The first nail-focused beauty blog

Fanatic Feedback – Who Does Your Nails?

By on May 28, 2009
in Fanatic Feedback

With the economy being what it is (in the crapper) I’ve been cutting back my expenses any way I can. I’ve always been an at-home manicurist and I’ll splurge on the occasional salon mani but I absolutely hate doing my toes so I’m pretty religious about getting pedicures. Recently I’ve switched from full spa pedis to express versions to save money since I refuse to give them up.

So my question to all of you is… Where do you get your nails done? At home? In a salon? Did you used to be a salon girl before the market tanked? If you still go to a salon, do you space your appointments out more to fit your budget? Has the economy affected your nail routine?

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There Are 43 Brilliant Comments

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  1. jhoannz says:

    I used to have my mani and pedi at the salon for like every week before the trying times… now i just have my pedi done twice a week and my mani done professionally once a week.

  2. Melissa says:

    I typically do my own as well. It seems like at home manis last a lot longer than if I get them done at the salon. I'll go once in a while to get my cuticles cleaned up, etc. In the past, I've done my own pedis, too, but when my feet are in need of some serious TLC (read: NOW!), I splurge on a pedi & then just try to maintain it myself the best I can.

  3. girl says:

    every now and then i get a mani/pedi from the nail salon – like when my feet are looking a mess. i really enjoy doing my nails and toes, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone pumice my feet instead of me!

  4. adorepink says:

    I havent went to a nail salon in forever, I like doing my nails. However, I really want a pedicure because I dont ever feel like fooling with my feet and I not completely happy with the results.

  5. Anonymous says:

    At home all the way.

  6. Anonymous says:

    I’ve always been a DIY girl. I do my manis just as well myself, but my feet look better when my pedi was done professionally. Thing is… my feet are too ticklish for getting a pedi to be enjoyable! So I’ve almost always just done my pedis myself, even before the market tanked.

  7. lena says:

    i’ve only gotten a pedi twice and a mani once in my life. the second time i got a pedi i got some sort of infection on my fat toe that i honestly dont know what it was so i’ve been scared to to do it again ever since. plus i find the manicurists are too harsh and i’m always scared they’re going to cut me or something. idk i’m weird… so i always do everything myself

  8. Karen says:

    I’m always a home mani/pedi girl. Same with Melissa, I find my mani and pedi actually last longer at home (Granted I can only afford cheap salon anyways)… I would rather do my own nails… Usually I go to get my nails done just as a social activities with the girls… but I actually prefer doing it myself.

  9. Mary Clark says:

    I do my own nails. I’m pretty good at doing my own pedicure–I’ve been more on top of that so I know I find I don’t even feel like I *need* the salon works since my feet are in good shape.

    I’m not as good at doing my finger nails but I do them myself anyway. I just can’t afford the mani price now adays.

  10. Anonymous says:

    I definitely used to be a regular in the salon. Every 2 weeks for nails, and once a month for Pedi’s…for the most part. Since I bought my own place, THEN got laid off…I’ve been doing my own nails for over a year and a half (manis and pedis). I like that it’s cheaper of course, but also I can change as frequently as I want. Do my cuticles look as great..probably not. But its saving me a lot of money in the long run, so I’ll probably only go back to salons as a once in a while treat, or if my situation improves to the point that I can without it cutting into other expenses…

  11. Selina says:

    I do my manis at home, but find doing my pedis so awkward and fiddly that I’d rather pay to get them done, typically about once a fortnight. However I’m another extremely ticklist person, and many’s the time I’ve nearly kicked the poor tech in the face when she’s tickled me!

  12. Teresa says:

    I’m mainly a DIY girl, but during sandal season I typically get a pedi done professionally a couple times. However, since I recently got laid off and my DH has had OT completely frozen I’m doing them myself. I have all the tools and polish at home, so I’d rather save the cash and spend it on my kids.

  13. Stef says:

    A couple of years ago I stopped having my nails done, silks, because it got too expensive. But I had wanted to go back to natural nails too. Nobody does as good a manicure on me than myself, so I do my own nails. And I give myself my own pedicures too, but I enjoy it and do a good job!

  14. Kelsey says:

    I do my own mani/pedi. I used to go to the salon every 2 weeks religiously for my pedi, and as far as my fingernails, well, I am ashamed to say I had been a 21 year nail-biter. :/ But, I finally kicked the habit, and I discovered the amazing world of nailpolish…and then I discovered your site! Ever since then, it’s been an obsession of mine to do my own mani/pedi! I find it challenging (I have gotten progressively better!) and I feel more creative! You probably remember my zebra nail art I sent you on twitter! ;)

  15. Vesper says:

    I started doing my own tips & toes about 1 1/2 years ago. I think my at home manis/pedis last longer than the salon ones I used to get because I used better BC & TC. (Actually, seeing swatches on this site made me want to go out & buy polish so I could do my own nails.) When I used to get manis I would leave the polish on until it was chiptastic because I felt bad taking off something I spent $20+ on. Now I have no problem changing up my color a couple of times a week.

  16. Denette says:

    I have been doing my own manis/pedis for about 3 years now. My old job required pedicured toes if we wanted to wear open toed shoes so I went to the salon. I soon discovered for the price of one pedi I could purchase 3 polishes and DIY, so I did! My aunt is a nail tech and she taught me how to do natural nail pedis/manis and I have loved the results!! I invested a little into the tools (metal cuticle pusher, curette, and some good TC and BC) and have enjoyed every minute of it! Now if only I could break my compulsive polish purchases…

  17. wixology says:

    Similar to Lena, I have had but 2 pedicures and 1 manicure professionally over my 36 years.

    It was my single spa manicure, over 2 years ago, that got me started doing my own nails and I haven’t looked back since.

    I love that my pedicures can last up to a month, and I can change my polish daily if I want to!

  18. Shojo Flash says:

    I do my nails myself at home once or twice a week depending on my schedule/how well they hold up. I find it really, really relaxing to curl up and do my nails :)

  19. Joan says:

    I’ll always be a salon girl! It’s one of my favorite rituals and a great way to bond with my best friend. We go together every week.

  20. max.fabulous says:

    i do my own mani’s and pedi’s and i always have.
    i’ll only go to the salon if someone else is paying for it.
    partly because i’m too impatient to wait around for an appointment; i want it done when i want it done! but also because i almost never feel that the “professional” did a better job than i could at home.
    except when it comes to sheers of course!

  21. Anonymous says:

    I used to get my toes done once a month, and then maintain in between…I’ve always done my own manis. Here’s a tip: Read Ji Baek’s book “Rescue Your Nails–a do-it-yourself guide to perfect fingers and toes” and you’ll find yourself wanting to do your own manis and pedis. It inspired me…and it freaked me out a bit about the questionable cleanliness of the corner nail places. Good luck!

  22. candita says:

    I’m like you — I do my own manis and get my toes done. It seems like with manicures, I was usually bringing my own polishes and sometimes even base/top coats and for that, why bother!?? Plus, they never seemed to paint my entire nail, just a wide strip down the middle, forgetting about the extreme sides. No thanks!

    I am horrible at doing my toes though, so I’ll pay for that! It’s a special treat and one of the least expensive ways to pamper yourself!

  23. ashleydanielle4 says:

    i’ve always done my mani and pedi at home so the economy hasn’t really changed my habits at all. i hate people touching my feet and i have to change my polish color every couple of days so that would be a waste of money.

  24. Gina says:

    About 3 years ago I went to the nail salon twice a month. It always seemed like such a chore and waste of money though so I started teaching myself how to do my nails the right way. Now I actually prefer to do my own nails.

    The only time I really go to the nail salon anymore is to get a real pedicure since I’m not so good at that. I go probably once every 3 months for that and just try to maintain it at home.

  25. Orli says:

    I’ve always done my own. Never had a mani or pedi!!

  26. bonnie nicole says:

    when i was a single gal i’d get my mani’s done at a salon. never pedi’s b/c i hate people touching my feet.

    now that i am a wife and mom to triplets i’ve had to cut back on things and my mani’s were the first to go :( i’ve become a wiz at doing them myself now. i also got over my aversion to feet and i do my pedi’s at home as well.

    i check your site religiously and got all my tips from you! keep it up :)

  27. RedHeDD says:

    I do my own mani and pedis. Had a salon pedi a few months ago when I was recovering from a surgery and couldn’t bend like that. It was a nice treat, but I think I do a better job. It’s my “ME” time to pamper myself and the results seem to last longer.

  28. Anonymous says:

    I used to get a mani/pedi done at the salon every 2 weeks, but once my nail polish collection started growing, I stopped. Even though it was great having it done, I enjoy doing it myself —a kind of catharsis. Not to mention, I have a much better selection of colors ;)

  29. Lucy says:

    I only had a manicure done a few times in my life. Never have had a pedicure. I also cut my hair most of my life. So there was no need. I’d rather spend money on buying polish. I also don’t know if I could stand anyone touching my feet. Tickle issues!

  30. Beauté Noire says:

    I’ve always done my own nails and toes, but recently started getting gel overlays, and pedicures because I hate fooling with my toes. I get a touch up every 2 weeks, but am considering spacing them out.

    I like to change my polish every week, so I do that myself instead of paying for a color change.

  31. Beaut says:

    I’ve always done my own nails and toes, but recently started getting gel overlays, and pedicures because I hate fooling with my toes. I get a touch up every 2 weeks, but am considering spacing them out.

    I like to change my polish every week, so I do that myself instead of paying for a color change.

  32. Miss Yaya says:

    I do mine all the time except for special occasions. I like to do my own pedis b/c that is when I do nail art

  33. Jamie says:

    I’m still a salon girl. I got my hours cut back at work, but my nail tech and I are friends — you don’t just cut back on friends. So I’m saving money at other things. I get a mani every week and pedi every month.

  34. Jennifer says:

    i do my own mani and pedi…and i have this weird thing about people touching my toenails, so it saves me money and it’s more comfortable!

  35. Kathryn says:

    I’ve ALWAYS done my own — and my mom’s, and my sister’s, and all of my roomates’ nails AND toes! It’s my hobby — and as long as you have the right tools, products and knowledge, you can do your own A LOT BETTER than professionals because you know exactly what you want! :)

  36. Jeri says:

    I always went to the salon every Saturday morning for a pedicure and a manicure prior to shopping for frocks and other things to make me feel good. Now I do my own nails and almost never shop. Believe better times are coming or I’ll find a way to make better times come for me.
    Jeri

  37. Lydia says:

    I have never gotten a pedi but I usually get a mani every 2 weeks.

  38. sparklingpinkgorilla says:

    i've often wondered if i was the only one who couldn't get pedis because how ticklish my feet are'

  39. tigra1411 says:

    Since my hair in salons costs me 150 dollars every 6th month and 80 dollars one time in between, I always have to save money on doing all my nails myselfs. I’m 27, scientific researcher by the way. (Just to compare possble income)/

  40. Arrianne says:

    Never had a manicure or pedicure done professionally and don’t want one. No one could do my nails better than me and I enjoy doing both myself.

    • All Lacquered Up says:

      I love getting pedis but I’m rarely pleased when I get a pro mani. I’m always left with an unevenly filed nail or something along those lines.

  41. Jenn says:

    i prefer to do my own fingers, but i ejoy getting my toes done on occasion.

  42. Julia says:

    I would get manicures maybe once a year, just as a treat for the spring/summer season. But now that I’ve been inspired by blogs like ALU, I have started doing manicures all myself (no matter how awful the first one was!) and I have to say I am definitely improving with each polishing. As for pedicures, I usually get my toes done twice in the summer for sandal season, but any other time I do my toes myself. For manicures, I often find I can do just a good job myself (well, now I can, not before) and I offten notice that there are slight imperfections after a mani, but pedi-imperfections are obviously not very noticeable.

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