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I caved and got an OPI gel manicure. This is so not me for 2 reasons:
1. I’m really cheap when it comes to pampering. I get my hair cut MAYBE twice a year and when I do I insist it overlap with a trip to PA (because haircuts in PA are half the price). I only get pedicures when my mom pays. And manicures happen MAYBE two or three times a year and only on VERY special occasions. I’m not cheap, but I like to spend my money on things I can hold and have… hair cuts come and go, a blouse from Bloomingdales is forever.
2. I’m anti-UV rays. I’m the sunscreen Queen. For Christmas, my mom-in-law bought me 100+ spf for my face and 75+ spf for my body. SKIN CANCER IS FOR REAL, PEOPLE!? And is looking like a Guidette worth it?? NO!
In case you didn’t know, gel manicures rely on small doses of UV rays from a tiny lamp. One base count + 100 seconds of UV rays. 1 layer of polish + 100 seconds of UV rays. 1 more layer of polish + 100 seconds of UV rays. And then the top coat and another shot of UV rays.
There have been 2 cases of skin cancer linked to gel manicures. So, fingers crossed that I’m not the third.
But, let me quickly justify my $30 purchase (I drove 25 minutes to avoid the $50 gel manis in my ‘hood) and my UV poison: gel manicures last up to 3 weeks. Therefore, over my 11 days in Europe, no messy nails. HURRAH!!!!
Gelzzzzzz!!!
