Over Easter weekend, I decided to get my nails done because my sorority's formal was coming up the next weekend. However, my mother warned me that if I just got my nails painted, they would probably not last a week without chipping. I decided, then, to get acrylic nails for the first time in my life! I've heard good and bad things about getting what are essentially fake nails from other people who had used them before. Most of my friends have gotten them before and said that they ruin your nails, but they're still addicted to them! After having them for a while now, I have generated my own thoughts and I have come up with some pros and cons to getting acrylic nails --
1. My nails look FABULOUS!!
My nails have never looked so good!!!
2. These nails are thicker and stronger than my natural nails
I don't worry about my nails breaking all of the time
3. They last forever!
I got these a week in advance for my formal and they still look brand new!
4. Avoid Buttons
Buttoning pants, shirts, or just anything with buttons is literally impossible. The strength you need in your fingers to squeeze into a pair of jeans cannot happen when you have acrylic nails because your nails get in the way, then, when you try and use that strength like you would with natural nails, it hurts SO BAD. Avoid buttons...you've been warned.
5. Technology gets in the way
Typing is so hard...MY NAILS KEEP GETTING IN THE WAY AND NOW MY CAPS LOCK IS ON (okay, that last part was a joke, my caps lock isn't actually on, but typing with these long, thick nails is the worst. I just wanted to show an example in my own, comedic way).
6. Holding pens does not work
My handwriting has never looked worse ... my nails keep getting in the way of the pen so it looks like I failed in attempting cursive when I was writing in print...
7. They hurt after you get them
They're tender right after you get them. I was worried I had contracted a disease or something when I first got mine because no one told me that after they (literally) sand your natural nails down, your nails hurt afterwards.
8. They get stuck in hair
Washing my hair has become a hassle because my nails keep getting stuck in my hair.
Overall, I know there are more cons than pros to getting acrylic nails. I think that they are simple fashion over function, meaning they look amazing but they have no real purpose other than that. Some women get them because their natural nails are too weak, and some women get them because they make them feel more confident which I completely agree with. Even though they have been a struggle, I recommend trying them at least once and see your confidence blossom because they look so good!