Does anyone get their nails done on a regular basis?

[minnie1012]

Hi I had some questions for those of you who get their nails done a regular basis. I think this might be a northeast thing but I'm not sure. I used to have acrylic on my nails years ago but had trouble getting there every 2 weeks between work and my daughter. Now I hear there is stuff that lasts longer and its basically dry when you leave (so no ruining getting a kid into a car seat or booster!) I just don't know what any of it is???

I tried asking at a place when I went for a pedicure but they didn't explain it to well and I'm not sure they would want to tell me what lasts the longest!

What are gels? LCN? solar?


What lasts the longest? Are they all really expensive for maintainance?

Thanks!

 

[soxnation]

What I have done is the OPI Axxium product. It is a gel polish that us uv cured so it's dry right away. When mine are done it does not add length but after a few weeks my nails grew strong and had length. The finish lasts about 2 weeks when it starts to show grow out on the nail. I do not like having the acrylic tips but love their lasting color....axxium gives the color without the acrylic.
I have heard of another similar product called sellack(sp?)

Really like the opi product. Good luck!

 

[minnie1012]

Thanks! I was hoping to find something that might last 3 to 4 weeks?

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I've heard of the gel and shellac too. I haven't tried it, but I'd like to. I used to get my nails done all the time, but I was a single woman at the time, so I had a lot more disposable income. Now everything goes to my kids! lol

 

[woodkins]

The manicure you are hearing about is a CND Shellac manicure. It is $30-$35 here on LI, NY and it truly lasts at least 2 weeks. Mine lasted 3 but I took it off because my nails grew so much by week 3 that it was looking odd. There were no chips, scratches etc. They cure the shellac with a UV light so it is dry as soon as you take your hand out of the light. The manicure took about 15 mins total (if that) and there is no other maintenance required. The best part is that is uses your natural nails and there is no damage to them at all, no buffing, drilling etc. To remove it you simply soak your nails in acetone for about 10 mins and the polish peels right off.

 

[wgwtgb]

I used to get acrillic also, but found it too hard to maintain. I now get solar.... I go every 5 weeks and there is no lift or chipping. I love it!! I've done this for over a year now. I paid 40.00 for a full set and 25.00 for a fill.

 

[jsmith]

FYI-solar is creative nails name brand for their non yellowing acrylic-chances are that the reason they last longer is a better technician who uses good product -and if you are going 5 weeks your nails dont grow very fast.-your lucky.
OP i have acrylics-and get them filled every 3 weeks-i dont have issues with lifting or spliting-and i usually do a "glitter" french-using acrylic with color and holgraphic film or glitter in the acrylic instead of "pink and white" french manicure. They do grow out but the french instead of polish masks it. they are dry and ready when i leave the shop-no messed up polish. I do have a friend who does the shellac and loves it. I have also had UV gels-i liked the way they looked-but they definately needed filled every couple of weeks and i had a really bad problem with lifting-mostly because they dont like water and i do alot of dishes and stuff-they look the same as acrylics, your natural nails need less prep so they are less damaging to your nail beds but they are softer and break and lift more easily.
The largest draw back to both the shellac and the gels is that some research shows that the exposure to UV light to cure them is leading to skin cancers-its somewhat inconclusive but enough to cause concern.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I have been getting gels for almost 2 years. It's a french manicure, but they do have other colors. I get mine done every 4 weeks, sometimes I can push it to 5. It makes my nails very strong. The first time they were done cost me $100, every month it cost me $45 (plus tip of course). It is cheaper then getting a weekly manicure.

They do file the gels off and buff to apply the new gel. My fingers do go under the UV lights several times too...but not for long.

I love my nails! It's the only thing I do for just me!!

 

[minnie1012]

Thanks everyone!