It’s been 3 months since I first got my gel nails, so I thought I’d give you a bit of an update and interview myself, because if there’s nobody else to talk to I often do talk to myself (one of the hazards of working at home!).
Do I love having gel nails? Definitely! I love how “polished” I feel (pardon the pun) with beautiful nails. This is the first time in 46 years that I’ve had nails to be proud of. And I love that they are pretty much indestructible!
So explain again how it works? Because I had short scrappy nails to begin with, I had a tip glued on, and the gel was applied over that. After about 2 months my own nails grew underneath so the tip was taken off. HOWEVER, my own nails are so fragile this wasn’t such a great idea (as you will see with Exhibit A, below) so I had new tips put on again last week.
Any downsides? Like many things beauty, there is some pain involved. I’ve had one technician who was a bit too enthusiastic with the little sanding tool and I had friction burns on the tender skin around my nails!
It stings too if you have any open cuts when they apply the primer. And pulling the tips off can also be quite painful.
Of course, they require regular maintenance – getting them refilled every 2 weeks – which is boring (yawn) and costs about $30 each time. I find it best not to stretch it out to 3, as that’s when damage tends to occur. Presenting Exhibit A:
Ooo that looks nasty – did it hurt? Are you stupid or something? Of course it did. YEEEEE-OOOOUUUUCCCCH!
How did you do it? I was trying to pry some batteries out of a remote control and using my nails as the tool to pry them out with.
How did you fix it? I didn’t – I just held it together with a bandaid and got me to the nail salon pronto!
So how did they fix it? They glued it back together and gelled over the top – which also meant it didn’t hurt anymore. BUT, it was only a temporary solution – within a week it broke again in the exact same spot, I think when I was making the bed (see Exhibit B below). Fortunately this time it didn’t hurt at all as my nail had grown out that little bit more, so I was happy and just left it like that until my next refill.
You’ve had some interesting colours on your nails! What has been your favourite? I don’t have a picture of it but I think probably blood red. It’s a colour that just doesn’t work when you have short scrappy nails, so I really relished being able to show it off with my gel nails!
I noticed you’ve also had some different nail shapes and lengths – what is your favourite? I know square nails are fashionable but to me they just scream fake (see Exhibit C, below). I prefer my nails to be rounded – and also a little bit shorter, or they start getting in the way for the essential tasks in my life – you know like typing up blog posts, flossing my teeth, pushing the button on the toilet (but not all at the same time) …
Sounds like you’re a gel nails convert – will you ever get them taken off? I’m thinking when these tips grow out in a couple of months it might be time to give my nails a rest …
Finally, thank you so much to me, myself and I for “filling” us in (yes another pun), on the story behind gel nails!
Love this post !!! I used to have gel overlays – I LOVED them. They were always painted and if I get one chip, the whole lot comes off and I paint them again. Sadly, I stopped having them done when I started massaging and doing reflexology 🙁 I was sad to see them go. I always felt so much more ‘finished’ when my nails looked nice.
Last year I had them done when we went to NZ for two weeks – it was fantastic !!!
Have the best day !
Me
Naww thanks Me 🙂 they are fun, aren’t they!
lol Janet, you made me laugh out loud. Love this interview with yourself. At least you have great company on the job! ha! i love the look of fake nails, but i’ve always had naturally long and strong nails, so have never needed them. they look great! but ouchies to the breaks!
LOL glad you liked my attempt to lighten things up a bit. I amuse myself anyways 😉
Nice work! Love it. My children keep complaining about my nails… they are always so long. I really should do some maintenance on them – *sigh*
x
Lucky you – rub it in why don’t you?! 😉
I only ever got my nails done for my wedding, six years ago this Sunday!!! And they were acrylic and ruined my nails – might have to give gel a go! Em x
I did the same Em and they were horrible. Gel is definitely better!
Oooh, I love my gels. I’ve been getting my nails done for four years now! I’ve been going to the same technician too and she is the best. We are mates now. She charges double what you pay but she puts an extra layer and I rarely get breakages. Mine last three weeks.
That split looks so painful! But it is worth it, no? I love how I never have to worry about my nails and because I get them really short I never scratch the kids with them.
Great post!
V.
Do you ever “take a break” from them? I’ve heard some folk say it’s best to let them “breathe” sometimes which sounds weird to me as nails are dead anyway …
Janet I have been wearing gel nails since FOREVER – can’t live without them! Converted to acrylic’s for a short time – then regained my sanity and went back to gel’s
But now I have FALLEN IN LOVE with the OPI gels – they are amazing – probably the best gel nail system I have ever tried
It is SO nice having your nails done, isn’t it? Small luxuries we can indulge in xx
Yes feeling very fortunate to be in a position to indulge these days!
I’ve been considering getting my nails done for a the last few weeks. Mine are shocking and so weak. I’d just like to have really pretty ones.
You’d love it Jess!
I think gel nails look gorgeous! Alas, I don’t think I could keep up with their maintenance. I can barely make it to the nail salon for a mani and pedi. Always much needed when I eventually get there!
Ouch! Exhibit A! Did you ever try shellac Janet? Would love to know more about this. I don’t like square nail either.
No I’ve never tried shellac – from what I understand, your own nails have to be long to start with which is where I fail miserably …
That must have hurt. All for the sake of beauty! I think the pain is worth the gorgeous nails.
I am so glad you feel proud of your nails! What a gift to be able to show them off 🙂
The tips + gel are wildly popular and my nail lounge. I find women who do that are like you, and come for a fill every 2 – 3 weeks.
You had mentioned one nail technician was a little too enthusiastic. So sorry you had that experience. Don’t be afraid to give them feedback about that so she can work on her technique. Or request one you know takes her time 🙂 without getting overzealous.
Thanks Petra for your encouragement to give feedback – I was too shy to say anything at the time, just avoided that salon after that. 🙁
Great post and interview! I’ve had them a few times and by about the fourth replacement I’m frightened they will grind through my own nail and stop getting them. They’re beautiful while they last and stop me scratching myself all over and shredding my skin.
If you have a long nail bed and equally long fingers, quite often you don’t need to grow your nails, your hands can look elegant with short buffed nails. And, you might even be able to carry off a few statement rings with this type of hand. But, alas, I am not the owner of such hands. Mine are small and a little bit squat, and my nails look better with a bit of length. Just like high heels, they elongate me!
Upon reaching middle-age, I find I can still grow my nails but I like to have a little help to ensure that all ten digits stay the same length. I feel better groomed and love looking down at my well-tended hands (one of the simple pleasures of life). I also like experimenting with colours, http://www.thehipsterette.com.au/wordpress/?p=10048
Arghhh that split nail! I enjoyed your interview immensely and my nails are now enjoying a very harsh scrutiny. Perhaps it’s time to get them done again. A great post as usual.
I got the Opallac Gel Kit for my birthday in January and have been doing my own since. I will never go back to normal polish again. I am lucky that I have great nails that grow like weeds so I don’t need tips put on.
You ARE lucky! I’m suffering severe nail envy!
I’ve done the whole acrylic nails thing several times – they look great but it’s an expensive pastime if you want to keep them nice – it also wrecks your natural nail underneath. Sadly I’ve decided to stick with my little stumpy nails – cheaper and less time consuming.
Yup I’m much the same Leanne.
I use to have over lay on my nails. But my nails were 5cm long, they looked amazing. I did this for years. I was a bouncer at a nightclub at the time, and one night a patron was punching the life out of someone. So I did a karate move on the person and somehow 2 of my nails broke off and landed in his neck. (He was okay, but it was horrifying to see my nails hanging out of his neck)
Needless to say, my boss made me cut my nails there and then. Which was difficult because they were hard and no nail clippers. When I got home I decided to remove the gel with a special mail spatula, and OMG the nail need was so weak.
It took 3 months for my nails to return to normal strength, and I’ve never had then since and never will. I loved them but hated the recovery process.
Yes I know what you mean Treaci, it took months for my nails to recover as well.
I just finished a very successful meeting in Fortitude Valley and knew my parking meter was about to expire so went to leave via their front door. A gust of wind and the door SLAMMED back and I got my thumb stuck – OUCH. Ripped part of the SNS Nail, and skin hanging with it eek. But yes it does smart a bit. Thanks for sharing.
Ouch alright!!! But it sounds like the meeting was worth it? 🙂