Getting your nails done

In My Humble Opinion
41
  1. Do you keep your nails painted?
    Yup, my toenails always and whenever I feel like doing my fingernails. Reminds me, I need to redo them.

1a. What colour, usually?
Again, depends what I’m in the mood for. The last few months my nails have been ‘Denim Dreams’, before that it changed between penny, lilac and cranberry. It’s an easy way to have fun with colour that can be changed if work doesn’t like it (unlike, say, hair).

  1. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?
    Do them myself. I haven’t gone for a mani/pedi in about 10 years, and I did take cosmotology so I can do a simple manicure.

  2. How much does it cost you in your area?
    No idea. Been pondering finding out and splurging though. Be nice to have that little pampering.

42
  1. Do you keep your nails painted?
    -No. My job is really hard on my hands and polish would be done for in one day of work. I can barely go a day without chipping or breaking a nail.
    However, I do get a pedicure once evey 3 - 4 weeks, depending- so the toes are always polished.

1a. What colour, usually?
-It varies, since it is only my toes… I go for oh whatever looks good to me at the time. Although one of my favorite colors is this icy blue from OPI.

  1. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?
  • I get a pedi every 3 - 4 weeks. I do get a manicure a few times a year, like for my birthday or if there is a special occasion or some such.

  1. How much does it cost you in your area?
    -My pedicure is 45.00 plus tip. It includes foot and leg massage, super foot scrubbing, foot mask for moisture, ingrown nail management and polish. Plus I like the time to “myself”. Most inexpensive pedi/manicure places here are the asian run places that have had a lot of “bad press” regarding unsanitary conditions, infections. My manicurist is at a day spa/salon- hence the price, but she does an excellent job.

  2. Natural or artificial/overlay nails?
    -fingernails are natural. I do try to keep them filed and whatnot. It just feels like a neverending battle :stuck_out_tongue:
    I used to wear acrylics when I was in school, but I haven’t worn them in, well, probably 4 years now.

4a. If artificial, how long have you had them on?
-when I did wear acrylics, I wore them off an on for 4 years.

4b. How often do you have a fill done?
-When I wore acrylics, I would have a fill every two weeks. It would have gotten expensive, but a friend of mine who was a manicurist did them for me.

43
  1. No.
    1a. But when I do, it’s got to be SEEN. So it ranks from coke-can-red to firetruck-red. A couple times being on vacation I’ve borrowed my aunt’s pine green or navy. (Female engineer, I’m expected to look very conservative, which is a bitch and if I ever win the lottery I’m going to make Alaska look like one of the March sisters)
  2. I do them myself. My hairdressers are one of the few in town that don’t have a manicure; the few times I’ve gone elsewhere for one, they tried to pitch me a lot of other things I wasn’t interested on. If I ask about nails, I want to hear about nails - only!
  3. No idea.
  4. Natural. They’re irregular (I used to have warts at the bases when I was in my teens) but strong and healthy. I can’t even remember the last time I had a white spot… checks Nope, no white spots.
44

[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth]
Okay, so I will admit to a few girly-girl habits. First is having my eyebrows threaded and dyed - this is a necessity for me as I don’t wear makeup often, and my natural brows are unruly white-blonde monstrosities which look ridiculous with my red hair and only serve to make me look devoid of all colouring in my face.

Secondly, I keep my toenails polished all the time, and occasionally have my fingernails polished a very pale neutral colour. I don’t use acrylics or anything, just my natural nails.

I usually go about every two weeks to have a polish change done on my toes, with a pedicure every six weeks to two months or so; manicure once a month or so. They always do such a nice job of it, it looks better than anything I could possibly do, and it’s cheap. A polish change is around $7 around here for toes, $5 for fingers. A pedicure is $18, manicure $10.

Today, however, I decided that I want the colour re-done NOW NOW NOW. As the husband had to go work, I am at home with the baby. I’m doing my own toes at the moment. It’s ridiculous. I’m 35 years old and I’ve damned near forgotten how to paint my own nails. I have sitting on my desk, currently:

Nail polish remover
cotton balls
orange stick
base coat (OPI Nail Envy)
Nail polish (One slut red for my toes, one baby pink for my fingers)
Super-dry top coat

One might expect that I’m armed for a week away. No, just five minutes and one polish change. And it looks lousy.

I think I’m gonna get a pro to do 'em later. Stupid girly girl.

My questions:

  1. Do you keep your nails painted?
    1a. What colour, usually?
  2. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?
  3. How much does it cost you in your area?
  4. Natural or artificial/overlay nails?
    4a. If artificial, how long have you had them on?
    4b. How often do you have a fill done?

Thanks, ladies (and gentlemen, if you have manicures and pedicures).
[/QUOTE]

I had a manicure for the first time in over a year last month. They did a terrible job of shaping them. I prefer squared-off to oval, but I like 'em rounded-square. She made them into pointy deadly weapons.

I do natural nails. They’re strong and pretty damn nice if I do say so myself. I like to do a pale pinkish color on my fingers so chips don’t show as readily.

Had my first pedicure of my life. It was pretty nice! I don’t have any wear on my toes, so the polish will stay for months. I only need to re-do them when the grow-out is noticeable.

I usually do my nails myself and have all the gear to make them look great. I prefer quick dry polish so I’m not incapacitated for three fucking hours. I generally do them every two weeks, depending on wear.

45

1. Do you keep your nails painted?
Always. Both fingers and toes.

1a. What colour, usually?
Varies. Lately I’ve been getting an american manicure on my hands. I really like that. I go brighter on my toes. Right now they are lipstick red. In the summer I have a design put on the big toes. Yes, I know it’s trashy. I don’t care.

2. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?
Have 'em done. Always for my hands. And in the summertime for my feet. In the winter, when I don’t bother with pedicures, I polish my own toes.

3. How much does it cost you in your area?
$25ish for a full set, or a pedicure. $15ish for a fill.

4. Natural or artificial/overlay nails?
I have terrible natural nails, so I have acrylics. Again, I know it’s trashy, but I like it. I keep them pretty short, though – I like the look of long nails, but I can’t get used to typing or doing any kind of work with them. They are about a 1/4 inch past my fingertips now and that’s as long as I ever let them get.

4a. If artificial, how long have you had them on? Wow – I’ve been getting the fakes for about 10 years! I have the old ones taken off and let my nails 'rest for a week or a month every year – usually when I’m planning some big project such as painting the house or remodeling a bathroom.

4b. How often do you have a fill done?
Every two or three weeks. I have my eyebrows waxed at the same time (7 bucks around here). During the summer, I have a pedicure every other time, or about once a month.

46

**1. Do you keep your nails painted? ** Yes, most of the time.
**1a. What colour, usually? ** Fingernails are sheer shades, peach or pinkish. My toes get more variety, though - everything from plum to orange (hey, it’s Halloween!) to green.
**2. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you? ** I do them myself. Saves money and time and it’s a nice treat for me. I’d love to get them done professionally, but I’d have to be pretty well-off to justify the expense.
3. How much does it cost you in your area? A full set runs from $20 up, a fill from $10 up.
4. Natural or artificial/overlay nails? Natural, although I’ve had artificials before. I like either, but I prefer natural.

47
  1. Do you keep your nails painted?

I used to keep my fingernails done, but can’t now that I am in massage therapy school. I won’t be allowed to have them painted when I work on clients after I am licensed, either. I do keep my toes painted.

1a. What colour, usually?

I love OPI’s Route Beer Float, but it was discontinued and my bottle is almost empty. I need to find another good brown to take its place–Chocolate Shake-speare looks like a good one!

  1. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?

I used to have my fingernails done. I still get a pedicure every few months to get my feet really smooth, and do them myself in between times.

  1. How much does it cost you in your area?

The spa pedicures are $25 with the tip. The acrylic nails were $25 for a full set and $20 for fills, including the tip.

  1. Natural or artificial/overlay nails?

Artificial. My real nails are very prone to splitting and would never grow, so I didn’t really care about having them damaged by the acrylics.

4a. If artificial, how long have you had them on?

The longest I went was about three years.

4b. How often do you have a fill done?

About every three weeks.

48

I’m surprised how many people actually have their nails done. I’ve never had a manicure, never paint my fingernails (although people sometimes ask me if I have a french manicure–the whites are really white). I work with my hands a lot, it would be a total waste of time. I keep them short, I hate long nails.

I had a pedicure once as a gift, which was nice, but not something I would spend thirty of my dollars on. I usually keep my toenails painted, though, at home, various colors.

I seem to be the only one who doesn’t know what a fill is. Anyone care to tell me?

49

[QUOTE=Renee]
I’m surprised how many people actually have their nails done. I’ve never had a manicure, never paint my fingernails (although people sometimes ask me if I have a french manicure–the whites are really white). I work with my hands a lot, it would be a total waste of time. I keep them short, I hate long nails.

I had a pedicure once as a gift, which was nice, but not something I would spend thirty of my dollars on. I usually keep my toenails painted, though, at home, various colors.

I seem to be the only one who doesn’t know what a fill is. Anyone care to tell me?
[/QUOTE]

It’s the filling in of the acrylic. When you get fake nails, initially they put on fake plastic tips and then cover the tips and the real nail with an acrylic which makes them smooth and seamless and also very strong. (it also takes polish beautifully) As you nail grows out, the acrylic, which add a little bit of thickness to the nail, moves with the nail. So you go get the acrylic refilled in to cover the grown out part. They also reshape your nails and take care of any bad spots. Eventually, you nail grows out so you no longer have any of the fake nail, youjust have your real nail bed covered in a strong acrylic.

50

Does anyone have the paraffin dip dooey at home?

51

[QUOTE=Renee]
I’m surprised how many people actually have their nails done. I’ve never had a manicure, never paint my fingernails (although people sometimes ask me if I have a french manicure–the whites are really white). I work with my hands a lot, it would be a total waste of time. I keep them short, I hate long nails.

I had a pedicure once as a gift, which was nice, but not something I would spend thirty of my dollars on. I usually keep my toenails painted, though, at home, various colors.

I seem to be the only one who doesn’t know what a fill is. Anyone care to tell me?
[/QUOTE]

Even if you keep your nails short, you should treat yourself to at least one manicure in your life. They’re pretty cheap. I had a manicure and pedicure for $35 at a spa. A manicure generally runs $15 before tip. The nice thing about it is that they get your cuticles in shape. It’s amazing how much better your hands look if they’re not all cuticley. And it feels so good! The hand massage rocks.

52

I have a paraffin spa at home. It’s wonderful. I got it for Christmas a few years ago and I love it.

53

I love mine too, but I can’t do both hands at the same time by myself. I’ll dip both feet and one hand, then my husband will put the wrap on the other hand after I dip it. How silly. Also, I always forget to turn the thing on, and it takes about 5-6 hours to melt the wax.

54

I have the same problems.

I usually plug mine in on a Sunday afternoon. Once the wax is getting close to the right temperature, I lay out some clean comfy clothes (flannel pants and a big t-shirt), take a long hot shower, use towels fresh from the dryer (mmmm warm) dress in the comfy clothes, then get to work. Push back my cuticles, buff, etc. then I have the bags laid out. First dip one hand, put the bag on, dip the other hand, put the bag on and then slide my hands into the double fleece mits I made. I have a velcro strap around the wrists that I can fasten tightly by sliding and twisting my wrist against the chair or chesterfield.

It is a cold bright Sunday afternoon, I think I might do that when I get home.

55
  1. Do you keep your nails painted?
    1a. What colour, usually?
  2. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?
  3. How much does it cost you in your area?
  4. Natural or artificial/overlay nails?
    4a. If artificial, how long have you had them on?
    4b. How often do you have a fill done?

I didn’t paint for a long time, then started up again recently. I like pinks and lavendars the most.
I usually do them on my own but I do love a good manicure done by someone else now and then. Manicures here are around $12 or a bit more, at the nice places. Spa and deluxes are a few more dollars than that, naturally.
I like them natural.

The deluxe spa pedicure that I got nearly a month ago is still holding. I will redo it in about a month. The manicure got shredded because of my use and abuse of my fingernails.
Funny thing…I’m going to a spa today, but not for nail care. It’s for a full body aromatherapy massage.

56

[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth]

  1. Do you keep your nails painted?
    1a. What colour, usually?
  2. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?
  3. How much does it cost you in your area?

[/QUOTE]

Yes because I break them otherwise; I pick at them unless they’re painted and at the moment I’m trying to grow them for Mum’s wedding

They’re green coz I love it; I can’t find a cite but I got it from The Face Shop and it’s dark green and comes out a beautiful emerald green. I lerve it.

I do them myself because I don’t think they’re long enough to get a proper manicure. Having said that, I’ve been thinking about getting falsies for giggles and seeing as a lot of people here have given them the thumbs up, I’ll give it some serious thought. I give myself home manicures regularly though; I’ve got various kits for cuticles and massage creams and fun stuff like that which Dad bought me.

I’ve only just started taking proper care of my nails; I couldn’t paint them before because I went to a private high school which doesn’t allow nail polish (I just graduated and am sitting exams now). But now they’re green. And could possibly be faked in the future. Depends on what job I get when I move for Uni - if I choose to work in a cafe, they’ll be short and real.

57
  1. Do you keep your nails painted?

Not usually. I buff them occasionally but they look pretty good as they are.

1a. What colour, usually?

Often a warm shade of peach/gold/caramel. When I am in the mood, a deep blue red.

I don’t paint my toenails and never have; I confess, I don’t get what’s supposed to be attractive about it.

  1. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?

I do them myself.

  1. How much does it cost you in your area?

I don’t know

  1. Natural or artificial/overlay nails?

Natural. My nails are lovely, if I do say so myself, and I have no desire to change that.

58
  1. Do you keep your nails painted?

Fingernails almost never, toenails only in summer.

1a. What colour, usually?

Varies wildly. On the fingernails, though, I usually stick to a neutral.

  1. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you? Do 'em myself.

  2. How much does it cost you in your area? Haven’t the foggiest, as I’m not likely to spend money for that.

  3. Natural or artificial/overlay nails? Natural.

59

[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth]
My questions:

  1. Do you keep your nails painted?
    1a. What colour, usually?
  2. Do you do them yourself or have them done for you?
  3. How much does it cost you in your area?
  4. Natural or artificial/overlay nails?
    4a. If artificial, how long have you had them on?
    4b. How often do you have a fill done?

[/QUOTE]

  1. Yes
    1a. Something not very noticeable. Currently OPI Hawaiian Orchid. Takes a couple coats before you actually even notice it- I like that…
  2. I have silk overlays. I let a salon paint them the first time, and then I re-paint them weekly on my own until it’s time for a fill-in.
  3. $30 (South Bay area, CA)
  4. Silk overlay, which is actually a layer of fiberglass fabric glued to the nail. Pretty strong.
    4a. I actually only started doing this a couple months ago after I was at a wedding and saw a friend’s nails that looked so great. Mine have been peeling/less strong as I’ve gotten older, so I can’t maintain nice nails on my own…
    4b. The first time I went 2 weeks, this time I’m trying for 3 weeks. You can barely see where they’ve grown out, but I owe that mostly to the low-profile color I use.