Note: since writing this I discovered a downside to acrylic nails. I managed to whack my middle finger on a pool lane divider and the entire nail came off, both my natural nail and the acrylic nail. so I have to wait until it grows back. I have shortened my nails and now use an almond shape. It was my finger that was affected by the PsA and so was weak to start with. I still wear acrylic nails, just a bit shorter now.
Why do I wear acrylic nails?
I wear acrylic nails because my natural nails aren’t strong and don’t grow long without splintering. I’m not sure if I mentioned it, but I have Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), which is an auto-immune disease that affects the joints. I was diagnosed last year after years of soreness, exhaustion and aches. Prior to that, I had noticed that my nails were very weak and brittle, which they never used to be. I’m hoping the, with the treatment, my nails get strong as well.
Apparently, weak flaky nails can be an early indicator of PsA, but I just thought I needed vitamin D and calcium. Now that I am aware I have PsA, I understand that having natural, well-kept nails is a pipe dream. I love being well groomed, so I opt for acrylic nails, and having the option, I like to have them medium to long (not OTT long, just elegant.
Note: since writing this my middle finger on my left hand copped a whack and came off, so I have to wait until it grows back. I have shortened my nails and now use an almond shape. It was my finger that was affected by the PsA and so was weak to start with. I won’t gross you out with a photo, but it is really painful with only about half of the natural nail left. I asked my nail lady what she thought and she told me to leave it to grow out before she;d touch it. In the meantime, during the day, I’ve just stuck on a plastic short nail the same colour as my manicure and letting the nail breathe at night.
I am fortunate to live in a time when I can buy someone to create new, strong nails, that look flattering and make me proud of my hands. I opt for the acrylic variety and have a local nail salon, Mosman Nails and Waxing.
My Nail Salon of Choice in Mosman
The ladies who work at Mosman Nails and Waxing are friendly and know the way I like my nails to be done. Most importantly, they are also gentle on my sore hands (and sometimes feet), unlike most nail salons I have been to. It took me a while to find this salon, I have tried all the local ones and some of the more glam looking ones are great first time then terribly the next, or just plain terrible to start with. When I say terrible I mean, hurting my nails and hands, drilling roughly, horrible shaping, poor hygiene, rude, speaking over the client’s head, the list goes on. Suffice to say that any salon doing anything like this doesn’t get a second visit. So I now only go toMosman Nails and Waxing.
Back to my lovely girls at Mosman Nails and Waxing. I go every 3 weeks (it should be 2 but I try to stretch it out to 3), and have nail polish, not shellac/gel, so if I chip I can repaint the nails and keep my nails looking tip top. My preferred nail shape used to be “ballerina” (or coffin which sounds a little gothic) which is a tapered long shape with a flat top. It’s a shape is strong enough so my nails don’t need to be thick to be super long, and avoid, square topped, chunky acrylic “block”.
My Preferred Shades
I prefer opaque, creamy looking not shimmery, glittery shades, generally. I use OPI’s Infinite Shine Range. Generally these days I get Shellac/Gel Colour, which is long lasting and very shiny.
