicure I wouldn’t. I had one a month ago, pedicure and manicure. It was fabulous for a couple of weeks. Then had it removed at beauticians. Nails are so weak now and keep breaking, surface of nail damaged. Never again.