johnart said:

purplemookiebut said:

what u taking about? that there is polish on my skin? i guess i didn't touch up and take the little polish that i miss my nail. do u have ocd? rofl...

I don't have ocd. I have eyeballs.

JustErin said:

I 100% hate long, long fake nails. It's just plain cheap looking...especially when they are painted crazy colours and have patterns. Tacky, tacky, tacky.

A somewhat shorter acrylic more natural look is ok but nothing beats natural, clean, strong healthy nails.

This is the perfect length. It's natural, modern and for lack of a better word, classy.

These ones are totally

I totally agree!

That's the length I like to keep my nails...

johnart said:

FauxReal said:

I'll just drink more milk or something.

But the manicure might actually happen...

Manicures are cool. I promise myself every summer I will go for pedicures (which are very relaxing) since I wear sandals in summer. Rarely happens.

OK you can still come to dinner. (soon btw )

Get nail and hair pills.

Sweetie gets a mani/pedi every so often.

Used to get full sets all the time a while back...till they destroyed my strong healthy nails and made them soft and break all time. So now I just let my nails be. I have a long nail bed..so I just leave a bit of a free edge and just get 'em painted. Very practical. I cant work with superlong nails anyway..I'm too clumsy.

Shorty said:

ladies, please explain to me all the different kinds, what's the difference, which ones are best/worse for your nails, cost...all that stuff. My nails will grow long sometimes but they are always breaking. I really don't have the funds to get and maintian fake nails but I was thinking about getting them done for the 2/7 show just for somthing a little special. help me out ladies

In my opinion (as a trained nail technician) it's better to look after your own nails than to have anything put on them.

If you want to have something special, I would advise just a pack of good quality glue-on nails.

Lisa10 said:

Shorty said:

ladies, please explain to me all the different kinds, what's the difference, which ones are best/worse for your nails, cost...all that stuff. My nails will grow long sometimes but they are always breaking. I really don't have the funds to get and maintian fake nails but I was thinking about getting them done for the 2/7 show just for somthing a little special. help me out ladies

In my opinion (as a trained nail technician) it's better to look after your own nails than to have anything put on them.

If you want to have something special, I would advise just a pack of good quality glue-on nails.

Sadly, some of us could "look after [our] own nails" 'til we're blue in the face - and they'd still be crap.

But I agree that, for a one-off kind of thing, it's better not to go the acrylic/gel route. Taking them off is what really causes the damage.

Genesia said:

Lisa10 said:

In my opinion (as a trained nail technician) it's better to look after your own nails than to have anything put on them.

If you want to have something special, I would advise just a pack of good quality glue-on nails.

Sadly, some of us could "look after [our] own nails" 'til we're blue in the face - and they'd still be crap.

But I agree that, for a one-off kind of thing, it's better not to go the acrylic/gel route. Taking them off is what really causes the damage.

Agreed. If they're crap, do whatever you want to improve them

If they're decent - apart from breaking a lot, use tons of hand cream and a nail strengthener and use stick-ons if you're really desperate for them to look pretty for an occasion.

I've never had a professional manicure or fake nails, but my sister used to get her nails done regularly and they did look nice...but the cost is too much for me so I try just keeping my own (shortish) nails groomed and with a clear polish.

When I want more glamorous nails for a special event, I go to the drugstore and get a package of Broadway Nails, which are surprisingly realistic and nice for a cheap drugstore fake nail. I was surprised.

Unfortunately I have once or twice gotten a gross fungus after using the fake nails, despite my only having them on for not even a week. Maybe I didn't glue them down well enough, I don't know? It's been awhile since I've done the fake nail thing though.

Thanx Lisa and Genesia for you info. but my nails are in terrible shape right now and 2/7 is only 11 days away. I did a little reading up since my last post and it seems gels are better than acrylic? maybe? I'd like mind to look like this but with a little less white tip perhaps.

or like this

Lisa10 said:

Genesia said:

Sadly, some of us could "look after [our] own nails" 'til we're blue in the face - and they'd still be crap.

But I agree that, for a one-off kind of thing, it's better not to go the acrylic/gel route. Taking them off is what really causes the damage.

Agreed. If they're crap, do whatever you want to improve them

If they're decent - apart from breaking a lot, use tons of hand cream and a nail strengthener and use stick-ons if you're really desperate for them to look pretty for an occasion.

Shorty said:

Thanx Lisa and Genesia for you info. but my nails are in terrible shape right now and 2/7 is only 11 days away. I did a little reading up since my last post and it seems gels are better than acrylic? maybe? I'd like mind to look like this but with a little less white tip perhaps.

I totally understand the desire to have your nails look better for a special occasion. The problem with both acrylics and gels from that standpoint is that, once they're on, you have to maintain them. (I get a "fill" every two weeks - so I spend at least $650 a year on my nails.)

If you put them on for a concert, then have them taken off two weeks later, you'll have trashed your nails for a looooooooong time to come.

Shorty said:

Lisa10 said:

Agreed. If they're crap, do whatever you want to improve them

If they're decent - apart from breaking a lot, use tons of hand cream and a nail strengthener and use stick-ons if you're really desperate for them to look pretty for an occasion.

I have done my own stick on ones before but...damn, that's a lot of freaking work. I'm willing to pay someone else to do it...once.

Shorty, check out those Broadway Nails. They're cheap and they come with everying in the kit and the nails have little tabs on them so they're easy to hold onto - then after you apply them, you just cut the tab off and file the tip smooth. And they do look good! Then after the concert you could take them off and probably (I wouldn't think, but then I'm no expert) won't damage your real nails.

Genesia said:

Shorty said:

Thanx Lisa and Genesia for you info. but my nails are in terrible shape right now and 2/7 is only 11 days away. I did a little reading up since my last post and it seems gels are better than acrylic? maybe? I'd like mind to look like this but with a little less white tip perhaps.

I totally understand the desire to have your nails look better for a special occasion. The problem with both acrylics and gels from that standpoint is that, once they're on, you have to maintain them. (I get a "fill" every two weeks - so I spend at least $650 a year on my nails.)

If you put them on for a concert, then have them taken off two weeks later, you'll have trashed your nails for a looooooooong time to come.

RubyButterfly said:

Shorty said:

I have done my own stick on ones before but...damn, that's a lot of freaking work. I'm willing to pay someone else to do it...once.

Shorty, check out those Broadway Nails. They're cheap and they come with everying in the kit and the nails have little tabs on them so they're easy to hold onto - then after you apply them, you just cut the tab off and file the tip smooth. And they do look good! Then after the concert you could take them off and probably (I wouldn't think, but then I'm no expert) won't damage your real nails.

Shorty said:

Genesia said:

I totally understand the desire to have your nails look better for a special occasion. The problem with both acrylics and gels from that standpoint is that, once they're on, you have to maintain them. (I get a "fill" every two weeks - so I spend at least $650 a year on my nails.)

If you put them on for a concert, then have them taken off two weeks later, you'll have trashed your nails for a looooooooong time to come.

ugh! yeah I'm really not into the "fill" part... and if I only left them on for like 2 weeks they would damage my nails that badly? bummer. how come gel nails claim to not damage nails?

With any kind of overlay (acrylic or gel), they have to "rough up" (ie, remove the top layer of) your own nail to get the stuff to adhere. That is what causes the damage.

Shorty said:

RubyButterfly said:

Shorty, check out those Broadway Nails. They're cheap and they come with everying in the kit and the nails have little tabs on them so they're easy to hold onto - then after you apply them, you just cut the tab off and file the tip smooth. And they do look good! Then after the concert you could take them off and probably (I wouldn't think, but then I'm no expert) won't damage your real nails.

I will check those out. Thank you

You're welcome. I hope they work for you. And have fun at the concert!!!

I like my own natural nails. They grow to a nice length but break off b/c they are brittle after that. But when I have an itch or something I want to mess with, it feels great to satisfy that itch with my natural nails than nails with acrylic on them. I really like the ones that are done at the shops but when they come off, they make my nails feel poor

Angelic1302 said:

I like my own natural nails. They grow to a nice length but break off b/c they are brittle after that. But when I have an itch or something I want to mess with, it feels great to satisfy that itch with my natural nails than nails with acrylic on them. I really like the ones that are done at the shops but when they come off, they make my nails feel poor

When you try to scratch with acrylic, it doesn't do anything. At least with the gel, your nails feel natural.

Shorty said:

Lisa10 said:

Agreed. If they're crap, do whatever you want to improve them

If they're decent - apart from breaking a lot, use tons of hand cream and a nail strengthener and use stick-ons if you're really desperate for them to look pretty for an occasion.

I have done my own stick on ones before but...damn, that's a lot of freaking work. I'm willing to pay someone else to do it...once.

As RubyButterfly says, Broadway Nails are good. I would say this is your best bet if you want a quick fix solution that won't trash your own nails.

They're really easy to apply, as long as you make sure you get them shaped-up right before you stick them on. Maybe get a friend to help you apply them?

I'd do them for you if I lived closer

typo edit

[Edited 1/26/11 7:56am]

Natural is the way to go-my nails have always grown long Of course they break after awhile, but still healthier than the fake stuff I do find that because I use my right hand more at work that the nails on that hand are usually shorter than the left

Lisa10 said:

Shorty said:

I have done my own stick on ones before but...damn, that's a lot of freaking work. I'm willing to pay someone else to do it...once.

As RubyButterfly says, Broadway Nails are good. I would say this is your best bet if you want a quick fix solution that won't trash your own nails.

They're really easy to apply, as long as you make sure you get them shaped-up right before you stick them on. Maybe get a friend to help you apply them?

I'd do them for you if I lived closer

typo edit

[Edited 1/26/11 7:56am]

lavender1983 said:

Used to get full sets all the time a while back...till they destroyed my strong healthy nails and made them soft and break all time. So now I just let my nails be. I have a long nail bed..so I just leave a bit of a free edge and just get 'em painted. Very practical. I cant work with superlong nails anyway..I'm too clumsy.

Exactly! My nails are DESTROYED from wearing that nasty shit for so long. I had the acrylic taken off after having it for a good 15 years.

I ain't never seen a supermodel with those tacky ass nails.

GetAwayFromMe said:

lavender1983 said:

Used to get full sets all the time a while back...till they destroyed my strong healthy nails and made them soft and break all time. So now I just let my nails be. I have a long nail bed..so I just leave a bit of a free edge and just get 'em painted. Very practical. I cant work with superlong nails anyway..I'm too clumsy.

Exactly! My nails are DESTROYED from wearing that nasty shit for so long. I had the acrylic taken off after having it for a good 15 years.

I ain't never seen a supermodel with those tacky ass nails.

Oh - excuse me. Did I somehow stumble into supermodel.org?

purplemookiebut said:

johnart said:

I swear it, I really like you (I say this with complete honesty), but you were put on this earth (or at least on this site) to make my gay heart wither.

WTF is goin on around your cuticles and fingertips??? There's just not enough nail there that you gotta let it spill over to the finger?

what u taking about? that there is polish on my skin? i guess i didn't touch up and take the little polish that i miss my nail. do u have ocd? rofl...

Do you color outside the lines too?

My biggest pet peeve is polish all over the cuticles... Its not OCD, it just looks better when its done neatly..

My nails were shit all through HS and college; they would not grow long and they would peel/chip. Then a couple years out of college they started getting stronger and one day I realized I had long nails. I've had exactly 2 professional manicures in my life and my nails got fucked up right away. The first one was messed up before I even got to the end of the block. It's just not worth the money to me. Although I do like pedicures, I don't get them very often but at least when I do, they last a long time.

In the summer I make sure my toenails are always painted; I usually paint my fingernails a light/neutral color or give myself french tips. Dark colors look cool, but if you get a chip they look like shit. Chips are less noticable with light colors.

My nails look like hell right now; three on the right hand broke off due to the cold so I cut them all to the same length so they didn't look all raggedy. They are finally starting to grow back. I noticed that they look nicer when they're longer; they are pretty white when they grow out and look clean, but when they're short I feel like they always look dirty.

tinaz said:

purplemookiebut said:

what u taking about? that there is polish on my skin? i guess i didn't touch up and take the little polish that i miss my nail. do u have ocd? rofl...

Do you color outside the lines too?

My biggest pet peeve is polish all over the cuticles... Its not OCD, it just looks better when its done neatly..

lol i guess my carpel tunnels cwas acting up and i didn't look if my cuticles had reminents of paint around them and didn't file or use a qtip to tae over spare polish b4 taking the pic. didn't know anyone was looking that close at them...next pic i wont use macro mode

jone70 said:

My nails were shit all through HS and college; they would not grow long and they would peel/chip. Then a couple years out of college they started getting stronger and one day I realized I had long nails. I've had exactly 2 professional manicures in my life and my nails got fucked up right away. The first one was messed up before I even got to the end of the block. It's just not worth the money to me. Although I do like pedicures, I don't get them very often but at least when I do, they last a long time.

In the summer I make sure my toenails are always painted; I usually paint my fingernails a light/neutral color or give myself french tips. Dark colors look cool, but if you get a chip they look like shit. Chips are less noticable with light colors.

My nails look like hell right now; three on the right hand broke off due to the cold so I cut them all to the same length so they didn't look all raggedy. They are finally starting to grow back. I noticed that they look nicer when they're longer; they are pretty white when they grow out and look clean, but when they're short I feel like they always look dirty.

Yep I agree. I tend to wear real dark, deep rich tones in the colder months or real bright ones in the summer and they all tend to look better on shorter nails especially the dark ones. I love Revlon and OPI though. I once had a manicure that lasted a full 10 days without a single chip with a dark Revlon brand. I was amazed.

lavender1983 said:

jone70 said:

My nails were shit all through HS and college; they would not grow long and they would peel/chip. Then a couple years out of college they started getting stronger and one day I realized I had long nails. I've had exactly 2 professional manicures in my life and my nails got fucked up right away. The first one was messed up before I even got to the end of the block. It's just not worth the money to me. Although I do like pedicures, I don't get them very often but at least when I do, they last a long time.

In the summer I make sure my toenails are always painted; I usually paint my fingernails a light/neutral color or give myself french tips. Dark colors look cool, but if you get a chip they look like shit. Chips are less noticable with light colors.

My nails look like hell right now; three on the right hand broke off due to the cold so I cut them all to the same length so they didn't look all raggedy. They are finally starting to grow back. I noticed that they look nicer when they're longer; they are pretty white when they grow out and look clean, but when they're short I feel like they always look dirty.

Yep I agree. I tend to wear real dark, deep rich tones in the colder months or real bright ones in the summer and they all tend to look better on shorter nails especially the dark ones. I love Revlon and OPI though. I once had a manicure that lasted a full 10 days without a single chip with a dark Revlon brand. I was amazed.

hence why i wear acrlyic over the real ones. chipping!! i'm constantly touching up my toenails. i see they make fake ones for toes now. thats just weird.....

purplemookiebut said:

lavender1983 said:

Yep I agree. I tend to wear real dark, deep rich tones in the colder months or real bright ones in the summer and they all tend to look better on shorter nails especially the dark ones. I love Revlon and OPI though. I once had a manicure that lasted a full 10 days without a single chip with a dark Revlon brand. I was amazed.

hence why i wear acrlyic over the real ones. chipping!! i'm constantly touching up my toenails. i see they make fake ones for toes now. thats just weird.....

Now that is a complete and utter NO-NO.