The Vicious Nail Cycle
Hi, my name is Jenna and I’m a gel manicure picker. I admit it, I can’t not pick the gel off my nails, I try so hard not to, but it’s just pathetic how I can’t stop myself. However, that isn’t even the biggest issue for me surrounding having perfectly manicured nails, it’s the time suck! Sitting there without the use of my hands for an hour every other week. It makes me crazy, and that doesn’t even account for the time to drive to and from the nail salon.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love when my nails are done and look pretty. I mean we do everything with our hands, why wouldn’t I want them to be expertly shaped and painted? So, how do I find the balance between pretty nails and not losing up to 2 hours of my time every other week? I started to give this some real thought and I came up with a plan.
What if I went to the salon for gel pedicures every 5-6 weeks or so, I have my nails (hands) cleaned up, cuticles trimmed, and my nails shaped, etc. and either get gel if I have an event or trip or get regular nail polish when it’s just a “maintenance manicure.” This will hopefully eliminate (realistically reduce) the picking.
So, what to do the rest of the time? I am terrible at painting my own nails, I feel like my 4-year-old could do a better job than I can. Plus, honestly, regular polish doesn’t stay on my nails for more than 24 hours without chipping. I started researching, because well, that is what I do!
I found 3 products to try. The first is called Static Nails and consists of reusable pop-on nails. Each nail kit comes with 24 pop-on nails in 12 sizes per hand, file, buffer, and non-damaging glue. Depending on the amount of glue and how it is applied, nails can last from 1-18 days. The best part, no chipping and if one pops off, you just glue it back on. Sounds great right? But is this the best option?
The next is a system by Ohora Nails. This system comes with DIY gel nail strips that you seal with a UV light. It’s a semi-cured gel nail. It’s made from real liquid gel but only cured 60% making it flexible and wearable for all kinds of nails. Once it is cured under the UV light which can be ordered from their website, the last 40% of the gel will harden to your nail like the gel manicures you receive at the salon. This method requires a little more effort than the pop-on nails.
The last is the ManiMe system. This system has not only manicures but pedicures as well! These are stick-on gels that can be applied in minutes and removed in seconds. The best part…you send them a 3D scan of your nail beds and they custom create your nails for you! The technology is awesome! Then they will ship you your custom Mani and Pedi within 4 days! Peel from the top, press down from bottom to top, and file excess! You can add a base and/or topcoat as well, but it is not necessary.
Want to know the pros and cons of each system and figure out which is the best for you and your lifestyle? You can read my honest reviews on the ease of use, staying power, removal requirements for each of the above products. I’ve found my favorite… The Static Nail System!
Use my code: HMF15 to try them for yourself!
Peace, love, and perfectly pretty nails!
XX,
Jenna
