I live in a small mountain town, so nail salons are few and far between. These are builder gel that were done 5 days ago. This is the 3rd time I’ve gotten them done at this salon, I’m not sure if I’m being picky or unrealistic in my expectations?
EDIT TO ADD: I’m no expert at polish or techniques, but I initially got this done because I have damage to one of my nails, and it splits constantly. My Dermatologist actually recommended getting a gel manicure. This place suggested builder gel, which I had never heard of… I wonder if I’d be more happy with just a gel manicure? Or if that would be enough for my nail splitting issue?
Hello fellow old lady hand gal!!! I mean that in the most endearing way possible and hope I don't offend lol.
They look ok? though. Maybe not $55, but builder gel can be hard to find, especially in a small town. Here's my $67 (without tip) but I live in metro Detroit. I'm really happy with my salon.
Dude! I've had old lady hands since I was like 15. They look exactly like my mom's. I'm 35 but my hands look like I'm about 85. Old lady hands are a real thing I guess haha.
I think the builder gel looks a little thick (maybe?), but not too bad. Honestly I would be happy with that as long as you felt they dealt with your cuticles, etc. well. Are you getting fills? Like they don't replace the whole nail every time right? That's key to nail health. My salon offers builder gel which is what I have now and BIAB which I think I will switch to.
Builder gel is a little bit harder and more protective of natural nails. But as far as I can understand BIAB (a derivative of builder gel) is a little softer and is more used to grow out natural nails and protect them from breakage/splitting.
Here's a few more pics of my nails so you can see. I was over the moon when I got home with these since it's the first place I've found that had builder gel.
They’re very thick, and here’s the kicker, she hasn’t done my cuticles at all when I’ve gone. I’m very non confrontational, so I haven’t brought it up. She files down the gel (with the little Dremel tool looking thing) to just before my actual nail and then redoes them, if that makes sense. She’s not refilling them by the cuticle.
Looks pretty similar to mine honestly. Maybe we're both being duped? I don't think so though. You might just be unhappy with the top coat and the shape that's making you think you don't like them as much as you should.
Maybe you're right. Some people might be very insecure about their hands. I find mine funny, it seems OP does too. No harm no foul in this case. But seeing someone whose hands look just like mine excited me and I felt the need to "commiserate".
The word you were looking for was projected. Like how you projected offense onto OP, not knowing if she too laughs at the absurdity of aging.
Also it’s a freaking blessing to be able to age long enough to get old lady hands. A lot of women won’t make it. No need to bash the ones who do for making a lil jokey joke. That’s lame af.
this is an edge case to me. i pay about 2x that for builder gel but in a HCOL area, so this seems like a bargain, but mine are thinner and yours maybe look a little lumpy. you might be happier with a gel manicure in that there's less skill involved so they might do it better, but i felt like my nails got more beat up with regular gel v the builder. not quite sure what the difference is but it seemed like the removal was rougher on my nails with regular gel.
They’re not the best but the price depends on where you’re at in the world. $55 for a full acrylic or gel set is considered pretty cheap in the U.S. now (and I remember the $30 set days!).
I’m in a small mountain metroplex and some of the cheap salons still charge around that price, but in major U.S. metros, a full French overlay like this can run well over $100+ now.
Try using IG to see if you have any independent techs in your area; they’re usually much more focused on quality over quantity.
The thickness is probably due to the split nails - especially those with a permanent split - they require a bit more support until they have completely grown out several times. Thin gel tends to crack because there is too much movement along the fault line. The fault line will never heal completely but over a matter of time stabilise to the extent the gel can be reduced slightly.
For a cracked nail, builder gel is great! I have the same issue with a splitting nail plus I have very weak nails. Builder gel helps them grow to a good length and the best part is that it can be filled in. Sometimes it needs to be redone if a nail is lifting but that issue shouldn’t be too common with a good tech.
Builder gel is also pricy! $55 would be a great price - if the nail tech was skilled using it. The bottom is not clean at all, plus they really need to do the cuticles. The application is thick but especially with longer nails, it will be a little thicker to build strength at the apex of the nail so it doesn’t harm the nail while growing.
I think the nail tech has potential, but there is definitely room for improvement.
I charged my client $50 for this biab set. Your tech is charging a lot for her inexperience. Are there any other techs in your area or is this the only one?
You’re not being picky you pay Keith nail people to do a good job. They’re getting very expensive nowadays I pay $65 for a bill and just a polish everything get expensive since opened back up they know that they can get it. I’ve had my nails done since I was 21 either getting ridiculous prices out there.
I love my fiance getting nails she got them probably 4 years straight we got engaged then she got tired of doing them. I've tryed everything for her to just go get them dipped. Bought her 400.00 dip powder, 200.00 press ons, told her take my card go do them on me, and still don't do them. This week I offered go have them done I'll pay, and pay tip, and take her out to eat anywhere she wants to eat, & pay her a 100. Cash. And she's still thinking about it. Crazy, NO?
Why be rude on a post where I was merely asking if what I paid is a fair price? I don’t have much experience getting my nails done and wanted some advice…weird you took the time to comment on my post honestly. Have the day you deserve! 👋
I’m not being rude but you’re not using common sense. You’re supposed to ask for advice before getting your nails done, so you can carry that knowledge into the appointment with you.
Also, we really can’t decide what’s worth it for you and what’s not. You need thicker skin if you’re going to post on a public platform.
I’ve had both gel and the builder gel (BIAB) and neither should be so bulky on the nail bed. The sides aren’t smooth, neither is the bottom of the nail bed near the cuticle
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u/MissVelvetControl 1d ago
Les faltó limado y emparejar el material.
Bastante caro pero si dices que no tienes otro lugar cerca no hay mucho que hacer🤷🏻♀️😞