Drew's Wife Posted July 30, 2013 #1 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Hi Ladies, Hope everyone is having a wonderful morning!:) I finally decided that I'd had enough of the acrylic nails...I never enjoyed the process of sitting and having them grind on my nails, no matter how lovely they looked when they were finished. It seems lately that within a couple of days....I find I am back in the salon for a nail that has popped off. I last had them done about ten days ago and two different nails have come off in the meantime. I do not wear them long due to my work and I always had them do the acrylic a little thicker due to my work... Yesterday the young lady that does my nails suggested that I try gel nails/shellac not sure what that is, but they look so pretty and they feel natural again. I'm anxious to see how they do....if this stuff works the way they say it will be worth the extra five dollars. :rolleyes: Before I always carried my own nail color as I only wear a light natural color and wanted to have my own in case I needed to do a touch up. So with that she had some beautiful colors to choose from. I went with something called CND Strawberry Smoothie and they look so nice! I love the shine!:) I'll know in a couple of weeks if this is going to work for me, but I sure hope so...just the thought of going back to acrylics...well!:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy ks Posted July 30, 2013 #2 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I've never worn acrylics, just have not liked the look of them on others, too thick and artificial looking. But I have worn gel nails for several years and are very happy with them. I've never had one pop off, but they will chip after about 10 days, mostly due to the work I do. My color of choice is Bubble Bath. If I don't want that color she does a French, but a natural look, not the thick white ends, you can't really tell it's a French at all. Because of my work, I wear my nails very short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CELTICGIRLCRUISER Posted July 30, 2013 #3 Share Posted July 30, 2013 There have been many threads here on CC about Shellac and as recently as this week also. Let us know how it goes, as if applied correctly with the correct system you will get at least 14 days out of it. Strawberry Smoothie is a nice and popular paler color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauer Posted July 30, 2013 #4 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I think that if you have strong nails, the gel nails/manicures will look very nice. I have weak natural nails, and after two months of gels, I went back to acrylics. I was breaking nails every week, and they were too expensive to maintain (also the appointments took forever with the soaking off, etc.). I keep my acrylic nails short and thin (no tips), and they look good for the usual 2-3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew's Wife Posted July 30, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I think that if you have strong nails, the gel nails/manicures will look very nice. I have weak natural nails, and after two months of gels, I went back to acrylics. I was breaking nails every week, and they were too expensive to maintain (also the appointments took forever with the soaking off, etc.). I keep my acrylic nails short and thin (no tips), and they look good for the usual 2-3 weeks. This is what I am afraid of. That was the reason I started getting acrylics so many years ago. My nails were always brittle and split. I also kept my short and because of my work. I also wear a light neutral shade as I want them to look as natural as possible. I just wanted to give them a try and see if I could get away from the acrylics all the time. I'll try them for a few weeks. If need be, I can always go back to the acrylics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monakayk Posted July 30, 2013 #6 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I have had both, and have to admit the process for gels are just as tedious for me as for acrylics. But the acrylics last longer when I have my nail tech put the gel-polish over the acrylics. You can use colors or just clear polish...whatever you want. I have had french nail-color on some and last year I had a very light silver sparkle put only on the tips of the nail with clear gel polish over the entire acrylics. They really lasted a long time. In fact...I only do -acrylics for special occasions/cruises and the acrylics with the gel polish over them lasted so well and I didn't want to do a re-base...I had to have my nail tech remove them. So if gels do not work out for you...try the acrylics with the gel polish over them. That will help the acrylics stay on better. Just a suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew's Wife Posted July 30, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I have had both, and have to admit the process for gels are just as tedious for me as for acrylics. But the acrylics last longer when I have my nail tech put the gel-polish over the acrylics. You can use colors or just clear polish...whatever you want. I have had french nail-color on some and last year I had a very light silver sparkle put only on the tips of the nail with clear gel polish over the entire acrylics. They really lasted a long time. In fact...I only do -acrylics for special occasions/cruises and the acrylics with the gel polish over them lasted so well and I didn't want to do a re-base...I had to have my nail tech remove them. So if gels do not work out for you...try the acrylics with the gel polish over them. That will help the acrylics stay on better. Just a suggestion. Thank you....I will do that...I use the same color all the time...a ver pale pink that has a little sparkle to it....I think it is called "Pink Promise" by Sally Hansen...it is the diamond collection. I love the natural look but it has just a bit of sparkle. I really thought the gel would be so much quicker than having to go through the acrylic process...but if it comes down to it and I see that my nails break or split, I'll go back to the acrylic and do the gel polish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monakayk Posted July 31, 2013 #8 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Thank you....I will do that...I use the same color all the time...a ver pale pink that has a little sparkle to it....I think it is called "Pink Promise" by Sally Hansen...it is the diamond collection. I love the natural look but it has just a bit of sparkle. I really thought the gel would be so much quicker than having to go through the acrylic process...but if it comes down to it and I see that my nails break or split' date=' I'll go back to the acrylic and do the gel polish.[/color'] You are VERY welcomed. I hope whatever you choose to do it works out well for you.:D Ohhhhhhh had to come back and add this...I have also asked my nail-tech to add an 'art decal' before she added the over-layed-gel polish and she was able to. The nail-tech I had before her....was more artistic and she did an art design on top of the acrylic nail before she (last) applied the clear nail-gel polish. That was really FABO! Click below for some examples: https://www.google.com/search?gs_rn=23&gs_ri=psy-ab&gs_mss=sally+hansen+nail+dec&pq=sally+hansen+nail+decals&cp=0&gs_id=13z&xhr=t&q=nail+decals&client=firefox-a&hs=wv0&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.49967636,d.cGE&biw=966&bih=644&bs=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=d1f4UeuWBuWSyAH6uIHYCw#um=1&client=firefox-a&hs=bbL&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=nail+art+designs&oq=nail+art&gs_l=img.1.1.0l10.278894.286781.0.289451.21.13.6.2.2.0.416.1940.1j11j4-1.13.0....0...1c.1.23.img..1.20.1808.xnJdM6NOisM&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.49967636,d.cGE&fp=265452132aa45a5e&biw=966&bih=644 The link below is what I had done without the black dots:with a french nail and a very light silver sparkle put only on the tips of the nail with clear gel polish over the entire acrylics. . The soft silver sparkles was really pretty: http://www.nailartetc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Simple-Nail-Art-Design-Ideas.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pezhead Posted July 31, 2013 #9 Share Posted July 31, 2013 This is what I am afraid of. That was the reason I started getting acrylics so many years ago. My nails were always brittle and split. I also kept my short and because of my work. I also wear a light neutral shade as I want them to look as natural as possible. I just wanted to give them a try and see if I could get away from the acrylics all the time. I'll try them for a few weeks. If need be' date=' I can always go back to the acrylics.[/color'] I have always kept my nails natural--for years I kept with huffing manicures because I would chip off polish and peel off nail layers after a day or two. Last summer I had a deep rooted nail infection that was taking forever to grow out. My dermatologist suggested switching my multi-vitamin to a prenatal one. Not only did my nails grow quicker but they are now a lot stronger. No more splitting. Responses sent form a tuochscreen device. Please disreagrd any crash typos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CELTICGIRLCRUISER Posted July 31, 2013 #10 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Also make sure you use Solar oil (cuticle oil) with the Shellac to keep them in tip top condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froufie Posted July 31, 2013 #11 Share Posted July 31, 2013 I used to have acrylics and while they looked nice the upkeep and cost was a deterrent and I too had the 'popping' off thing happening - got to carrying a tube of nail glue in my purse at all times and nervous when travelling! No more of that.... I am a 'shellac' fan and love the fact that you can have perfect looking nails for a few weeks. Just 'took' mine off at the 3 1/2 week point - and continue to use the solar oil as they seem a bit dry...... Hope you enjoy your shellac and awaiting your 'opinion' once you have it done :) P.S. Here's a link to the other thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1881360 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew's Wife Posted July 31, 2013 Author #12 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Probably not going to work for me....had them done Monday afternoon, and the one nail has already split and torn...the polish is fine...just my nails have always been so thin and brittle...looks like I may have to go back to acrylics. I'm going to wait the full two weeks, just to see how my own nails hold up. Not looking too good at the moment!:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CELTICGIRLCRUISER Posted July 31, 2013 #13 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Probably not going to work for me....had them done Monday afternoon' date=' and the one nail has already split and torn...the polish is fine...just my nails have always been so thin and brittle...looks like I may have to go back to acrylics. I'm going to wait the full two weeks, just to see how my own nails hold up. Not looking too good at the moment!:([/b'] I did wonder when you said she took the acrylic off and then suggested Shellac, we all know how weak nails are after acrylic. I personally would not take off a client acrylics and then put Shellac on at the same appointment. We had one client desperate for Shellac after taking off acrylics she had done elsewhere but we waited about 8 weeks until her nails were in a condition to do this. She is now a convert. After this Shellac comes off, I suggest you maybe wait a few weeks to your nails are more stable and try the Shellac again. Keep with the oil in the meantime though as it will help your nails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Lioness Posted August 7, 2013 #14 Share Posted August 7, 2013 If your acrylics are popping off, they probably weren't put on correctly. Also if you don't redo them every 2 weeks, they can get water under them, which might cause popping off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannago35 Posted August 7, 2013 #15 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Too bad they didn't work out for you, I like the gel manicure, got it on my first cruise a few years back and it was great because the manicure lasted about 2 weeks. But I also have weak nails, and realized I have to take that gel off asap because it just makes my nails rip/tear and weak so I do gel only on special occasions. Never tried acrylic, maybe I will for the next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CELTICGIRLCRUISER Posted August 7, 2013 #16 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Also with acrylic nails coming away from the nail plate you can get a bacterial infection in there between your nail and the acrylic enhancement. Unscrupulous salons, will just redo your nails when they see this but they shouldn't if there is any sign of bacteria. It looks green for reference. (We call them NSS in the trade, basically a salon that isn't particularly clean, doesn't clean or sterilize implements between clients, doesn't correctly sanitize the pedicure chairs with jets running between clients, uses the same manicure towel, uses windex instead of barbicide (laughable but true but both are blue so look the same). 20/20 did a good report on these places although likely to scare the heck out of a consumer but you know the sort of place I mean, one on every other corner:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neotericisis Posted August 7, 2013 #17 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Good for you! Quite frankly- acrylics are out of style. Natural nails in bright colors are all the rage LOL. Seriously, name one celebrity with fake nails? I wish I had high nail beds, that way I would never had to grow my nails. I am a severe nail biter, so although my nails grow startlingly white when I let them, they rarely have any white to show :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauer Posted August 8, 2013 #18 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I'm sure that there are plenty of celebrities with fake nails, just like there are ones with Botox, fillers, hair extensions, veneers, etc. You only notice the work that is overdone or poorly done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew's Wife Posted August 8, 2013 Author #19 Share Posted August 8, 2013 They may be a little outdated, (but I'm a little outdated, I still wear pantyhose) :D I went back yesterday and they said that my nails are just too brittle...so I'm going back to an overlay..natural and short....at least they won't split and tear with the least little thing. Now the gel color has stayed on beautifully, but it just doesn't work for me. So they told me I could do the overlay and then have the gel over that. Might be a few dollars more, but it might just be worth it...I'll know next week when I go for my appt.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvscruising2007 Posted August 9, 2013 #20 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I was getting acrylics every 4 to 5 weeks for a couple of years. I got a lot of compliments on my nails. And they did look great. But I found I was extending the time between appointments, longer and longer. Then the acrylic would separate from nail. Ow! Eventually I just decided to quit for awhile. My nails are short now, no polish and I am happier. Maybe on our next cruise, I will have them done again. But, you know I really don't miss them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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