I'm always tempted to get them again because chipping is such a bummer. But my nails suffered a bit after going through the gel and soak off, and because they are otherwise pretty strong and healthy, I really hesitate to apply again.

I get regular manicures with polish. I bring my own so I can touch up chips and extend the paint job a couple more days. In between manicures, I wear shear pink or nude (because I am not coordinated enough to apply dark colors that don't look like a 6-year old did it) or wear nothing.

I just worry that I will damage my nails and start to need overlays like many women whose nails are destroyed from years of that type of stuff.

I don't just chip them; I'm constantly smashing them! Makes for a lot of breakage. I wear sheer pinky nude too and this manicure has lasted me 4 weeks! There's a little strip of unpolished nail at the back by the cuticle but otherwise, they're still shiny, unchipped and a decent length. On the makeupalley.com forum, they directed me to YT videos on how to do at home, but several girls said they did end up with weak, bendy nails. One girl, tho, said she's been doing them for many years and in her opinion, you just have to do them consistently. I'm going to research a little further on whether there are better ways to soak off, and if only having them done once a month is maybe not as bad.

I have naturally stong nails that don't break but I decide to try gel last year so the polish would last longer. Never again. I had them done in a high end salon that uses the proper techniques and they still weakened my natural nails when I went back to regular. It has taken me more than 8 months to get rid of the damage from the gels. Never again! The gel polish did last 3 weeks on me, but honestly I dont think they really look great after two weeks and you can see the growth line at the cuticle. Back to old fashioned regular manicures for me! I also like the fact that now if I do have a chip I can redo myself at home.

Caroline- same here. I only had it done 2-3 times, and from what I read (extensively), the technique was fine. But, my nails just weren't the same for months.

Nowadays, IME, most salons really PUSH gel-type manicures.

I think I'll stay strong and just bring along my OPI.

There was a recent thread here on gel manicures - here's the link.http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3699457/gel-manicure-alternatives?n=43

Hasn't anyone heard of SNS nails? DD has been using it for at least the last year, and for myself, about 6 months. This product actually strengthens nails.

http://www.mamamia.com.au/what-are-sns-nails/

Have you or DD had the SNS removed and gone completely product-free for any period of time since you started having it applied?

I've been getting shellac nails off and on for several years. I have them done mostly in the summer right before I go on vacation in July through the end of August. It takes my nails several months to recuperate, but I'm okay with that as I love the look. One thing I do use on a daily basis with the shellac is an oil from the salon. Helps the nail beds from drying out. My nail tech tells me that 95% of her clients do shellac.

Rough on natural nails but i will have them done every once in a while b/c the polish lasts longer than regular polish. I go back to salon to have gel polish removed rather than doing it myself