Among Friends

[shoekitty]

I am not quite sure who is the poster who asked "if 2 coats normal?"  Sometime posts that have several responders to are hard for me to separate correct poster.

But, yes 2 coats is always the norm, for any polish usually. Even at home I use 2.  First coat sets color, second deepens and adds more depth. Usually first coat sets a bit to harden it, so second will set the two and bind together.   Salons don't thin polish to make it last longer that I have noted. But when polish has sat for a while, or has thickened abit , they do add a thinner to make it more spreadable. 
I use Deborah Lipman among other healthier choices.  I have kept tightly sealed polishes in a dark , climate neutral closet for 5 years.  Goes on like I just bought it. When I love a color, I buy it and put it away as I know it won't be long til it discontinued.  lol. I am not one to try a different color every time, I wish I was. I have about 4 colors I will rotate....last 5 years lol

[foxywoods]

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@shoekitty wrote:

I am not quite sure who is the poster who asked "if 2 coats normal?"  Sometime posts that have several responders to are hard for me to separate correct poster.

But, yes 2 coats is always the norm, for any polish usually. Even at home I use 2.  First coat sets color, second deepens and adds more depth. Usually first coat sets a bit to harden it, so second will set the two and bind together.   Salons don't thin polish to make it last longer that I have noted. But when polish has sat for a while, or has thickened abit , they do add a thinner to make it more spreadable. 
I use Deborah Lipman among other healthier choices.  I have kept tightly sealed polishes in a dark , climate neutral closet for 5 years.  Goes on like I just bought it. When I love a color, I buy it and put it away as I know it won't be long til it discontinued.  lol. I am not one to try a different color every time, I wish I was. I have about 4 colors I will rotate....last 5 years lol

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@shoekitty   yes the salons here do thin their colors.   regular polish, idk about gel.

[UpNorthGorgy]

@foxywoods. I also live in a summer resort area. Lakes and woodlands. Our population triples. I have a gift certificate  and am going to go in late in the day to the new place. So far they are good and  reasonable just busy. They clean up my toenails well and then I can  go in every few months doing my own in between. Glad we can still work on our own feet and toenails. I get a Callus remover from Amazon.

Locals shop early or late to avoid crowds. Some days shelves are bare as can't stock groceries fast enough. Soon things will be winding down for the summer. Fall brings people out but it is not  as crowded. Fall Fests and a Cranberry Fest that brings in 20,000 people to a neighboring smaller town.

[foxywoods]

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@UpNorthGorgy wrote:

@foxywoods. I also live in a summer resort area. Lakes and woodlands. Our population triples. I have a gift certificate  and am going to go in late in the day to the new place. So far they are good and  reasonable just busy. They clean up my toenails well and then I can  go in every few months doing my own in between. Glad we can still work on our own feet and toenails. I get a Callus remover from Amazon.

Locals shop early or late to avoid crowds. Some days shelves are bare as can't stock groceries fast enough. Soon things will be winding down for the summer. Fall brings people out but it is not  as crowded. Fall Fests and a Cranberry Fest that brings in 20,000 people to a neighboring smaller town.

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@UpNorthGorgy   yes grocery shopping can be a nightmare here also, after the weekend the shelves are bare.  since the pandemic the summer population also has tripled, traffic is crazy.  this is a big area for beaches,  boaters and vacation home owners. We have camp grounds here too.  3 weeks til Labor Day!  Yay!   

[lynnie61]

@Luvsmyfam   Basic pedi is $35, spa pedi, $45, gel is $55.  I get usually a basic and my eyebrows waxed.  Last week was $47.  I do my own manicures.  I do tip about 25%.  My toenail had a tiny split, she fixed it with some sort or acrylic. No charge.  I request the same tech each time, she is great.  This is a normal salon, not super fancy.  Clean, but pretty basic.