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To other high maintenance women... Acrylic nail question...

I have acrylic nails. I will be in Germany, Austria for 3 weeks, and obviously will not be able to get my nails filled after 2 weeks as usual. When I lived in Germany, I didn't have acrylics, so I don't remember whether they had nail salons that did acrylics. Does anyone know firsthand whether they have nail salons that offer that service? Even if I can't get them filled, I want to go somewhere where I can get them professionally repainted which is good enough until I get home... I just don't want my nails to look ugly during my last week in Europe! I'm very particular...
P.S. I am not going to have my nails removed before I go (I've had them on for over 5 years), so if your answer to my question is to have them removed before I go, please don't bother answering the question!

Posted by
389 posts

Ha Ha, I'm laughing (kindly). My mother has the same problem and the advice of our friends was to go to a large American style hotel (Hilton type) in most larger European cities as they will have a salon that caters to the likes of American women and you shoulld be able to get your hair done, your feet and hands, etc. Also, I don't believe that we invented acrylics, so probably just walking down the street you will find places. Something like "akryl Fingernägel" will be on signs. Don't let the beauty get you down.

Posted by
12 posts

I have the same problem - and have never found anyone in England/Ireland that does acrylic nails - if they do, it must be at a spa and probably costs three times as much as here in the US. I get them done the day before I leave and just bear with it for that last week. I bring crazy glue and my acrylic nail file and use clear nail posh so as not to draw too much attention to them. Another way is to bring some glue on nails for when one pops off when they are starting to grow out. Having had acrylic nails for almost 15 years, I can't suggest anything else.

Posted by
517 posts

Seriously... I am intrigued and a little bit baffled. What motivates women to go to so much trouble? "Viva la differance!"

Posted by
1455 posts

They do exist but you have to find them. Inqurie with your hotel front desk, preferably with a woman clerk. They can help you find a beauty salon which does this. Mind you, they may not have the same standards as home but they can do this service.

Posted by
223 posts

I'm going to be in Europe for 2-1/2 months this summer. One month in Amsterdam (found a salon online that does acrylic nails); two weeks in France and a month in Rome. I couldn't locate any salons using the Internet...

So, I took them off about a month ago so I'd have time to let my nails grow out past the "beat up" phase by the time I get to Europe. It's the first time in YEARS I haven't had nails and its weird. However, I just didn't want to hassle with it on my trip.

You might have good luck searching the Internet in Germany for nail salons as I believe that they are similar to the dutch in terms of using it as a resource. However, like I said, I struck out in Italy and France.

I am sure, though, that you'll be able to find a nice salon to do a regular manicure and paint your nails - I think women like to be pampered like that the world over.

Have a fantastic trip.

Posted by
689 posts

"Seriously... I am intrigued and a little bit baffled. What motivates women to go to so much trouble? "Viva la differance!" "

Thomas, Women like to be beautiful. Some of us have horrible nails - discolored, split, curvey, many such issues that we cover. Also, acrylic nails keep the polish much longer without chipping.!!! :-)

Amy: I have had acrylics twice. the first time for 7 years. I had them removed for 2 months in Nepal (which included a 2 week white water river trip). No way could I keep up with them there! This round it's been 4 years.

Before leaving I file them short. I take nail glue (2 little bottles) wear a light color polish (skin tone) and take that with me with a clear top coat. I glue as needed and add a coat of polish and top coat each week. Three weeks is a push - but I manage to look human!

Posted by
23 posts

I'm pretty sure you will be getting your nails filled right before you leave for your trip. So, my advice is, try a new set without an acrylic fill. Acrylic is the cheapest so it will chip and it is not as strong.Theres fiberglass,gel and the best- pink powder (alittle more expensive than gel). It is the strongest and lasts much longer. Before I left on my month long Europe trip,I had a new set done with pink powder.It lasted throughout the entire thrip without chipping. And- since your real nails will grow them out a bit, I recommend you get white tips with clear polish. That way, the colors never fade and when your nails grow out, no one will ever know and it matches with every outfit!

I hope this helps!

Posted by
956 posts

Elle, that's a very good idea. I'm usually too cheap to get the gel, but it may be a good investment this time... And I considered the french manicure for the same reasons that you gave. Last time we went to Europe, I had on a red nail polish, and I think it was a little much for Europe where I realized most women don't do their nails... A french may be more subtle. It's a clean look. Thanks everyone for your advice!

Posted by
2773 posts

Hi Amy, I've had my nails on for ten years. I have found lots of places in the UK that does them. When you seen a hair salon pop in and ask if they do them.
You could also do this, after two weeks when your nails grown you can file down the nail some what to make them more even with your own nail them polish them. Then it's not so noticeable, my nail tech told me this. I agree with the other post to take along nail glue.

Posted by
31 posts

I'm glad I'm not traveling with you. I don't spend all that money to go waste time in a nail salon. I guess it's much more important than learning about other cultures.

Posted by
956 posts

Frank, your comment was unfair and ignorant. #1, I HOPE you're not going to spend any time in a nail salon assuming that you're a MAN. #2, I, too, am spending a lot of money to go on this THREE WEEK trip, and a 30 minute visit to a nail salon to make my nails look nice is not going to take away from my experience. It's my prerogative if I want to look nice/get a little pampering while I'm touring. I've been planning this trip since last September, and if you read all of my other posts, you'll see that I have MANY other questions about our travels that had nothing to do with my nails - they're about sights we're going to see. I, too, am going to Europe to enjoy their culture. Why else would I go??? #3, this question was directed towards "other high maintenance women." I'm guessing you're not one of them, so you should have kept your comments to yourself.

Posted by
705 posts

Amy don't let other's comments upset you. You are about to embark on a wonderful trip and I am green with envy. I don't do acrylics, just not my thing, but if they make your nails look fabulous, which I'm sure they do, go for it. It must be a boy thing that they can't have great looking nails and enjoy the culture of the place they are in at the same time. Women are so much more multi functional.

Posted by
223 posts

Amy,

Adding on to the last posters comments in rebuttal to Frank - a nail salon is probably one of the best places to meet the locals. You probably won't run into many tourists at all and chatty local women in a salon would probably give you a fantastic opportunity to hear about their day-to-day lives.

It is a neat opportunity. Have a great vacation.

Roxanne

Posted by
190 posts

Just a quick reminder about the 8 oz bag! If you take nail "stuff", you might have to short yourself on other things. I'm with the other ladies about the culture you will find in a salon, especially a local one. Hmmmm! I might go to one just for that experience!

Posted by
689 posts

Amy,

I would LOVE to HAVE to go into a salon for an hour and meet the local women! Talk about finding the BEST food and the BEST sites off the beaten path!!!

Who knows their village better than the women??? Who would share more about their village than the women?

My husband would LOVE that time to just sit outside and watch the village life live.

We have your back.

Posted by
26 posts

Amy,
I don't do acrylic but I do get my nails done every two weeks and I wear a red OPI polish. I will be on this trip for over 3 weeks and I am worried about the chipping. I may do as some as the others suggested and go with a lighter french manicure that way the chipping might not be as noticable.

I agree with you there is no reason not to look great on our travels, I don't want to have to hide my hands!

Posted by
23 posts

Amy,
I agree with the other ladies, dont let his (Frank) comment get to you. Whats wrong with making sure you look fabulous while traveling? NOTHING!!

I hope you have a wonderful time in Europe!! Hopefully when you get back, you can post some new tips for us before we leave!! lol

Posted by
2773 posts

I'm sure that all of the ladies who have a post here, are VERY glad that Frank isn't part of our life.

Posted by
689 posts

Robin- You got that one RIGHT. My hubby is quite proud of his high maintenance wife and doesn't mind putting up with me!!!