Contrary to what people think, I’ve never been a girly girl. I don’t own a hairdryer and I usually make do with the soaps provided by hotels when I travel. While I’m very conscious about my appearance, I prefer to be practical.
Waxing, threading, haircuts and dentist visits are a necessity, but I’m quite slack when it comes to manicures and pedicures. I’m quite rough and tend to chip nail polishes within a day or two so it’s not economical for me. I got my nails done the night before my ROM and I still managed to chip and scratch them before the registration. :shock:
Bio Sculpture Gel from Japan
My sister recommended gel manicure or ‘gelish’, which lasts up to a month without chipping or scratching. Gelish is a gel treatment that is applied similar to nail polish and cured under a UV lamp.
Glitters and and coloured stones for nail art
Glitter and gradation samples
Full nail colour samples
I got my Japanese gel manicure and pedicure done at Shige Hair Salon in Plaza Damas. It’s a hair salon that also offers manicure and pedicure services. The polish dried almost immediately, so I didn’t have to worry about ruining my new nails. Below are pictures of the entire process, including the removal of the gel.
I chose colour No.5
Buff and file nails
UV Light
Nail art
The gel colour is applied in layers
Topped up with glitter
Tada!
Gelish Removal
Nails are wrapped in silver foil
To remove the gel polish, my nails were wrapped in a silver foil containing acetone. Acetone can cause the nail to become brittle and peel after repeated use, so my nail technician massaged some moisturizer into my nails to combat that.
Once the nails are soaked for 10 minutes, the gel is scraped off
And the residue is lightly buffed away
Biju applying moisturiser on my nails
Some people are concerned about how their nails will get ruined during the removal process, but I didn’t find it much of a problem. My nail tech Biju has been working with gelish for more than 9 years so she’s pretty pro. Of course, don’t remove your gelish every week lah. That will surely damage your nails.
The downside (and also a plus side) I find about gelish is how long it lasts. Mine lasted for 5 weeks. You will need to commit to a colour for at least 2 weeks. Otherwise, don’t bother doing gelish. So choose your colour wisely.
My gelish manicure
It also costs more than a regular manicure and pedicure, but you don’t have to worry about your nails chipping or losing their shine. My manicure and pedicure was RM260 each for the gelish gradation and nail art. It will cost more if you opt for a more extravagant nail art.
Price list
I think gel polish is great for brides, honeymooners and those with weak or easily chipped nails. If you’re getting hitched soon, do consider getting gel polish as you don’t have to worry about your nails chipping and touch-ups on your big day. As it is, you’re plenty to worry about on that day so this is one problem off the list. ;)
Shige Hair Salon
C-0-6 & C-1-6,
Plaza Damas,
60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6201 7368