Beauty

[Mama Mia]

Pros and cons please. I have beautiful natural nails but am thinking of doing gel. The only things that bothers me is how much they will rough up my nail beds so it stays on. Any comments would be appreciated!

mm

[RainyDayGal]

You're talking about the Shellac-type manicures, right?

I had them for a long time. I loved them. They didn't chip, peel, or dull the entire time. But the cost was just too much. It was around $50.00 (that included tip) every 3 week. After I stopped getting them it did take several months for my nails to get back into shape. I wouldn't necessarily say it ruined them, but it was harder on them.

[Mama Mia]

I'm not sure about that, am going to call and see. I was told $35.00 for a full set, excluding the tip.

mm

[Shelbelle]

Dont do it, the removal will ruin your natural nails.

[DoneTryin]

I had the gels for about a year, then switched to the shellac. I loved that they dried very fast so I didn't ruin my mani five minutes after I left the salon. The down side was that I got trapped into going every 2 weeks even though really could have gone 3 weeks between. My manicurist only worked every other Sat so I was stuck.

The worst thing about the gels/shellacs is the harsh removal process of soaking your fingertips in the remover, then the manicurist scraping them off. Even though she did that gently, it still damages the nail surface.

I quit doing the nails because I got tired of being a slave to it, the expense & my manicurist moved to a salon further away & I didn't want to drive an additional 10 miles. It did take about a year for my nails to fully grow out.

I've been using Nailtiques Formula 2 for about 3 months now & am thrilled with the results. For the first time in my life, I have strong, healthy, pretty nails.

[NickNack]

Getting gel manicures ruined my nails. I did it for about six months and felt like my nails were getting bad, so I quit to give them a break. It's been a year now, and they are just now getting back into shape. I would highly advise against it. I have a friend who had the same experience as I did.

[Hershey2]

I`m afraid I broke down and got the shellac, can get about 2 1/2 weeks out of them/ The lighter more translucent color dosen`t show the growth as much, I pay $25 plus tip. My nails were peeling and breaking this seems to have helped my nails always look nice. I spent a small fortune on all kinds of nail growth treatments, some would help for a time.

[Mama Mia]

Thanks all for your honest replies! From what I read here it is very hard on the nail bed, so I am going to cancel my appointment. DH says just see if you can get a manicure.

You ladies here are always the ones to ask, and again, I thank you all.

mm

[DoneTryin]

Mama Mia: Good! It's certainly your choice, I think you'll be much happier just getting a nice mani since you already have good nails. Enjoy!

[RainyDayGal]

I would do it again for a special occasion, but not on a regular basis.