The last time I set foot in a nail salon was June of 2022. I was a senior in high school and had a very busy week ahead of me. The week started off with my Holy Cross freshman summer orientation, followed by my senior prom, and to cap it all off, my high school graduation. Even though I had taught myself how to do my nails, I realized that the week I was about to embark on offered little downtime for me to take the time to paint my own nails. So, the day before I was set to leave for Worcester, I walked into my local nail salon and got light blue gel nails that perfectly matched my prom dress.
Before I finish that story, I think I should offer some context. It’s no shock to anyone who knows me that sometimes I’m a bit of an introvert. Even though I absolutely love having my nails painted, going to the nail salon was just something that stressed me out. Not to mention the high cost and time getting your nails regularly takes. So, in high school, I taught myself the ins and outs of painting my own nails. As a painter, I didn’t find it that hard. But compared to a regular canvas, a nail is tiny and takes a different level of precision for it to consistently come out right. Through watching videos and a lot of trial and error, I would say by senior year I perfected the art of doing my own nails, with regular polish.
I find solace and joy in the process of carefully selecting colors, patterns, and designs to adorn my nails. While I haven’t visited a nail salon in years, I’ve come to appreciate the personal touch and creative freedom that comes with doing it myself, starting off each week with a set that matches my current mood. Nothing makes me happier than the little designs on my nails coming out right. As I’m writing this, I have little hearts patterned across my nails that I painted using the back of an earring so I’d have a small enough point. That being said, I love painting my nails. For me it’s more than just a beauty routine; it’s a form of self-expression and self-care. It allows me to experiment with different styles and techniques, reflecting my mood or personality in vibrant hues or intricate designs. And for Christmas, I got my first Gel kit which is adding a new chapter to my nail saga.
Now back to my story. As I was in the car on the way to orientation I was riddled with stress of not only that day, but all that came the week ahead. I anxiously picked off every single gel nail. However, when I returned home from orientation, I had not only great hope for my college experience, but also the understanding that I’m probably just better off doing my own nails.