I wore acrylic nails for over 20 years, when my nail teck ( same one for all these years ) started doing the gels, I switched. I love them! I normallly do the french, but once in a while do the colored gels, there are many colors to choose from, just like diffrent polishes,these colors are not a surface color, so they do not fade or chip. I have a standing appointment every 3 weeks. I pay $34.00, I do not smoke or drink soda, so I rationalize this is money I can spend on myself.. My own nails are very thin, and would never have pretty nails otherwize. I keep them realatively short, but long enough to look nice, and believe me I give them a work out...I am always digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, packing rocks, and doing serious deep cleaning..they hold up just fine. Only once a a great while I will have one lift, or come off..I usually make it in tact for each appointment. They are just my treat to myself..

I've been getting gel nails for my fingers for the past 5 years. My nails grow quickly, so I go to the salon every other week. I get the French nails, because I like the clean look, and can go an extra week as long as no one looks too carefully at the cuticles. The manicurist just uses polish remover to get rid of the white band, then applies, with a brush, the gel from the cuticles and lightly up the nail.

Would you like to share which kind of nails you want to makeover ? I mean Acrylic, Cheetah, Start dots etc

When you have girls in this day and age these sorts of question are a non stop tension. Many girls are getting manicures/hair dyed/ear-rings/nose rings etc. 9 might be a tish young but probably not tomorrow. #1 I take issue with the sexualization of young girls. Nails/make up etyc. anything to do with making them look older or "desirable" is WRONG prepubescent IMHO. #2 The money--discretionary money we throw at kids would literally FEED a village. #3 What's next? This is a slippery slope and where will the mother in question STOP with her daughter? If she does her nails at 9 what will they do at 16 to celebrate growing up or 17 for Prom???? #4 Dying hair/doing nails are TEMPORARY but tats/piercings are permanent and there is a case to be made to stick to temporary adornments while they are underage. With my own I deflected the 'please please can we can we' with "These are adult activities and when you are an adult you can decide if the money is worth it". But back to the question--from jr. high on I spent HOURS doing my own nails. They were long and I loved BRIGHT polish. So I will go with 14 minimum for 'professional manicure'