need fake fingernails advice

[jim1960]

I've tried to grow my nails longer but they're just not tough enough to stay undamaged when I do. I think I'm going to get some fake nails at a shop but I'm not sure what to ask for. Do any of you have some experience with this? What should I ask for? How long should I get them? I'm assuming I'll have to work on creating an optimal shape at home.

FYI - I'm not interested in nail strengtheners or doing this myself. I just want to know what to ask for when I walk into the shop.

[ohYew812]

Originally Posted by jim1960

I've tried to grow my nails longer but they're just not tough enough to stay undamaged when I do. I think I'm going to get some fake nails at a shop but I'm not sure what to ask for. Do any of you have some experience with this? What should I ask for? How long should I get them? I'm assuming I'll have to work on creating an optimal shape at home.

FYI - I'm not interested in nail strengtheners or doing this myself. I just want to know what to ask for when I walk into the shop.

Do some googling... and do a search here on the AGF. There's lots of threads about this.

I have acrylics and love them. They last a long time too.

Some like the gel nails.

[jeezfreek]

I've been dealing with the same nails frustration for YEARS!! I've tried it all!! This is likely to sound different that my intent, but honestly, not a racist bone in my body. So please take this is the right context. If you can go to a nail shop that speaks whichever language that you can verbalize what you want to use your nails to achieve, the more likely you'll be able to get what you want. And, yes, you may in fact have to dial in at home what will satisfy your playing style, so have the shop leave a bit extra so that you can have more to work with than not enough!! Should you ever decide to try taking care of your nails on your own, here's a great link for you to learn from:
https://youtu.be/7BqISqpMRo8
Keep in mind, if you play out anywhere and bust a nail, it will be handy to know how to do a quick repair!!

[mercy]

I was desperate at one point like you so I had acrylics done and yes they are hard but I didnt like the sound, I didnt like how they came loose at the back so you have to keep going back to the salon, I didnt like going into a womans salon, I didnt like what they did to my real nails and I was afraid of the chemicals I was putting in my body.
After I discovered a few solutions. The first was Rico Nails. You just press them on to play and take them off when your done. I have since started buying the supplies at the local pharmacy. Ive experimented with different ones and each brand/style has its own sound but the preshaped Revlon have the sound most similar to my natural nails. I discovered something else after that which Ill tell to those that are interested, nothing Im selling.

[jeezfreek]

ohYew, I'm interested in knowing!

[ohYew812]

Originally Posted by jeezfreek

ohYew, I'm interested in knowing!

Knowing what? About acrylics?

I love them! Like I said, they last a long time.
I get mine done for free, so I don't know how much they cost. (my wife owns a hair salon, no she's not Asian )

You can really get so many different tones by attack, and just as loud for strumming.

She doesn't grind down the tops of my nails either, she uses a file to rough them up so the powder and liquid mix bonds better.

I've had them with sometimes a month break, for 6 years. No problems. At all.

She actually suggested it... she's had customers for YEARS that come get their "guitar fingers" only done.

[murrmac123]

Originally Posted by mercy

I didnt like how they came loose at the back so you have to keep going back to the salon

That tells me right there that the nail tech you were using didn't have a clue what she was doing. I used to have that problem as well when I had my nails done in the States.

Nowadays, I get a fill every six weeks because obviously the nail grows out, but the acrylic overlays never get "loose at back" ... and I am working with my hands every day.

I am thankful to have found the best nail tech in the world.

[fuman]

Have you tried Alaska Fingerpicks? They fit under your nail and feel pretty natural. You can probably file them down to the contour you want.

[Epiphone100]

Be very, very careful with the glue supplied by some artificial nail products. I tried it years ago and the glue reacted with my fingernails and ruined them for months !!!!!!!!!!!

[pf400]

OP asks what to ask for in the shop. Just say you're a guitarist and need acrylics installed. I've been to 3 salons and each time they had done this for other clients, it's just a routine procedure costing 10 dollars or less per finger.

How long he asks as well. That's personal preference but I find about 1/8 of an inch works well, and I keep them filed down to that level as they grow out. I do have to concentrate on proper technique to avoid clicking and other noises from the strings. Pick at a 90 degree angle if you can.

My acrylics last 6 or 7 weeks and then pop off, mainly because I have a bad habit of picking at the edges as the nail grows, thereby weakening the bond.

You can get the nails put on, and play your guitar vigorously right away.

[jim1960]

Thanks for all the helpful responses.

Are the nails translucent or do you have to to apply some kind of coating to make them look natural?

[ohYew812]

Originally Posted by jim1960

Thanks for all the helpful responses.

Are the nails translucent or do you have to to apply some kind of coating to make them look natural?

They're usually opaque. They look kinda natural. I don't put any polish or anything on mine.

[jim1960]

Thought of another question...
Assuming that not all nail files are of same quality, what should I use to file them to avoid tearing and rough edges?

[Parlorman]

I'm with Fuman. I tried everything to keep my nails long, tried acrylics, do it yourself and salon and gave up. aLaska piks (their spelling) solved the problem for me.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by Parlorman

I'm with Fuman. I tried everything to keep my nails long, tried acrylics, do it yourself and salon and gave up. aLaska piks (their spelling) solved the problem for me.

I tried them about 20 years ago when they first came out. They didn't work well for me.

Anyone have a recommendation for a superior nail file for acrylics?