Nails are without a doubt a great way to express individuality and there’s so much you can do with your nails to show off your style. Nail shapes, colors and designs- what can’t you do with them?
The price of getting your nails done varies depending on how intricate the design of the nails is. The average manicure goes from $20 to $40. Add-ons and special details only increase the cost. Gels and acrylic nails usually range from $25 to $120. Senior Caidence Leftenant has a few go to nail styles for when she visits the salon.
“My favorite nail shape is almond and square,” said Leftenant. “I get my nails done every three weeks. It all depends on how detailed the design is, but when I get my nails done, it’s basically one-to-two hour sessions for my nail appointments. I usually spend $50 each time I get my nails done.”
Likewise, freshman Isui Fernandez shares her favorite patterns, but designs often take a long time to create. Nail prep is essential if you want your new nails to last. Cleaning, cutting, and polishing the natural nails are important to check off before you enhance them. Special brushes made for applying acrylic are used to apply acrylic onto the nailbeds. Thin nail brushes are widely used for painting patterns.
“My go-to design is almond or square,” said Fernandez. “I like designs with 3D flowers, and my favorite nail shape is almond. I’ve been doing nails since I was nine. It takes about an hour and a half to do my nails.”
Patterns such as 3D flowers, classic French tips, and polka dots are cute additions to spring nails. You can never go wrong with floral designs. Flowers don’t truly bloom until spring comes along.
Fernandez also occasionally pays her friend to do her nails.
“My friend does my nails from time to time,” Fernandez said. “I give her $20 whenever she does it for me.”
Sophomore Devonique Henry opts for bright colors because it resembles a happy and positive aura. She likes dedicating her nails according to the season. For each season, Henry wants her nails to reflect it.
“[Getting my nails done] represents how I am, and how I feel in the season,” said Henry. “It’s Spring now, I want to represent myself with bright colors. I want to be vibrant and happy since the weather represents that vibe. It’s a form of art and self-expression.”
Chrome styles don’t always have the best durability and chip more easily than the regular gel polishes. Regardless, sophomore Analeigh Cintron still goes for that eye-catching glossy finish.
“It’s usually $100, but I like getting them done because it’s fun to have your nails done in my opinion. It’s a fashion statement,” said Cintron. “My favorite design to get is chrome because it adds a shimmer to my nails and my go-to shape is almond because it adds to my aesthetic. I always pick the person who does my nails because I know who does my nails well.”
Nail designs are playful and bold. It’s a creative form of art that really goes a long way to show people who we are. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have pretty hands!
