Nail Salon Woes

I used to love going to the nail salon. Looking back, I think there was always some sort of nostalgia to it. When my dad and I used to hang out when I was younger, the most vivid memories I have are of him taking me shopping, or taking me to get my nails done. Knowing my dad, this likely only happened three to four times during my childhood, but for some reason, it stands out so clearly in my memory.

There was something so special about going to the nail salon. It really felt luxurious to me, like a treat. So, as I got older, I'd always be sure to get my nails done for special occassions, birthdays, graduations, etc. As I grew older and started making my own money, trips to the nail salon became more frequent and it became part of my "self care routine." Sometimes on my trips to the nail salon, I'd take my grandma with me. It was always more fun to go with someone else and have someone help me with my indecisiveness.

Over the last few years, I'd get into waves of really consistently getting my nails done. But, something would always go wrong. Either the manicure color didn't match my pedicure color, or I noticed a small chip of the paint, the shape was off, I started wondering - who am I doing this for?

Then, I saw a tweet that someone posted that went viral talking about how going to the nail salon was not a relaxing experience and how we had to stop lying to ourselves that it was. I finally felt like I wasn't alone.

Nails have become a statement piece, a conversation starter, a way to make us spend more money, another item for women to put on our upkeep list. But can we be honest and say that getting our nails done is not the relaxing experience someone in big-nails wants us to believe it is? I'll give a strict pedicure the benefit of the doubt and say that those can be relaxing if the timing and the atmosphere align. But a manicure? I can think of so many other things I'd rather be doing.

For starters, it is truly a time suck. Why does it take so long? While I want these things we spend so much money on to be thorough, I just have to think there is some better way.

Next, personally, my nails grow so long, so quick. My manis will look great for a few days, then I feel like I'm ready to cut my nails as short as possible. Having fat fingers is tough because I love a long nail look, but it's never really practical.

Getting back to the nail salon of it all though, I have to say that I have likely tried over 10 new nail salons over the past five years and none of them are ever really a standout. I find that I'll like a place once or twice, but consistency is lacking. Then, I have always noticed if you're not a regular, you don't always get the best treatment. This is not the case everywhere, but I have felt this on many ocassions.

Next, while a nail salon may try to create a relaxing, calming atmosphere, the nail salon cannot control the people who patronize their businesses. Sometimes it's a woman on a work call, sometimes it's a woman being too difficult about an intricate design she's trying to get, sometimes it's someone on a loud personal call that does not need to be broadcasted in public.

I was in New York once when I went to get a manicure and the woman next to me was telling her manicurist all about her family drama. While I was definitely intrigued in the story, I couldn't help but think how her sister's troubles were stressing ME out and she had to know other people could hear her. Loved my mani, but I couldn't wait to get out of there.

On my last trip to the nail salon, I had made an apointment, but the team was a bit shortstaffed, so there was a bit of a wait. While appointments were waiting, more people kept coming in. The business is new, so there was no turning away any customers, but they were clearly overbooking themselves so late in the evening - maybe it's just a me thing, but I was wondering how they'd be able to get everything serviced and out by a reasonable time. It just felt chaotic. Even writing about it makes me feel icky all over again.

I like my nails looking clean, classy and versatile for work and my leisure time - but I can see why so many women have started using press ons. For the price, of course, but also so as not to deal with a trip that is not relaxing at all or that may take a few hours that you could be using to go on a walk or meet with a friend, anything other than hearing random people's conversations.

In honor of my previous love for getting my nails done, here are some photos of some of my favorite manicures from previous years...I just don't think I'll ever be able to do anything more intricate than a solid color again. And that's okay!! Sometimes activities like getting our nails done or yoga or whatever it is, might be someone's self care, but it doesn't have to be everyone's. Getting manicures these days is certainly not mine, anymore, at least for now.