Wednesday

My acrylic nail journey


Yes, I'm melodramatic to call it a journey but this is how I feel. As far back as I can remember, I'd bitten my nails. With age, I grew out of the nail biting but picking my skin often caused my nails to break and, as I have a massive issue with nail files, I'd just bite the jagged edge off. This meant that my nails rarely grew past my fingertips and, when they did, they just grew as ugly square things. I was ashamed of my nails, embarrassed by them. Nail varnish was not something I ever used because a) I was terrible at it, b) I didn't want to draw attention to my nails and c) they looked awful anyway, painted or not.
Perfect example of how appalling I am at nail art and the usual state of my nails. 

It was about two years ago that I first considered acrylic nails. My mum has been getting hers done for years and always has lovely designs, especially around Christmas. I'd read that acrylics can help dermatillomania sufferers as it renders them impossible to pick which sounded really helpful to me. It was only after getting married, and everybody wanting to see my ring, that I decided to make the move.

So this week, after years of horrific, bitten, unshaped nails, I finally have actual nails... and I blooming love them. For the first time in my life, I'm proud of them. I have the tackiest, most obnoxious Christmas candy design and everyone I meet notices them. My newest pleasure is rapping my nails on hard surfaces, which I do constantly: On the whiteboard at work, on the bannister as I walk up the stairs, on my phone. I'm forever stroking the smooth finish and tapping my fingertips with my new nails. 
My new nails of wonder!

Right now, I've discovered no downsides. After a few hours getting used to them, I can still do everything I used to do (I was especially pleased to discover that typing caused no issues for me) and, although they were a little sore for the first day or so, by now I can't feel any difference. I can't pick at all which is actually quite distressing for me but, of course, is a positive in the long run. 

It might seem silly to have such a huge confidence boost from my nails, but I cannot tell you what a difference it has made for me. I'm already looking forward to my next design!

8 comments :

  1. They look gorgeous! I love the length of them
    Reinventing Neesha ♥

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  2. I used to bite my nails for about 10 years, and the skin around them so much I'd constantly have bloody fingers, then one day I just stopped. My nails are actually quite nice now but I have considered getting acrylics to strengthen them, I'm just worried it will damage them in the long run! Yours do look stunning though, and if it makes you feel better then it's a good purchase :)

    India / Touchscreens & Beautyqueens

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  3. I love acrylics. I completely understand what you mean about them being a confidence boost; when I've had my nails done I always feel that little bit more groomed and glam! x

    Under Blue Lights

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  4. These are so pretty! I've never had acrylics but I love getting gel manicures - I can never stop staring at my fingers when I do!

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  5. I have crappy nails too, I bit them all the time and then I chew the skin around them, lately I bite them less (until I get stressed/depressed, then I chew them all off) and I've started peeling the different layers of nail off... me and nails we don't get along.

    I actually found painting my nails to help with chewing, I didn't chew them because I liked them painted, so I just pick nail polish off all the time and leave it everywhere... it drives Kris crazy to find nail polish in the bed!

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  6. I love them. I can never grow my nails as they always just break off. Some months ago I tried acrylics as well and totally loved them. The only problem I had with them were my contact lenses. Each time I took them out, they ripped and I was just not able to find a solution to that problem.
    Love,
    Svenja

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  7. I was terrible with nail biting, and though I've gotten way better, I have some periods where I just can't stop. It's nerves/worrying that makes me bite my nails!
    Have only had acrylics twice though, and both times hated them. I'm thinking I got them too long though - yours look perfect!

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