QuestionHi - I really wish I'd read this site before I went to get my nails done for a wedding. Before last week, I'd only ever had two manicures, and both lasted a grand total of about 23 hours before the polish peeled away from bottom to tip of my nail in one single piece. On all 10 nails. I kind of gave up on the idea after that.
However, I was a bridesmaid, and wanted to look good. My first route was silk wrapped tips, which lasted all of three days before they started coming off. In exasperation, I had my friend drop me by a salon near her home.
And now I'm terribly worried. I asked for UV gel nails, but in reading previous questions on this site, I think I may have wandered into a not-entirely-legal salon.
1. they used an electric file to remove the remaining tips applied previously;
2. even though all containers were labeled with OPI, whatever was used was *super* strong smelling;
3. I'm worried at how far down they filed with the electric file - I believe they really did mostly just remove the previous glue, but in reading, it appears that these should've been soaked off instead?
4. there was liquid, powder and a big honkin' brush used to apply the clear "gel" (acrylic instead?) over white tips.
Given all that, I am thinking I didn't get what I asked for, and now I'm not sure what to do now that the wedding is over. Should I have them removed completely now (they were applied five days ago)? Can I have the length shortened when it's time to get them filled, and have the legal acrylic applied at that time?
Any advice and help would be appreciated for this total newbie into the world of nail enhancement.
AnswerAh, I wish I had better news for you. But it does seem that you wandered into what we call NSS (Non-Standard Salon). If they used liquid and powder with a brush, you indeed did NOT have gel applied, it was liquid and powder (AKA Acrylic), and it was probably an MMA based liquid and powder at that.
The best thing to do is have them removed by a reputable tech with proper training, and also to recieve a manicure when you do. ALso look into picking up a bottle of "Toughen Up," a natural nail strengthener that does not contain formaldehyde, that will also not make your nails brittle and overly hard, but make them tough and flexible, to help repair the damage from the electric file that has probably occurred.
If you need a referral, e-mail me privately: hreynosa@hotmail.com, go to my website and visit the links page for a salon locator, or go to www.creativenaildesign.com and click on salon/spa locator.
Good for you for listening to your red flags and asking the right questions, and good luck!
