Gel Nails Test: Countdown to the First Chip

I got my first set of gel nails in October, right before I had back-to-back blogging events to attend. Bloggy Bootcamp was here in Atlanta. Then I left to present at the Niche Parent Conference for influencers at Walt Disney World. Having a “picture perfect manicure” that lasted was important to me because I talk with my hands, knew I’d be shaking hands while networking and didn’t want to deal with chipped polish. So I asked my new nail technician at Candy Coated Nail Spa (no longer in business) for gel polish in bright blue to match the outfits I’d picked out.  Since my Pinterest board on nails and manicures is so popular, I wanted to share something of my own with my followers there and with you! Here’s a gel nails test where I show you day by day how they look until they chip or break. This is a must-read if you’re considering investing in a professional gel nail manicure. They’re about $30 for the salon service depending on where you go. My affiliate links are below.

 

Gel Nails Test: Countdown to the First Chip ~ MommyTalkShow.com

 Gel Nails Test

Day 1 to 5: Enjoy your time as a make believe hand model. Since I got this bright blue gel nail polish, they really stood out. Thanks to Lashawn Wiltz from Everyday Eyecandy for taking this photograph at Bloggy Bootcamp. Don’t you love the shine on gel nails?

Gel Nails Test: Countdown to the First Chip ~ MommyTalkShow.com

Day 6 to 11: My gel polish is still popping at this point. I’ve made it to Walt Disney World with my Mom and A.J. We’re having a ball. Networking is going well and my nails still look fab.

Gel Nails Test: Countdown to the First Chip ~ MommyTalkShow.com

Day 12 to 18: This is the ideal time to get a fill-in of the same gel polish color or remove the gels entirely to replace them with another color. Although they’re still a high shine on my nails, this is when you’re likely to see some lifting. Considering you just made a $30 investment in a professional gel polish manicure, it’s still better than a standard manicure that lasts about 10 days.


Day 19 to 30: By now my nails were showing signs of wear and tear. Some of the gel polish was lifting around my thumb. My nails grow very fast when they have a protective overlay or gel nail polish covering them.

Day 35: This is when I got my gel polish replaced I (gasp) and by then I’d broken a nail, partly because my nails were longer.

Gel Nails Test: Countdown to the First Chip ~ MommyTalkShow.com

Gel nail polish is designed to preserve the polish, not make your nails harder or stronger. I initially thought they were similar to a protective acrylic nail overlay and realized I was quite wrong. You can also make a small investment for about the same price for one set of gel nails, the Sally Hansen Salon Pro Starter Kit comes with a prep polish, gel polish nail color of your choice and the required LED light to cure the polish to your nail bed.

Just to give you a well-rounded look at experiences, I asked a few of my blogging buddies about their experiences with a gel nails test to see how long they last before you need a fill-in of the same color or a new set.

Gel Nails Test: Countdown to the First Chip ~ MommyTalkShow.com

Katrina Morrison from My Mommy Flies is a professional traveler, wife and busy mom who said, “My gel polish can last 10-14 days depending on color and my activity.  I recently started using gel powder. It last twice as long, high shine but a little more money. I can go to 4 weeks with gel powder in a neutral color.”

See, now she has me wondering about gel powder. I have seen a few new gel polishes that promise the same shine and wear – without using a lamp. Have you tried them?

Gel Nails Test: Countdown to the First Chip ~ MommyTalkShow.com

C. Lee from Helicopter Mom and Just Plane Dad told me,  “Day 7-9, the nail starts to grow out so you get a bit of “uncovered” nail showing and when this happens, water and wear get around the edges.  Day 10 and beyond for fingers, they start peeling at corners and I typically peel the rest. Never had my nails break underneath or crack, they do get a white film over them so I always follow-up with nail oil.” She’s also used gel nail polish on her toes and said it stayed better on her fingernails.

Gel Nails Test: Countdown to the First Chip ~ MommyTalkShow.com

Candace Papke from Purposeful Bliss shared that she enjoyed sporting gel nails for a beach vacation since regular polish would have worn off. “I was able to go almost 3 weeks before needing them redone. Cracking seldomly occurred, however, I noticed the growth the most in my nail beds.”

Protect Your Manicure

  • Wear gloves when washing dishes or doing any cleaning with your hands.
  • Add a coat of clear nail polish over your gel polish. Some people, even my Mom, add a clear coat daily.
  • Keep your gel nails short and manageable. The longer they are, the more likely they are to snag on your clothing, scratch are break.

For another beauty review, check out the colorful options from formaldehyde-free Dermelect nail polish.


About Joyce Brewer

Creator & Host of Mommy Talk Show. Emmy award-winning TV journalist.Wife & Mommy; Mom Blogger; Social Media Coach; Long Island, New York transplant living in Atlanta, GA. Follow Joyce on Twitter @MommyTalkShow Author of Use What You Know: A Business Idea Guide for Moms featuring interviews with mompreneurs who created businesses using their skills & backgrounds.

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13 comments

  1. Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama

    I love using gel polish – it lasts a day or two less than 2 weeks for me, because I’m SO HARD on my hands. It’s difficult for me to get back to the salon for removal, so I’ve actually asked my technician’s advice on how to safely remove them at home, too.

  2. I’m so obsessed with Gel nails! I LOVE how long they last!

  3. KasandriaReasoner

    I love Gel Nails. I haven’t tried the powder though and I’m curious to see how it holds up. PS THANK you now I can show my husband this post and justify it lol
    Kas

  4. I have never tried gel. I like that they stay for long. I love the color choice

  5. I love how the blue just pops! What a great bright color.

  6. No chip does go the distance, isn’t it? And I adore the pink ones – so pretty

  7. I love that blue color. I typically use these bright colors on my toes but I love it on your nails. Thanks so much for including me. Now I need to get mine done again as they look horrible at the moment!

  8. I love that blue polish. I’ve had gel polish done and it lasts me about 3 weeks before I think it grows out too much. I think it is a great way to help grow nails out.

  9. I am a true fanatic about doing my own nails, until my daughter who is a teenager talked me into getting my nails done. I always hear her say she is getting the gel tips ????? And watching her nails go thru the gel dry performance was amazing! It was really quick and clean, I liked it enough to get it done for myself.

  10. I know it’s so many new gel formila brands out there ,but I am still afraid it may be dangerous on my nails. But I do like that it last much longer than a regular polish manicure.

  11. I can never get my gel nails to last that long. I am going to try wearing gloves when I wash dishes to see if that helps. Love that blue polish!

  12. I love using gel nail polish! I don’t use it all of the time, but it’s worth the time it takes to put it on.