Ariana Grande isn’t letting a few missed salon appointments get her down. With hair, skin and nail salons classified as non-essential businesses, most have closed, hopefully just temporarily. But like so many of us stuck-at-home, Ariana chooses not to see this as a challenge and to do it herself. She first took the opportunity to let her hair down, literally. Losing her signature ponytail extension, Ariana gave us a glimpse of her natural curls on Twitter. Since then, she’s proudly letting her Quarantine Curls fly free to the delight of her IG followers.
But as she lost her hair extensions, she replaced her nail extensions. As one who generally sports long nail tips in a dazzling array of colors, Ariana has turned to an old friend of the nail-challenged: press on nails. An LA nail artist sent Ariana a set of blue press on nails, which Ari put on in the comfort of her own home. She filmed her sparkly new manicure for her stories:
love ur nails @ArianaGrande 🤍🤍 pic.twitter.com/qOR3cbNZoU
— eryn (fan acc) (@myronisbaby) April 6, 2020
[From Twitter via Hollywood Life]
Apparently, Ari showed off the nails in a few other clips, but IG Stories, like press on nails, are not long for this world so I never got to see them.
As I mentioned the other day, making an appointment to have my nails done will probably be my first phone call post quarantine. Although, I have to say, my nails are in great shape for four weeks since my last appointment. There’s nail grow-out, obviously, and the gel is starting to streak, but the acrylic is still super strong. That didn’t stop me from swinging by the nail aisle to check out the press ons during my last visit to the drug store, however. I got nails when I was 18 and have worn them on and off since. So I’ve had natural nails for years at a time, but the truth is, I just like the look of my acrylics. So if my nails snap off while my nail salon is closed, I will definitely go the Ariana route and pick up some fun alternatives to wear around the house. (I’ve tried doing my own acrylic and it never looks right.)
I do hope small businesses are able to weather this isolation period. We have so many wonderful hair/nail salons near me, it would be a shame to think they won’t come back. And the last time I was in my manicurist’s chair, she told me some very sad stories of being profiled during this outbreak due to being Asian. Remember to support and stand up for all your neighbors during this time, fear can really bring out the stupid in some folks.
Photo credit: WENN/Avalon, Instagram and Twitter
The best press on nails I’ve tried are the “Static Nails” – tons of styles, modern, cool. The glue will not damage your nails.
I just ordered the Static Liquid Glass polish (base coat & top coat) because I want my nails “done”, but don’t want to waste press ons when I’m not seeing anyone but my dog. The Static press ons look great, though, and I might try those at some point.
No – after the video of her licking the doughnut in that coffee shop/doughnut shop – I permanently wrote her off.
Yes cause that was more important than what she did for Manchester. And you are perfect and have NEVER done anything wrong.
Grow up and move on – she has.
Good God, that was over six years ago and counting. She was a child and has basically lived two lives since then. Move on!
My daughter is violinist and pianist. She can’t have long nails so she does press ons for special occasions. They look great and don’t seem to harm her nails. She’s gotten some from Etsy that are real works of art.
I tried press-on nails last week. The kind that come with the glue already on them (and you just remove the foil). They were not ideal because the edges kept catching and pulling my hair. I’ll just wait for salon. I’m most worried about my lash extensions. I don’t like DIY lashes, so I’ve avoided makeup in order to extend my current set’s life. Quarantine problems, amirite? 🙂
Press on nails always remind me of the few times I did them back in high school or college, and how much it would hurt if you accidentally caught them on something!
I do like the nail polish strips, they are super easy and fast to apply, I did them once in five minutes before I ran out the door to an event, but my nails did get dry and a little damaged from them after using them for a long time.
Would I try press-on nails? Doubtful, because I’ve tried them before and they don’t fit the curve of my nails… BUT:
Two days ago, I bought a Polygel kit off Amazon. Polygel is like the two-part acrylic nails (powder and monomer) that cure under a UV light, except that the parts are already mixed in a tube. The gel is formed with a brush, just like in a salon, but there are forms that help guide and smooth the shape and thickness.
It is pretty neat stuff. I watched about a million Polygel tutorials on YouTube before buying. Everything, including the UV lamp (separate) was around $100.00, but will do probably six months to a years worth of nails. I easily spend that every month on my nails, so it seemed like a good idea.
My nails are pretty important to me – my nail appointment was the last outing before we started quarantine at the end of the second week in March.
I hate press on nails. They were what I was allowed to wear before I was allowed to get my nails done professionally so I always think of them as baby pop off nails. They rarely actually look good- they look like exactly what they are.
I’ve been using Bio Seaweed Gel brand gel for about eight years, and I have found it to be the most long-lasting gel so far. I feel that it’s a little more expensive than some other brands, but after trying most gel brands available, I think the price is justifiable.
I tend to wait until they have a sale (every three or four months) and get my supplies then. I use a soak-off tray to remove the gel, and I get my acetone from Sally Beauty. I didn’t pay much for my LED curing lamp, but I have to cure my thumb nail separately (that’s no big deal).
Bio Seaweed Gel does have a one-step gel that eliminates the need for a base- and top-coat. I can be cured in strong, direct sunlight, but I prefer to use my little LED curing lamp for 30 seconds each coat (so I know that my nails are “dry”). They also have a “dip” system, but I have not tried that, mainly because I already have a ton of gel colors.
So, I do my own nails and dye my own hair, and I use Latisse for my eyelashes and eyebrows. I even cut the front of my hair last week, and I like the result. If only I could do my own Botox.
And, “no”, I’m not a schill for Bio Seaweed Gel. I have simply found that I really like their products, and their customer service is really good as well. I like glitter polish, holographic polish, and unicorn polish effects, and they sell excellent options for all of these (again, I’ve bought a LOT of other brands, and the best versions I have were bought from this company).
Does anyone know the brand of press ons sent to Ariana?
Sounds germy.
That’s been my issue with long nails in general during a pandemic: can you really wash your hands/nails properly if you have long nails?
Would love to do my nails for fun now, but medical advice is to keep them short for better washing to get rid of any lurking virus. Also, if I get sick, I want them to use a fingertip oximeter easily to assess my oxygen level. You know how you don’t wear nail polish into surgery? That’s why.
It turns out that you can wear polish if you are having surgery these days. I removed my gel polish from both my fingers and toes, and mentioned that to the nurse who was looking after me pre- and post- surgery. She told me that it didn’t matter any more, and that I could have left it on. My last surgery was 2 1/2 years ago.
My sister had gel on her nails when she went in to have a baby a year ago and they told her she shouldn’t have done it because it prevented an accurate read on the finger monitor. So who knows what’s advised. But it does seem like shorter nails are better in the current circumstances.
My sister does my acrylics. I Need them ( a very short Version) because my nail Quality is horrible since suffer under extrem low iron and ferritin levels. But i pass on press ons. Right now my nails look like a nightmare but our Office Building doesnt allow Clients in due to Corona, so iam ok with it.
I’m so glad right now that I don’t get my nails done, dye my hair, or wear false lashes. No hate to anyone who does, I just mean that I feel like the isolation would be a major adjustment. I hope people can at least be happy with all the money they’re saving. We need to be careful with money right now.
If anything, it’s harder on people who need – truly need – someone to perform basic grooming services for them. For example, people with limited vision or who are blind, or who have problems with fine motor skills (or both) still need someone to cut their finger and toe nails. They often have practical nurses come handle that, go to a dedicated clinic, or visit a salon with assistance.
There are all kinds of knock-on effects here.
Won’t fault Ariana for wanting to play with her appearance because it’s such a big part of her life, and we all need our amusements. But at the same time, adding in more about washing hands, keeping nails short for hygiene etc. would be helpful given that she came out early on social distancing.
I will probably paint my toenails but only after checking on a good supply of polish remover.
Thank you for mentioning this. I am finding it very difficult to get needed help. What little help I can get I am paying a premium for. I am concerned about long term employment. I’m Scared. People talk of services available, but that really isn’t true or realistic. I’m starting to be overcome with despair and i don’t imagine i am alone. It’s difficult being one of the ‘vulnerable’ ones. I often feel forgotten and expendable. Take care and God Bless
Getting my nails done is the one way I pamper myself every couple of weeks. Yesterday I broke down and bought press ons. We’ll see how well they work!
I took my acrylic nails off yesterday. *sob*
Have you tried doing your own? I have been doing my own gels for about eight years, and I’m excellent at doing them now (there was a learning curve, but it wasn’t too bad). I couldn’t justify what acrylics cost, but I also didn’t know that there are a ton of DIY options out there, and that some of them are REALLY good.
No, I haven’t. I should though!
Love your acrylics Hecate!! thank you for fighting the good fight
I used them maybe twice way back in the late 80’s/early 90’s when the company I worked for had an annual staff dance. These things were terrible though and the one available today are probably amazing in comparison. Thankfully I stopped biting my nails and just buff & shape them nowadays, cant be arsed with painting them etc.
Does anyone have any tips for getting healthier nails? Mine have been paper thin, bendy and flaky since I was a kid, I’m 32 now. My parents both have strong healthy nails. If I get gels or SNS it destroys my nails and I have to grow them back out for a few months or I’m afraid I would have no nail left. Help!
Collagen peptides. There are loads of brands that are good but Vital Proteins is the best, in my opinion. You can dissolve it in to any hot drink or, depending on the brand, cold drink also. It’s pricey but worth it. Skin, hair and nails will thank you!