I historic moment — my very first (and last) beauty salon gel manicure
Yes, it’s 2018, as well as yes, I’ve officially left behind my wooden cart as well as my donkey as well as ye olden times to join the contemporary world since — GASP! — I got a beauty salon gel manicure for the very first time a few weeks ago.

I know, I know, I’m only eight years late to the party, however here’s the deal: beauty-wise, nails are something I can really do myself, as well as I can typically do a quite good job, which I characteristic to stable hands after 16 years of playing classic piano.

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So, 1) I extremely seldom get my nails done at a salon, as well as 2) even when I have, I never saw the point of getting a gel nail mani after hearing so numerous headache stories from buddies about exactly how gel mains absolutely trashed their nails.

Never state never

But you understand exactly how it is — one ought to never state never in charm Land! The chance provided itself for me to get a gel mani a few weeks back at a brand meet-and-greet in the city, as well as I carpe diem-ed it with a deep teal from OPI.

I desire I might keep in mind its name, however I can’t. I was as well distracted by this indication at the salon…

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Is this indication confusing, or am I composing as well much into it…? It’s confusing, right?
Like, what does that indication even mean? Are they saying, “Don’t even try to speak with us. just please shut the hell the up,” or is it code for “feel totally free to chime in on that group text since we don’t mind if you gaze at your phone the whole time?”

And don’t even get me started on Papyrus! I’m just pleased it wasn’t Comic Sans…

Three weeks of WOW

Irgendjemand! #aufregen über. Gel nails. Mine lasted up until I got exhausted of them as well as desired them eliminated — an amazing three weeks — with nary a chip, as well as trust, I lured fate during that time, too. I washed dishes as well as gardened without gloves a few times, as well as I likewise made a point to type with mucho fervor when I discovered out about Nick Jonas getting engaged.

They appeared like this for three WEEKS.
Even though it was fun to really have a mani that outlasted all of my crazy, by the end of the third week, I was SO DONE. Weirdly enough, the gel polish started feeling heavy, as well as I felt like my nails couldn’t breathe. (Side note: I have a moderate situation of claustrophobia.) as well as I was truly annoyed that I couldn’t just chip or peel off the polish on my own. Suddenly, my gel manicure turned into a needy sweetheart who wouldn’t leave me alone, as well as I desperately wished to break up with it however couldn’t figure out a way.

The diy removal route

I googled a few “how to eliminate gel nails at home” tutorials, as well as HA HA HA. All I have to state is that unless you like being frustrated while sitting around with foil-covered fingertips, discover a salon, as well as have it done professionally.

I’m sure there are peeps available who are able to effectively diy eliminate their gel nails at home, however I tried twice as well as failed.

The day after my second attempt, I boogied on down to a beauty salon as well as paid $7 to have a extremely good woman soak, scrape as well as chisel the gel polish away, as well as while she was doing this, she talked at fantastic length about exactly how she never, ever does gels on herself since of the damage they cause.

My nails are “tow up”

When she finished, I was relieved to lastly see my natural nails again, however man…they looked scratched up as well as dry, like they’d been buffed within inch of their life with a metal scouring pad, or like I’d been holding hands with Wolverine as well as Freddy Krueger.

They ought to pull through, however I believe I’m lucky since my nails are on the tougher side. They haven’t split or peeled therefore far (knock on wood), as well as I’ve been diligently covering them with CND Solar Oil every few hours, which seems to assist a lot. It’s gonna be a long time before they’re back to normal, though.

It was the very best of times… It was the worst of times…

Needless to say, that was my very first as well as last gel mani. I don’t understand exactly how you’all who do them over as well as over handle it. Your nails should be difficult as…well, nails. Mine couldn’t deal with it.

Back to routine nail polish for this girl, which is fine with me.

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Now, what color ought to I wear next?

Ihre freundliche Gemeinschaft-Zauberabhängiger,

Karen