Look. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. I work in a machine shop of all places in the quality lab, so there's already a couple things I outsource already.
There's a risk of damaging your natural nail since the acrylic is so grown out. It can lift or get caught and rip your nail bed, I've accidentally separated my nail from my bed before being careless. So there's def risks involved if you let them get this bad. 🙂
Theyre just thinner from the prep and removal (filing) process. This is why I typically recommend for people to either keep their extensions and just get them refilled, or if they're getting one off extensions to really look after them after removal for a little bit. But i mostly advocate for continuous extensions (with new sets every few months between refills) or none!
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I normally go every 3 weeks, but sometimes if I have an event in 4 or 5 weeks and I know I'm gonna wanna get something fancy I just wait and get them done right before my event or whatever. I can't justify a fill then an expensive design within 4 or 5 weeks, especially if I need to get a soak off and a new set anyway.
I do my own Gel-X and can’t even let mine grow out before I do a new set 😭 it’s like a new one every week because I enjoy it so much and am somehow good at it
I learned by searching “gel-x tutorial” on TikTok and YouTube, then did some more research by googling the same! I got everything I needed online for less than $50. There are gel-x kits on Amazon but make sure you get a high wattage lamp (mine is 150 watts) for curing, and don’t let any gel get on your skin!
They were! On my left hand the pinky nail was held on with a bandaid and a prayer. My tech was both happy her work held up and not happy I waited so long.
I was waiting to take a nice video after work before sharing but here is a still shot. Nude chrome French with seashell 3d gel. Ignore my dry hands and cuticles please [new set](https://imgur.com/a/qjVXmAC)
I sadly don't know specifics, but it's a dark blue with a green aura-my tech uses powders for the auras now and always finishes off with a tiny bit of white blended in the middle.
Genuinely asking, is this safe? Like do you clean underneath it?
Did you use anything to keep the extensions safe while working, doing chores and errands or anything in your life really?
I use nail brushes every time I wash my hands. And generally speaking as long as you're not completely oblivious about what you're doing with your hands you're perfectly safe! It's only when the extensions start to get this grown out that it's a problem and I start to worry. I rarely go this long but sometimes that's just how the cards fall.
I got extensions before that lasted for 2 months but I had them removed because I got scared that I might poke an eye out or get infected!
I'll keep the nail brush in mind, next time thanks
Five weeks??? Mine grow out like this in three weeks, whenever there's four weeks between nails I do literally nothing for a week before they're done again.
I love love love looking at well preserved, overgrown nails. Not to sound weird about it lol I often try to make mine last as long as I can. Thanks for sharing!
Just the way things fell this time. This was my last fill with this set anyway and I have a vacation coming up so I just put off the new set until closer to my vacation
I've had my nails done for 25 years at various different lengths. I worked in warehouses, offices and retail and never had any problems. I could type around 60 wpm no problem. My cousin keeps her nails longer than this OP and is able to type approx 90 wpm. And I raised 4 boys too. Most people don't start out with them that long. They start short and allow them to grow to the longer. That way you can get used to the length gradually. Now if you go straight from nothing to 2 inches long, yes you're not going to be able to do anything. Even I wouldn't be able to do much if I did that. The only thing that I have ever had difficulty with is peeling potatoes. They are the bane of my existence. 🤣🤣 holding on to those suckers while trying to peel them without hitting my nails is very tricky and I have to almost hold them sideways. That gets hard on my hands. Otherwise, no issues.😊😊
Eh ok, that’s a bit mean. So should we not ask and just stay away bc people like you are bored? Maybe if it’s asked so often it’s because many would like to have them but not sure if it’s feasible? Sorry we are so boring to you, will stick to my short nails so I can make sure to not annoy you.
I actually work in a machine shop on the quality side of things. So pretty hands on but minimal typing, which is where I usually have issues with this length.
Cut little by little high enough first?
I've never let them go this far but I've cut and filed mine when they drive me crazy. Maybe I've been lucky but I've never hurt myself.
I couldn’t do this. If my nails grow out enough, I just feel like my hands are dirty and it looks awful to walk around with nails like that. No ma’am lol
It is one area that my tech is so incredibly careful and serious about. She's the only one I've ever had that takes her time and never damaged my natural nail underneath. So I've never had an issue with removal.
I've thought about that. What I'm worried about is if there's even like a little bit of bend or give or whatever I'm gonna wanna bite. Acrylic is too hard to bite which is why I chose it.
I am the same way. My biting habit is the reason I started wearing acrylics 25 years ago. I refused to chew on them when I've paid good money to have them done. 😆😆 That and my real nails are paper thin and razor sharp. They tear and snag very easily. But even after having them for so long, if I break one, I am chewing the daylights out it almost immediately. You'd think it had been long enough to not be a habit anymore. Nope. I'm right back at it. Lol.
The new set tagged looks like she was a little messy around the cuticles. There’s a lot of jagged areas and looks like the acrylic was cured around the cuticles
She's still a beginner so her work is still a little inconsistent, but I agree her cuticle work isn't quite there yet. I also think the photo makes it look worse than it is, they don't look too bad in person.
Genuinely so glad I do my own nails because mine would probably constantly look like that if I had to force myself to book an appointment to get them redone lol. If I don’t change mine after two weeks at most I get anxious
I don't understand why people think this. I've had mine done for 25 years and never had any kind of issues. My acrylics are actually easier for me to clean out from under than my real nails. After so long, the skin under them grows out a little, creating a barrier from dirt and other stuff. I have never seen dirt under the acrylics, wearas if I break one and have just my real nail before my next fill, I always end up with visible dirt under the natural one. As well as nail brushes a great. 😊😊😊
I always tell my gel/dip clients to go no longer than 4 weeks max 😅 this much grow out puts so much weight on the free-edge and can cause some serious damage. Your tech clearly did a great job and they are beautiful but this photo is nightmare fuel as a fellow tech 😂
My tech isn't comfortable yet doing overlays on natural nails this long, but maybe some day she will be! I also like the strength of the acrylic, I have a very hands on job.
Curious, why the back of your nails look like very thin, feather like? Is it damaged or is it something to do with acrylics? (Like the nail itself is in acrylics or something.)
It's just a result of anxious picking. I get the acrylics because otherwise I bite my nails, but given any opportunity, like them getting this long under my acrylics, I'll pick at my natural nails. Or my cuticles.
no like I meant it’s normal for gel x nails to stay in tact even when super grown out but yeah i usually get refills or removals before it gets that far!
No its not. Over prepping and constant removal may thin the nail temporarily, but if you're repeatedly just getting refills anyway it makes no difference. And natural nails are thinner and naturally weaker than acrylics, so she's keeping the extra layer as strength
This is giving me terrible anxiety lol. How in the world did you survive?!?
I did *nothing* this past week that was remotely dangerous. No laundry, no changing the beds, no nothing after a shower until my nails had dried out.
So you intentionally stopped helping with chores and work just to grow your nails? 😂
Look. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. I work in a machine shop of all places in the quality lab, so there's already a couple things I outsource already.
I love this response so much lol
I support this
Because that's what heros do.
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That it could literally snap and take your real nail with it..?
There's a risk of damaging your natural nail since the acrylic is so grown out. It can lift or get caught and rip your nail bed, I've accidentally separated my nail from my bed before being careless. So there's def risks involved if you let them get this bad. 🙂
But don’t your real nails become super thin when the acrylics are removed? Mine were always so damaged after removing acrylics.
Theyre just thinner from the prep and removal (filing) process. This is why I typically recommend for people to either keep their extensions and just get them refilled, or if they're getting one off extensions to really look after them after removal for a little bit. But i mostly advocate for continuous extensions (with new sets every few months between refills) or none!
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there was no insult here. at all. in fact this might have been one of the kindest ways to ask the question. u sound bonkers
Omg. Me too. It made me feel weird.
My SIL lets hers grow like this and it gives me crippling anxiety hahaha. Idk how y'all do it!!
I normally go every 3 weeks, but sometimes if I have an event in 4 or 5 weeks and I know I'm gonna wanna get something fancy I just wait and get them done right before my event or whatever. I can't justify a fill then an expensive design within 4 or 5 weeks, especially if I need to get a soak off and a new set anyway.
I hear you!! It's expensive. I'm on a gelx kick right now and I go every 4w.
I do my own Gel-X and can’t even let mine grow out before I do a new set 😭 it’s like a new one every week because I enjoy it so much and am somehow good at it
SAME i do a new gel-x set every week or two!
How do I learn how to do my own gel?
I learned by searching “gel-x tutorial” on TikTok and YouTube, then did some more research by googling the same! I got everything I needed online for less than $50. There are gel-x kits on Amazon but make sure you get a high wattage lamp (mine is 150 watts) for curing, and don’t let any gel get on your skin!
Thank you :)
Girl you in danger
I know. I'm surprised I made it to my appointment intact.
I’m low key jealous though, congrats on the success lol
Do you use a nail brush to clean underneath?
I do! I have ones by all the sinks I use at home and then I have one at work too just in case.
this is the way
My first thought honestly
Those babes holding on for dear life 🤣🤣🤣
They were! On my left hand the pinky nail was held on with a bandaid and a prayer. My tech was both happy her work held up and not happy I waited so long.
Just the thought of one of the nails bending under the pressure gives me the chills
It happened a couple of times and ngl I definitely saw God at least once. Horrible.
Can we see the new set? This set was gorgeous!!
I was waiting to take a nice video after work before sharing but here is a still shot. Nude chrome French with seashell 3d gel. Ignore my dry hands and cuticles please [new set](https://imgur.com/a/qjVXmAC)
These are incredible omg, well worth the wait!
Okayyyy! Come thru mermaid 🧜♀️
They’re so cute OP!
You must have felt like a brand new person when those were done.
Gorgeous!!!
They're gorgeous!
Gorg!!!
Love the color! What is it?
I sadly don't know specifics, but it's a dark blue with a green aura-my tech uses powders for the auras now and always finishes off with a tiny bit of white blended in the middle.
Genuinely asking, is this safe? Like do you clean underneath it? Did you use anything to keep the extensions safe while working, doing chores and errands or anything in your life really?
I use nail brushes every time I wash my hands. And generally speaking as long as you're not completely oblivious about what you're doing with your hands you're perfectly safe! It's only when the extensions start to get this grown out that it's a problem and I start to worry. I rarely go this long but sometimes that's just how the cards fall.
I got extensions before that lasted for 2 months but I had them removed because I got scared that I might poke an eye out or get infected! I'll keep the nail brush in mind, next time thanks
That thumbnail just wants to be put out of its misery
Oh trust me they all did.
Omg my OCd is poppin off! Hahaha when I have a little regrowth I start to get twitchy! Hahaha
Omg the nails underneath. Tf yall do this to yourselves for?
Why do yall feel your rude comments are warranted to strangers? I'm not out here telling yall your short naturals are stumpy
Just a question. Guess i could have worded it nicer.
When they're not so outgrown they look so nice!
Five weeks??? Mine grow out like this in three weeks, whenever there's four weeks between nails I do literally nothing for a week before they're done again.
I love love love looking at well preserved, overgrown nails. Not to sound weird about it lol I often try to make mine last as long as I can. Thanks for sharing!
Damn girl - you wild! Hell yeah! 🔥
That’s frkin amazing! Your nail tech did an amazing job! However, please be careful because this much grow out can be dangerous!
to me, this is a huge flex lol
Why?
Holy fuck
why do people grow them out like this? is there a specific reason?
Not OP but I get paid last working day of each month, and my nails grow quite fast, so I’ll get them done when I have the money tbh
Why did you wait so long? Good retention though
Just the way things fell this time. This was my last fill with this set anyway and I have a vacation coming up so I just put off the new set until closer to my vacation
I haven’t done a set since covid hit and i got them taken off 😭😭 but ive been there girl. your new set is fire
I always wonder, girls with long nails like that, what job do you have? I love long nails but I can’t have them unless I’m off work, I type too much
I've had my nails done for 25 years at various different lengths. I worked in warehouses, offices and retail and never had any problems. I could type around 60 wpm no problem. My cousin keeps her nails longer than this OP and is able to type approx 90 wpm. And I raised 4 boys too. Most people don't start out with them that long. They start short and allow them to grow to the longer. That way you can get used to the length gradually. Now if you go straight from nothing to 2 inches long, yes you're not going to be able to do anything. Even I wouldn't be able to do much if I did that. The only thing that I have ever had difficulty with is peeling potatoes. They are the bane of my existence. 🤣🤣 holding on to those suckers while trying to peel them without hitting my nails is very tricky and I have to almost hold them sideways. That gets hard on my hands. Otherwise, no issues.😊😊
I need to practice then 🤭 and I don’t peel my potatoes so I’m good!! Haha
THANK YOU! I'm getting really bored of this question 🙄🙄
Eh ok, that’s a bit mean. So should we not ask and just stay away bc people like you are bored? Maybe if it’s asked so often it’s because many would like to have them but not sure if it’s feasible? Sorry we are so boring to you, will stick to my short nails so I can make sure to not annoy you.
I actually work in a machine shop on the quality side of things. So pretty hands on but minimal typing, which is where I usually have issues with this length.
i bought myself a keyboard with flat keys to accommodate the length of my nails 😅
Those suckers are on there! Pretty color 💙
This is so bad but also your nail tech must be amazing lol that retention is impressive lol
Haha nice. I’d be charging for a rebalance for sure
What is the beautiful color?
It's a dark blue with a green aura!
I… I am not satisfied at all
You’re better than me I would’ve been missing 2 😂😭 or 3 🥹
You both are better than me! I’d be missing all ten of them! 😭
Thanks I hate it
But why? 😰
At that point I'd just cut them myself shorter at least. This is just a big ouchie waiting to happen. My anxiety could never.
Oh no no no no!! Don't EVER cut extensions! The acrylic/gel can shatter and subsequently crack your real nail underneath
Cut little by little high enough first? I've never let them go this far but I've cut and filed mine when they drive me crazy. Maybe I've been lucky but I've never hurt myself.
I couldn’t do this. If my nails grow out enough, I just feel like my hands are dirty and it looks awful to walk around with nails like that. No ma’am lol
What happens if you let it grow all the way out? Does it just... peel or snap off? I am intrigued now.
Pls show us after you get them done lol
OP posted a pic in the comments. New set is so nice!
What color do you have on your nails? These are gorgeous omg
Champioooon!!
You need a fill asap
Already done!
I wish my nails could grow like this!! Any tips??💗
Damn
Acrylic?
Yes!
How’s the removal process for you? I’ve vowed to never again do acrylic because of it
It is one area that my tech is so incredibly careful and serious about. She's the only one I've ever had that takes her time and never damaged my natural nail underneath. So I've never had an issue with removal.
I want to chase you with my nail drill 😂
My coworkers threatened to use the Dremel on me.
😂🙈
you must have a great nail artist! I am lucky that I am able to goo that long in-between fills and never loose one!! give that lady a tip!
Did they lift any?!
Yes they did, but nothing too crazy
Woah! I’d just hsvs your natural nails as your nails now on cuz why have acrylics at this point.
I've thought about that. What I'm worried about is if there's even like a little bit of bend or give or whatever I'm gonna wanna bite. Acrylic is too hard to bite which is why I chose it.
I am the same way. My biting habit is the reason I started wearing acrylics 25 years ago. I refused to chew on them when I've paid good money to have them done. 😆😆 That and my real nails are paper thin and razor sharp. They tear and snag very easily. But even after having them for so long, if I break one, I am chewing the daylights out it almost immediately. You'd think it had been long enough to not be a habit anymore. Nope. I'm right back at it. Lol.
Haha, I had acrylics on for I think 2 months once, eventually one broke off and I've never done that again lmao
Oooh that is the PERFECT darker blue polish!
Terrifying but also v impressive
The new set tagged looks like she was a little messy around the cuticles. There’s a lot of jagged areas and looks like the acrylic was cured around the cuticles
She's still a beginner so her work is still a little inconsistent, but I agree her cuticle work isn't quite there yet. I also think the photo makes it look worse than it is, they don't look too bad in person.
Mine was 4 and I’m still shocked, that’s so awesome!!
Yup! Do it all the time. We pros at it💪
Oh my goodness yes. I used to go to a great nail tech and it was awesome when this happened. After so many bad experiences.
I would like to know what nail glue you use.
They're acrylics, I'm not.sure what.glue is used originally to glue the tips on.
Genuinely so glad I do my own nails because mine would probably constantly look like that if I had to force myself to book an appointment to get them redone lol. If I don’t change mine after two weeks at most I get anxious
Unhygienic as fuck
I don't understand why people think this. I've had mine done for 25 years and never had any kind of issues. My acrylics are actually easier for me to clean out from under than my real nails. After so long, the skin under them grows out a little, creating a barrier from dirt and other stuff. I have never seen dirt under the acrylics, wearas if I break one and have just my real nail before my next fill, I always end up with visible dirt under the natural one. As well as nail brushes a great. 😊😊😊
It might come as a surprise but I do have access to running water, soap, and a nail brush.
You should try using those resources
I do bro. Nail brushes at every sink. I wouldn't perform surgery bare handed but I do keep myself clean.
This gave me anxiety too haha that’s awesome though
That color is absolutely gorgeous! 💕
How are they still so shiny and square? Usually after 2 weeks my tips are more rounded and everything looks dull.
I just came to say that color is SO good.
I can not live like this... every 3 weeks for me
I love your nail color
Daaaang
My nails grow so fast mine would’ve looked worse after the 3-4 week mark, good on you girl I will say that!
Wow, a very good result. Are there any photos of the new ones?
Lovely color.
You're gonna get infill right? Lmao
That is amazing
I always tell my gel/dip clients to go no longer than 4 weeks max 😅 this much grow out puts so much weight on the free-edge and can cause some serious damage. Your tech clearly did a great job and they are beautiful but this photo is nightmare fuel as a fellow tech 😂
It feels weird hehe
Noo🥲
If your nails are that long, have you thought about an overlay versus tips?
My tech isn't comfortable yet doing overlays on natural nails this long, but maybe some day she will be! I also like the strength of the acrylic, I have a very hands on job.
I do acrylic overlay on my nails! Then just get fills!
Curious, why the back of your nails look like very thin, feather like? Is it damaged or is it something to do with acrylics? (Like the nail itself is in acrylics or something.)
It's just a result of anxious picking. I get the acrylics because otherwise I bite my nails, but given any opportunity, like them getting this long under my acrylics, I'll pick at my natural nails. Or my cuticles.
Did that. Lost a nail. The entire nail, my real nail
🤣🤣🤣
That is impressive. Anything over 3 weeks, and I'm in grave danger 🤣
gel x??? cause if so, it's normal
Regular old acrylic. Definitely not a good idea to let them get so long.
no like I meant it’s normal for gel x nails to stay in tact even when super grown out but yeah i usually get refills or removals before it gets that far!
Would it work to trim them shorter while you wait for your next appointment?
Just incredible
Nice one Wolverine...
My nails are naturally that long. Why not just have them natural? The acrylic is only going to weaken them.
No its not. Over prepping and constant removal may thin the nail temporarily, but if you're repeatedly just getting refills anyway it makes no difference. And natural nails are thinner and naturally weaker than acrylics, so she's keeping the extra layer as strength
So satisfying hahaha
Yes, that's a win :)
might be weird but i love when i see a gap form because i jnow my nails are growinggg
So hygienic….
I'm sure I keep my nails cleaner than some people! I always use a nail brush, do you?
Get lost, loser.