Hello! How’s your life?
I can’t complain. I ate a fancy salad and got my nails done. Things could be worse.
I’m still totally obsessed with eggs and quinoa on my salad. Yes.
Today I was walking into the grocery store when I noticed a sign outside of a nail salon I’ve never tried. I walked closer to see if they were busy and they welcomed me in. Since I desperately needed a manicure I went with it.
And my girl also convinced me to try a gel manicure for the first time. I am the worst with my nails and always chip them right away. She promised these would last for 2 weeks for sure – 3 if I was careful with them (which I won’t be).
So the entire point of this post is to document Day 1 of choosing the right gel polish:
And here’s a cat butt.
I’m wearing a red dress to go with my red nails and am headed out. See ya later!
Question: Have you tried a gel manicure? Does it really last?
Boys: Do you wear gel in your hair? (It’s not the same, but still.)
I love gels and wish they were less expensive!
I’ve done a gel mani once and although I loved the results, I sat there the whole time thinking “i’m getting hand cancer, I’m getting hand cancer” every time I had to put my hand in the little tanning bed. It lasted a solid 2 weeks and then once the first chip happened, I started peeling it off which they say is a bad idea but I didn’t want to go dunk my hands in toxic soup for 20 minutes to do it. My nails were a wreck for months after but I think that’s because I peeled it instead of getting it off at the salon. I would maybe consider it again for a wedding or a vacation but since I pretty much diagnose myself with some form of cancer every month, I don’t need to add another option!
I just got a gel today! I try only to get them a few times a year, or less. I’ve had them done 4x now. I really like the way they look, but I do find they make the nails weak. And that light really freaks me out.
I love gel manicures! I work with my hands (HVAC tech) and they still last 1.5 to 2 weeks for me. My gel manicures have even survived rock climbing trips! Especially great for vacation when you don’t want to be thinking about your manicure.
I haven’t tried a gel manicure before. My nails always chip regardless, so I’m not sure if I would get one
I’ve gotten gel manicures a few times and they usually last around a week and a half for me. I live how shiny they are but I’m not sure if it’s really worth the extra money.
Mine have always lasted! My hands are in and out of water at work so regular manicures chip after a day or two. So frustrating. Gel nails have been great when I’ve tried them, but they do tear up my nails a bit when I take the gel off, so I don’t do it very often. Love the color!
I love gel manis, but after I take it off, my nails are on the weak and brittle side. They are splitting at the moment from the last time. I don’t do them often because of the price, but, I love how they look!
When I saw the title, I thought, “she’s never tried gels before? How does she get through a long run??” HAHA!
I hope they last you a long while! I usually get two solid weeks even with running, typing, dishes, ya know, life!
Yes, gel manicures really do last forever. I used to get Shellac all the time….only downside is it totally ruins your nails if you keep getting them done, but for special occasions/when you want to feel super duper fancy, they’re awesome.
My last gel manicure lasted 3 weeks, and I wound up just taking them off because they grew out so far and were starting to look weird. They never chipped though! It was great! I definitely recommend them. Just make sure to remove them at the salon or use this method so you don’t destroy your nails: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uwOqTp2vF8
I’m obsessed with gel and almost always have it on. I’m a reformed nail biter and this is the best way I’ve found to keep my nails looking nice so I don’t nibble.
Mine usually last at least 3 weeks, often 4.
I am a huge gel mani fan- I absolutely won’t waste the money on normal polish because (due to my job) it’s basically ruined an hour later. Mine look great for 2 weeks and usually last a few days longer (and I really, really am not careful of them.)
They remove the gel polish at the salon, by soaking in acetone. As nasty as that sounds it is better than peeling it off which will leave your nails pretty brittle.
Gels definitely do last longer – I usually get a solid 2 weeks out, but yeah, you have to be a little gentle. My bad point is when the edges start to peel up, so it’s SO HARD to not want to peel them off… I usually lose and end up peeling them off anyway. Hope you love ’em!
I love gel manicures, but mine only last 10 days.
Due to my job I have to have decent nails. I get gel nails on a regular basis.
Here’s what I’ve learned. I’m Celiac so no gluten for me and I have the thinnest, worst nails ever. They peel and tear they are so soft. The gel is the only thing that works. If they only last ten days…I may have gotten glutened. Before I was gluten free, the gel was peeling off at day 9 or 10.
Now that I’m gluten free I can almost always last two weeks and sometimes three. My nails will reach a day where they are just done and one will start to just peel right off. Then the rest follow within a day or two if I don’t go in and take care of it.
Had it done once. Takes a long time to remove and weakened my nails a bit in the process. If I could not be so ADD i would go to a salon for gel manis every month. But alas I can’t sit still so I use the Sally Hansen 60 second dry crap and re do my nails every week or keep them naked. Lol.
Yes I do gel manicures, in fact, that’s all I get if I get my nails done. You’ll just want to keep going back. However, I’ve found it makes my nails a little brittle after too many times in a row, so after you’ve done it a few times and taken it off (which isn’t easy), then you should give your nails time to breathe. Enjoy it! Love the color. I heard green is the nail color of the fall now:)
DEFINITELY lasts way longer than regular manicure and also stays much shinier. But yes, it’s hard to get off, you are supposed to soak them in nail polish remover but I usually just end up peeling it off because once I start I can’t stop. A really good gel manicure never even chips from the top of your nail, it’s just that the bottom starts growing out. Love the color you picked! (& i agree that it’s expensive, but it’s also one of those things that you can always find deals for!)
Mine stay on FOREVER! And with two small kids, this is enough for me! Yes, it makes my nails a little thin and fragile, but I dont care… it’s worth it. A regular manicure is a complete waste of money in my life, lol. Try not to pick them off. Get a bottle of Acetone Nail Polish Remover if you are impatient. Let them soak and then gently scrape off. good luck!
Can you let us know what happens as they start to chip/get to the point where they need to be redone? I have considered gel nails but I am afraid they’re going to ruin my natural nails. I’m also scared of getting skin cancer on my fingers from the UV light…
I use the gloves to cover my hands (purchased on Amazon). It’s still a little scary with the nail beds, but I only do it once a month… or less.
Yeah, I’m definitely going to update. It’s pretty pricey compared to ‘normal’ manicures so I want to let ya know if it’s worth it.
They do last..however.. my problem is my nail will grow out and you can see the naked part of the nail until I take the color off. And second issue.. the color does seem to be pretty harsh to the nails. My nails feel week afterwards.
So in my opinion, there are pros and cons to it. And i only get the gel mani’s for special occasions.
Yes to gels – darker colors don’t last quite as long and are not forgiving when they grow out – but a french manicure can look fairly decent for 3-4 weeks, depending. It has been my guilty pleasure for the 8 months but it may be time to take a break.
YES to gel nails! I am very active and they typically last 2-3 weeks which is a whole lot better than the 2-3 hours a normal manicure usually lasted me. Love the color on you!
I find that gel only lasts about 10 days for me. And if I get it more than once in a row (like get the gel off and then more gel on) I find that its even worse. I know some people can get it to last 3 weeks! I find that my nails grow out so it starts to look weird plus it usually starts chipping after a week or so. I do like that you don’t have to wait for it to try! I am curious to see how long your’s lasts:)
I love gel manis, but I have naturally thin nails and gel manis really wreck my nails. I typically only do it around the holidays when I’m cooking and cleaning a lot and my hands need to not look a wreck at parties, or when I’m going on vacation and I don’t want my nails to chip. I hope you love the results!
I always get gel nails and they usually last up to 3 weeks! Its a nail miracle!
I’m pretty excited about this nail miracle 😉
You’re going to love gel nails! I am a nail biter, work at a hospital/ in nursing school, so my nails are already doomed. I love gel nails, and they really do last for that long!
I’ve gotten gel done a couple times (mainly when I have a “fancy” occasion that needs my nails looking pretty for) but they only last about 2 weeks before they start pealing on their own…which always makes me impatient so I just pick them all off : /
For some reason I thought this title to mean Gel = Gu…runners minds are programmed to think everything in life is about running. Fail.
Gel NAILS all day erry day. Gel in HAIR not so much. Gel sticky boobs with fancy dresses.
Ha! I didn’t even think about that – even though I use the word “Gel” instead of “Gu” for some reason no matter what kind or the brand or what.
I thought the exact same thing at first!! Then I thought, “How could this possibly be the Monican 1st experience with a gel?”
I thought that too!
I got a gel manicure for a friends wedding and really didn’t like it. I think this was because the manicurist did a horrible job and got the gell all over my cuticles causing it to chip off right away. It was a mess and very expensive. I would still go somewhere else to try it again though.
Ugh that is the worst – especially because it’s so expensive.
I did a gel manicure for my wedding because I always chip my nails and didn’t really want to see chipped nails in my wedding pictures for the rest of my life. It was awesome, I loved it, and it lasted about 3 weeks. I did it one other time and it lasted about the same. Hope you get the same results!
Bahhhhh I love love gel! I just can’t get it done all the time because it’s so expensive!
Seriously, so much more expensive than a regular manicure! Better be worth it 🙂
I had gel nails once. Lasted about ten days. If you are very active, and have to do chores, wash your hands often etc. I doubt it would last three weeks. They look beautiful though! I hope you’ll prove my “theory” wrong!
Me too! That’s what I figured, but we’ll see.
Love the dress! I cant have any type of gel nails or artificial nails because I work at a hospital. So i just bite my nails instead. I go for that look 🙂
Ha! I totally bite my nails too. Hoping this stops me a bit.
Gel definitely lasts longer but it’s hard to get off when it does start to chip!
Yeah, I was wondering how it comes off. Truthfully though, I never actively take off my polish I just let it look all chipped and sad.
You will need to soak them in pure acetone in order to to get the polish off. If you peel and pick at them, it will ruin your nails. It’s best to let them do it at the salon.
I’ve been getting gel manicures for 3+ years and I’m totally hooked! Can go easily 3 weeks with no chips
Ooooh! I hope it lasts 3 weeks for me too!
I LOVE that dress! That looks amazing on you! I’ve never tried gel… can’t seem to rationalize ever paying to get my nails done even though I love the experience. I usually end up doing my own and they look like poop.
I cannot for anything paint my nails! It’s sad because I have so much nail polish…
What was your cat spying on? Also, quinoa and eggs on salad sounds tasty!
Ha! He’s spying on the kids walking home from school.