My gel manicure after 2 weeks still looked shiny and chip-free!
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
The latest craze in manicures – gel nails – promises nail color that doesn’t chip for weeks, but does it save you money? Below I compare the pros and cons of gel manicures compared to a regular manicure and a do-it-yourself manicure.
Gel Nails
I headed to the salon and sat in a chair for one and a half hours to get gel nails, also known as Shellac. Instead of using regular nail polish, the manicurist uses gel polish and UV light to set the color. I chose the berry color pictured above.
She started with a clear gel-based coat and then I had to stick my hands inside the UV nail lamp. She then proceed to add color, making me stick my hands inside the lamp after every coat. She added a gel-based top coat and wiped my nails down with alcohol to prevent the nails from staying sticky.
Pros: There were no chips
at all after two weeks and my nails were still shiny! After three weeks, still no chips, but my nails were beginning to grow out leaving that awful gap near the cuticle.
Cons: It would have been great to retouch them, but this process can’t be done at home. To get the gel removed, go back to the salon. Most will do it for free if I you get another manicure. Being the cheapskate that I am, I pulled the gel off my nails. The colors in the gel collections are limited to light colors and reds. I was told more colors are on their way.
Cost: $35 -$40
Yearly cost for a gel mani every three weeks: $595-$680
Salon Manicure
Pros: To stay competitive, salons stock the latest colors. This season’s must have color — mint — is everywhere and you can try the color without committing to buying your own polish. Or, bring your own polish to the salon so you can touch up the color at home. You can save money on manicures and pedicures by getting it done by a semi-professional at a beauty school.
Cons: Regular nail polish chips in no time, though it can last for up to two weeks if you live in a bubble.
Cost: $5 – $25
Yearly cost for a mani every two weeks: $130 – $650
DIY Manicure
Doing your own nails is easy if you have the essential tools: polish remover, nail clippers, a file, polish, and clear top coat.
Pros: You’ll be the only one using the nail clippers and file, reducing risk of infection. You can also be as rough or gentle as you want with your hands – trust me, getting cut is no fun. And you’ll save money by not having to tip anyone.
Cons: Sometimes a DIY manicure just doesn’t look as good as a professional one, but you’ll get better with time.
Cost: $35 to invest in the essential tools. I estimated $8 for nail polish (I like professional brands like Essie), $5 for nail clippers, $6 for a crystal nail file (it’s supposed to last longer than an emery board and it’s less harsh on your nails), $8 for cuticle-softening oil (you can also soak them in water or give yourself a mani after showering). Don’t cut cuticles as it can cause infections. I also estimated $5 for hand lotion and $3 for polish remover.
Yearly cost for a DIY mani every two weeks: $208 if you buy a new polish every other manicure, plus the cost of supplies. If you already have tools and a few shades, this cost will be drastically lower.
Overall, the least expensive option is doing your manicure at home. You can cut down the price by looking for drugstore coupons and deals to buy manicure essentials. Gel nails are the most expensive option, but they last longer than a regular manicure so you save time at the salon. If your nails grow slowly, you can probably get away with wearing the gel polish for four weeks. I would suggest you get it done for special occasions like weddings as it won’t chip and you can’t scratch it off.
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:11 am
I was very upset with condition of my nails after 3.5 weeks of being covered with gel,that did not chip for over 3 weeks.The nails very dry,very brittle and sick.Do not recommend this item.
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:21 am
@inna goldshtein My nails looked fine after I pulled off the gel.They were a little yellow, but nothing lemon and baking soda couldn’t remove.
My nails are pretty healthy and strong so it may have to do with the condition of each individuals’ nails prior to the treatment.
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:26 am
I just wouldn’t have the patience to sit there for 1-1/2 hours and be tied to the place for re-do’s. Been there, done that, years ago with the porcelain nails. Keep my short and plain and splurge on manicures for special occasions.
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:57 am
@Diana I usually go short and plain like you, but I do splurge on manicures when I have a wedding or other special event I’ve got to attend.
It was not a pain sitting there for that long especially since I left with dry nails. When I get regular manicures I may walk out in less time, but my nails are still wet and I risk messing them up. I was able to use my hands right after I got the gel.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@Yazmin I rarely get a manicure because I bite my nails. But I love giving myself a pedicure. I’ve got all the tools and it feels like “me time” when I’m doing the job.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@BargainBabe I used to bite my nails and my mom told me to rub garlic on them to thicken them up. It worked and it also helped me stop biting my nails.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@bargain babe,
I feel the same exact way. I have seen to many people get cuts, fungus and infections from getting their nails done. Not to mention the smell in the salons. I prefer to get a nice color, my own tools and I have to say I have gotten so good they look like a pro did them.
September 2nd, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@Liz Getting an infection is one of my biggest fears – an ER bill can sink you – so I only go to a salon that I trust when I need to look presentable and have no time.
Otherwise, I do my own or go bare if I’m working in my garden. I’m also pretty good at it, but struggle doing my right hand.
September 2nd, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Over the years, I’ve discovered that I can do my own manicure better than most salon “professionals” because I prefer shortish nails with no color most of the time. I keep a nail file next to my chair in the living room for the occasional touch up, and use clear polish most of the time. As for pedicures… I have a wonderful woman who does a great job, and includes reflexology massage. Another of her clients refers to the finished “product” as newborn feet! And it’s sooooooo relaxing.
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Even Paula Abdul was not immune from getting an infection from an LA area salon – scary stuff just to have pretty nails
http://www.paula-abdul.net/html/article_95.html
September 3rd, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Wow, that is a long time! I do these every day, and it takes a half hour, start to finish. Of course, I’ve been doing nails for twenty years, and may be that I just have more experience with products than other techs. Also, Shellac is a gel polish, which means it can be soaked off, not to be confused with gel nails, which is a semi-permanent nail service, not unlike a set of acrylic or fiberglass nails. Gel polishes are popular now, as they are relatively new, while gel nails have been around a long time! I charge twenty dollars for gel polish, while I charge a minimum of forty-seven dollars for gel nails. There is a difference. The polish should not do any damage to nails, as long as it’s not peeled off by the consumer, and removed in the proper manner.
September 6th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
DO NOT pull off the gel. This is what will cause nail damage. Soak it off, it takes 10-15 minutes.