Manicures: French or America, natural or fake??

[Aurora63]

So, today I got a french manicure, for the first time ever. I normally just do a normal (American) manicure w/ a red or pink poilsh, but I thought this might not chip so easily. I have to say, I don't care that much for it. My nails do look nice and clean and professional, but I think they are also pretty boring. I don't hate the french, but I don't love it.

So, I thought I'd start a thread to talk nails. What do you normally do, if anything? Mine are normally in a bright polish (pinks or reds, but not too dark.) And natural nails, no fakes.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I don't like French mainicures, I prefer my Del Sol colors.

ETA, Acrylics, for the last 12 or more years. My natural nails won't grow past just turning white on the tips, never have.

 

[Lib E]

I like the color they use for the french bases, but I don't like the white tip. I think it looks fake. I keep my nails trimmed to to the tip of my finger and usually wear neutral tan or light pink polish.

 

[Kae]

I don't mind a french but like the tips not so "white" I use the OPI Acylic Base Coat for tips it is more of a sheer white.

Kae

 

[ReneeA]

None - I'm a nurse, so I wash my hands 500 times a day, my nails are very short, and artificial nails harbor bacteria so we aren't allowed to wear them.

 

[Fintastic]

I'm not a fan of fake nails. For my nails, I don't usually paint them at all unless it's a special occasion. I like color on my toes but the natural look on my nails.

 

[monkey68]

For me, it depends. If I'm going to a more formal place, I'll usually get a French, but I hate the French's where the white part is really long. I usually get a line of silver right where the white and base color meet to give it something extra.

 

[Aurora63]

For me, it depends. If I'm going to a more formal place, I'll usually get a French, but I hate the French's where the white part is really long. I usually get a line of silver right where the white and base color meet to give it something extra.

ETA - I was replying thinking you were monkeyboy...but you're not.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Also a nurse, and fake nails are banned at my hospital for sanitary reasons, but I have to say I'm at the lack of good sanitary practices in most salons and won't have my nails professionally done for that reason. Too bad, because I'm sure a professional would do a much better job than I do.

My toenails are ALWAYS painted in some brown-pink kind of shade (right now a coppery color from OPI). I rarely paint my fingernails but when I do, it's usually clear nailpolish with a tiny bit of glitter in it (it's very fun without being over the top ).

 

[lovemygoofy]

I love color on my toes, right now its ummm a rather descriptive OPI red color but I always keep my fingernails natural. I've had several french manicures and I just don't really like the look. I always ask for a coat over the white part to lessen the white. It's like someone that has bleached their teeth too much white. Very unnatural to me. Oh, and I have real nail that are fairly long but I get impatient with them and cut them down fairly regularly.

 

[monkey68]

ETA - I was replying thinking you were monkeyboy...but you're not.

Definitely not a boy, just a girl who's dad could never remember her name

 

[TandT]

Natural nails only

 

[denisenh]

i generally keep my fingernails very trim and clean (have you ever seen the underneath of fingernails through a microscope? ewwww.....
but i love french manicured toenails!

 

[Goofyluver]

Gel nails (not acrylic)...french manicure with a little sparkle thrown on the top.

 

[Belle1962]

Acrylic--American on fingers. But cut short (practical and I can go longer between visits)

Hooker red polish on my toes.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I love acrylic with the american, but I keep them natural and short. I just never have time to go and get refills. I can keep my toes up so I have them done every now and again. They're in some opi color pink.

 

[tiggerlover]

I love the french manicure, but only get my nails done every so often because I am so hard on them. However, I keep a french pedicure on my toes for most of the year because I think it looks sexy.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I prefer the French because it looks so clean and neat. I agree with the poster who doesn't like the thick white part, so I am vocal at my salon on how I like it done. My regular gals just do one nail and then ask me on the length, once approved, they use that same length for the rest of them and they get a big fat tip.

I do wear OPI colors when the feeling strikes me. Dancing in the Isles is my current favorite pink and Chick Flick Cherry is my red standby.


As for fakes, I like the way they look but hate the upkeep. I have a problem with my nails growing way too fast, so I would need a fill once a week. so, I gave them up and it took forever to grow out the damaged nails so I have my own now.

 

[mamacatnv]

Gel nails (not acrylic)...french manicure with a little sparkle thrown on the top.

White French on my toes always - my fingers are also gels and sometimes I have a white french or like now I have a really light pink glitter for the french tip
A friend if mine has a black french with swartzke (sp?) crystals - very sexy!

 

[Mandy_in_NC]

Acrylic--American on fingers. But cut short (practical and I can go longer between visits)

Hooker red polish on my toes.

We call it ho red at my house. Took Dh some time to get used to the red.