Nails

[Naomi]

my nails look like ploughed fields, should i be fileing them before i apply varnish. thanks in advance for your opinions

[LittleBlackDress]

I would recommend a 4 textured nail file.
I used one to give myself a manacure once and they came out great!

Each surface has a different purpose.... one files the nail... one smooths the grooves, I can't remember the third, but the last buffs the nail to a nice shine.

Get one. Also get a cuticle remover. I tend to like the snipper style (like a funky scissors) rather than the tiny pitchfork thingy. The pitchfork style typically has a blunt-ish end to it that helps to push the cuticle back, but for cutting, I use the snippers.

You can even keep your nails well manicured in male mode and no-one will think twice about it.

[JoAnnDallas]

Best way is to go to a nail salon and let them do a pro mancure on them. Then get a acylic coating on them. No more worries after that.

[Naomi]

Best way is to go to a nail salon and let them do a pro mancure on them. Then get a acylic coating on them. No more worries after that.

I'd love to get my nails done, but the guys at work would have a field day, making fun of me so maybe not just yet.

[JoAnnDallas]

No one here at work has said anything. The only ones that have notice is three of the women and they think my nails look real nice. Just keep them male length and no one will notice them at all. Mine are anywhere from 1/8 to 1/2" past my tips and no one say anything.

I bet you will be supprise that people don't look at other that closely.

[deedee2]

I agree with JoAnne. No one has said anything negative about my acrylic nails. I do keep them about 1/8 to 1/4 inch past my fingertips. Nail Salons are great and you would love the pampering experience. :2c:

[Deanna2]

I keep my nails quite long and do them most days with an emory board. I also wear clear wet shine nail polish. So far the only person to comment on their length is my daughter who thinks they are way to long. I did have a female cousin who spotted the clear nail polish and commented on it, so I had to say that I had been varnishing some furniture.

[Jena11]

Hi all, I have had manicures before and am going in again. If you could please explain the Arcylic coating? is it shinny does it look like you have clear polish? ect. I usually do not have my nails very long and I end up damaging them at work. Also, people that I work with tend to make comments about my nails already. I am not sure why, so I would not want to feed the fire. Thanks Jena

[DanaJ]

Never never never cut or trim your cuticles! Even professional nail techs do not trim cuticles. It is OK to gently puxh them back, but please do not cut them.


And Jena11 (and anyone else interested) - below are two good nail links to explain different types of nails, their pros and cons....
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10083
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10730

[JoAnnDallas]

Jena11......Normally when you go in and get a full set of false nails, they put a acrylic coating on top to seal the false nails to your nails. It makes them very hard and almost impossible to break. LOL As your real nails grow out and you get them cut back and trimed, you end up with your real nails being long and with the acrylic coating.

The first part is a "FULL SET" which will cost around $20.00 on average. You can get them any length you want from short to 2" long. LOL

Then each visit after that is a "FILL" which will cost around $10-$15.

I usually get a clear polish coat on my nails when she is finished.

[DanaJ]

JoAnn, the prices you mention are usually done at discount corner salons, which are fine if you are happy with the results. However, prices for sets and fills are usually more if done at regular salons or most better salons. Not saying your nail salon is not good, just that normally full sets are around $40 and fills around $25.

The really cheap $14.95 full sets and $9.99 fills you see advertised at discount salons are usually done by unlicensed nail techs, using banned materials and improperly using drills to speed up the entire process. This is not my opinion, but my previous nail tech's - who was a Master Tech for two major nail companies, instructor and would give seminars at nail shows around the country.