⚠️ WARNING: be careful when it comes to acrylic nails; they f*cked my nails up real bad!!!

I will say, I do really miss having long acrylics, and cute colors to match/on theme with the season, etc. It was fun to clack on the phone/keyboard/computer… Scalp massages… And overall I did like the aesthetic…

😓😥😣😩🥺☹️😤😟😔😞

But unfortunately, the nail tech did severe damage to my nails by being too rough and overdoing it with the e-file, and things like this… and now I have nail deformities (ridges, and indentations.)

🤬🤬🤬

I vowed that I would NEVER get acrylics again.

🙅🏽‍♀️

Press-ons are a no-go for me, as well… The nail glue that comes with the nail kit is very drying. It makes a mess/gets everywhere. The nails don’t last, they literally pop off after any sort of manual labor or pole dancing, etc. Acetone, files, buffers, cuticle tools, all have the potential to be super damaging.

I’m really over it. It was soooo painful the day she removed the acrylics. (Thankfully now I’m not in pain anymore.)

I am soo grateful that my nails are starting to grow back longer and stronger finally. 🙏🏽

I came to the conclusion that I have to go NATURAL.

Any sort of rough to abrasive nail enhancements, are just going to hold me back from all of my progress and possibly inflict further damage (the delaminating of layers of the nail plate when fake nails are removed incorrectly) & ultimately isn’t worth it for me.

Ladies— do you feel like natural nails are getting in the way of your bag? $$$$

I would rather my nails be natural and healthy, and a little bit shorter. I’m trying to be patient and grow them out…

What do you do to make your hands look nice/presentable at least? Clear coat? Regular polish? Gel polish? Topcoat…? Etc.?

I have been using hand creams, butters, salves… and massaging them in. I have been taking Hair, Skin & Nails gummies. And I have avoided all press-ons and acrylics for a long time. And I don’t use any type of e-files anymore. And I am seeing great progress with my nail growth!

I’m insecure about the appearance of my nails because I’m growing them out, but. I just don’t trust any sort of nail tech or nail enhancements anymore. My thumbnails are the most severely damaged, they have these deep ridges that take forever to heal. And I am really just vibing with the natural nails thing now…

I think acrylics are overrated—super damaging—too expensive—annoying to maintain—too many complications—and really just not good for me in the long-term. (I think acrylics should only be used sparingly, or for special occasions. If you have sensitivities, like me, then I think acrylics should just be avoided altogether.)

I am insecure about my natural nails in this weird transition phases while I am growing them out, but I think it’s better for them just to be as natural as possible. A little polish is okay. But I am avoiding anything too abrasive.

Sometimes you have to listen to your body.

Sometimes we have to be grateful for what God gave us…

I don’t know. 🤷🏽‍♀️💭🙇🏽‍♀️

Take care of yourselves out there, guys.

💅🏻