If you’re around my age or older, you remember when getting a manicure was the province of fancy women. Women who were movie stars, or high-level professionals who maybe had careers but not kids. Women who lived privileged lives.
But then came the acrylics. Everybody was doing them. I was in my mid-30s when I got my first set, blood-red, during my lunch hour. By the time I went home that night, half of them had popped off, and are probably still being found in the depths of the manila-folder archives at Jurupa Unified School District. I gave up acrylics, but got quite comfortable with regular trips to the nail salon.
These days, mani/pedis are so common we even treat girls in elementary school to the procedure. No longer a fancy, expensive indulgence, manicures are more or less expected if you’re doing anything public or professional. Nail salons are on every street corner, with varying degrees of cleanliness. And along with the proliferation of cheap-ass salons comes the usual abuse and victimization of humans living on the fringe. I laughed when I first watched this comedy routine of Anjela Johnson’s, but if it resonates with you, then you know what I’m talking about.
Now along comes information that the fumes from these chemical-bathed work environments are causing the nail technicians to suffer miscarriages and higher rates of cancer, as well as bearing children with birth defects. I guess it’s not a good idea to work all day where you inhale dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde, to name three.
One state in the country is starting to move on this problem, New York, in response to this investigative series in the NY Times which ran a few days ago. In it, you’ll learn that, in addition to chemical exposure, these uninformed workers are also being ripped off monetarily, often receiving only tips for wages – if that.
You know how I’ve decided to go gray, and makeup is going by the wayside. Now I’m thinking I’ll do my own nails, too. Out on the patio, where there’s a lot of ventilation. Or I might try these new paste-ons, where you take a photo with your iPhone and have the suckers made to match your outfit or whatever. For about twenty bucks, it seems pretty fun and easy. Or I might just stop entirely. What about you?
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Lynne,
My mom had wonderful slender hands and long sturdy fingernails — which she polished a deep red. Unfortunately, I did not inherit her hands or nails. Thus, i don’t waste money on manicures. HOWEVER, i do have fabulous feet — honestly it is the ONLY part of my body that has never aged. (Weird i know). So i enjoy a pedicure about 3 times a year, and keep them in good shape at home too.
I love what you said about your “fabulous feet”, Heather! It’s LOL-refreshing to read your unselfconscious words. I hope you have the kind of climate where you can enjoy wearing a pretty pair of sandals from time to time.
For years I filed and polished my nails every Sunday night in preparation for the work week. Not any more! Now they’re nude. However, I do my own pedicures during the summer. Sandals demand it!
By the way, I’ve decided to let my hair go gray too, but I’m not ready to give up make-up. Too many broken veins, acne scars, basal cell carcinoma scars, etc. I’m not a fan of the Freddy Kreuger look.
Me, neither, Sandy. I do lotion, a dusting of powder, and Outlast all-day lipstick.
Lynne, I had acrylic nails once and couldn’t stand them. Never again. But I do get pedicures now and then as a treat. But the last time I had a pedicure, the technician was rough and couldn’t speak English. I liked the finished product but the experience left a lot to be desired. The video was cute and very realistic. Will I go again? Probably for a pedi but I’ll need to find a better place.
Kathy, the only place I ever go now for a pedicure is a fancy hotel with a spa. Because as Bill says, they have deep pockets if anything goes wrong, and also, their rep depends on clients not getting a galloping case of the creepy crud from a spa visit. I go half as often, thereby cutting the cost.
I had acrylics for nearly 30 years. I did not, but twice, go to a “Happy Nails” type of salon though. Another instance of you get what you pay for, truly. I spent the extra money to get technicians who wouldn’t take the lazy way out of using a machine to file my nails and ruin my nail beds while giving me fungal infections. However, after the latest property tax hike, I decided the extra $1200 a month or so could be better ‘spent’ moving directly to my savings, so I stopped in January and had them all removed. It’s taken 4 months to get my nails back to being strong enough to grow long enough to look decent again, but beyond that, I knew it was both financially and health-wise, the better thing to do for myself. 🙂
“The better thing to do for myself,” should be stitched onto a pillow and kept under one’s head at night. What a great guideline. Enjoy the cash bonus!
Stopped before I started! Well, I’ll admit: I had acrylics ONCE but had to have help with my pantyhose when I went to the bathroom. Couldn’t keep my husband with me all day at work, so off came the nails. My own nails were ruined by the glue used, so it took a couple of months to get that straightened out. I have felt guilty for years about being too cheap to go to the nail salon, but this new wave of information makes me (for once!) the politically correct one in my crowd. Happy!! I say let it go! (But I’m keepin’ my eye-liner, for sure!)
It’s pretty awful for the workers, but what a great excuse for us to stop with the professional manicures.