Hey gals! I hope you’re having a great week! I am sooo tired right now but at the same time so excited because I’m in my favorite city- THE city- New York, New York. 🙂 Two accounts I manage for Turkey Hill have grown their footprints in the NY market this year and as a result I’ve been coming up more. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to get up to my favorite city on the regular- even if it means long work days (and nights) and the borderline sleep quality that haunts me whenever I travel.
I’ll be putting together a NYC shopping guide, but today I want to talk about a beauty breakthrough, in hopes it might benefit you too. Lately I’ve been getting requests to talk about nail care and beauty and I’m so glad you gals have shared this feedback because it’s challenged me on this beauty front. As girly as I am, growing up with three brothers there’s a tomboy in me that’s manifested itself in the way I care for my nails. While I enjoy an occasional visit to the nail salon with a gal pal (or Juliana!) and love the way my tips look after a gel manicure, my nails are rarely “done”.
Why? First, I’m hard on my nails; as a mom who’s constantly running around, doing dishes, etc. no matter the polish I use or gel manicure I try, my nails show serious signs of wear in a week or less. Second- and as embarrassing as it is to admit it- I pick at my nails from time to time. I think this goes hand in hand with my occasional gel manicures; my nails are a lot weaker after the fact, tend to split, and when I’m having a stressful day I get the urge to pick. As a result, my strategy has been to get a gel mani (in the salon or at home with this kit) or use these temporary press on nails, but otherwise run with a clear polish or none at all. I’ve comforted myself by thinking, who really looks at my nails? (I’m probably delusional thinking that, ha, but I rarely notice other gals’ nails!).
Then the other week I started reading more about Signature Nail Systems (“SNS”), the newest technology and latest “buzz” in the nail care industry. One of the things I don’t like about gel polish is it’s somewhat damaging to the nail bed when it comes off (anyone else experienced those awful papery-thin nails?). Also, by a week a gel mani will start peeling at the base as my nails grow. When doing my research on SNS, two appealing benefits everyone talked about were (1) the calcium and vitamin E in the treatment is actually good for your nails and strengthens rather than hurts them, and (2) they are incredibly durable. Most gals said they lasted 3-4 weeks and then just needed a fill. This sort of durability is something I only imagined possible with acrylics- and I was intrigued, so I booked an appointment at Modern Nail Salon in Charlotte.
How Does SNS Work?
What makes Signature Nail Systems so different is the method used to coat the nails. A fine powder is applied multiple times in the color of your choice, alternated with an activator that resembles a clear polish. The result mostly closely resembles a gel manicure, but is far stronger.
Pros:
- This manicure is extremely durable. I got mine a week ago and my nails are completely intact (a first!). Part of this is because I elected to get tips, which are stronger than my natural nails. Still, the SNS manicure is intended to last 3-4 weeks before requiring a fill.
- The powder used to coat the nails contains calcium and vitamin E, which serves to strengthen your nails.
- The process is free of UV lights, which concerns some about the gel manicure process.
Cons:
- It costs a bit more. My SNS manicure at Modern Nail Salon was $50, but it can run a little more or a little less depending on where you go. Modern Nail Salon seems to be in the mid-price range in the Charlotte area, and I highly recommend them for the quality of their work, kindness, and overall ambiance of the salon.
- The full process from start to finish took somewhere around 45 minutes, which was a bit longer than a gel manicure for me. Still, due to how long this process is intended to last it will save you time in the long run.
- Like a gel manicure, it involves removal by a professional.
If you are interested in SNS and want to give it a try, you can go to the salon locator on their site here to see salons in your area that offer it.
Have you tried SNS? What do you think of it? For me, it’s my go-to mani from here on out…ok, until the nail industry comes up with their next revolutionary process in another 10 years ;).
XO,
Terra
I have heard a lot of people talking about this, but never understood what it entailed. Thank you for detailing the process!!! I currently get gel; this will be interesting to try! ????
Author
Let me know how it goes girl! I absolutely love it…it’s so much more durable than gel! <3
I heard a lot of great things about “dip” nails too, but when I got them done I felt like they were worse on my nails than gel. I don’t like the fact that they grind your nail down before applying the powder and during the removal process… However, I did like how my manicure lasted SO much longer and my nails felt stronger, the powder coating just made them thicker. Also, I had the same issue with gel, they peeled after a week or so. However, I switched salons and now my gel manicure lasts up to 3 weeks! Anyways, I was just curious about how you felt about the SNS manicure and the strength of your nails once it was removed because my salon uses the Nugenesis line and maybe I should try a salon that uses SNS- OPI… Thanks Terra!
Author
Hey Jamie! My salon uses the SNS OPI. They did file the nail slightly before applying but my nails are healthier than after gel. One of my SNS nails came off about two weeks after I had them done (when I was opening a kitchen drawer without a handle), and I noticed my actual nail was a little thinner. I think that’s because it got ripped off though and not properly taken off. For me the biggest benefit of SNS is how much longer it lasts than the gel manicures I’ve done. So I would say if you found a salon whose gel lasts 3 weeks then that is just as good!