I do.
I truly hate them.
I have not had one experience with gel nails that left my nails feeling strong and…healthy. Every single time I’ve removed the gel, my nails are…trash.
Seriously! They’re brittle and they’re weak. It takes weeks and sometimes months for them to regain their strength and I’m left with nails that seem to practically disintegrate when water touches them. It’s a hot mess and for this reason, I am not on the gel nail bandwagon.
Yes, I realize that I’m on this bandwagon by myself. Most of y’all like gels and acrylics, right?
I can see why. They last FOREVER and you can play around with so many different techniques and styles. Designs never last as long on natural nails and depending on what you do with your hands, sometimes polishing your nails can be pointless.
Girl, I get it.
I don’t care. I will always love polishing my nails. It has always been and continues to be therapy for me and I can’t get enough of it.
I recently purchased some polishes from Orly.
I probably have a color like Purple Crush but bright magenta creams always find their ways in my bag. And I’m pretty sure I already own Be Daring but who could say no to a purple like that? Those babies topped off with Zoya’s Leia has me constantly staring at my nails.
I’m forever being asked how I manage to polish my nails so well and the answer is simple…I spent many years polishing them DAILY. Back when motherhood didn’t punch me in the face and self-care practices were as prevalent as sleep, I would polish my nails nightly.
And though I’m not able to do that as much as I used to, it still brings me great joy.
Even if they do end up chipping in a few days.
I will forever love nail polish and how it makes me feel.
Please don’t tell me I’m the only one…someone out there has to be an OG nail polish lover!
FTC Disclosure: The ZOYA nail polishes were provided to me for review.
Totally with you. I don’t like gel nails or acrylics. I think long-wear gel polish is great for some occasions, but nothing beats the ease of regular old polish that I can remove or reapply quickly and without a ton of extra equipment or damage. Orly makes fantastic brighs! Zoya Leia is a really underrated polish. It’s a great topper over all kinds of colors and sometimes I wear it alone with a matte top coat when I’m just not feeling like spending a lot of time on my color but want something.
Isn’t Leia fabulous? I think I’m going to try rocking it the way you described. Thanks for that suggestion.
Yes! I will forever love nail polish! I love my collection, I just wish I could keep my nails up longer. It seems like every time that I wear polish, I find myself needing to go out in public when the polish has chipped substantially. For that reason, I only paint them when I know my hands will be in lifestyle photos, lol.
Girl, it’s ALWAYS like that. My nails are perfect until I have an event. Ha!
I, too HATE gel nails. Just give me a give me a standard manicure. Gel just does not work on my nails
Same!
Gel being better for your nails than acrylics is a whole lie lol I very rarely paint my nails anymore. They’re either bare or I have acrylic or gel for special occasions. I’ve also started doing press ons sometimes for special occasions.
I love press on’s! I hate that they don’t come in extra large sizes. My nail beds are so wide!
Yes! I had gel nails for my birthday last year and loved the 2 weeks of chip free nails. But no one told me that it would take MONTHS for my own nails to become strong again. I will never get gel nails again!!
Thanks, I thought I was the only one!
Okay, see! I had the same kind of experience. I also thought I was the only one!
I love, love, love nail polishes! Don’t get a chance to do it much anymore but I should get back to taking better care of them. It’s such a relaxing thing to soak, condition and paint them.
And I hate acrylics and gels too. My nails are naturally weak and those two things make my nails mushy like a sponge (gross!)
YES! That’s exactly what happens to me.
“motherhood punched me in the face” LOL
I’m a gel nail girl myself, but these colors are beautiful. And you have such long, deep pretty nail beds!! I think that most people with stubby nail beds like to get acrylic.
Hahaaaaa. Thanks girl!