Manicure? Fake Nails? What to do...

[VelvetGloves]

I rarely paint my fingernails; it always looks messy when I do it, so I am queen of the clear coat. I figure I should have my nails done before the wedding, but I have no idea what to ask for at a salon. What exactly is a manicure? I know you can have fake nails applied, but is that good? How long do these things last? What did you ladies do?

Thanks in advance,

VelvetGloves

 

[Fantasia Sam]

If you've never worn any kind of fake nail before you may find it weird to wear them for the wedding day - my friend did the same thing and the next day the first thing she did was get them taken off she hated them and they cost about $80 to have them done.

False nails are not so good for your nails and beware going to any nail shop that uses an electric file. The more the salon charges for the nails it usually stands the more professional service you are going to get - stay away from the $20 salons.

I am going to be wearing false "accrylic" nails but I wear them now so I'm used to them.

That said I would suggest for you a nice manicure you'll get your cuticles softened and sorted, your nails shaped a nice little hand massage and then go for a french/american manicure - the white tipped look. I think that would look nice and clean and you'll feel comfortable too. I would also advise that you wait in the salon for at least 30 mins after the manicure so that the varnish really does dry. That way you won't smudge it especially as you are not used to having your nails painted. So allow yourself plenty of time and be patient take a girlfriend with you so that they can do things for you again so that you don't smudge.

 

[D&R love Disney]

I'm getting the gel nails done tomorrow. I just arranged for my nails to be painted the morning of the wedding in my room.

 

[stitch79]

I would advise you to be careful with the fake nails. If you are not going to keep them and upkeep them for a long time I would not suggest them. Once you try to take them off it can strip several layers off of your natural nails and it will take a long time to get them back to normal. I would start working on keeping your nails healthy now and then you won't have a problem when the wedding comes around.

I just started having a manicure every 2 weeks, and they are great! Costs me about $20 and that is with tip.

 

[VelvetGloves]

How long does a manicure last? I was hoping to get my nails done before I leave for WDW, so I don't have to use time down there to do it. Also, what is the difference between a French and an American Manicure?

VelvetGloves

 

[Fantasia Sam]

A manicure usually takes about 45 minutes I personally would have this done the day before the wedding as nail polish can chip.

I believe but to be honest I'm not really sure but over here in the UK I think the difference between the two is the sort of white polish they use for the tips. French being a more natural white and the American being a little brighter white - but I could be makinng this up

 

[Laura]

Originally posted by Fantasia Sam
A manicure usually takes about 45 minutes I personally would have this done the day before the wedding as nail polish can chip.

I agree. Mine took about 25-30 minutes; I got a French manicure. So the manicure was done on Friday, on Monday when I left for my honeymoon it still looked nice, but it was chipped a little. Not obvious, though.

I've never heard of an "American Manicure"... I guess that's a UK thing?

 

[diswedwish]

Here are my 2 cents, whatever they're worth

I'm a pianist, so while my toenails have a passing acquaintance with nail polish, not so with my fingernails... And since I had recitals right before the wedding, I couldn't grow my nails out either. So I had my hair dresser who also does nails gave me a manicure and buffed them. Looked the same as clear polish, without the chipping. So that's another low-hassle option for you. It worked well for me, especially since I would have felt very strange with long, polished nails.

HTH

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Originally posted by Laura
I've never heard of an "American Manicure"... I guess that's a UK thing?

LOL Laura you got it

 

[Mymatisse]

Acrylic does do a job on your real nails, but it also looks really good and last a long time. Once you get the fake nails off it takes about 4-6 months for your real nails to be restored to their full streanght and the acrylic to be all grown out.

Eventhough my real nails are pretty long and strong, I still think i'm going to get at least an acrylic coat on top, if not tips for the wedding. It's just nice knowing they won't chip or anything.

If it is your first time getting fake nails the best advice I can give is to go to a "nail place." Salons that charge a lot of money often don't do a very good job. Many of the BEST places to get your nails done are the small shops in the mall, often Asian owned and operated. I know this may sound weird, but in my experience it's true. Anyplace where you have to pay 80 bucks to get your nails done, usually isn't the best place to go

Lastly when you do go, and they ask you if you want your nail long or short ALWAYS say short. If you get them long they will look like claws. Short usually just means nice and cute. Long enough to add lenght, but not over the top

Hope this help!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I have to disagree with some of those small salons. Some of them use dangerous chemicals which is why you may see some of them wear masks - so avoid like the plague. Also I would avoid salons that use electric files as these literally take the top layer off of your nail and will damage your nail - been there done that - hence I now avoid both masks and electric files - these sadly are usually cheaper because they can do more pairs of hands in a day than those not using the electric file.

That is just my experience and on the advice of the beauty magazines I have been reading.

 

[Mymatisse]

Originally posted by Fantasia Sam
I have to disagree with some of those small salons. Some of them use dangerous chemicals which is why you may see some of them wear masks - so avoid like the plague. Also I would avoid salons that use electric files as these literally take the top layer off of your nail and will damage your nail - been there done that - hence I now avoid both masks and electric files - these sadly are usually cheaper because they can do more pairs of hands in a day than those not using the electric file.

That is just my experience and on the advice of the beauty magazines I have been reading.

Acrylic is not a really healthy product to start with no matter who is using it. All I'm saying is if you're going to get acrylic and damage your nails to look good, the small nail shops make your nails look better than the larger expensive salons. At least that's been the general consensus amongst my friends.

 

[VelvetGloves]

I am leaning towards doing a manicure, but now I need to figure out when. I leave on a Saturday, but my wedding is not til the following Wednesday. Would it be possible to get it done up here, or would they most likely be chipped and messy come wedding day? Also, if I get it done down there, where and when can they do it?

As usual, thanks in advance,

VelvetGloves

 

[JC Butterfly]

Congratulations!!

I guess in case you haven't figured it out from the previous descriptions. A manicure is a pretty painless procedure.

You will have your hand soaked in warm water.

Your nails will be filed and shaped.

A small rubber device will push your cuticles back and make your nails look longer.

A manicure takes are of any jagged edges on your nails and softens that whole area.

With a manicure you have a choice on whether or not to polish the nails. You could go with a single color of something very pale (like peach or pink) or if you want a more dramatic statement you could pick a color from your bouquet (a red or even a burgundy) -- but that doesn't sound like "you".

A "French" manicure is where they paint the white part of your nail white or offwhite. Then paint over it with a light color (peach or pink) it makes the white part of your nail look brighter. Or in some places they paint they paint the peach or pink color first and then put the white on the tips over it . . . this is a more dramatic look but is actually more "traditional".


I paint my nails often but I had never had "fake" nails before my wedding but it was a look that I was after.

I learned that there were two main processes. 1) Acrylic which is supposedly quite damaging to your nails. 2) Gel process and this is the one I selected. They told me that the nails should last 2-3 weeks without needing to get them replaced. (For acrylic nails you "fill" them every 2-3 weeks, for gel ones they completely remove them and start fresh every 2-3 weeks).

I had my nails done Friday afternoon. I think it took about an hour. I loved the "uniform" look and selected a French manicure with a bit of sparkle.

They looked flawless on my wedding day and for about 5 days into my honeymoon. After that if I looked closely at them I could see small chips in them but nothing that was noticed from a distance. I wore them for about 2 weeks after my wedding day then decided to have them removed. I just wasn't used to typing with them and they got in my way.

My natural nails weren't badly damaged but they were in worse condition than before having them. It is now about five months later and I consider my nails finally back to their original condition.

Also, something I hadn't thought of ahead of time. On my wedding day now that I had these new longer nails that I wasn't used to, I couldn't put my earrings in or fasten my necklace or other things that involved a detailed hand movement. Of course there are always plenty of people around to help out the bride.

If I had to do it all over again, I would do the same thing. I love the way my hands look in my wedding pictures. Me only better! And if I had another special occaision I would get them again, just not something I want to deal with every day.

Brenda

 

[jana]

Fantasia Sam said Some of them use dangerous chemicals which is why you may see some of them wear masks - so avoid like the plague. Also I would avoid salons that use electric files as these literally take the top layer off of your nail and will damage your nail -

Actually all nail techs should wear masks because of the powders that fly around while filing. They all also need to take a layer of your nail off for the acrylic to stay on. The chemical they use that is "dangerous" is MMA. It is used to make dentures from. It is a hard substance that keeps the nails from breaking. It is mixed in the regular acrylic powder in small amounts. The reason most ( if not all) states don't allow it's use is because of it's hardness. With MMA (if used in higher doses) if you break the acrylic nail the natural will break also as the acrylic is so stuck to it.
I do go to salons that use it ( it's not advertised as it is illegal) because I work with my hands a lot and want my nails to stay on. I have never had a problem with the acrylic nails.

 

[stitch79]

You can have your nails done at the spa in the Grand Floridian, here is a list of the services they offer http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/gfspa.html . To make an appointment give the hotel or spa a call directly. Manicures can chip so I would have them done the day before your wedding. They way they will have enough time to harden completely and you will have a smaller opportunity to have them chip.

Good luck!

 

[D&R love Disney]

I had gel nails done on Saturday, they look fantastic. I'm getting used to them. I kept them short and they do feel different.

 

[Laura]

If you're going to the spa to get a manicure, get a massage... It's definitely worth it.