Let's talk manicures

[griswalds]

I've been hearing how great the Gel manicures are, lasting 2 wks or more. Reading about it online sounds great but I'd like to hear some real-life reviews. Specifically what it did to your nails when you took it off. I've read that it really tears up the nail and makes them painful and weak. Now if that only happens once in awhile then I'd be willing to risk it, but if it happens to everyone that has it done then I'm staying away. Thanks

 

[lisabarr]

While it was awesome, it did tear up my nails for months after. I just tried the Sally Hansen nail things that stick on. They say it lasts 10 days. I am on day 3 and so-so. I will be more interested to see if it tears up my nails or not.

 

[fakereadhed]

I have had gel polish manicures only for about 3 months, once every 2-3 weeks. My nails are now very soft but not painful. It does soften the nail, so I'm taking a break from them for a couple months. I really think the 100% acetone and removal process is the problem, but I'm not sure.

 

[disneemama]

I just had them done 2 weeks ago for my Daughter's wedding and knew I wanted them to stay nice for the week, which they did. They are really much nicer than the old tips I use to get but they do the same damage as the tips did when you take them off. I would only do it for special occasions, gets too expensive for the upkeep.

 

[mollymar]

I've been using the gel polish for about 6 months and love it. I had acrylics on for about 10 years and I would never go back. The polish lasts for about 3 weeks with no chipping and my nails are fine. They are much stronger than when I had acrylics on. The polish comes right off and hasn't damaged the nail bed at all. I did wait about 3 months between the acrylics and gel polish to let my nails recover. Maybe it has to do with the technique of getting the polish off or the brand of polish.

 

[azdizzymom]

I don't know about gel but have you heard of shellac polish. I started getting manicures with that about 2 months ago and LOVE it. I just do a french manicure and it will last 2-3 weeks. As soon as they are done the polish is dry and I mean dry. You don't have to worry about the nicks that you can get from the normal polish. It does NOT damage the nail underneath --- making the soft or brittle or anything. I am one who is very careful about what I put on my nails. I had tips and about 2 years ago I got a fungus and I lost ALL TEN NAILS due to the fungus under the tips. The salon was a nice one but they kept filling even with fungus---doctor had never seen one that bad and it was so severe that tech had to know. Anyway it might be worth researching the shellac. They have several colors---they don't chip at all and I had mine done right before a trip...packed and whacked nails all over for 2+ weeks and nails still looked great.

Good luck....
I pay $23 for my french manicure shellac polish.

 

[averill94]

Another great thread!

I just had mine done for the first time on May 11th and it still looks beautiful!

I decided to give it a try because a co worker has been doing it for about 3months. She said her nails are just starting to get a little weaker. She goes every three weeks.

I was thinking of having a regular manicure done when I go have this taken off. Maybe switch on and off.

Is the shellac manicure the same as gel? I think it might be.

griswalds- give it a try! I think you will like it!

BTW it cost $20 at the shop by me.

 

[patsal]

I have natural nails and they are pretty long, I alwasys use acetone to remove the polish, but I don't have to soak in it, my nails are no more fragile when I complete the removal process than when I began. I think the fake nails are the problem they are invasive.
I'm wondering if I could get the gel polish or the shellac manicure for when I go on vacation this year...I'd really like something that still looks good three weeks later.
I get about 10 days from OPI base, two coats polish and top coat, but by day 14 the paint has chipped away a bit at my nail edges. I'd like something with more staying power for a 16 day vacation.

 

[Candlelady]

Google Shellac by CND.
Shellac is a gel manicure specifically for natural nails. Love love love it! No roughing up of the natural nail bed (which should NEVER be done) and lasts two weeks. It's as shiney after 14 days as it is on the 1st day. Comes off quickly by soaking. No filing necessary for removal. This is the absolute best product I have ever had on my nails. Even had my toes done. Can't say enough about it. If you go to their website, you can locate a salon that uses Shellac. HTH.

 

[budmonster]

I don't know about gel but have you heard of shellac polish. I started getting manicures with that about 2 months ago and LOVE it. I just do a french manicure and it will last 2-3 weeks. As soon as they are done the polish is dry and I mean dry. You don't have to worry about the nicks that you can get from the normal polish. It does NOT damage the nail underneath --- making the soft or brittle or anything. I am one who is very careful about what I put on my nails. I had tips and about 2 years ago I got a fungus and I lost ALL TEN NAILS due to the fungus under the tips. The salon was a nice one but they kept filling even with fungus---doctor had never seen one that bad and it was so severe that tech had to know. Anyway it might be worth researching the shellac. They have several colors---they don't chip at all and I had mine done right before a trip...packed and whacked nails all over for 2+ weeks and nails still looked great.

Good luck....
I pay $23 for my french manicure shellac polish.

Google Shellac by CND.
Shellac is a gel manicure specifically for natural nails. Love love love it! No roughing up of the natural nail bed (which should NEVER be done) and lasts two weeks. It's as shiney after 14 days as it is on the 1st day. Comes off quickly by soaking. No filing necessary for removal. This is the absolute best product I have ever had on my nails. Even had my toes done. Can't say enough about it. If you go to their website, you can locate a salon that uses Shellac. HTH.

I recently had the Shellac manicure done and I just loved it!!! I have very thin nails and they break real easy with the Shellac polish it made them thicker. They looked great for two weeks ever with doing alot of yard work and house cleaning. My DS is graduating in two weeks and I plan on going and getting it done again. And the PP was right it dries INSTANTLY, as soon as it was done cooking under the UV light they were completely dry. I love this fact because I was always good for hitting them on something and messing up the manicure.

 

[mjkacmom]

They're popoular here, but now the word is out that they really weaken the nail. I think I'll stick to my $7 mani, vs. the $20 gel.

 

[joviroxx]

Ive been doing the shellac since last July, so almost 1 year now. I haven't had any weakening. It does tend to dry out the nails bur I apply cuticle oil every morning and night and that has solved the problem. My nail also grow very quickly so I end up doing the shellac every 10 days. I love it and will never go back.

I never have to worry about carrying nail repair items with me as the polish does not chip or peel. I dont have to worry about wearing gloves while doing dishes , or swimming, as the water does not affect it at all.

It doesn't strenghten my nail, but neither does it weaken it. It has done no damage to the nail bed, except like I said, without the oil, my nails do tend to get a bit dry, but that's it. I LOVE IT.

Only downside, I wish there was more variety in the colors. My salon used Gelish too, but haven't tried it.

 

[Candlelady]

They're popoular here, but now the word is out that they really weaken the nail. I think I'll stick to my $7 mani, vs. the $20 gel.

If the nail is weakened by the gel, was it the Shellac brand? Not all gel manicures are created equal. Salons call all of the different brands, Gel Manicures. I had the OPI axxium gel manicure and that one weakened my nails only a little bit because the nail tech had filed my nail bed before applying to ensure the product would adhere correctly. Was also thick and applied more like gel nails than a manicure. Didn't last as long and started to lift.
The Shellac goes on just like regular nail polish, and it's just as thin. No roughing up of the nail bed is needed because the product is made for natural nails. Honestly, this stuff is different and totally awesome.

 

[budmonster]

Ive been doing the shellac since last July, so almost 1 year now. I haven't had any weakening. It does tend to dry out the nails bur I apply cuticle oil every morning and night and that has solved the problem. My nail also grow very quickly so I end up doing the shellac every 10 days. I love it and will never go back.

I never have to worry about carrying nail repair items with me as the polish does not chip or peel. I dont have to worry about wearing gloves while doing dishes , or swimming, as the water does not affect it at all.

It doesn't strenghten my nail, but neither does it weaken it. It has done no damage to the nail bed, except like I said, without the oil, my nails do tend to get a bit dry, but that's it. I LOVE IT.

Only downside, I wish there was more variety in the colors. My salon used Gelish too, but haven't tried it.

Thanks for the info, I was wondering why people were saying it dries the nail out because I didn't see it. If anything I think it helps protect the nail. The only thing I did notice, when I peeled the polish off one of my nails, was that it took a thin layer of nail with it. Could have been just me because my nails are thin and peel naturally.

I like the fact that you have been doing this for a year with no problems. Now I know I want to continue with it.

I do have to say that it is a little pricey for a manicure but compaired to a regular manicure only lasting a few days....it's worth it.

 

[fakereadhed]

There are gel nails and gel manicures with a new hybrid polish. Shellac is like Kleenex- it's a brand. There are others- like Axxiom, Gelish, and Gelac. If you're looking for more colors, you can google a CND chart which shows how they can layer colors to come up with new colors. I think Gelish has the best color selection! They have tons of colors and sparkly glitter colors too!

The real problem is finding a salon that carries it. In my county there are no salons doing gel manicures. In the next county over, the do mostly Shellac...for $50-60!!! My daughter's in beauty school there and they only charge $13, but only carry Shellac.

I do love the staying power, and I'm really disapointed to take a break from it due to softening nails. The softer they get, the sooner they lift. FWIW I have been applying cuticle oil every day.

 

[Kimberle]

I had the Gelish brand done 3 times in a row. Each one lasted three weeks. I let the salon take it off each time except for the last time. They filed the polish off and it made my nails week. I normally have very strong nails. The last one I took off, I soaked my nails in acetone for quite a while.

If you get it done, you should coat your hands in sunscreen. The UV lights are similar to taning beds and carry the same risks of skin cancer.

I will have it done again, but not as often. I'll save it for vacations, etc. I'll take it off myself to preven all the filing.

 

[joviroxx]

I had the Gelish brand done 3 times in a row. Each one lasted three weeks. I let the salon take it off each time except for the last time. They filed the polish off and it made my nails week. I normally have very strong nails. The last one I took off, I soaked my nails in acetone for quite a while.

If you get it done, you should coat your hands in sunscreen. The UV lights are similar to taning beds and carry the same risks of skin cancer.

I will have it done again, but not as often. I'll save it for vacations, etc. I'll take it off myself to preven all the filing.

She removed it incorrectly . She should NEVER file it off. I always have the salon remove it. They wraP each nail with an acetone soaked cotton ball. Shellac actually has their own wraps for removal. if anyone uses a file or anything that files down your nailed, they aren't doing it correctly. I actually went to 3 manicurists before I found the one I use know. I find that some are very inexperienced.

 

[azdizzymom]

She removed it incorrectly . She should NEVER file it off. I always have the salon remove it. They wraP each nail with an acetone soaked cotton ball. Shellac actually has their own wraps for removal. if anyone uses a file or anything that files down your nailed, they aren't doing it correctly. I actually went to 3 manicurists before I found the one I use know. I find that some are very inexperienced.

I totally agree with you! As I stated in my first post I had a bad experience with artificial nails and am very careful who I let do my nails. I found a wonderful person a friend recommended. She explained the whole procedure to me and said she has had many people come from other salons where they don't know what they are doing. They describe the peeling, cracking and polish not lasting. She carefully does the wrap in acetone and puts foil over. She has never filed to remove the polish nor used rotary file. I look at my natural nails each time before polish goes on and they look good. I think this is such a new thing that some nail people don't know the correct procedure. After seeing this thread and issues people are having I read thru the procedures online...thankfully my nail tech follows the correct steps. I hope that those who have had issues try to find someone who knows exactly how to do it and give it a try again...but we all have our likes and dislikes on things.

OP whatever you do find a good salon where they follow proper sanitization procedures.

 

[okeydokey]

I have been doing the Shellac myself at home for 4 months now and my nails are actually long and beautiful now. I love it.

 

[mom2aandj]

I did the Shellac for a few months, I found it actually made my nails incredibly strong! The polish kept them protected and I was able to grow them out in the winter, when usually they are breaking off all the time. However, the salon I was doing it at was literally soaking my nails in a bowl of acetone (which I have since read on the CND website is not what you are supposed to do). I got several white spots on my nails, which from researching online, meant they were getting dried out from the soaking. I switched to a salon that does the cotton ball/foil wrap for removal and have not had any new white spots since. I also went to a salon in another area that does Gelish (really hard to find them closer to where I live) and LOVE how many colors they have! Way better selection than CND Shellac and also wears better IMO. However, that salon is not convenient so until someone else in this area starts doing Gelish, I'll stick with Shellac.