I MUST CONFESS … I have weird fingernails.
They flake. They peel. They chip. They split. They’re a weird shape – they fan out. And they are really flat.
As a result, I’ve never had any success in growing them; I’ve kept them plain and short for years. Which is fine, but a tad boring. I’ve never seen the point of wearing nail polish because my nails just weren’t worth it.
I’ve tried acrylic nails a few times but due to the fact that my nails are incredibly flat, and acrylics are curved, I find they start popping off within a couple of days. I bought a home kit and did my own repairs but eventually I just had to admit defeat. I was never going to have beautiful long nails 
.
Then somebody told me that gel nails just might be the answer. And they were right!
My nail technician confirmed that for the 5% of women who have the same problem as me, gel nails are the solution.
I had my first set of gel nails applied early in January, in the popular french tip style – and have been very impressed with the results.
At last I have lovely hands, and nails I can be proud of. I don’t have to worry about doing the washing up or the gardening or typing, fearing that they will fall off. Because these babies aren’t going anywhere!
After two weeks, I had them re-filled. I’m now at the four week point, and have filed them down as they were getting a bit too long. I’ve also put nail polish over the top, just for a change. I am still totally loving my nails – I may never get them taken off!
So women with weird flat nails, rejoice! At last there is a way that we can have the lovely looking manicured hands that previously, we could only dream of. 
UPDATE: Read my follow up posts:
Hi Janet,
I have the same problem with my nails and nothing, absolutely nothing is fixing them. Can I ask who did you go to as your nails look amazing and I have been toying with Gel Nails for ages myself. Or if any Bayside ladies can recommend anyone, especially on the south side of Cleveland, I would be very appreciative. Thank you
Hi Jennifer, I went to ProfessioNAIL at Capalaba Central. I was very happy with the technician who put them on; wasn’t so pleased with the one who did the refills though. She kept going off the edge of my nail with her tools and the skin around my nails was quite sore afterwards. So yes, I would be interested in any recommendations too!
Ouch that would hurt! Thank you for letting me know Janet and I have heard they are good in there ( just not when you get a technician with an unsteady hand 🙁 ) I know one of the girls at my hairdressers goes to someone in Capalaba and her nails look gorgeous too so I will ask this Saturday when I am in there and let you know. I know Capalaba is really not very far from me, but if you have to go every couple of weeks for fills, I would rather stick to around Thornlands, Victoria Point or Reddy Bay so I could be in and out quite quickly.
There is a salon in Cleveland near Coles but I haven’t heard any feedback so don’t know what it’s like …
I don’t have a problem with weird nails, but there is something about fakeys that makes me feel extra special. It is good to have nice looking hands.
I know what you mean Alicia – these nails were my birthday treat!
This makes me want to go in for a manicure!
Always a treat 🙂
Oh my nails are terrible too! I wear nail polish to stop my picking at the flakiness but as soon as I take it off I start doing it again. I’ve thought a lot about gel nails maybe I should do it! I hate my nails, unless they are covered in polish, which let’s face it only lasts 2 seconds anyway!!
Polish lasts a lot longer on gel nails.
I’m not sure what happens when it’s time to REMOVE gel nails, or what condition my own nails will be in … I’m sure that will eventually be another post here!
I used to always have gel nails because my nails just wouldn’t harden up no matter what I used / took / put on them. Then I started doing reflexology and massaging and the nails had to go – it was a very sad day !!! Recently when we went to NZ on holiday I had them done before we left – I thoroughly enjoyed having nails again but now that I am back in the groove of seeing clients in the evenings and on Saturday, I had to let them go 🙁
Enjoy – there is nothing that makes me feel as graceful as longer nails !!
Have a great day !
Me
My sister is a nurse and can’t have long nails either – her little indulgence is gel toenails instead!
ooooh very pretty!! i’ve always wanted to get my nails done. I’m fairly lucky in that I have have decent nails naturally, and I’ve always played tennis and golf so have thought the nails would just end up coming off so haven’t done it. Glad you found a solution for yours!
Jealous of your naturally nice nails! 😉
I’m a serial nail biter and went through a phase where I got acrylic nails in a bid to make them look nicer and get myself out of the habit. It didn’t work for me but I’m so pleased that you have found a way to have lovely nails. Thanks so much for linking up with I Must Confess again Janet!
It’s always fun Kirsty 🙂
I have no nails so don’t have that problem. Oh, wait. That’s the problem!
I had fakeys put on for my wedding and ripped them off the next day. They drove me INSANE! They did look loverly, though.
Emily, I did the exact same thing for our wedding – and ripped them off THAT NIGHT!!!! They hurt like billy-o!
Hooray!! They look great.
Thanks Ann – I’ve loving them!
I’m a serial nail biter and went through a phase where I got acrylic nails in a bid to make them look nicer and get myself out of the habit.
My daughter does that too!