If I've never had my nails done before and I want to get them done for christmas

[Christmasmuppet]

What is the process? What do I ask for? How much does it cost?

I get gel polish about 3 times a year - birthday, christmas, holiday. It's really hard wearing and I soak it off myself at home when it is growing out - about 2 weeks for me. I've only once had weaker nails afterwards. It takes about 45 mins to get it done. I booked with a local salon for Saturday morning last week just the day before with the apprentice who did a great job for £17.50. They file your nails etc while you choose a colour then there are a couple of coats of colour plus top coat. Each one is dried/cured under a lamp so it's completely set by the time you leave and is pretty tough- I'm not wearing rubber gloves or being particularly careful. Go for it!

I get gels twice a year (Christmas and summer hols) -doing it so infrequently means my nails are fine so I wouldn’t assume once will make a difference. I pay £30.

I've never had my nails done, but I have also been tempted. On the question of short, flaky and splitting nails, I've seen a definite improvement since I've started taking a collagen powder in my daily cup of coffee. I know that doesn't help your christmas nail quest, but maybe something to consider for the new year?

Not everywhere is like that, there's absolutely no shortage of walk in places near me...

I've been doing a regular cycle of take-off-redo-gels every 10-14 days for about 10 years. My nails are fine and I've never made an appointment.

Health bollocks

Yes this! No need for any drama. I've had mine done without a break for the last 10 years without a break. No issues

That’s rubbish. Reputable salons don’t drill it off, they get it off with remover. A set of gels for Christmas or holidays is not going to wreck most people’s nails.

You would have had to book at any decent place weeks ago ...

Can I just ask what the difference is between Gel, Shellac and Acrylics? Are acrylics false nails they stick on and then paint, and shellac the name of the nail varnish? If so what is Gel?

I would agree with PP's OP, these kinds of manicures do damage your nails underneath, so use sparingly. They are also highly addictive, so can get very expensive.

I think shellac is a type of gel polish. Not 100% tho.

I'm similar did gels and my nails got so much worse.

So I just head to the supermarket to grab some varnish in a variety of colours and I've learnt how to paint my own.

I also got some nail treatments so when they are naked they look healthy oh and hand cream a few times a day.

Do poster’s nail techs really use drills? I keep seeing this on here and it sounds very dramatic. Mine uses an electric device but it’s a blunt plastic tool, not a ‘drill’. And then only for persistent little bits of gel still remaining after my nails have been soaked.