Being in style or condition without adornment, au naturel nails is a trend that you didn’t see coming. Personally, I went naked over 15 years ago and haven’t looked back since.
In a time long ago when manicurists were tucked away in the corners of beauty shops, I routinely booked/confirmed my appointments weeks ahead of time in order to secure my preferred day/time slot. Everyone knew that you didn’t mess with my nail night. The example had been set by my mother who had gotten hers done every two weeks for as long as I could remember. I did my own sporadically while in college and made myself a promise to start getting them done professionally once I’d graduated and had a job.
It was the 80s when acrylics reigned supreme and length was envied. My nails, however, didn’t need any artificial enhancement as they were “hard as nails” all on their own. Even though I could easily have worn them quite long, I preferred to keep them at a more modest length. Still, my bi-weekly appointments represented more to me than the maintenance of a certain level of grooming. They were to me a sign of being an adult.
At some point, I began to also get pedicures. Gosh, that felt very decadent at first. For efficiency and to save a bit on costs, I would get a pedicure at every other of my bi-weekly manicure appointments. During the non-pedicure appointments, I would simply get a color change for my toes. Back then, the general rule was to have all ten digits match. And since manicurists didn’t typically offer more than about a dozen nail polishes for their customers to choose from, I mostly bought and brought my own color.
Such was my pattern for close to 20 years. Keeping that schedule was easy before I got married and mostly even after having babies. My nail night continued to be a part of my self-care routine. When the kids were really young, I was lucky that there were nearby grandparents who were usually willing to babysit if The Husband wasn’t home due to work travel. Going au naturel would have been inconceivable to me in those days.
Back then, it was also common for manicurists to develop a loyal client base who follow them if they moved to a new shop. The last one I was going to did that a few times but fortunately stayed in mostly the same area so those moves weren’t much of an inconvenience. At some point, she needed to cut back on her days and didn’t want to continue to pay full rent for a station in the salon so she decided to work out of her home. Fortunately, I would pass by where she lived on my way home from work so that arrangement worked well for me until it didn’t.
As my kids got to school age and started in with afterschool activities, it became a bit difficult to maintain a regular “nail night”. My gal was understanding and fairly flexible with her schedule but it annoyed her the few times I wound up having to bring one or both of my kids with me because I had no other arrangements for them. Then my son asked if he could start taking taekwondo lessons, which would be two nights a week, and that was the nail in the coffin for any remaining free weeknight time.
Getting my nails done on the weekend was a non-starter as far as I was concerned. While I hadn’t fully committed to the idea of going au naturel, I told my gal that I had due to the limitations of my time. Sure, I thought of finding another manicurist that was closer to home but it seemed like I needed to wait a bit so that my former one wouldn’t think that I’d lied to her. So naked I went.
Much like the experience of no longer dying my hair, I came to find that I rather liked not wearing nail polish. I did try to do manicures myself but the results weren’t great and there were still time limitation issues. The fears of messing up a nail or chipped polish were no longer concerns. And I saved some money as well.
Who knew that someday I’d be ahead of the curve on a new anti-trend trend? According to this article in Harper’s Bazaar, “There’s something undeniably chic about well-groomed, naked nails. Going purposefully polish-free can ooze confidence and signal you’re too cool to care about trends.”
Did you ever notice that the Sex And The City character Carrie never wears nail polish? According to SJP herself in this E! News article, it was a deliberate style choice. Even though Carrie is known for “… wearing statement-making pieces, having her get a manicure just didn’t seem true to the character.” Even the British royals embrace this style, at least for public appearances so I’m in good company.
While I didn’t have a hard time embracing au naturel look for my hands, after a few months I did resume getting pedicures. I began going to one of the nearby Vietnamese-run shops that offered massage chairs with water jets, multitudes of nail polishes to choose from, and no appointment needed. I could just drop by at my convenience. Sometimes I would drop by a nail salon in one of our local malls and then enjoy an hour or so of shopping afterward. Even nowadays, I still do the same.
In yesterday’s post, I wrote that I’d be wearing the other pretty little thing I bought for myself during my recent Las Vegas shopping trip. It was this floral skirt. Did I need another maxi skirt? Not really but it’s got pockets and it was on sale so how could I not buy it. I’ve worn it several times already. Once I paired it with a boldly hued floral camp shirt and The Husband’s comment was to ask me if we were going to Walmart. I thought the combination looked great so to each their own. The shirt that I’ve tied at my waist is the one from my Fall In Line style remix collection. The purse I got at Target last Spring and the sandals make me feel far more outdoorsy than I really am.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. Today’s featured post from the last link-up, Style Imitating Art: “Blue Girl” by Holly Hobbie, was contributed by Michelle over at Shelbee On The Edge. Every two weeks, Michelle and her cohorts challenge other bloggers to draw style inspiration from pieces of art and then share the results. Even if you don’t participate in the challenge, you’re sure to find inspiration in the creative spins of others.
With more time on my hands since retiring, I’ve given some thought to getting manicures again as a lady of leisure might do. But, I really don’t want the hassle nor do I have the desire to start fussing over my nails again. My mother told me that her nails had once been strong like mine but that changed after having me and my sister so she needed the added rigidity that polish provided to avoid breakage. Fortunately for me, my nails are as strong as they ever were so naked they will stay. What’s your preference?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
Photo credit: MMPerez
18 Comments
I’m like your mom; I need the polish to add strength to my nails or they just keep breaking and chipping. It wasn’t always that way but I have definitely found that they are longer with polish and I do enjoy changing out the color/ style each week. But I think I have only had my nails done for me a handful of times as I enjoy painting (or decorating with Colorsteet nail wraps) myself.
It’s a process isnt it? When my family was growing I rarely treated myself let alone having a manicure but one of the treats I allow myself now I’m ‘grown up’. Had to embrace the natural look via Covid of course and I’m currently at the end of a french manicure trying the natural look again but can’t wait to get my signature color back!!
My nails have always been weak so I need polish to strengthen them. I like to do them myself because I find it therapeutic. But, I do like to treat myself to a pedicure a few times a year.
Jill – Doused in Pink
I get several pedicure a year but have never liked getting manicures. Just as I don’t wear make up (maybe just a few times a year), it is nice to not have to worry about it especially with all of the dish washing that goes on around here!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Good of you to treat yourself that way for so long! I have acrylic nails for about 20 years or so. And most of the time they are red! Love it.
Rena, this was such an interesting topic to read about. I never really enjoyed getting manicures or pedicures so I went au natural on my fingernails a long time ago. Occasionally, I would get a manicure for a special occasion but I gave that up, too. I don’t like when my toes are naked though so I almost always have them polished unless it’s too cold for me to let them dry. So sometimes my toes are naked in winter. I really like this new maxi skirt on you. Such a great outfit! And thank you so much for the feature! That was a lovely surprise.
Shelbee
Hi Rena,
I only get a pedi 2 times a year in the summer, and with my nails, I can’t have them long due to playing guitar. I know what you mean, there is a nail shop on every corner now! I like the hot stone and leg wrap. Very ooh la la!
Hope you are having a great week!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
So interesting to hear you have gone au naturel. I love having a pedicure but do that just twice a year now in the summer to get red nails painted on. But like you I don’t do manicures or paint my nails, which saves a lot of money and angst when you do the washing up! However, I did paint my nails myself when we went on a cruise and they lasted the entire 7 days!
Thanks for hosting!
Ive discovered bio gel manicures and will probably do this til my dying day. No chipping, lasts longer than gel and apparently is good for my nails. My nails were never strong but as a woman of a certain age I love having my nails done (even when I can’t afford it). Now my toes – I’ll save money and try to do it myself.
Your husband is funny with his Walmart comment.
I love this Rena, i nearly always have my nails painted, usually get my daughter to do it though. I tend to have pinks or reds, my favourite colours. Jacqui x
I do my own nails, ordered a gel lamp and polish off of Amazon and love it. But I love lots of colour.
This post is a lovely little trip down the memory lane of manicures and pedicures! I used to polish my own fingernails and toenails, but they are “hard as nails” like yours, so it in not necessary for strength. And it was difficult to keep up, since I hated chipped nails, and am very busy with my hands. A fresh manicure looked nice for only a few days, on me. Over the past five years or so, I have enjoyed going natural, as I have become sensitive to the chemicals in the polishes and removers. Enjoy your week and thanks for the link up!
I love the au naturelle approach. I used to be very low maintenance , I only went to the hairdressers for a trim, and did my own nails. Now my hair is extremely high maintenance. I have a pedicure about twice a year. I leave the nails on my hand natural, although I use a lot of cuticle conditioners and biotin, and it’s improved them enormously.
It’s admirable that you’ve been so kind to yourself for such a long time. I like to paint my nails myself sometimes.
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I used to get my nails done every two weeks when I was teaching. But, I’d go before my day began. I loved the way my nails looked. My nails are very thin, and the acrylic really didn’t help. My nails would just peel off the back of the acrylic. After a bit, I realized I wasn’t doing them any good. I do love getting pedicures and try to get one a month during the summer.
My mom and my youngest sister had/have extremely hard nails. Mom would have to soak hers just to clip them! Thanks, Rena, for the link party!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I’m not someone who often goes to get their nails done because my nails are really small and round (literally like those of a child) and I feel like I can’t make them look pretty and feminine until they grow out a bit, but I can’t let them grow out because I’m a dentist and I can’t work with long nails. xD
You look beautiful, I must say, love your curly hair! <3
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Though I did go through a spell several years ago when I painted my fingernails, I’ve never had a professional manicure and my nails have been au naturel most of my life. I wear gold polish on my toenails during the summer months and for winter holidays that involve wearing sandals, but I’ve only had two professional pedicures. I won a gift certificate for the last one in a ladies golf event.
Ahhh, never been a nail shop. But they are all around. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.