Nails after getting engaged

Before getting engaged, I would get regular manicures and pedicures. I stopped nearly 2 years before getting engaged because it really is expensive! I started using Essie gel polishes. It's a two step system and doesn't require a light. In my opinion, it lasts longer than regular polish but still doesn't compare to gel polish at the salon. I usually get 4 days or more without chipping. I got dip powder for the first time last week. I can't stand it haha!

I used to get a manicure every couple months, the last tome I had one was the week before my engagement 😂 I do my own nails just with regular polish, almost weekly but sometimes they are not polished if I’m really busy

Congrats!

I totally know how you feel. I love keeping my nails nice but regular trips to the nail salon are not in my budget.

Instead I started my own routine at home. That includes getting both Vitamin E and Jojoba oil and mixing them together to make my own nail oil. I put this mix into these plastic brush pens ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075R6MDSK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) and keep one at my desk, one in my purse, one next to my bed, you name it! Whenever I remember, I swipe some on and it keeps my nails strong and healthy.

Next, I started upping my at home mani game. I got a nice base coat and top coat and started picking out quality nail colors that I like. I rotate between a few favorites but throw in a wild card every so often. It takes practice but it's a nice bit of "me" time.

I follow these tips to make my mani last: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6XiIXX-7eE

I've gotten regular manicures for about 7 years now. I used to do the gel but it would really make my nails thin and brittle after awhile (The removal process is pretty harsh on your nails.) and I would have to take breaks every now and then. I now get an SNS/dip manicure every 2 weeks and my nails have never been stronger. I have naturally strong nails that grow quickly but the SNS seems to make them even stronger. It's only $40 every 2 weeks and so worth it to me.

I do my own manicures. I use olive oil mixed with vitamin E and primrose oil to put on my cuticles every other day. And I have my own UV lamp so I do gel nails.

I kept it up for like a month or two and then realized how much weddings cost and had to cut back on the manicures 😂😅

My best friend got engaged like 2 1/2 years ago and when she got engaged we started getting our nails done every 2 or 3 weeks (no chip polish) as a way to pamper ourselves, stay connected (shes only an hour away and we are the type that typically doesn't see each other for 6 months and picks up like we've seen each other every day), work out any wedding details (I was her MOH) or vent about whatever may have been going on. Hers was a destination wedding in Costa Rica with a local reception the following week. FH proposed on the Wednesday between Costa Rica and the local Reception so we decided to keep the tradition going since we now had another wedding to plan . My nails have always been pretty thin and prone to ripping but with the no chip they seem to hold up better (just be sure not to pick it off in between), plus if you have a girlfriend to go with you, it makes for a nice girls time break.

I only like gel manicures but it destroys my nails so I don't have them done at all times. I get them done or do them myself with the Essie gel polish often but definitely not all the time. I had them done consistently for the past two months so I actually have them bare and cut short right now to give them time to heal up again before my bridal shower in 2 weeks.

Since I got engaged, I started taking Biotin to strengthen my hair and nails. I actually quit getting acrylic nails for awhile, because it's expensive, and because of the damage it does to my nails. So, now I'm just taking the Biotin, and trying to keep my nails polished, as they tend to break less that way.

I'll be getting my acrylics back for the wedding, but until then, I want my nails to be healthy!

I get powdered nails about every 3 weeks or so and I will say, my nails are much more healthier than they ever were when I did gel. They also last longer and grow a lot faster! I love them.

So I get a gel manicure about every 3 weeks. It costs $30 and looks fantastic for the first two weeks, then starts chipping the third week but I just deal with it. $50/month to NEVER have to paint my own nails and wait for them to dry and deal with them chipping 3 days later, etc, is totally worth it to me.

Also, for two years straight I got the gel powder dip with extensions (fake nails). That was quite expensive, but it did not ruin my natural nails and I had them soaked off and easily transitioned to gel polish on my natural nails. The only problem I have is my right thumb nail just doesn't seem to grow, but that may be because I use it for everything lol.

So anyway - I think regular manicures are totally affordable as gel polish can last up to 3 weeks!

And I'm definitely more conscious of the colors I choose now that I have such a lovely ring. I was so lucky that when my FH proposed, I had this dark nude color and not some wacky hot pink lol.

I made sure my nails looked great before we went on vacation because I thought he was gonna propose... he decided to wait 3 more weeks. It's been almost 2 months and I still haven't gotten a manicure. But I put it on my before engagement photos beauty list... so that counts?

I’ve been going the unhealthy roughy for 2 years, lol.