Looking for some validation, lol. As the title says, I’ve been a tomboy and a skin picker on my life. I have recently begun to take very good care of my nails in order to try to stop biting my fingers. I used to do it unconsciously, and keeping them painted helps. I’ve been feeling really self-conscious though because it’s very different for me and I feel like it makes me focus on my hands a lot more than I used to. Here are some of my favorite colors. I’m looking for some advice of colors or shapes. That would work well for my hand. I like to keep them short because I work with my hands and long nails seem too feminine for me. I kind of feel like the shaping is off but I might just be hyper focusing. Any advice helps!
Photo one: 2 coats LA colors color craze gel extreme shine in Meteorite, 2 coats sally henson insta dry in Bejeweled, and one coat LA colors insta dry top coat.
Photo 2: three coats sally Henson insta dry chrome in Steel the Show. Two coats LA colors insta dry top coat.
3rd I will admit is a salon mani, my first in years. Not gel though.
by doublehubblegum
5 Comments
Congrats on your progress! It looks like you’re doing great! I have always been more tomboyish and didn’t take care of my nails until I started almost two years ago now. I was self conscious at first because it felt so abnormal for me to have manicured polished nails. What’s most important is that you’re happy with your nails and enjoying the self care. For shaping I’d recommend a glass file (germanikure is a good brand) if you don’t have one already. For me I usually just round the ends, which it looks like you’re doing a good job of. You could try squaring them off if you want. For me I didn’t like the sort of bell shape of my nails so when I do my polish clean up I use my cleanup brush to straighten the side line of my polish and sort of create the illusion of the shape I want, idk if that makes any sense lol
I love these! It looks like you’re doing great with application and edge cleanup, too, which is so often a hurdle for folks who are just starting. It’s for sure why i waited until my 30’s to start trying manicures again after high school.
The shape looks good, too. Shape looks even from nail to nail. The pinky might be a touch rounder than the others, but I only noticed because you asked for feedback. I’d never have thought to even look otherwise.
You’re taste in colors and finishes seems a lot like my enby sibling-in-law. They love Lurid Lacquer for shimmery semi-sheer polishes like the first photo. You might be into their [Hickory Nut Grove](https://luridlacquer.com/products/hickory-nut-grove-pbe-exclusive) shade.
They’ve also been drooling over [Death Valley Nails](https://deathvalleynails.com/collections/nail-polish) shades lately, too.
If you’re trying to stick to brand names you can find in stores locally, I think people usually have good results from OPI and Essie.
I prefer short nails too and I’m non-binary so I get you on the nail length 😄 I think your nail shape looks great and suits you, and I second the comment about getting a glass nail file, they make shaping nails so much easier! The green looks so good on you too btw!
You’re doing amazing!!
I was a lifelong nail biter so I totally understand the journey. I still fixate on my nails but now it’s pushing my cuticles down or just feeling along the lines for bumps in my polish. I guess I’ll never dump the habit completely.
I think your shape looks fine but it really comes down to what you like. I generally just do a natural curve (I call it lazy natural) and I just shape it a little when it feels off or gets a snag. Get a cuticle pusher and push those down – it makes a big difference for how your nails look.
Keep going! You’re doing absolutely fantastic and I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.
I think you’re doing awesome! Your hands and nails look beautiful. I especially love slide 2 – I think the silver tone really suits you! Wear whatever makes you happy. Slide 3 is such a cool colour choice I love a good green!