Alternative to gel nails for 13 year olds

[ItsCoolForCats]

My DD is going to be 13 in a couple of weeks. She is desperate to have her nails done. I don't really know much about nails as I never have mine done, but everything I've read says gel nails are terrible for young nails that are thinner and still developing. She is upset and it doesn't help that all the girls in her social group have had theirs done recently.

Can anyone recommend a good alternative to gel nails that I can get her as a birthday gift? Like a nail polish but that has a gel appearance and doesn't need a UV lamp? I'm looking for a nice kit. She likes doing french tips and also wants to be able to do patterns. Thanks in advance.

I was just let her have her nails done, any other alternative will not be as good and she'll be disappointed

Just let her do it - she will soon find these talons get in the way and are a bloody nuisance.

When you ask for something for your birthday and you're quite explicit and then someone gives you something they think is better, it's quite annoying. I know 13-year-old girls and it's quite the thing to have done so let her have it done

We've already had a chat about it, and she has accepted my answer. But she said she would like a nice set for her birthday, so I'm looking for recommendations for good quality polishes. I don't want to be pressured into agreeing to something just because some of her friends have done it. I have checked out reviews of the salon her friends have gone to. It is cheap, but it seems they are using low quality product because lots of people have complained of having reactions.

My DD wears Mylee stick on gels which can last up to two weeks. Her nails are a decent length though

I wouldn't let her go to this salon OP. It's just completely unnecessary for young girls. My DD is 15 and I let her have them done twice a year - Xmas and summer. Anything more than that and they just get in the way of her sports. And it's really expensive and you have to pay for them to be removed!

Have you tried Glaize? They were on dragons den and the kits looked quite good.

Thanks, yes I'm not going to agree to it, and she has accepted that. She also does a lot of sports so they would be an impediment. I told her we can reconsider when she is a bit older. I haven't heard of Glaize, so I'll have a look. Thanks

Would wraps work for her? You can get some really nice ones from Holy Grail Nail. Obviously, she/you would have to do them for her, but if you get it right, they can look great.

Thanks, yes I think these might be an option