Fanatic Feedback – Who Does Your Nails?
With the economy being what it is (in the crapper) I’ve been cutting back my expenses any way I can. I’ve always been an at-home manicurist and I’ll splurge on the occasional salon mani but I absolutely hate doing my toes so I’m pretty religious about getting pedicures. Recently I’ve switched from full spa pedis to express versions to save money since I refuse to give them up.
So my question to all of you is… Where do you get your nails done? At home? In a salon? Did you used to be a salon girl before the market tanked? If you still go to a salon, do you space your appointments out more to fit your budget? Has the economy affected your nail routine?
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
I used to have my mani and pedi at the salon for like every week before the trying times… now i just have my pedi done twice a week and my mani done professionally once a week.
I typically do my own as well. It seems like at home manis last a lot longer than if I get them done at the salon. I'll go once in a while to get my cuticles cleaned up, etc. In the past, I've done my own pedis, too, but when my feet are in need of some serious TLC (read: NOW!), I splurge on a pedi & then just try to maintain it myself the best I can.
every now and then i get a mani/pedi from the nail salon – like when my feet are looking a mess. i really enjoy doing my nails and toes, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone pumice my feet instead of me!
I havent went to a nail salon in forever, I like doing my nails. However, I really want a pedicure because I dont ever feel like fooling with my feet and I not completely happy with the results.
At home all the way.
I’ve always been a DIY girl. I do my manis just as well myself, but my feet look better when my pedi was done professionally. Thing is… my feet are too ticklish for getting a pedi to be enjoyable! So I’ve almost always just done my pedis myself, even before the market tanked.
i’ve only gotten a pedi twice and a mani once in my life. the second time i got a pedi i got some sort of infection on my fat toe that i honestly dont know what it was so i’ve been scared to to do it again ever since. plus i find the manicurists are too harsh and i’m always scared they’re going to cut me or something. idk i’m weird… so i always do everything myself
I’m always a home mani/pedi girl. Same with Melissa, I find my mani and pedi actually last longer at home (Granted I can only afford cheap salon anyways)… I would rather do my own nails… Usually I go to get my nails done just as a social activities with the girls… but I actually prefer doing it myself.
I do my own nails. I’m pretty good at doing my own pedicure–I’ve been more on top of that so I know I find I don’t even feel like I *need* the salon works since my feet are in good shape.
I’m not as good at doing my finger nails but I do them myself anyway. I just can’t afford the mani price now adays.
I definitely used to be a regular in the salon. Every 2 weeks for nails, and once a month for Pedi’s…for the most part. Since I bought my own place, THEN got laid off…I’ve been doing my own nails for over a year and a half (manis and pedis). I like that it’s cheaper of course, but also I can change as frequently as I want. Do my cuticles look as great..probably not. But its saving me a lot of money in the long run, so I’ll probably only go back to salons as a once in a while treat, or if my situation improves to the point that I can without it cutting into other expenses…
I do my manis at home, but find doing my pedis so awkward and fiddly that I’d rather pay to get them done, typically about once a fortnight. However I’m another extremely ticklist person, and many’s the time I’ve nearly kicked the poor tech in the face when she’s tickled me!
I’m mainly a DIY girl, but during sandal season I typically get a pedi done professionally a couple times. However, since I recently got laid off and my DH has had OT completely frozen I’m doing them myself. I have all the tools and polish at home, so I’d rather save the cash and spend it on my kids.
A couple of years ago I stopped having my nails done, silks, because it got too expensive. But I had wanted to go back to natural nails too. Nobody does as good a manicure on me than myself, so I do my own nails. And I give myself my own pedicures too, but I enjoy it and do a good job!
I do my own mani/pedi. I used to go to the salon every 2 weeks religiously for my pedi, and as far as my fingernails, well, I am ashamed to say I had been a 21 year nail-biter. :/ But, I finally kicked the habit, and I discovered the amazing world of nailpolish…and then I discovered your site! Ever since then, it’s been an obsession of mine to do my own mani/pedi! I find it challenging (I have gotten progressively better!) and I feel more creative! You probably remember my zebra nail art I sent you on twitter!
I started doing my own tips & toes about 1 1/2 years ago. I think my at home manis/pedis last longer than the salon ones I used to get because I used better BC & TC. (Actually, seeing swatches on this site made me want to go out & buy polish so I could do my own nails.) When I used to get manis I would leave the polish on until it was chiptastic because I felt bad taking off something I spent $20+ on. Now I have no problem changing up my color a couple of times a week.
I have been doing my own manis/pedis for about 3 years now. My old job required pedicured toes if we wanted to wear open toed shoes so I went to the salon. I soon discovered for the price of one pedi I could purchase 3 polishes and DIY, so I did! My aunt is a nail tech and she taught me how to do natural nail pedis/manis and I have loved the results!! I invested a little into the tools (metal cuticle pusher, curette, and some good TC and BC) and have enjoyed every minute of it! Now if only I could break my compulsive polish purchases…
Similar to Lena, I have had but 2 pedicures and 1 manicure professionally over my 36 years.
It was my single spa manicure, over 2 years ago, that got me started doing my own nails and I haven’t looked back since.
I love that my pedicures can last up to a month, and I can change my polish daily if I want to!
I do my nails myself at home once or twice a week depending on my schedule/how well they hold up. I find it really, really relaxing to curl up and do my nails
I’ll always be a salon girl! It’s one of my favorite rituals and a great way to bond with my best friend. We go together every week.
i do my own mani’s and pedi’s and i always have.
i’ll only go to the salon if someone else is paying for it.
partly because i’m too impatient to wait around for an appointment; i want it done when i want it done! but also because i almost never feel that the “professional” did a better job than i could at home.
except when it comes to sheers of course!
I used to get my toes done once a month, and then maintain in between…I’ve always done my own manis. Here’s a tip: Read Ji Baek’s book “Rescue Your Nails–a do-it-yourself guide to perfect fingers and toes” and you’ll find yourself wanting to do your own manis and pedis. It inspired me…and it freaked me out a bit about the questionable cleanliness of the corner nail places. Good luck!
I’m like you — I do my own manis and get my toes done. It seems like with manicures, I was usually bringing my own polishes and sometimes even base/top coats and for that, why bother!?? Plus, they never seemed to paint my entire nail, just a wide strip down the middle, forgetting about the extreme sides. No thanks!
I am horrible at doing my toes though, so I’ll pay for that! It’s a special treat and one of the least expensive ways to pamper yourself!
i’ve always done my mani and pedi at home so the economy hasn’t really changed my habits at all. i hate people touching my feet and i have to change my polish color every couple of days so that would be a waste of money.
About 3 years ago I went to the nail salon twice a month. It always seemed like such a chore and waste of money though so I started teaching myself how to do my nails the right way. Now I actually prefer to do my own nails.
The only time I really go to the nail salon anymore is to get a real pedicure since I’m not so good at that. I go probably once every 3 months for that and just try to maintain it at home.
I’ve always done my own. Never had a mani or pedi!!
when i was a single gal i’d get my mani’s done at a salon. never pedi’s b/c i hate people touching my feet.
now that i am a wife and mom to triplets i’ve had to cut back on things and my mani’s were the first to go
i’ve become a wiz at doing them myself now. i also got over my aversion to feet and i do my pedi’s at home as well.
i check your site religiously and got all my tips from you! keep it up
I do my own mani and pedis. Had a salon pedi a few months ago when I was recovering from a surgery and couldn’t bend like that. It was a nice treat, but I think I do a better job. It’s my “ME” time to pamper myself and the results seem to last longer.
I used to get a mani/pedi done at the salon every 2 weeks, but once my nail polish collection started growing, I stopped. Even though it was great having it done, I enjoy doing it myself —a kind of catharsis. Not to mention, I have a much better selection of colors
I only had a manicure done a few times in my life. Never have had a pedicure. I also cut my hair most of my life. So there was no need. I’d rather spend money on buying polish. I also don’t know if I could stand anyone touching my feet. Tickle issues!
I’ve always done my own nails and toes, but recently started getting gel overlays, and pedicures because I hate fooling with my toes. I get a touch up every 2 weeks, but am considering spacing them out.
I like to change my polish every week, so I do that myself instead of paying for a color change.
I’ve always done my own nails and toes, but recently started getting gel overlays, and pedicures because I hate fooling with my toes. I get a touch up every 2 weeks, but am considering spacing them out.
I like to change my polish every week, so I do that myself instead of paying for a color change.
I do mine all the time except for special occasions. I like to do my own pedis b/c that is when I do nail art
I’m still a salon girl. I got my hours cut back at work, but my nail tech and I are friends — you don’t just cut back on friends. So I’m saving money at other things. I get a mani every week and pedi every month.
i do my own mani and pedi…and i have this weird thing about people touching my toenails, so it saves me money and it’s more comfortable!
I’ve ALWAYS done my own — and my mom’s, and my sister’s, and all of my roomates’ nails AND toes! It’s my hobby — and as long as you have the right tools, products and knowledge, you can do your own A LOT BETTER than professionals because you know exactly what you want!
I always went to the salon every Saturday morning for a pedicure and a manicure prior to shopping for frocks and other things to make me feel good. Now I do my own nails and almost never shop. Believe better times are coming or I’ll find a way to make better times come for me.
Jeri
I have never gotten a pedi but I usually get a mani every 2 weeks.
i've often wondered if i was the only one who couldn't get pedis because how ticklish my feet are'
Since my hair in salons costs me 150 dollars every 6th month and 80 dollars one time in between, I always have to save money on doing all my nails myselfs. I’m 27, scientific researcher by the way. (Just to compare possble income)/
Never had a manicure or pedicure done professionally and don’t want one. No one could do my nails better than me and I enjoy doing both myself.
I love getting pedis but I’m rarely pleased when I get a pro mani. I’m always left with an unevenly filed nail or something along those lines.
i prefer to do my own fingers, but i ejoy getting my toes done on occasion.
I would get manicures maybe once a year, just as a treat for the spring/summer season. But now that I’ve been inspired by blogs like ALU, I have started doing manicures all myself (no matter how awful the first one was!) and I have to say I am definitely improving with each polishing. As for pedicures, I usually get my toes done twice in the summer for sandal season, but any other time I do my toes myself. For manicures, I often find I can do just a good job myself (well, now I can, not before) and I offten notice that there are slight imperfections after a mani, but pedi-imperfections are obviously not very noticeable.