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Admitting that I'm clueless when it comes to girl stuff and in need of advice...

I made an appointment for a shellac manicure the day before my wedding (thanks to whoever recommended Panache in Whitehouse... sorry I totally forgot who it was).  Once I got off the phone I started researching what exactly shellac manicures are (yeah, probably should have done that earlier) and I realized (in a palm to forehead moment) that my nails have to have some length to them if I want the shellac french manicure to look good.  My nails grow pretty fast, so I should be okay by the time the appointment rolls around, but I have a couple questions nonetheless:

1.  About how long should my nails be for this? 

2.  What's the best way to make sure my nails don't break between now and the appointment?  Painting them?  Putting thimbles on all of my fingers?  Wearing mittens all month?  Totally kidding about those last two, but the question is for real because while my nails grow fast, they do have a tendency to break because I'm rough with my hands.
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Re: Admitting that I'm clueless when it comes to girl stuff and in need of advice...

  • CEOwifeCEOwife member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My nails were pretty short when I had my shellac french done. I would actually suggest getting one now...not the french just a nude color. It make the nails a bit stronger and they can grow out with the gelish protection on them. Again in two weeks soak off and add the nude. Then wedding day you maybe ready for a nice length french. When you soak off they typically use a nail file or the hand buffer to remove the top layer of the gel and it doesn't bother your natural nails. Do not allow them to use the electrical spin tool thing. It may go too deep and make a divot in your natural nail layer.  I don't think that the gel mani's weakened my natural nails at all because the soaking in acetone is only for a few mins.
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  • cindyn9178cindyn9178 member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    I was going to suggest same as PP.. get one now so you can see how it looks, and it will probably make your nails stay stronger and not break before then. You might think its looks perfectly ok on the length they are now too.
    Also, not sure how quickly it works, but Biotin helps your nails and hair grow faster and stronger. I've been taking it for awhile now and my hair is growing like crazy. I also haven't had a nail break in months. You can buy a bottle at Walgreens for like $8.
  • Faith2730Faith2730 member
    Eighth Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I agree with previous posts.  I plan on actually getting gel polish put on tomorrow to let my nails grow out a little bit before the wedding.
  • edited December 2011
    Thanks ladies!  I think I'll make another appointment for next week!

    PS - Cindy... my roommate in college started taking Biotin because her hair wouldn't grow (she had totally fried it) and so I decided to take it just for sh*ts and giggles.  For a week straight my pee was neon yellow... like day-glo cyclist shorts yellow.  I haven't taken it since, haha.
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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    My nails were pretty short when I got shellac for my shower, you should be ok!
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  • cindyn9178cindyn9178 member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_admitting-im-not-girlie-need-of-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:321dc02a-9209-4e88-85a1-264af84a4fc0Post:1d9d630f-2c4a-49d5-ad38-1687ee35790a">Re: Admitting that I'm clueless when it comes to girl stuff and in need of advice...</a>:
    [QUOTE]Thanks ladies!  I think I'll make another appointment for next week! PS - Cindy... my roommate in college started taking Biotin because her hair wouldn't grow (she had totally fried it) and so I decided to take it just for sh*ts and giggles.  For a week straight my pee was neon yellow... like day-glo cyclist shorts yellow.  I haven't taken it since, haha.
    Posted by peaches178[/QUOTE]
    Really?? That's so weird! I haven't had any side effects at all.. my sister has been taking it too and she didn't either. I guess it affects everybody differently..
  • RamsKR01RamsKR01 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've gotten the Shellac and it really does help your nails grow (both times I got it - it looked REALLY good for about 3 weeks).  I would definitely suggest that if a nail breaks or if something starts to peel - DO NOT PEEL IT OFF!!! One of my nails broke (banged it into a cabinet at work) and the polish was lifted a little, when I peeled it off, you could tell it made the nail weaker and caused it to break again. 

    If something happens, wait to soak the polish off at the salon or pick up pure acetone (it was about $3 for a bottle at CVS). Put some on a cotton ball, place it on top of your nail, and wrap it on your finger with tinfoil so it stays on (sounds silly- and looks a little funny, but works).  Then, in about 10 minutes take it off and you can use a manicure stick or your other finger to scrape the remaining polish.  When I did that my nails didn't get weak or break.
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  • Denise91980Denise91980 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    If you do want them to grow, I would seriously recommend taking prenatal vitamins. They make your hair and nails grow like weeds.
    BFP #1 1/1/11 EDD 9/10/11 dx:no hb DNC on 2/2/11 BFP #2 12/28/11 natural m/c on 2/6/12 BFP#3 2/16/13 dx:ectopic on 2/27 (given methotrexate)
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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_admitting-im-not-girlie-need-of-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:321dc02a-9209-4e88-85a1-264af84a4fc0Post:1d9d630f-2c4a-49d5-ad38-1687ee35790a">Re: Admitting that I'm clueless when it comes to girl stuff and in need of advice...</a>:
    [QUOTE]Thanks ladies!  I think I'll make another appointment for next week! PS - Cindy... my roommate in college started taking Biotin because her hair wouldn't grow (she had totally fried it) and so I decided to take it just for sh*ts and giggles.  For a week straight my pee was neon yellow... like day-glo cyclist shorts yellow.  I haven't taken it since, haha.
    Posted by peaches178[/QUOTE]

    That happens to me when I take airbourne! haha...I was a manicurist years ago and I would agree with the rest of the girls, keeping something on your nails will always protect them and help them grow.  If you go with the gel polish be sure to not pick it off (I am so guilty of this) and it will peel layers of your nails off with it making them weaker.  If you don't do the gel polish a good nail hardner will help too, they sell them at most drug stores, its clear.  Wearing gloves when doing dishes and keeping your hands/nails/cuticles moisturized will help as well, the more brittle they are the easier they break.  Good luck!
  • ginabean82ginabean82 member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Denise91980 - wow prenatal vitamins really make your hair and nails grow?  I want my hair to grow longer and I feel like I should give this a try...I can only imagine what my FI would say if I came home with a bottle of them lol
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