QuestionI am planing on getting my nails done for Prom, but I have no idea what to ask for. I want relatively short nails, yet something that will last a while. Can you give me an overview of types of services that might fit my needs? Also can you tell me the farthest in advance I could have it done and how long it would take to do?
Thanks!
AnswerDear Queen1;
First, I hope that you have a tonne of fun at your prom!!
For nail enhancements, you need to first ask yourself "is this a one time deal only" or do you plan to keep them and maintain them afterwards. Enhancements are a commitment and a luxury, and need an investment of money. They do need to be refilled every 2 weeks, no later than 3wks.
If you wait later than that, they become unbalanced, weak and prone to breaking and lifting, among other problems.
If you are only doing it for prom, go with acrylic or what's known as "tip and dip", so that you can easily soak them off in acetone afterwards. UV Gel's can only be filed/buffed off, and by a professional technician so that there's no damage to the nails by overfiling.
A good technician will do themwhatever length YOU want and not what they want. Short is good. If long, you'll not be used to them, and you'll break them and hurt yourself.
Now, you need to choose a good technician. That's the hard part. Stay away from 'nail bars' that are offering cheap services. Most are using toxic products and damaging people's nails doing them improperly.
Please see this page on my website and share it will all of your friends so that you all know what to avoid:
http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id18.html
In short, what that page tells you is this:
- Stay away from technicians that will use a drill/electric file on your natural nails. it is NOT meant for that and will damage your natural nails AND hurt.
- If a nail service hurts, get up and leave. It should NOT hurt.
- If the containers for the products are unlabelled, get up and leave. Likely, they are using a toxic and ILLEGAL product that will not soak off within 20min.
- MMA is a toxic ingredient found in cheap acrylic (quality acrylics are fine) and will take up to 2hrs to soak off, which is why some techs will force it off or pry it off the nail and then damage your natural nails.
Seek out a salon that offers services for around 40$. Seek out a nail technician that you can talk to without any language barriers. Ask for proof of their qualifications, and ask for the MSDS (material safety data sheet) for their products. If they don't want to produce it, then likely it's toxic.
This page on my site will tell you the differences in the systems, so you know what to watch out for http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id16.html
And this will tell you how to maintain them afterwards:
http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id15.html
I hope this helps.
Best of luck and have fun!!
Victoria
