Jannie

My nails are naturally weak. Just about the time they start looking nice, they start breaking and/or splitting. The first time I had them done was for my daughter's wedding. I did silk and had them left long. I found out you have to learn to use them so when I went in for a fill, I had them cut shorter. I do love the look of nice nails which I only have if I do the acrylic/gel/silk. I have had them on and off for the last 20 years. I took them off about a year ago because I got tired of the up keep. I think about having them put back on but remember the up keep and change my mind again. I'm sure I will cave in and put them back on, but not this week.

suzanprincess

I've had enhanced nails (silk wrap, acrylic, fiberglass, gel) for about 12 years, and faithfully go in every two weeks for a fill. I save money by cutting and dying my hair myself, but am willing to pay approximately $10/week to have my nails!

My own nails grow fast but are very thin and weak, and without strengthener can break even when I'm--literally--doing nothing! (I never used to do an actual manicure on them; I just filed and shaped daily, or oftener, as they broke.) I've tried several salons over time, but have spent at least 11 of those years at the same place because it's clean, well ventilated, and the workers are skilled. I go to the same person each time, so far changing only when she quits because of her pregnancy! There is one quite talented young man there now--I think I'll try him when my current manicurist/friend of several years, just now pregnant, leaves; I was planning ahead this time because she's also a full-time nursing student, so I knew she would be leaving, just not this soon. Yes, of course I'm planning a baby quilt for her...!

damaquilts

I wouldn't waste the time putting on polish it would just chip and it takes too long to dry I am not patient. My own nails grow so fast and are pretty hard. I have to cut them when they get too long and start getting in my way. I don't wear makeup anymore either
Not since I got out of the habit while recouping from surgery. Saves me some money every month too. No hair color, no makeup, no nail polish.

butterflies5518

Mine are the same - feel naked without them. Did go a month in February when I had hand surgery but the moment I was released from doctors care - they were back one. I chose the american style - pale tip pink nail.

Debka

Not for me. Never had acrylics, but I've tried the gel and the shellac. Each time, I LOVED the way my nails looked and had no chips or breakage for at least 3 weeks. And my nails grew so beautifully and evenly.
BUT - each time, afterward, I experienced breakage and tearing. My nails were destroyed; I tried the gels twice and the shellac once. The gel lasted longer and looked better, but each time I lost my nails, and found that they were thinned out.
So now it's au naturale for me, but I do get a manicure once in a while; I think it promotes healthy growth.

BellaBoo

All of you with thin and breaking nails why not take Biotin? It really makes a big difference.

labtechkty

At first after you take them off, your natural nail will be very soft...but if you keep a clear coat on them they will grow back fine, just takes about a month or so....CAUTION!!! before the tech puts any nail, or fill etc on your natural nail make sure your nails and hands are dry...don't want a fungus....

burchquilts

Eons ago I had them. The first set I got, I got an infection between the acrylic nail & my natural nails. NOT FUN! Then a couple of years later I wanted long nails again so I got them again. They nearly drove me crazy so I wanted them off. I lived in a small town in KS & didn't want to drive back to the town where I'd gotten them so... hang on to your hat... I used an electric grinder & ground them off! I didn't notice that they did anything bad to my natural nails. Now what I do is grow my own nails out. They're naturally really brittle so I use an acrylic base coat, two coats of polish & 2 more layers or acrylic top coat. They're as strong as acrylic nails & I can grow them however long I want them & shape them to suit myself. It takes a long time but I find the whole process kind of relaxing. I do find them rather hard to hand quilt with, tho.

nstitches4u

I have only worn them for my DD's wedding almost 14 years ago. I had them removed a couple of weeks after the wedding. I loved the way they looked, but they drove me crazy. I couldn't do anything with them on. My fingers just felt funny and clumsy---well, even more clumsy than usual. lol

stitcher

Shellac does not strengthen the nails, they fell like but itsonly like polish. It does last for several weeks and is dry when you leave the shop.but there is nothing there to give the strength of acrylic.