False nails...

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Whilst I might be out of my due restriction, perhaps all can beg to differ? [huh] lol

Of course! However, shorter nails are back in style, so hurting what's natural is not particularly necessary these days. lol Not that we're all striving to be modern around here!

 

[jayem]

I much prefer natural nails simply because they are cheaper and easier to maintain. Since I have bad anemia, my nails are ugly (IMO) so they are ALWAYS painted a deep red to hide the unsightly ridges and creases. I tried acrylics for a bit, but they were too much of a pain to deal with (especially to a contact lens wearer) so I stopped. I guess, to each his own.

 

[sweatyspaghetti]

i like all fake nails. especially gel ones.

when i get my nails done i get a black french tip,and they are LONG nails.im talking like an inch. but i haven't had my nails done in a few months because the glue,the glue makes my fingers swell like balloons for some weird reason.and then my fingers itch like crazy!!!!!!!!!!! and usually i don't get the nail reaction until the mid morning,so at 3:00 in the morning im itching my hands and putting them in the freezer...

those are days when i say to my boyfriend "hey,is it okay if i kinda like stay home and sleep another 3 hours because i was up at such and such time with my hands looking like bananas." and then like a gentlemen he says "mind if i sleep with you.todays not a good work day" and its like "nahh hell no.you work i sleep"

 

[pdxvintagette]

I think looking after your natural nails is the way to go. It's cheaper too. I'm not always kind to my hands.... Why don't you treat yourself to a manicure (they aren't too pricey) and ask for some pointers?

It is actually more a matter of what I do - I sell books and vintage clothing. So, I lift a lot of heavy boxes, deal with a lot of paper (dries out your hands) and spend hours at the by-the-pound bins hunting for vintage. And in filthy basements and attics at estate sales. I WANT red nails - but I can't keep polish nice for even a day, and the when I wear my nails naturally they get battered, bent, snagged and chipped constantly from my activity. It just isn't worth the hassle.

As for the health of the nails below, Solar nails are much healthier. Also, in general with false nails, if you decide you don't want to the upkeep on such nails, it is best to go to a tech to have them filed paper thin, and then allow them to grow out until it is all your natural nail. I've done this a couple times over the years, and always go running back to falsies. Less frequent upkeep, for sure.

 

[Esme]

I am currently going to school to do manicures and makeup. Solar nails, acrylics and gel nails are all the same thing. They are made of the same thing and basically do the same thing to you nail. Gels are a bit more flexible and acrylics area a bit more rigid, but stronger. The difference is the formulation and how they are applied.
Having nails applied should not damage your nails (and it is more often the taking off that causes problems, anyway) not if your tech knows what she is doing, but then -- many don't. A good tech should be able to make your nails look natural, if she knows what she is doing. Sculpted is the most natural imho, but ymmv.
PM me if you need any advice, etc.

 

[KittyT]

Having nails applied should not damage your nails (and it is more often the taking off that causes problems, anyway)

One of the biggest problems, though, is that all techs both good and bad file your nails before applying artificial ones. This makes your nails thinner and weaker. The worst are the techs who use those little electric buffers/filers. They're very damaging and almost everyone uses them because they make the job faster.

 

[BakingInPearls]

Your nails have to be filed before the application of any type of false nail to allow the product to adhere better to your nail therefore allowing for a stronger nail. If you need to get your nails done do not allow the tech to use the electric nail file drill but just a course nail file. If anyone is really interested in finding a good nail tech Olga that runs Alite Nail Systems is amazing and safe.

 

[Esme]

No, your nails do not have to be filed for the acrylic to adhere, not anymore. A good buffing should do it for most modern systems. You are right about not letting anyone use an efile on your nails, though. I won't even let anyone file mine before applying nails, if they don't know how or what to use that doesn't require filing then they haven't been keeping up on their education! I never file the nail tops, it is bad, bad, bad.

 

[jtcarrey]

I hate fake nails, but today I got some because I can't stop biting my nails, it's a horrible habit... so I figure if I put my nails through some pain then maybe they'll learn a lesson...

I was laughing because the nail girl kept saying I was getting nails like an old person, not long, square and white tipped, just short, rounded and natural nail polish... made me feel good haha I hate the long square ones

 

[Odalisque]

I hate fake nails, but today I got some because I can't stop biting my nails, it's a horrible habit... so I figure if I put my nails through some pain then maybe they'll learn a lesson...

I was laughing because the nail girl kept saying I was getting nails like an old person, not long, square and white tipped, just short, rounded and natural nail polish... made me feel good haha I hate the long square ones

Sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get them to round the nails! For some reason, techs think your off your rocker if you want something more classical then the suburban square. lol

 

[Esme]

It is laziness and poor training that makes them want to do long square tips, the same as always using a tip and not sculpting a nail.
The nails are supposed to be balanced, there is a formula taking into account the natural nail, the nail bed and where the stress point will be on the fake nail, it actually is a science! But most people can't be bothered and just do the easiest, fastest, which is what they were taught in school. You have to keep up with your education because things change so much, so fast, but most people can't be bothered.
Square nails are stronger, especially if they are longer ones. Natural and natural looking nails are a real artform and not what most techs like or specialize in. While I am learning acrylics, I have natural nails myself.
I think acrylics can look nice and they can look fairly natural, they are not for everyone. Natural nails can look wonderful if well cared for, etc. and they are far cheaper and friendlier for the do-it-yourself person.
Acrylics - GOOD ACRYLICS - applied and maintained by a tech who really knows what they are doing and keeps up on their education, are going to cost a pretty penny. I am not getting rich off it, but I charge according to my skill and education and I charge about half again what the salons charge, depending on whether you come to my home or I come to you (there is a small additional charge if I come to you) but you get what you pay for.

 

[jtcarrey]

I just think squared long nails look "ghetto" and should be avoided at all costs!! The main reason I got the fake nails is to train myself to stop biting them.

 

[KittyT]

The main reason I got the fake nails is to train myself to stop biting them.

It worked for me.

 

[jtcarrey]

It worked for me.

Good deal! I sure hope it does for me too lol

 

[KittyT]

Good deal! I sure hope it does for me too lol

Seriously though, I've seen women in nail salons before who had destroyed several of their acrylic nails by chewing on them...

 

[jtcarrey]

yea that would be gross...

 

[LelaViavonie]

Kitty T,
I know what you mean.. when I used to have the money to pamper myself I saw that often and just couldnt understand it...

This one gal came in and her nails beds were bright red.. the nail lady told her she couldnt put any nails on and she about almost fell to the floor. It was strange.. but I just kep to my magazine.. and kept reading

 

[crwritt]

There was one nail salon customer at the salon I used to frequent who had extra thick acrylics put because she had a nervous habit of filing her nails. (Better than biting?) Maybe it kept her from hurting herself in some other way, but she would get them done thick square and long, and by the time two weeks rolled around they were filed to paper thin nubs.

 

[zaphiromoda]

I wear gel nails. I think how well they look depends on your tech, and going to a reputable salon. There are shops in town that are cheap ($20) but so are the nails. My nails are done thin and my tech will shape them how I wish. I get white tips with clear beds. My natural nail remains under the gel. If they have grown out I 'fill' them with clear nailpolish to give the same shine. It may be where I live, but I get compliments all the time (even when not painted) and many ask where I get them done.

I wouldn't go back to my natural nails - they bend, break and flake. But.....that's my opinion