Getting nails done professionally or not?

[Roseinatub]

Usually when I go to an event I would usually only use a clear nail polish at home. Over the past few years I know people getting nails done professionally. I never got my nails done professionally.

I googled it and there are a few different options for nails. My job doesn't allow nail polish so I am afraid the most I would be able to get done is a file and regular polish. I do hate doing my nails myself.

I am going to a wedding at the weekend and I am drawn to the idea of getting my nails done professionally. Would it be worth it?

Honestly, if it's just for an event and you're not allowed polished nails for work I wouldn't bother getting them done. Either do a neat bare polish yourself or get some false nails to glue on! They are fab, come in all shapes lengths and colours and look really good.

Agree with pp. Most nail technicians mainly go gel nails now which are meant to stay on for 2-3 weeks and you should have them properly removed. You may also struggle to get a nail appointment for the weekend. I would do them myself or buy stick on colours.

Rather go and get the stick on ones and do it yourself. Or just paint them yourself.

If you go to a salon they will cure the nails with a uv light, and you then cannot remove this with normal nail polish. It needs to be soaked off, or filed off. So it is a bit of an expense for one event, seeing as you will need to do back to the salon to have it removed.

I had my biab gel removed last week. I have been having it done for years. I can tell you that my nails are completely wrecked now, and are going to take a pretty long time to get some strength back in them.

It is one of those things that when you start it, you kind of have to carry it on.

I have a Japanese manicure sometimes which is a deep conditioning treatment. It’s a bit like using a 4 way nail buffer, leaves your nails looking good for 6 weeks (or I thought mine did!) No polish at all.

I quite like a normal french polish if I’m going to an event. It should last a week or so, and I justify it because I don’t have hands steady enough to do it myself!

If you can only keep them for the event, it’s a complete waste of money. Just do them yourself.

I think I’m the only one in my group that does her own nails. I actually love doing them as it’s so relaxing. Every single one of my friends has fake nails - like gels, biab etc. They then complain their natural nails are ruined, so it’s a vicious circle.

I get mine done professionally (gels) a couple of times a year, typically before a holiday and Christmas, I remove them myself and usually get three weeks wear. But the removal is such a faff. If I couldn't have it on at work I wouldn't bother.

I've had a manicure with no gels or anything, and my nails were nicely shaped and buffed. It was a pleasant experience.
I would not have gels or false nails.

For a wedding, I'd just apply nail varnish, thenn remove it before going back to work.

Actually that's a good point, one of the reasons I do have them done a couple of times a year is that they really benefit from a periodic professional tidy up of cuticles, dead skin, shaping and buffing. No matter how much effort I put into this my efforts are not as good. So maybe look for somewhere that would just do that with some clear or skin-toned polish which won't show chips and will look nice for the wedding. Perhaps a traditional beauty salon rather than a nail bar.

Get some Dior Creme Abricot. Incredible stuff. Makes your nails look really great

I’d go for a manicure, but just ask for regular polish. Not gel.

I get mine done every three weeks or so, it cost about £12, and I always have a very pale colour, that’s quite forgiving of small chips etc until the next time.

Meant to add, if I have a particular event, I just time the manicure for a couple of days before at the most.

Definitely worth it for the manicure and normal polish. It’s a nice treat if in budget, and hands down beats an at home job.

Just be sure to ask for polish/varnish and NOT gel (gel = UV and lasts 2+ weeks).

I got a friend to do a home job on my nails before using a home curing heat lamp device. Whatever was used peeled off my nails in a matter of hours or days.

my beautician still uses normal polish for some treatments if you want or you can bring your own in and she will paint it after your manicure or pedicure. I don't like gel polishes etc on my toe nails so I bring normal polish with me. agree with people a manicure is very nice especially the parrifin wax manicure. this is where your hands are covered with hot wax left in heated gloves for a bit then removed its like new skin after. treat yourself for the wedding and bring your own polish so you can take it off then

That sounds lovely. I think this is what I want. Would nail bars have regular polish? I don't even have polish.

Don't go to just any old nail bar.

Sally Hansen do a 2 step gel lookalike nail polish

I use it and have had many compliments - link for showing you the stuff. But you can get single nail colours and then just add the top coat. Its good for 3 or 4 days - I then gently top up any warn at the end tips and its good for another couple of days.

https://www.boots.com/sally-hansen-miracle-gel-nail-polish-and-topcoat-duo---bordeaux-glow-10290526

For ,no. It wouldn't be.

I think it's a sad sign of where women at at in society that so many think that simple bare nails is something to be ashamed about, that every single centimetre of our bodies has to be curated in some way (which adds to the additional costs that women pay).

It's possible to look lovely and smart and have totally bare nails OP, even for a wedding.

Some do - best to ask when you ring to book or look at their appointments online. If they allow you to bring in your own head into Boots and pick one out OPI is a lovely brand - a bit expensive but nice or Sally Hansen. Most make up brans have some
Pick up nail varnish remover while you there so you can take off for work

People are not thinking that bare nails are something to be ashamed off - Some people like having their nails painted and it makes them feel good. I used to work in a place similar to OP that i wasnt allowed wear nail varnish and i loved putting it on, on my days off or when i had an occasion
Wearing nail varnish has been around for over 100 years now, even my 80 year old nana painted her own nails. It makes people feel good, try different styles out ect.

I love pretty nails on other people, but I hate having mine done. I don't like any of the experience at all.

I might use stick ons next time I have something worth prettying up my nails for! Otherwise I just buff them and maybe some clear polish

Yes, all nail bars have normal polish. I’ve never known one that doesn’t.

I tried the wrap ones recently and they were surprisingly easy and looked really good. I cant remember the name but mught have started with an M

There is nothing to suggest that anyone on this thread thinks that though. And although it may be extra costs to women as a class, the vast majority of employees and business owners in beauty are women so most of the money stays with women.

Nah, gel wrecks your nails. save your money and keep your nails healthy !