Anyone else underwhelmed by the whole manicure experience?

[AnnetteF]

I did something I rarely do and got a manicure today and I have to say, every time I go (which is probably every couple of years) I feel like it was a big waste. I decided to go today because we have a party to go to tomorrow night and I knew that at home, I would never find the time to do my nails myself.

I'm just so disappointed in the whole thing. She filed my nails straight across so much so that I had these sharp points on either side of my nails. A couple of them also were catching my clothing, I realized later. The polish never seemed to dry (even though I sat at that dryer forever) and a full hour later when I reached for my keys, I knicked them. After she'd done most of it, I realized I hated the color polish I'd chosen. When I came home I got out the remover and took it all off. On top of all that, the whole thing just makes me uncomfortable - I don't know why. I see other women who go all the time, but I never seem to like the experience or the way my nails come out. Anyone else feel the same way?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Sorry I can't help, but hearing this is so discouraging. I've never had a manicure and was looking forward to finally getting my first one. Now I'm not so sure.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I love getting my hands massaged, but I mostly agree. I can do a better job shaping and painting my own nails at home.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I enjoy a good pedicure, but not really a manicure.

I don't really know why other than it takes my fingernails forever to dry and seemingly not as much an issue with my toenails. I always nick something. They always try to get me color and I don't like color on my nails. I guess I'm a weirdo.

So in salons, I usually just stick with pedicures when I have money to splurge on it. (and I don't get creeped out by the germs, but I'm sure someone will bring it up.)

I may get a manicure for my SIL's wedding in March but only if I want a French manicure. Even then, I hate it b/c my whole French manicure usually begins peeling before the event I had it done for, so I may just stick with the toes.

 

[Hillbeans]

I get pedi's every 3-4 weeks but rarely if ever get my nails done. I also think a manicure is a waste of time, unless you have tips, wraps or Gels. A regular manicure only lasts me 2-3 days if i'm lucky before it chips and then it just looks bad.

 

[mjkacmom]

I like a manicure, and a pedicure - and a mani is only $13 here. I like the massage and the scrub, and they ask how you want your nails filed. It takes almost a 1/2 hour.

 

[Feralpeg]

I like having the manicure and pedicure, but I don't like whatever they put over the polish. You need a blowtorch to get the stuff off. I have tried multiple types of polish remover and it is so hard to remove it. I hate that.

I really like the foot and leg massage except some of them get carried away. I swear the last time, it really hurt. A gentle massage is nice.

I've only done this about three times. For the most part, I think it is way to expensive and I agree that I don't like the square nail thing.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I've had ONE manicure in my life - for my prom night! I am not a sit-still-and-do-nothing person, though, and I found it very difficult to sit there. I thought it was a waste of an hour.

I also took a nail technician class about 15 years ago. I never got a job doing nails - again, I found giving manicures just as incredibly boring and tedious as getting them. I'm just not suited for it, I guess!

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I've never been a mani-pedi kind of girl. I've had a manicure once and for me, that was enough for one lifetime. As for a pedicure, forget it. The idea of a stranger touching my feet kinda wigs me out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I like having the manicure and pedicure, but I don't like whatever they put over the polish. You need a blowtorch to get the stuff off. I have tried multiple types of polish remover and it is so hard to remove it. I hate that.

I really like the foot and leg massage except some of them get carried away. I swear the last time, it really hurt. A gentle massage is nice.

I've only done this about three times. For the most part, I think it is way to expensive and I agree that I don't like the square nail thing.

Okay--where are you going? I have had the OPI stuff peel off in a manner of days and I can't figure out what is wrong with my fingernails that causes this. All the extra coats and top coats just make it easier to peel off in one piece.

 

[AnnetteF]

I like a manicure, and a pedicure - and a mani is only $13 here. I like the massage and the scrub, and they ask how you want your nails filed. It takes almost a 1/2 hour.

$13 is what I paid for the manicure. Don't you usually give them a tip on top of that though? I know 20% is usually the norm for tipping, but that seemed like such a small amount, so I gave her $4 (now I don't know why). It would have been nice if she'd asked me how I wanted them filed, but I also realized after I sat down that she didn't speak English!

 

[onelilspark]

I'm not really that into them. I mean, they do a much, much better job than I do! But I only ever get it done before a big event because of that. I hate it mainly because I dislike other people touching me. I really strongly dislike any kind of spa services like facials (oh the thought makes me cringe) or massages.

*shudder*

...I booked a pedicure before our cruise in January...I'm actually dreading it. But my toes will look so pretty afterwards!!!

 

[cepmom]

my manicures never last very long either so I don't go often. I need to go now though because my cuticles are a mess and they do a much better job at shaping my nails than I do.

 

[Feralpeg]

Okay--where are you going? I have had the OPI stuff peel off in a manner of days and I can't figure out what is wrong with my fingernails that causes this. All the extra coats and top coats just make it easier to peel off in one piece.

I've gone to a couple of different places. I had a hard time getting the polish off each time. One was Lovely Nails & Spa at Winter Garden Village. The other was Santuary Nail and Day Spa.

 

[dislaney]

I love to get pedicures - manicures not so much! I will occasionally get one and I just have them file my nails and don't get them painted.

 

[Feralpeg]

$13 is what I paid for the manicure. Don't you usually give them a tip on top of that though? I know 20% is usually the norm for tipping, but that seemed like such a small amount, so I gave her $4 (now I don't know why). It would have been nice if she'd asked me how I wanted them filed, but I also realized after I sat down that she didn't speak English!

I've found that most don't speak English. I've paid about $50 for both a manicure and pedicure. I tipped $10.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I get weekly manicures and love them! The salon I go to is near my office and it's a Friday lunchtime treat.

They do a great job filing, I get a new polish every week and it makes me feel good to have freshly "done" nails.

 

[OceanAnnie]

The whole mani/pedi thing is overrated to me. I would rather do those things myself. I've tried to like it. Not my cup of tea at all.

 

[WDWKOOK]

One tip: Bring your own polish.

I always bring my own polish (always Revlon - it's more chip-resistant than Opi) that way I can touch-up my nails in-between salon visits. I can't stand chipped nails so this way I can go longer between visits and get exactly the color I'd like. (And it's fun shopping with DD11 for the polish.)

Also, if you're getting both a mani. and pedi., always have the mani. done first so that your fingers have all that time while you're getting your pedi. to dry.

 

[mjkacmom]

$13 is what I paid for the manicure. Don't you usually give them a tip on top of that though? I know 20% is usually the norm for tipping, but that seemed like such a small amount, so I gave her $4 (now I don't know why). It would have been nice if she'd asked me how I wanted them filed, but I also realized after I sat down that she didn't speak English!

Well, of course she didn't speak english - LOL! However, ours can speak it well enough usually to ask simple questions.