Please help me with nail vocabulary!

[WonsWoo]

I want nice nails and am at a point in my life where it is affordable to get them done regularly but I am clueless about what to ask for.

Last time I got them done I ended up with thick, ugly too square nails that I hated and had to pay again to have removed.

The attached picture is what I’m thinking as a basic shape and look. I know what colours I like but what do I ask for to get this kind of look? And how do you find a good nail tech?

I would say this is a short, almond shape.

Thank you for asking as I am clueless too.

Sqoval shape. Milky neutral.

Thank you. My own nails aren’t in the right condition to do this naturally. I get so confused by acrylics vs gels and so forth.

Find a good nail tech by recommendations. The one who spends time on design if that’s what you like.

One that doesn't use drills, which will ruin your nails.Mind you, acrylics ruin my nails anyway!
In general (not always, I'm sure), the salons that have an ever changing parade of Vietnamese techs are probably to be avoided. When I do go, I go to a small place locally where the same 3 women have always been there & it's their business.
Why not show them the photo you put on here?

If your nails are long go for a gel manicure.
If they’re short you will need acrylics- short square oval shape- or rounded depending on what they ask.
Colours wise they will have a selection. - pink and white is a french manicure style.

Can I butt in...the drills for removal are bad?
What is the least ruinous? (I only have had manicures for 3 weddings and my nails were not great after. If people constantly have manicures are their poor nails destroyed? )

Def take the photo in - they can then do what's needed to achieve the look you like after looking at your nails.

I would go for Gel personally… it goes on like nail polish and then you put your hand under a UV lamp to harden it. It’s still flexible and lasts for 2-3 weeks. It doesn’t make your nails longer.

Acrylics make your nails longer and are hard and bulkier.

The picture looks like gel to me personally, but it’s hard to tell from a picture.

If your nails are short and you want to grow them/make them stronger, try builder gel with gel polish over the top in the milky pink that is in your photograph. Or you could get an acrylic powder in that colour and shape that won't be bulky as they do one coat of coloured acrylic powder and then top coat.

If you just show them the photograph they will be able to copy.

Gel extensions will achieve what you want, they look more natural than acrylics but similar application. Top the extension with gel polish and it should last approximately 3 weeks between in fills. The shape is round or short oval.

@eggandonion

i have extensions sometimes and my nails are fine, they are soaked off. I haven’t currently got them and nails are in excellent condition

The drills really weaken your nail on removal for gel nails, try find someone who uses acetone and a file. I’d stick to gel polish if you can, it will help your nails grow a little as it’s hardens them without adding the acrylic

Ask for a hard BIAB, they can extend with it, show them the picture of the shape you want.

Gel extensions. Or builder gel if your nails are a good length. Avoid acrylics - people have them because they last longer. They ruin your nails though and it can take years to get them decent again. Avoid electric files and drills, they can wear down your nail bed. I'm a former nail tech. I have gels every three weeks.