Don’t let the aesthetic internet videos fool you 😅

[@PreppyBear]

When i do my own nails, they look like they just came back from every single war in history 💀lol

[@vegababy]

😭😭🤣

[@ayesha2113]

😂so true. And after all that time spent 😭😭

[@Totallynotrosa]

Fr

[@shanimwende2351]

😂😂😭😭😭

[@bonitakourtney8544]

LMAO REAL 😭 and it takes like 4hrs

[@haley18768]

Thank god im not the only one putting in a full 8 hour shift to perfect a set on myself 😭😂😂

[@ashleeblaa7341]

Yessssssuuhh

[@THEDOORIZCLOSED]

The more you do it, the less time it takes. I think the channel creator said she doesnt do nail art often so thats why its taken her this long. I went from literally 8 hours to 2-4 hours😂😂😂😂

[@mielconpique]

Sameeeeee

[@haley18768]

@@THEDOORIZCLOSED I've only barely started, maybe 6 sets total by now, so hopefully it goes faster. Your nail shifts are goals 🥲

[@meghanhorton7525]

Same 😊

[@elenaencheva8336]

Last time it took me 6+ hours from removing old nails to the final coat...

[@marisafaith]

Same 😅

[@kibasays]

Same! Nails get a dedicated half-day, and that’s if all goes mostly-well 😅

[@Fire-Rabbit87]

That's why I usually do my nails in stages over the course of a couple of days with breaks in between so I'm not sitting there for HOURS lol Stage 1. Removing old nails Stage 2. Prepping and applying new nails (i use full cover tips) Stage 3. Painting left hand Stage 4. Painting right hand

[@elenaencheva8336]

​@@Fire-Rabbit87 Im gonna start doing that too, cause at the end I'm already sick of it 😅😅

[@lamoskgr]

Same. But I'll never admit that publicly 😂

[@Ummers555]

Oh my gosh THANK YOU for this!!!! I set a stop watch when I did my nails and it took me 6.5 hours. And I didn’t do any nail art. I feel better knowing I’m not alone in this. One thing I started doing is I do my dominant hand first, which has really helped in feeling overwhelmed.

[@tiffanyt.t.w.8285]

I do that also so after I’m done with the hardest part it’s much easier for the rest of the time spent and feels like it goes faster. I think it definitely helps keep me sane throughout the 6-8 hrs spent😂😂😂. Depending how I feel due to Lupus , fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, PAH, CHF, RA plus a lot of other illnesses. It’s the pain aspect that decides how long or how much I do at one time really. I’m self taught been doing my own nails for 8 years now. Builder gel overlay (soft gel)and lately been using full cover tips. The nail art is always the most time spent of course depending on what I’m doing.

[@ariellep4477]

This is what I do too! I do my right hand first and it totally tricks my brain into feeling like it's easier 😂

[@River2384]

That makes sense because then the brain goes, ok, well, now I just need to match *this*. Which in turn, will hopefully make it less stressful to do the non dominant hand since the bar is already set at "anything is better than this!!" Lol

[@sumlem]

It takes me 5 hours to do my nails and I always end up feral, dehydrated and sweating inside my mask lol. I do builder gel nail enhancements

[@lynnbrink393]

Feral? Lmao that was great 😂 I know exactly what you mean!!

[@sfj0551]

Saaaame!!😅

[@ic3f4iry]

this is the truest thing I’ve ever heard in my life

[@jsjaksmannsj2717]

Start with doing your non dominant hand so you’re less frustrated when doing it!!!

[@kyray9332]

It's so nice to know as a nail tech there is somebody else that HAS TO SPEND HOURS DOING THEIR OWN NAILS.

[@NicolesBeautyScene]

So glad you said people on the internet make it look easy!!! So many people struggle thinking it’s going to be easy!!

[@zn4805]

I sometimes split it into couple of days: take old gel off, shape nails, prep the cuticle, next day I’ll start applying gel and on third day I might do the nail art.

[@julife.ka.3899]

it sounds doable. even i usually do my nail care routine over several days and i do just normal nail polish (taking it out, shaping, cuticles, oils, etc and then the 1 or 2 layers of colour and the top coat)

[@juicyparsons]

Yup been telling people this for years 😂

[@adriananabananana]

This is what I've been doing! Makes it more bearable

[@bysophie8335]

This is definitely me I take two business days

[@Jaemie_Leigh]

i do the same thing girl

[@saye3902]

I really appreciate you being so transparent. I’m learning how to do my own nails too the way you do and a basic set takes me 3 hours and a lot of back pain and not always the right shape and maybe a couple bloody cuticles. But I’m getting better every time!!! It’s a JOURNEY!!!!

[@Ana_Dakkar]

Ya same! I mean I'm not trying to do mine like her, but I've started learning to do nail art (simple) and it takes me around 2 to 3 hours to get them right

[@glorygloryholeallelujah]

Yay! We’re all in this together! 😂❤

[@karis_ish]

PREACH!!🙌🏻

[@MrSynhair]

⁠@@Ana_Dakkar2 hrs is actually great and is professional time for a full set! It’s not taking you long at all!

[@Ana_Dakkar]

@@MrSynhair well thanks but I only do one hand usually cuz I have no left hand control. And my nail art is pretty simple...

[@C4LIC0RPSE]

i'm not a nail tech but i've been learning to do nails for like a year now!! and i can tell you for sure the experience of doing your own nails is far different from doing somebody else's. i genuinely take at least two days to finish a hand because i'm such a perfectionist that i can't stop until it's perfect. most of the time i just give up and start over.

[@MissEddieBlueKawaiiKrafts]

I’ve taken almost 2 weeks for a full set 👀😅 not constantly working on them obviously.. but still 🙈

[@williamvanderbom2633]

Yes, I've been doing my own nails for about 2 years now, and they look like crap,but when i do nails on other people, they look amazing, lol

[@yassine8935]

Same it usually takes me 5 days to fully finish both hands but I usually start non Dom hand and by the end I the week the non Dom nails are slightly lifted and the Dom aren't 😭 I'm trying to atleast put on the nail it self at the same time minus art on both hands at the same time .

[@msprettygirl984]

im so glad im not the only perfectionist that takes 2 days to finish. i see everyone else saying “omg it also takes me 3-6 hrs to finish and then im so sweaty with back pain ugh” like 😭😭 try 24 hrs!!!

[@NewAccountWhoDis]

Weird. I guess I'm an odd one. I find doing them extremely easy

[@katiem704]

Appreciate the honesty. I’ve been doing my own nails for a while and I always struggle with my non dominant hand and it’s nice to hear I’m not alone!

[@daniellouise7809]

I always start working with my non-dominant hand for this reason! By the time it’s done I know it’s smooth sailing the rest of the way 😁🥲

[@liliav6932]

Lol same

[@chaozinga]

Me too, but for some reason my dominant hand always looks better than my non-dominant hand 🙈😂

[@alexandriarogers6072]

That's a good idea! I'm going to start doing that lol I usually dread doing my dominant hand because I know it's a struggle

[@dannielliebear5269]

@@chaozingaTHIS HAPPENS TO ME HALF THE TIME but I figured out it’s cause I spend extra care working on my dominant so it doesn’t look like a toddler did them and then I rush on my non-dominant hand so it actually does look like a toddler did them 😭

[@superthevibe]

Yep, i do the hard hand first when i have max patience / least fatigue and the ‘easy’ hand second

[@ayesha2113]

Oh my. This is good to hear. It takes me forever doing simple nails.

[@Imaniluv3]

Literally 😅

[@an_awkward_crybaby]

Same I was only able to successfully do my nails by myself once…and that was in 8th grade. That was almost 3 years ago 😭

[@KammieViolet]

Oh my God it is so comforting to know that I’m not the only one out there that takes like a full work day to make my nails look good

[@atinyaf]

I love hearing this, because it always takes me HOURSSS to do my own nails 😅😅 I just turn on some movies or an audio book to background watch/listen, and take my time. It's like a relaxing, kind of 'self-care' day every other weekend lol

[@Glitterbubble]

As a black woman who does her own hair and want to start nails thx you for this. Doing hair is GRUELING, especially with 4c, my longest project took 4-5 days constant work. I love love love acrylics but I’m not mentally prepared so I’ve been pushing it off.

[@xykarijehywat0814]

Just start already hun!! Acrylic is tough at first, I'd say try one of those cheap kits to test it out (not on anything living lol) and you'll get the hang of it. Plenty of tutorials now days too. Good luck 😊

[@funsizedi88]

Acrylics are the hardest to do on yourself, ud say dual form poly gel and/or gel x are the easiest. Like another person said; try a cheap kit on a fake hand. Ali express has some cheap practice hands; that aren't too terrible INO.

[@glorygloryholeallelujah]

I started with polygel first, then gel overlay and I just started working with acrylic about 2 months ago. Personally, I am SO glad that I started with the easier stuff first, because I think I would’ve rage-quit doing my nails altogether if I jumped right into acrylics! Since you already have incredible patience from doing your own hair, you will probably do just fine with acrylic nails-but if you aren’t in the headspace to take on that much of a challenge… I definitely recommend starting with polygel first. If you don’t follow them already, I highly recommend the channels *Nail Career Education* and *Long Hair Pretty Nails!* They are who I learned from on KZbin, really good information and tutorials. Good luck with your nail journey!😊❤

[@lizzyrbits1283]

I'm so glad you talk about how long it takes you! I'm Not a Nail Tech but I've been doing my nails for 5+ years and it takes me 3 hours to just remove previous and do the structure! :)

[@KittyMew113]

i dont do very detailed nail art but i do find a lot of peace painting my nails, its very much soulful self-care for me. i recently got builder-in-a-bottle too to help support my long nails with short nail beds and its a very peaceful time

[@samanthajadeclements8040]

I can attest to that, I struggle with money atm so for years from about age 17 I did my own acrylics and gels at home and it would take me half the damn day to do them because I'd be so ocd about them and also didn't want to nick my skin with the electric drill bit I used for filling and trust me getting both hands even and shaped nicely when you're not trained and only going off what you've seen actual nail techs do during appointments it's one of the most stressful "calming" activities ever xD

[@samanthajadeclements8040]

I also did a lot of research before I ever took on doing my own nails before I bought or used any products. Remember nail prep and care is the most important step to any manicure or pedicure no matter what and should never be skipped or half-assed

[@cryanna.666]

YES! But it's also hard to do your own nails even if you are trained...it takes me usually around 10 hours to get both hands done, so I do it over two days. It's truly maddening and stressful!!

[@SunBloomSketch0831]

I've been doing my own nails for years now (not a licensed tech), and it still takes me anywhere from 3 to 6 hours 😭 I'm so glad it's not just me, lol.

[@veronicabishop3329]

As a person who does my own nails because I got tired of crowded salons, high prices, not getting what I want and just plain rude nail techs. Doing my own nails was definitely a struggle at first but now with practice it is now a self care process 😊

[@shadesofshea888]

I’m self taught and it’s takes me 2 hours to do one hand because I want perfection 😂

[@eleganceevolved8328]

I’ve stopped doing my nails all on one day! I build my overlay on Friday. Do my painting on Saturday! Pedicure on Sunday!!No designs yet!😅😅

[@WhyIsNaevisCalling]

THEY ARE SO PRETTY IT’S CRAZY

[@sleepy.timaeus.arts.]

looks so softly chaotic and pretty. i loove thr design :)

[@elsashelton1761]

This makes me feel so much better. Takes me like 6 hours 😂

[@AsrielAsitgets]

Started doing my own nails a few years ago and never looked back😌 it isn’t easy but it is very well worth it, rewarding, and relaxing😊

[@mostlyghostey]

As a non-nail tec but still a nail girlie boy do I get it. I've been in love with the semi-cured gel stickers that are available just for that reason. So if you need your non-dominant hand looking cute fast that is my advice.

[@shentellharrell5830]

Thank you for your honesty. I stopped being a nail tech because of the pressure from clients and shop owners but the peace I get at home doing my own nails was worth going to school and gaining the knowledge for. I love doing a set for my self and it really helped me regain confidence in myself and my work.

[@Itsmiimiibaby]

As a nail tech, girl I so get it. Another nail tech said try doing your dominant hand first bc it will always take less time to do your less dominant hand.

[@DaniellaTousson]

SAME! I only do my right hand when I have an event. Other than then, it is almost never done

[@firefly-sr1nt]

u literally do the cutest nailssss love uuuuu❤️❤️

[@princredible]

You’re so real for this. Getting the dominant hand to look like the non-dominant hand is a marathon 😅

[@MochiTheAxolotl69]

It’s also VERY important to remember that these products can be dangerous if misused. Allergies and causing them using the products wrong/messily, exposure to IV lights, breathing the fumes, use of solvents, over filing your nails, too long and/or poorly done nails that can damage your natural nails, nail beds, can snap off etc. It’s not talked about enough, and even seeing all these videos there’s no mention of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) clean up, what happens if you get the gel all over your skin, etc.

[@nailmartusa]

That’s a whole different topic on its own. I actually have a video where I help “fix” a DIY-ers nails. It was recently posted you can take a look😊 this video was just to showcase my experience as a professional, doing my dominant hand

[@tiffanyt.t.w.8285]

I follow and learned mostly everything iknow from watching and studying professional KZbin and I’m very sanitary with everything and make sure to cure products completely and always wipe away any gel products with 70-99% rubbing alcohol very carefully to avoid allergies and love using hema free products just to help be on the safe side also. I care for and disinfect my hands, nails and everything I use and work with before and after using them. I’m very cautious about that especially because I want to be able to keep doing my nails for a long time in the future until I’m too old to do them anymore. I’m 41 right now so hopefully for a very long time. 😊

[@Sarahopal]

There have been too many times that I spent days with only one hand finished 😂 it's an all day affair and I appreciate you saying I'm not the only one! Seriously, I didn't want to admit it took me 5+ hours lol ❤

[@Autumn-o4c]

I am literally so proud of you!!! Love your channel soo much and can you give us tips on nail products that are cheap

[@katelandcates04]

Thank you for making this video. I thought I was so bad at doing my nails because it would take hours to do just one hand. Sometimes it would take days because I would get frustrated and have to stop for the rest of the day and then try again the next day.

[@lauraochoa228]

Thanks for sharing. You're great!

[@MANIFESTFASTWITHJASMINE]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who takes hours🎉

[@shztx]

HOW DO U GET IT SO CLEAN UGHGHGHG

[@cobrafan1403]

nail tech here. I takes me about 2-3 hours to do a full set on a customer and 6-9 hours to do my own.

[@TalyiaShenault]

So cute

[@alana_grace22]

i’ve only done a few sets so far so i am still learning but i just have to say that it takes a lot of patience which can be difficult sometimes

[@iamatryin]

Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you said how long it takes you because I'm not a licensed tech but I do my own nails and it takes hours!! I thought it was just me. Your nails look gorgeous by the way.

[@VondaInWonderland]

It literally takes me hours too ❤🕊️

[@catsnchem8130]

Just spent 5 and a half hours on my nails and absolutely multilateral my cuticles. So happy that I’m not the only one that finds this difficult.

[@Moodymodestyle]

It’s a lot of work and time consuming 😂. I just wanted to learn how to do it as a way to protect my natural nails since they were growing so long on their own. I found out gel builder on my natural nails would be like a hard protective layer on top. Granted months later and me not keeping up the refill as quickly as I should have, led to some nails breaking in the sides nails of the nail bed. But I found solutions. So the maintenance and upkeep is just as important as the initial design. There’s a lot to learn about doing your own nails. Dealing with chemicals, how to refrain from getting nail infections, how to deal with them, when to give your nails a break, peel off gels, led wattage, etc. I practiced my first full set with acrylic nail tips and gel polish on my mom and it took 5hrs. Just doing gel builder on natural nails is shorter time of course but still time consuming. I’ve learned to split it between 2days when working on myself. I did a full acrylic set ( acrylic already came shaped, nude tone, and buffed) looked natural. The next day I added gel builder and floral sticker designs and it was really pretty. I received a lot of compliments on them! (Video on my KZbin channel). I’m learning to speed up my process and take care of my natural nails. Right now I’m taking a break & cut my natural nails really short and I like it a lot surprisingly 😂. Like anything else it’s about making sure your natural nails are healthy, so it can be strong enough to withstand getting them done frequently and then proper maintenance for that. Best of luck to everyone having fun doing their nails themselves 😊🧡

[@yvonneappiah5810]

The fact that some people say they take hours. It takes me 3 days to finish a full set on myself…😭😭 and that’s me being generous

[@NatalieHarrisonLim]

It's so true. I've done my own acrylic sets and it takes hoouurrrsss. Not to mention that they don’t even turn out as good because I can't get consistent shapes yet. So some arches will be higher than others and some will just be straight up uneven. But i apparently like doing them still because i subject myself to the suffering of numb legs and mediocre results lolololololol

[@maiautumn]

Needed to see this because I deffffinitely just spent like 8 hours on mine today when I totally planned on doing a ton of other stuff 😂😢

[@berber7146]

Thank you for spilling some truth! I always felt so bad that it takes me 4 hours to do my own gel nails but seeing how many people need as much time or more has made me feel a bit better about myself 😅

[@Madeline_editz]

Tip: do your right hand first. It makes it MUCH easier

[@RileyR-seeu2]

Exactly! Art takes time 🎨

[@Daizy10231023]

FINALLY SOMEONES HONEST ABOUT IT 😂

[@softbutterfly_xoxo]

I use soft gel full cover tips for my nails lol. I used to do polygel but it takes hours to do, and it was messy lol 😂.

[@kellye.5678]

I always appreciate super elaborate nails. They’re so beautiful! I get annoyed just doing a regular single color manicure haha. I let them chip for like 2 weeks before I’m like ughh okay I HAVE to repaint it now lmao

[@ripwednesdayadams]

you always have the prettiest nails. i’m obsessed. i can’t even paint my nails evenly. 😭

[@tixanderson-7932]

Not certified but a favorite hobby of mine. Sooooo glad to know its normal to take hours doing my own nails. I thought all certified techs could do theirs in less than 2.

[@victoriad.1616]

I love you honesty.

[@chenaikanenungo1242]

These hours are comforting me😂thank youuu! A DIYer here and i was beginning to think that maybe I'm taking too long.

[@joycewible8816]

I don’t do all that just paint them, and it is so peaceful for me. I really love painting my nails, and yours are unbelievably stunning! Incredible work, mama!

[@MsLt1982]

THANK YOU for your transparency! Your nails are gorgeous btw. 😁

[@TheBoberable]

Thank you for those words! I feel you so much

[@CarmenAlmeida90]

I've been doing my nails for the last 4 years but I'm not professionaly trained (learned everything I know on youtube). Last time it took me 9 hours to remove old acrylic set and create everything from scratch with extensions (while taking breaks to eat, entertaining my dog and watching youtube). I thought I was crazy for taking that long but I'm a perfectionist and can't stand any flaws, so if a professional takes these many hours, then I'm ok.

[@ic3f4iry]

why is no one talking about how CUTE both these sets of nails are !!🤩

[@wrenispinkle4649]

They look so pretty 🦋

[@gabrielasilva3561]

THANK YOU, I take so long to do my nails, I'm glad it's not a me problem 😅

[@genieslays9015]

They look so pretty 😊😊

[@Unfilteredalyssa1227]

Love the honesty, effort, and nail set girl 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@crabgal]

I’m not even lying, I stopped doing my nails while my bf and I have been renovating a house and it’s been so much easier to maintain bare nails than painted. I’ll go back to doing my own nails when I’m ready, but it’s not as fun and peaceful as it looks

[@nishthagupta1357]

Thats why i use press ons😂

[@flowersome_]

These are so cute and dainty!

[@rayt.6875]

Doing my nails is definitely ✨ me ✨ time. I make sure the family is fed, and all housework is done because my husband knows once I sit down to do my nails, he won’t see me for the next 5-6hrs. The best part is he respects this and I can go do my nails in peace while binge watching my favorite show uninterrupted. It takes me that long but the nails last me 1 month without breakage or lifting so it’s only once a month.

[@weluvsoccervball]

I really wanna do my nails by myself but it always ends up bad because of the materials I am using 😅

[@Allyna22214]

This is so real!! It literally takes me DAYS to do my nails sometimes.

[@stacyli22]

I feel soooo seen 😭😭😭 I need to change my nails soon and I’m Dreading it

[@krystallawrence4207]

Thanks. I just appreciate this sooo much. Especially your comment on the time it takes. ❤❤❤

[@JerseyGirl1224]

This actually made me feel better about how long it takes to do my nails. Start to finish, it takes me at least 2.5-3 hours to do a gel manicure. Longer if I add designs. I usually end up taking a break between hands it’s so much. I love it though and love the creativity I get to have with it. ❤ your nails look amazing!!!

[@arctaex]

I'm not doing any designs but painting my dominant hand first has helped me a lot

[@Kayla-hw6hx]

As a nail tech I feel this so deeply! I love my nails to look gorgeous and I actually like doing my own nails more than other peoples (learned how to do them for my own pleasure) but literally doing ur dominant hand kills the vibe! Lol glad others relate

[@opalined]

Love bringing some reality and much deserved respect to the difficulty behind the beautiful shorts.

[@TeeGeeBee83]

This was sooooo pretty

[@rmichelle3889]

I gave up doing extensions after pulling 8 hour shifts 🥲 but I'm feeling the extensions urge again. Pray for me.

[@nysheikaj]

I’m so glad I’m not alone on this struggle and the amount of time spent! I was thinking I was just pathetic😂

[@Imamotherfreakingavocado]

I'm not very good at doing my nails yet, but I am ambidextrous so I have that going for me !!

[@jaylenguevara2661]

Thank you for bringing awareness to self nail tech/artist. I do my own nails and I always get compliments however sometimes it’s not peaceful because I’m spending 5 hours on one hand

[@ashleyjaff24]

They came out lovely

[@dechala3263]

your videos have really helped me on my nail journey ive got the builder gel down and my nails are the longest they've ever been. i dont think i could operate at my job with nails as long as yours but really THANK YOU!

[@zoejones3931]

So glad to hear I’m not crazy… have a whole nail day 🤣

[@aniyahall5351]

SOOOOOO PRETTY

[@Mushroom-Chan1]

Girl I was struggling to do a french tip alone on short nails 😭 It took way too long for me

[@joyce316]

3-5 hours on nails is crazy omg

[@chasingpirates1]

This is so true but I started doing my own nails 3 years ago and will never go back. I can have exactly the design I want all the time. It's amazing but it took so ..long..

[@miathebarbie7544]

When you said Non-nail techs not understanding it was the most underrated statement ever😂 I literally walk around with my left hand, looking glamorous any given moment, and I’ve gotten so used to it now, but I don’t even care if my dominant hand has no false nails

[@ericaness519]

Those are so pretty

[@katecoco1540]

The best advice I ever got was do your dominant hand first. It has honestly helped so much.

[@HappyPerson-rf7jd]

those nails are so pretty🤩🤩❤️✨

[@M_butterfly788.-tf8bd]

I’ve never had my nails done but these are SO PRETTY✨💕🦋😍

[@kari2099]

Love the butterfly 🦋 💕

[@Cat-bs8hq]

So pretty