Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Nails, No Color


I've avoided having acrylic extensions added to the nails. The nails are hardy enough to withstand alot of whacking. When the improved version using gel came along, I succumbed. It was so much more convenient to layer gel on top instead of the usual varnish. I don't have to wait for it dry, and neither does it chip. It's perfect.

Having had gel plastered on the nails for almost 5 years, the natural nail beds have finally worn down thin and brittle. Parkour and swimming aren't the best activities to keep the nails intact. So they tear rather easily now. Something needs to be done about it. I refuse to keep gluing tips and adding gel coats to keep the torn parts together. That's not a long-term solution.

Since I've royally spoilt my nails for vanity's sake, I should look into treating them better. The toenails are on their way to full recovery. I haven't put any color on them for months. Likewise, I made a hard decision to clear the nails of color, made the final repairs to the torn pieces and the last new set of gel on them. I can't leave them bare because the natural nails are now too thin and peeling very badly. It might just hurt. So this is the best solution for the now. As they grow, I won't do in-fills anymore. They'll look kinda ugly for 3 months, but at least the new nails will grow out strong while the weak tips get filed away.

Might as well. *shrug* At least I don't have to be so gu niang when I do parkour now. I need to rehearse intensively on 3 piano pieces for the next 2 weeks. Bald nails are wonderful. No whites to be seen. I had to round the sides to get rid of the torn bits. The nail therapist was a little shocked by my decision. "Now? Why don't you wait till after the festive season? I've never seen your nails naked at Christmas for the past 15 years!" Girlfriends, I bet you've never seen my nails this way this short for years now! Nice or not? Kekekekekke.

So girls, if you're not prepared to deal with brittle and peeling nails, don't pile gel on them. Don't even start, no matter how gorgeous they look. It's one thing to admire them in their plastic glory. It's quite another to wince at what lies beneath. The aftermath isn't at all pretty to deal with.

11 comments:

sinlady said...

aiyah, gf, the naked truth is usually not as glorious as the polished surface with nearly everything else in life. wah, i am so cheem right now. must be from the sugar high from too many high tea afternoons. haha

imp said...

sinlady: why you so cheem. i very simple-minded- only talking about the nails. :p hhehehehhehe.

tuti said...

lovely nails, at this length even.
love the gloss on it.
happy practising on the piano pieces!

supercoati said...

Aiyo, nicer than mine any day still. Can't do polish at all as the alcohol swab will ruin it instantaneously. Heee....so I save lots of money lor.

Renee said...

ahh I totally wreck my own nails..very embarrassing to visit manicurists.. :(

imp said...

tuti: thanks! I'll have to practise hard to make them sound decent at the least.

supercoati: gel nails can withstand alcohol swabs. hehehe. but don't do it!

renee: don't care! they're supposed to 'beautify' it for you! each time i visit them, i'm a little embarrassed too because my toenails would be quite trashed, hardened skin, and prob lined with black bits. :p

Jo said...

Nicer than mine any day, Too! :P

Pebbles said...

In all honesty, your nails do look good, even if you say no color. I have to constantly visit the technicians or else, it will look like .... (I also don't want to say). Having said, its been quite awhile since I let mine 'breathe'.

h o b o m o b o said...

Nah, your nails look nice cos you have long nailbed.

My toenails are stained from years of nailpolish and covered toe heels - I think until I stop working, I won't see them pink. :(

ame said...

yours look way better than mine... :(

imp said...

you girls are all so sweet. :D