Risk of Chips: Is Gel or Nail Polish Better for Those Who Can't Have Nails Due to Work?
2021.01.13 published
Attention Brides Who Can't Normally Get Their Nails Done Due to Their Profession!
☑︎ Nurses
☑︎ Food Service Industry
☑︎ Childcare Workers
There are many people who, due to their profession, allergies, physical conditions, or personal preferences, do not typically get nail art done. It's quite common.
No matter how popular gel nails or DIY nails become, statistically, there are more people who do not get nail art done than those who do.
However, when such individuals become brides and prepare for their weddings, they surely think,
"I want to enjoy nail art at least for my wedding!" "Since it's my wedding, maybe I should try getting my nails done?"
In such cases, whether to choose tips, polish, or gel can be a tough decision,
So, let's analyze the pros and cons of each option.*
① When Choosing Gel Nails*
Normally, gel nails last about 3 weeks to a month, but you would have to remove them in just a week or a few days.
Although it might feel wasteful to spend money (about ¥1,000 for just removal) and time (15 minutes to an hour) not only on application but also on removal,
Gel nails are known for being hardened, smooth, and having a beautiful appearance.
Those who are not experienced might find that their self-applied gel nails chip easily or the gel spills over their nails, leading to a messy look. Visiting a salon is recommended.
While there are super cheap nail salons offering one-color nails from around ¥2,900, they often have less experienced nail technicians, which means the design options are limited, and the use of inexpensive materials can lead to the gel lifting within a few days.
For wedding nails, it is safer to go to a slightly pricier place that offers one-color, gradient, French, and art for around ¥10,000, ensuring a comfortable atmosphere that will uplift your mood ♡
You can also extend the nail length, accommodating requests like "I usually keep my nails short, but I want them longer for this special day...." is a charm of gel nails.
Unlike polish, it is less likely to chip, and you won’t have to worry about losing a tip and feeling embarrassed.
However, unlike tips, gel nails are not easily removed, and taking them off can be a hassle.
"I wanted to go straight to my honeymoon with my wedding nails. However, I ended up having to work for a few days, so I put band-aids on all my fingers to hide my gel nails and worked..." is a real experience of some brides.
Additionally, some individuals may have allergic reactions based on the gel material used,
Or they might dislike it because they feel intense pain when the gel is cured if their nails are thin. In such cases, gel nails may not be suitable.
② When Using Nail Tips*
Regarding purchasing nail tips online or having them custom-made.
Nail tips are attractive because you can easily apply and remove them yourself.
They stick to your nails using strong double-sided tape.
However, even though the tape is strong, it is still double-sided tape, and there are times when they can come off during important moments.
It's not uncommon to have them fall off while holding the bouquet, holding hands with the groom, or putting on and taking off gloves...
"I realized the tip on my ring finger came off during the ring exchange."
"By the end of the reception, one had fallen off."
"I was so distracted by a nail that was about to fall off that I couldn't concentrate on the wedding."
These stories are quite common.
Also, crafting nail tips to fit perfectly with your nail's shape often results in a slightly unnatural look, which is a disadvantage.
However, if viewed from a distance, they may not look out of place, so they might be fine for limited occasions like pre-wedding photos.
In fact, we conducted a survey with brides who used nail tips on marry, so feel free to check out this article for reference ♩
➡ Did They Fall Off or Not? Experiences of 68 Brides Who Used Nail Tips!
If you're looking to buy nail tips, I recommend 【Michinail】, where you can find over 3,000 design tips for ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 ♡
➡️ Check out the design list on the online shop!
③ When Using Nail Polish*
When creating art with nail polish, the biggest concern is that it tends to chip easily.
It's ideal to apply a base coat, color, and topcoat carefully, but not many people can do that meticulously at home.
While some might say, "Nail polish is cheaper than gel," in reality, that's not always the case.
Nowadays, not many salons even handle polish, so even if there are polish options available, sometimes the gel may be cheaper for similar services like a one-color application.
Therefore, stating categorically that "nail polish is cheaper" is not possible when getting a manicure at a salon.
While you might save money with DIY, the time spent waiting for it to dry or reapply still results in chipping right after a shower or even when coming into contact with hard objects, leaving a negative impression regarding performance.
It might work for pre-wedding photos, but it is hard to believe it would hold up in pristine condition throughout a week of honeymooning.
Moreover, without the strength of gel nails, it becomes difficult to create designs with large pearls or Swarovski.
It’s safer to avoid decorative arts, as there's nothing worse than having a piece fall off unexpectedly.
(However, I recently saw a polish that looked shiny like gel, and I almost mistook it for gel!)
➡︎ Here's the product my friend was using!