Nails help

I had bio sculpture nails done at nails inc the day before. i'd planned on just having a manicure but they started breaking the week before so some were too short for anything else. This worked brilliantly and they looked fab. had i known about them in advance i'd have had it done 1-2 weeks before as they last a good while and i'd have got some growth. pricey though (i was desperate)

I had shellac nails and they lasted nearly 3 weeks - was very impressed

I have falsies all the time, and will go for silk nails.

I would reccomend silk, but make sure that included in the price is a soak off that you can go back and have between 3-4 weeks after you have them put on, otherwise they break off and it ruins your nails.

I would say that if you are not used to having nails, just have ones that are slightly longer than your fingertips.

I would also reccommend a 'french polish' as having artwork or a colour can look 'outdated' in photos very quickly. My friend had a red theme, and had red nails with a black artwork, and by the time the photos had been done (1 month after the wedding) she regretted having a colour rather than a french polish.

Hope it helps!

I tend to have nail tips applied with bio sculpture gel overlay. You can have it without the nail tips, but if your nails are all different lengths they will help even them out. I personally stay away from acrylic on nails as it really damages them, but it is stronger than the gel. Have to agree with Vickydrip on just have a french polish rather than a colour.

This post has reminded me I need to start getting my nails done in advance so I can get used to them before the wedding and honeymoon! I used to get acrylic which always felt really thick and a bit like I couldn't use my hands properly if that makes sense, I am interested to see what other options are out there so bumping this up a bit!

I would try shellac first as its the quickest, easiest application and removal and lasts very well on even my hairdresser. Make sure you go to someone qualified for this though as many places now do 'fake' shellac, or dont use the correct equipment- it wont last if its not done right. This will allow your natural nails a little support while growing and stays as shiney as the day its applied until you have it removed.

If your going to have enhancements on, keep them short and go to someone professional.

A well trained pro will do it carefully without filing half your natural nail off, then when you have them removed your nails underneath will still be in good condition Someone well trained should be able to do them so they look thin, not like doorstops/wedges or anything like that and as long as they are applied AND removed professionally with care they wont damage your nails... only if you go to a discount nail bar where they file your natural nail and pick them off to remove then they will damage.

I loved shellac but it chipped after nearly a week on one nail, then gradually the others did as well. By the second week I had to take it off as it looked scruffy. My mum's almost all came off the next day while she was typing, despite the beautician reassuring her it could withstand anything. She was a proper qualified up town posh expensive place as well.

I have to agree with pandorasbox - my sister had it done for her wedding and it chipped the day after her wedding. They had also applied short tips as she has really short nails and they even snapped off and her was a high end place too.

I know acrylic wrecks your nails but i find only in the short term. I have them on all the time for spaecial occasions etc and they are only bad for the week i have taken them off and then back to normal if i apply hand cream and nail polish to them.

I would say go for acrylic as generally speaking they are stronger and longer lasting no matter where you go to get them done.

I will be having just a french polish though as i was considering having a colour but thought id doesn't look natural and won't set off your rings as the emphasis will go straight to the colour on the nails.

Hi

I would recommend either BioSculpture or Jessica GELeration. I've used both for several years and like both. But would recommend Jessica more as you can use handcream with it where as with Bio you can't. I really missed handcream so love Jessica. I've got a friend who doesn't get on with the Jessica though so it may be worth you trying the different types and seeing which you and your nails get on with best! TTH!

Just because somewhere is high end really doesnt mean they've had the correct training. There is specific training for shellac that even many high end places wont have because it isnt a reqirement to use the product- recommended but not compulsory.

It should not just peel off- infact its not the easiest to peel off when correctly applied,I suspect the salon were not doing it right.... it definitely was not done right with your mums. There are hundreds of places not using the specific lamp, the correct cleanser, even using products from ebay which may be fake... many just dont understand how important it is to use the entire system. Many of these places are high end as well as lower- theres a very expensive place local to me doing it wrong.

Dont get me wrong, its not for everyone and if your nails are weak or bendy then it may not last well but in my experience, people unsuitable to wear it is less common to come across.