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You've both mentioned your nails on the daily thread.

Is it normal nail polish?

I'm having mine done on Thursday (having my nails done was my "thing" until we had the girls and now it is very rare so I am intending on making it my regular treat again) and I am having either Shellac or Gel. I'm not sure what it is really but Shellac should last two weeks and gel last three weeks.

Is that what you have?

I think Kaz has her done professionally Debih but I just paint mine at home.

I use a basecoat/nail strengthener first, then one or two coats of polish, finishing up with a top coat. If I am careful and the polish is a good quality one, I can leave it for up to a week before they chip, but I make sure to wear gloves when washing up

I find my nails are stronger and have a better chance of staying that way when wearing polish

Sorry can't help with the falsies, I had something on mine once but they only lasted a couple of days so I figured it was not for me

I'd love to have mine done properly but I hate having my nails messed with, always have done. I used to have a mini meltdown as a child when they had to be cut - and I'm not just talking when I was a baby/toddler Now I hate the feel if they get too long so have to keep them really short.

My friend bought me a voucher for a manicure for my birthday a couple of years ago and I had to give it away, the very thought brought me out in a cold sweat

I don't think these are false nails - I think its some sort of polish. But I'm not sure!

I love having my nails done. I have very strong (although quite brittle) nails with really big nail beds so when they are done properly they look fab.

debih wrote:I don't think these are false nails - I think its some sort of polish. But I'm not sure!

Sorry I was in a rush at lunchtime and couldn't explain....gel polish is special polish that has to be 'baked' under a special heater to set it, but then it lasts up to 3 weeks before coming off, but you have to have it soaked off or taken off professionally. Gel nails are a complete nail which grow with your own nail so after a week or two you have to return to the salon for infills (the bit where your cuticle is and the gel nail, as your own nail grows) No idea about Shellac nails, but I do think it's a case of constant maintenance once you start - not really for me as I prefer to maintain my nails myself, but of course we are not all the same

You'll have to take a pic if you hav e them done Debih!

I have gel false tips put on over my own (very short and weak) nails. They stick the tips on, file them smooth to my natural nail then paint them with the gel lotion. That dries quickly, then I have them painted with normal polish - either OPI or Orly - two layers followed by clear topcoat, then they go under the hot air hand driers.....They grow out a little from the natural nail after a few weeks (they say fortnightly, mine last a good three or four weeks) so I have 'infills' which means they fill in the little gap with more gel lotion and file them smooth again and polish them again. I only need new tips about 3 or 4 times a years......New nails cost about £30, infills are either £15 or £17 if one is split and needs replacing......

They are very durable, occasionally I chip or split one but not often and the polish usually lasts from one visit to the next although you can easily buy nail polish remover from any chemist and paint them yourself, I have done sometimes

I think shellac is painted on over natural nails but no false tips are involved, so a certain amount of natural length is required..................

I'm going on Thursday so I'll have a chat with her as to what will be the most practical for me.

I'm a bit concerned about what will happen to them when we start on the allotment. I don't usually wear gloves.

Do you have to use special remover for the gel ones Kaz! And do you have to be careful with them - gloves for washing up, etc.

This is £15 for the first one and then £20 after that. That's the same for gel or Shellac.

Do you mean to take off the polish or the whole tip? You buy nail polish remover specially made for gels and acryllics, Boots sell it next to the normal removers You just use it with cotton wool the same as if they were your own nails...

If you mean how do they take off the tips, they soak your finger tips in a special warmed up remover in the salon, it isn't recommended to try to remove them yourself xx

Oh and you are supposed to use rubber gloves but I never do, and generally my polish lasts really well....

I've googled them. They are both forms of polish that are set under a lamp (UV for Shellac and LED for gel). Shellac should last 2 weeks, gel for 3 weeks.

You have to soak your hands in acetone to get the shellac or gel off (I think they sell this in Wilkos). I would like to think it would last until my next appointment but I need to know I can get it off myself if need be as I hate chipped polish.

I will let you know how I get on!

Debs you don't have to soak the nails off to change the polish Just the nail varnish remover I mentioned with cotton wool will do it