Friday, December 16, 2011

Pampering or Maintenance?

“Don’t you pamper yourself?” Gina’s question gave me pause for thought. I was visiting her for the first time in her new salon and recognised the mixture of elation and terror that comes with starting one’s own business. Remembering the austerity of one’s youth and the enforced penny pinching whilst nursing and early marriage, it was only when I started making money modelling that I felt justified – indeed morally bound - to keep appearances in top notch condition.

Gina was suggesting I had a manicure whilst waiting for my hair to dry and I realised I hadn’t had a professional one since I left the S.E. decades ago. It was a no-brainer – my nails were not perfect and it would make both Gina and Sally the manicurist happy. I remember reading recently that American women take regular manicures as the norm- or was that just New Yorkers?

Manicures have moved on and I had sort of jellex polish applied which is meant to last for up to three weeks. With my record I reckoned 24 hours would be an achievement but so far it is looking good. The whole thing was pleasurable; Sally had very smooth white cushiony hands – very soothing to my bony ones. Each nail had about ten different things done to it and there was no tedious waiting for it to dry as there was a hand receptacle that dried in seconds. Just getting all the nails exactly the same length was an improvement and my years of massaging with Sally Hanson cuticle cream has paid off.

I’m impressed and seriously thinking of making it a regular habit. I discussed it with MTL and he thought it a good idea but what do you think

I chose a very pale pink – similar to the photo but my nails are now shorter.

21 comments:

mapstew said...

Beautiful!

(I'll have to make do with 'Mild Green Fairy Liquid'!) :¬)

xxx

Pat said...

Map: beware of dishpan hands. Rubber gloves are a must:)

Granny Annie said...

I say go for it! I try to keep my nails nicely polished but hay bales, chicken feed, watering animals and cleaning up animal poop is not conducive to keeping even three-week nails nice for more than a day or two. I will always remember a time my nails were especially nice and I had to go to the doctor for something. They removed the nice polish from one of my fingers so the could test something about my condition. I'll never remember why but I'll always remember leaving with that one clear nail among all the other nicely polished ones. I was glad I hadn't paid a fortune for the manicure.

Pat said...

Granny Annie: it must be difficult and well done for trying. Apparently cleaning products are ruinous to the polish so the Marigolds(Rubber gloves) are to the fore. Another point about this jellex stuff it isn't as easy as ordinary polish to remove. We shall see.

Anonymous said...

Well, I really don't have an opinion, but if it makes you happy, then go for it.

Cheers.

Ponita in Real Life said...

After 20 years of wearing gloves and washing my hands umpteen times a day, my nails are not in good shape, even having been off work for over 10 months!

But a manicure is lovely and the massage and pampering feels so nice! I say go for it, Pat! I knew someone (when I lived in San Diego) who went weekly. Her hands and nails were always beautiful.

Ponita in Real Life said...

@Map: How many fairies do they have to squeeze to make a bottle of that liquid? Sounds rather painful to me... ;-)

Pat said...

Randall: right answer- thank you dear.

Ponita: I won't be going weekly - that's for sure but 3 to 4 weeks would be feasible and the good thing is she is now based in the town - albeit the far end, but the exercise will be beneficial.
Ponita: squeezing fairies - you are wicked!

Ms Scarlet said...

Go for it Pat, if they offer it at the salon, then why not?
On the other hand, I've never had a manicure!
Sx

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I think whatever makes you happy is what you should do, my dear...! And "pampering" is a very important part of making people happy, in my view....Be Good To Yourself, is my Motto!

Personally, I haven't had a manicure in 45 years or so....And I didn't like the smell of the Polish, PLUS, the nice look of it didn't last long enough...PLUS...Playing Musical Instruments, as I did and do, Nsils get in the way---So, I just never got into the habit of this as a regular routine....

Eryl said...

I think it's a good idea if it makes you happy, and spending the money on something else wouldn't make you happier.

Pat said...

Scarlet: that's a surprise:)

Naomi: I have to keep them just as long as my fingers or I can't function properly. The illustrated ones are far too long for the life I lead. But it's nice to see some improvement.

Eryl: it doesn't exactly make me happy but any improvement at this stage is not to be sneezed at. If MTL approves that's an encouragement. Also it's helping someone I like, who's just starting out in business. At the previous salon it never occurred to me to do anything but hair.

Eryl said...

Lovely way to be able to help someone out. I definitely think you should keep it up.

kenju said...

My hands are apparently allergic to nail polish, so I only get manicures for very special occasions. Pedicures are an other matter! I love them and try to do it every 6 weeks or so. I think you deserve regular manicures, Pat!

angryparsnip said...

I have only had one manicure in my life but I am thinking of getting one before my Birthday.
My hand are a mess from years of oil painting, ceramics, glazing and constantly washing my hands. I have no nails to speak of, short short short !
If you like the way your hands look them I vote yes !

cheers, parsnip

Pat said...

Eryl: as the nails are still immaculate - and usually every few days I have a split end or a blemish - I think they must be protected which is a plus.

Judy: my tootsies will have to put up with my care - lots of creaming and polish in the summer.
BTW it has to be plain polish. I don't fancy all the patterned stuff.

Parsnip: short nails are fine and necessary for me. Years of scrubbing my hands made me realise the importance of lubricating/creaming them. One should never risk them breaking down. Thanks for the input - I'm going to keep them up for the time being.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Thanks for the reminder, Pat.

We must take care of ourselves no matter what age. It's not vanity, it just makes us feel better in some way.

Pat said...

GG: thanks for that:)

Anonymous said...

I got my first manicure two years ago, and while I think it costs too much to make it a habit, I do try and keep my nails and hands in good condition these days. It just feels nice to know you look good.

- Marjolein

Pat said...

Marjolein: with each day that passes without a blemish I'm more and more impressed. I just need to work out how and when I'm going to keep it up.
At least I'm economising greatly by not imbibing.

Anonymous said...

If it makes you happy, and you can afford it, do it!

Jack