If you get your nails done professionally…

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

What kind of manicure/pedicure do you get? How long does it last? I just tried dip powder for the first time in a long time. Some people say they can get it to last three or four weeks. Here where I live, it was $38 plus tip. Regular pedicure was $20 plus tip. I never seem to get mine to last as long as other people (color gel anyway)!

 

[easyas123]

When I have gel on I go every 2 weeks to get them redone, although I could probably stretch that out to 3 weeks, but I like to keep my nails shorter. Never had a issue with the gel coming off, always had good luck with it. I don't keep gel on my nails in the spring/summer/early fall months because I use my hands outside so much, although they'd probably be ok. In the summer I get a pedicure every 2-4 weeks. Polish often lasts the entire time.

 

[RUDisney]

I want to move where you live. My appointment is for 4:30 today for a dip manicure and a straight polish, basic pedi. I'll be there for over 2 hours and the cost will be over $100 for both. Manis last 3 weeks and pedis last 5-6 weeks.

I stayed at this salon for over 5 years because of the nail tech. However, he left at the beginning of the year and everyone I started with has left. There is a ton of turnover. I'm contemplating where I should try next to save money and find someone who is as good as Tao.

 

[CynBeth]

I usually do my own nails and get a professional manicure maybe every few years. Mostly get the regular one but tried the gel once and powder once and they did not last very long.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

I want to move where you live. My appointment is for 4:30 today for a dip manicure and a straight polish, basic pedi. I'll be there for over 2 hours and the cost will be over $100 for both. Manis last 3 weeks and pedis last 5-6 weeks.

I stayed at this salon for over 5 years because of the nail tech. However, he left at the beginning of the year and everyone I started with has left. There is a ton of turnover. I'm contemplating where I should try next to save money and find someone who is as good as Tao.

It depends on the salon where you go here. I go to a cheaper place, price around. Some of my friends pay more than me in similar areas.

 

[KPeterso]

I get a gel manicure and regular pedicure just about every 3 weeks. My manicure usually lasts a solid 2 weeks and then the third week starts to not look as good. I had my last one 3 weeks ago this Saturday and am going this afternoon to get them done. I have one finger with no polish and the rest still have most of the polish. I could probably go longer for a pedicure, but am prone to ingrown toenails, so much longer than 3 weeks those issues start become a problem, so I like to have Lily keep those nails cut well.

 

[robinb]

My nails are thin and brittle from decades of biting them. I had dip polish for about 2 years. I loved how it made my nails feel so strong and it lasted 2-3 weeks. But … it made my nails even worse. They also used dremel tools to remove polish which damaged my nail bed. They told me at one point that I had to always get dip and I could never go back to gel.

I changed salons and I’ve had only gel for a year. Then, my tech talked me into dip again and it was a mistake. I had it for about 2 months (3 applications) and my nails took a huge step backwards. Sigh. I am back on very expensive specialty gel which is supposed to last longer. I’m at day 10 and I have one small chip on my dominant hand’s forefinger and I’ll call my salon to get it fixed today because if I leave it until next week it will break.

I live in a city with a 270,000 population and my salon is on the expensive side. I pay $72 (plus tip) for the fancy gel. Dip was about the same price, the other gel is about $60. It takes an hour for my visit because they use a regular emory board to roughen up the gel and then they wrap acetone soaked cotton puffs with aluminum foil to remove the gel. No dremel tools to make things go faster.

My previous salon was around $40-$45 but I don’t mind paying more because I get better service at my current salon.

As for pedicures, my toe nails are made of steel and regular nail polish literally lasts months. A pedicure is about $50. I might go to one of the other cheaper places to get it done because it doesn’t matter where I go for my toes.

 

[pookybean]

I get a dip manicure on my own nails (no extra acrylic nail) and it can last about 4 weeks but I usually go back after 3ish when they start to feel too long. I tried gel for awhile but they would always crack, I think because of how i type. the manicure is $40. I get a pedicure about every other mani, it's $25... if I really don't like the color or messed them up I will sometimes do a polish change in between for $10.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

I used to go regularly but haven't been since the pandemic. Pedicures would last me a good month and they still do now (I just do them at home). I tried gel manicures at multiple salons and different kinds and there must be something weird with my nails because they always peeled off within a week. Everyone else I know gets at least 2 solid weeks with them so it has to be something weird with me. But I could get a regular manicure to last usually a week and a half (which worked out a lot cheaper anyway) whereas most people would complain they would chip within a couple days.

Now I use the Lily and Fox nail wraps at home and have great luck with them and they have great customer service. (I don't work for them or anything. Just a really happy customer for a few years.)

 

[Pooh2]

I pay $55 plus tip for a basic pedicure, includes polish but I never get polish.
The benefit for me is the nail care and foot rub since I have neuropathy.
I go every 4 weeks but thinking of changing to 3 weeks.

 

[OneOftheB's]

I don't get manicures, they just don't last for me but I do get pedicures every 3-5 weeks. I get gel and it will last me 4 weeks looking good or I can stretch it out an additional week usually. Gel is a $20 upcharge on any pedicure at the place I go, and that seems pretty normal in my area (north metro Atlanta).

 

[dez1978]

Your body chemistry can affect that. Hormones, birth control, meds, genetics, illnesses etc. It's been years, but once upon a time, I was a nail tech, and that was part of what we learned. For me, acrylics never stayed on. They'd all start lifting and popping off within a day or 2.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Your body chemistry can affect that. Hormones, birth control, meds, genetics, illnesses etc. It's been years, but once upon a time, I was a nail tech, and that was part of what we learned. For me, acrylics never stayed on. They'd all start lifting and popping off within a day or 2.

That’s interesting to know. Is there a manicure that is considered “more healthy”?

 

[dez1978]

That’s interesting to know. Is there a manicure that is considered “more healthy”?

It's been years and years since I went to school, or worked doing it. So I couldn't give you an educated answer on what they are using now.

 

[Darcy03231]

I have acrylics with gel polish and usually get 3 weeks out of them.

 

[Pink Partridge]

My nails are thin and brittle from decades of biting them. I had dip polish for about 2 years. I loved how it made my nails feel so strong and it lasted 2-3 weeks. But … it made my nails even worse.

SNS Dip did the opposite for me. It has somehow strengthened my nails. I do get a gel top on them. They last 3 weeks. Actually, would last longer, but my nails grow out and it doesn't look nice after 3 weeks.

I get an dip manicure and Hawaiian or Honey and sugar pedicure every three weeks, year round. It cost $95 and I tip $20. This and my hair (once a month cut and color) are my two big "ME" splurges.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I have very thin brittle nails and have never been able to grow them. I have gel put on my nails then get a gel polish. I have never had one of them chip, other than an unfortunate incident with a Mr clean magic eraser. I am hard on my nails and I garden. I go every three weeks. Every other visit I get a pedicure. I pay $45 plus tip for each. I currently have an abstract watermelon design.

 

[robinb]

SNS Dip did the opposite for me. It has somehow strengthened my nails. I do get a gel top on them. They last 3 weeks. Actually, would last longer, but my nails grow out and it doesn't look nice after 3 weeks.

I talked to other clients at the salon and they said that the dip at my salon made their nails stronger. Sadly, it did not work the same for me.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Everytime I get my nails done with gel or dip, it takes months for them to recover. I don't know if it's just my nail or if everyone who gets them done actually has super beat up nails underneath but never see them because they consistently get gel/dip reapplied.

At this rate, I've just stopped entirely. I'm jealous of everyone's pretty nails at work. It's super common and popular in my area to have your nails done.

 

[Pink Partridge]

Everytime I get my nails done with gel or dip, it takes months for them to recover. I don't know if it's just my nail or if everyone who gets them done actually has super beat up nails underneath but never see them because they consistently get gel/dip reapplied.

This is very interesting. You are like @robinb . I have a friend that also can only do straight nail polish. Nothing else. I wonder what causes this?