?? about fake nails

mamameech · May 2012

What is best? Acrylic, gel, shellac?? I only ever use Walmart DIY nails (and get great results!) so I have no idea what it actually the best option when having them done professionally.I'd love some advice!

meagandal · May 2012

I am a big Shellac fan, its not artificil nails, but looks as good! It is more damaging than a regular manicure, but no where near as damaging as artificial nails-IMO When I was a bartender/waitress for years I had every type under the sun.

If you do shellac, or really regardless, but definitely you should use a cuticle cream or oil everyday while they are on. I use CND solar oil everyday, I put it on let it sit while I put lotion on then rub it in along with some lotion all over my hands, my overall nails are stronger and better for it, and it will help eliminate hang nails and rough cuticles so you look freshly manicured not just polished.

Gel nails, the artificial type didn't work well for me because they lift if they get too much exposure to water-yeah not so good for a bartender. Acrylic were okay- if done right, but I hate the "duck nails" and the super thick severely squared off look, and that seems to be the popular look for acrylics, and they are expensive to maintain, as a one time they aren't too terrible, but be prepared when you take them off your nails will be angry and brittle.

QueerFemme · May 2012

it really depends on what type of salon you go to. I use an acrylic overlay on my natural nails, because my natural nails peel and are very brittle. If you go to a "lower end" salon, you are probably going to have some nail damage. I am not a fan of shellac, but mostly because I like to get my nails done pretty often (2 weeeks at most) and shellac is more expensive... and my understanding is that it lasts longer.... but, your nails still grow out... so, I dont like the way that looks.

johnsontar · May 2012

For me I have done acrylic twice and I constantly felt like I was going to break them. Also I work at a hospital and I am not suppose to have fake nails. I recently tried gel and ended up going with them again. I loved them! I plan on using that for my wedding. I have no experience with shellac.

abcollins08 · May 2012

I recently purchased a groupon for a shellac manicure. I'm going to have my nails done before my bridal shower in June. I have never had shellac before but I'll let you know how it goes!

smartlypretty · May 2012

I have done the acrylic nails in the past, but I can't recommend them based on that fact that they completely destroy your natural nails. And, at least on me, they tend to look really thick and fake on me because I have huge nail beds (they are seriously large on my tiny hands). Can I ask you what you don't like about your nails? I used to bite my nails. Completely chew them raw. Then, around the time I was getting engaged, I decided I didn't want to have ugly little nubins anymore and so I stopped. It was extremely hard but I haven't chewed since. I watched a lot of youtube videos on how to do your nails and I've gotten really, really good at doing my own nails. I can even do french tip now! Most peole either think mine are fake or that I got them done at a salon.

egm900 · May 2012

I hate the damage that fake nails do to my nails. I used to have problems with my nails being brittle and constantly breaking, but as long as I have plenty of calcium in my diet, that problem goes away and I don't have to use fake nails to feel like my hands look okay.

Fluffernut · May 2012

I have done regular manicures, acrylic and gel. I like gel the best. Regular manicures, I always damage before I even leave the salon (I'm a klutz I guess). Acrylic last a long time and look good, but were hard to get off. They also damage the nail quite a bit. The gel were totally dry before I left the salon, so no mucking them up (yay!). However, they are also a PITA to get off, so I ended up just letting it grow out, although you can get it off at a salon. I believe there is damage underneath the gel though, like with acrylic. I recently got a regular manicure and asked about how to make it last longer, etc., and the girl recommended Shellac. I've never used that, though.

rsreese · May 2012

I keep an acrylic overlay on my natural nail just for strength. I tried shellac once and I did like it, but I went on a cruise and all the saltwater from the beaches just destroyed my shellac manicure. So if you are considering shellac for your wedding and are going on a tropical honeymoon, it is something to consider. But for regular everyday use I really did like the shellac. I've never tried gel nails before.

egm900 · May 2012

I think it's OPI that has Axxiom, which goes on your natural nails and then is pretty indestructible. You have to make an appointment to get it removed though, I've never tried it, but I know someone who has and she loved it. No problem with chipping, and it didn't destroy her nails.

NO2012 · May 2012

I've become a fan of shellac, but only for special occasions or the holidays. I have found that doing it repeatedly is hard on my naturally healthy nails. But it looks so good that I'm willing to do it once in awhile. Over the holidays I do "holiday red" and it held up to all the cooking, cleaning, dish washing , etc I do while entertaining during Christmas. The only drawback there is that my nails grow fast, so while the polish itself held up well past 23 weeks, the nail growth was very obvious and I had to have them redone, which isn't cheap. I couldn't do that on a regular basis. I did it again last month for our epics and I asked for clear, but my nail girl suggested an undercoat of the light pinkish color they use for French and it looked so natural and great! And weeks later the polish is still on and the new nail growth isn't so noticeable so I can stretch this manicure out much longer.

NO2012 · May 2012

That's 2 to 3 weeks, not 23 weeks. Haha!

Callmefia · May 2012

Natural nails are far more classy IMO. Even if they are not long, still much nicer. This may be an unpopular opinion but I think fake nails are cheesy.

mamameech · May 2012

Callmefia - you haven't seen my nails! I think cheesy would be an improvement LOL

Callmefia · May 2012

Do you bite them? Since I started taking a daily multi-vitamin, my nails grow better. And if I keep them painted, they tend to be less likely to break. I think they make special bitter nail polish for nail-biters!

I used to ride horses and work on a farm through high school and college and also rode horses after too, so I get nasty nails! Grooming a horse=lots of dirt under the nails. I see people with the acrylic french tips all the time and its really obvious they are fake; I'm more about natural beauty I guess =D

mamameech · May 2012

The ones I do put on occasionally are very short and natural looking; people don't even realize they are fake. I can't stand long nails anyway because I type ALL day and they are a pain when using weights lol
It's hard to maintain nice nails when you abuse your hands all the time. My nails aren't brittle, I just don't have time to keep them nice.

kek5073 · May 2012

If your are looking for length then you only option is gel or acrylic . The gel polish or shellac doesn't add length to your nails, but the polish won't chip for 2 weeks... Everyone's right though, it does depend where you go.. Some cheap places say they are giving gel for more money but it's really acrylic .

SCogs18 · May 2012

Another vote for shellac. Axxium by OPI is my favorite.

Jessmay30 · August 2012

I have done Shellac twice and it lasted less than five days, for me it was a waste of money, would have been more worth it to pay for a regular manicure.

?? about fake nails

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