8 replies to this topic

[sentient]

Was toying with the idea of having gel tips done (nothing crazy and tacky, just an elegant french, fairly short). I've heard a lot of horror stories about acrylics, and have heard that gels are a better option for nail extensions.

Anyone here have gels or know someone who does? Any info you can share would be appreciated. I'm especially interested in knowing the longevity of this (does it just stay till you decide to remove it or does it start to crack in a week or so?), and what your natural nails are like once you choose to remove them.

I'm not finding a lot of stuff online unfortunately.

[Queen of Hearts]

I have them. They don't pose any problems for me, and I've had them on an off for about 3 years. They hold up well and look elegant, and if you're smart they last a good 3 weeks between fills. I recommend them.

EDIT; However, there is no lying in the aftermath. Your nails look horrendous and have the consistency of paper afterwards. But they build themselves back up fairly quick.

[sentient]

Is there anything to be done for the natural state of the nails? Like, can I cover up most of the crap with a dark shade of nailpolish or something?

[Queen of Hearts]

Yes. You theoretically have two options. When you wish to stop getting the gels done, you could let them grow off, which would totally skip that crappy nail phase. Or you could have the salon take the gels off for you, but in the process of this they sand down your real nail after removing the gel, and they typically nourish it with fortifying polish and they look like normal, though frail. After they properly remove them you may paint them and you won't be able to tell. They only time they would physically look really bad is if you tear the gels off yourself, which strips your nails and leaves them ragged and dry.

[finality]

Fake nails scare me. One of my friends managed to remove half her actual nail in the process of removing a fake one. But I think she just pulled it off so it was her own fault I guess.

I don't think they're worth the damaged nails afterwards.

[Lavinia]

I think they look disgusting, tacky and are ridiculously stupid. Especially if it's going to damage your nails afterwards.

If you want a French manicure, do it naturally. You can argue that you can't or you don't know how to, but essentially it will benefit you. You won't have to pay for some tacky nail art that will mess your nails up, and then cause you to spend money on to fix up later. It's pretty easy to do a manicure, and there are even brands that simplify the technique, it's so easy. Like Bourjois for example.

I hate it when people get false nails etc. It seriously looks horrendous and cheap.

[Azrael.]

I'm with Toni and Ashy on this one. They can look nice, but they take effort and cost to keep up, I have a friend who has them and let's just say they seem like a pain to me. Not to mention my mum had some when I was younger and they wrecked her nails. However I'm bias in how I don't need them, or ever even want them; my own nails are quite strong and can be quite long but I have to keep them short for judo.

[LionJess]

Ugh, I hate gel nails. I'm sure they look much better when they're kept short and tasteful, but the accompanying image when you think of 'gel nails'..... ugh. I always think they look fake, as well. They do absolutely ruin your nails as well, so that's something you'd have to take into account.

Why do you need the gel nails? I personally think naturally kept nails with a light french manicure look best. Massaging your nails with cuticle oil or balm really helps to keep them healthy and strong, and you don't need to worry about the upkeep as much.

[Chip]

^ agreed