ARTISTIC TALONS

I’m glad I went with that because it ended up being perfect for my nail type!

My sister had her nails occasionally chip or break off when she went elsewhere, but I thankfully never had so much as a tiny chip. I think this really depends on your day-to-day, because acrylics are really strong. My job basically involves a lot of typing, so it’s not that intense on my nails.

As far as adjusting, this really depends on the length you choose. I’ve always naturally had short nails, so jumping from that to long acrylics was a struggle at first. Buttoning shirts or grabbing small things like zippers or paperclips was almost impossible until I got used to the longer nails being in the way. Typing of any sort, on my phone or on a keyboard, was also an ordeal until my fingers adjusted - but, alas, that sound of tapping once conquered proves musical to any women’s ears.

My therapist handpainted a custom design with gel polish and a delicate brush. Watching this process was extremely fascinating and I couldn’t help but be in awe of their artåistic prowess. Lastly, it is important to find the salon that’s a perfect fit for you - I can’t stress this one enough! The first salon I went to ended up being a very uncomfortable and unpleasant environment, and it got to the point where I was dreading each appointment. Try different places until you find one that you feel comfortable in, enjoy the people, and look forward to your appointments. Although be warned that welcoming La Mano Bella will undoubtedly become your new best friend.

Women have been wearing artificial nails for decades, pre-Kardashians, thanks to an accidental invention in 1955 when a dentist named Fred Slack repaired his own broken fingernail. Hip-hop artists embraced the trend in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and now artificial nails are quite mainstream. But my natural nails are healthy, and I’d heard numerous removal horror stories, so I’ve been too nervous to experiment. Until now.

I had decided when I first got them that I wanted a mid-length almond shape that was a tiny bit more pointed than the typical oval.