Nail Art Facebook group.

[randomness]

Anyone know if these folks are sponsored by anyone? Some imaginative and colorful designs appear there (mixed in with stuff I don't like, of course) but I'm not all that interested in "liking" it if it's going to end up trying to sell me something. On the other hand, if it's just people showing off cool stuff they've done, that's great.

Just thought I'd see if anyone had more information on this than I do.

Comments

[karakara98.livejournal.com]

This weekend digitalemur made the comment to me that the secret to keeping a good manicure is not to do any manual labor, which is absolutely true.

This has me thinking about the socioeconomic dynamics inherent in nail art. You have to have a job and a life and the patience to not mess up your nails to make those worthwhile. My world personal best for not ruining polish is 3 hours. I simply don't have the patience to not use my hands, and the patience of people to sit and apply the art then not use their hands for long enough to dry astounds me. At the same time, do you encounter art like that among those of highest status? It's not something I've encountered or associate with elites. Does this make nail art inherently aspirational?

Sorry - this is the way my mind works!

To answer your question, I don't think this is commercial. If it is, they're doing a really bad job because it's not obvious who the sponsor is. Even those posing with bottles of nail polish are obscuring the brands. I think you're safe to like it and appreciate the art.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

the secret to keeping a good manicure is not to do any manual labor, which is absolutely true.

Definitely.

You have to have a job and a life and the patience to not mess up your nails to make those worthwhile.

It's actually even better if you don't have a job, or at least one that allows you not to use your fingers. So then you're either in a profession that doesn't require the constant use of your hands, or you're being supported to a sufficient degree that you can afford to have your nails done regularly. And if your nail art contributes to success in your profession/support, that's best.

At the same time, do you encounter art like that among those of highest status? It's not something I've encountered or associate with elites. Does this make nail art inherently aspirational?

I think it's one of those things that is too showy to be identified with really high status. I don't know if that makes it aspirational, as I think it lowers the class image of the activity significantly.

Sorry - this is the way my mind works!

No apologies needed for me; it's how mine works, too. :)

I think you're safe to like it and appreciate the art.

Yes, I think you're right. I did some additional digging and it looks like the Facebook presence may be cross-fed from a tumblr blog.

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

Yes. Case in point: I will wear fairly edgy nail polish colors but I would not wear most of the nail art featured there because most of it is flashy in ways that are trashier than what I usually project. Gorgeous, but associated with lower-class white people. Also more feminine than what I wear-- I go for deep solid colors most of the time.

Is nail art low-class aspirational in all cultures? I get the impression that in some cultures it may be more cute/fashionable than low class, but I don't know if that's true or not.

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I also get low-class vibes about most acrylic nails.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

I also get low-class vibes about most acrylic nails.

And for good reason, as they violate Fussell's "organic-materials principle" of class status.

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

Oh! You're right, they do. Have I mentioned that one of the many reasons that I love you is that you can cite Fussell on class status? Because it's one of the many, many reasons.

I love you.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

I love you, too. I thought you would like that. :)

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

Yup! I have some recent insights about how to be busy but keep my nails done. But these are because I'm having fun with it right now and I don't have the energy to do a lot of the manual labor I normally spend time doing. It had to wait until gardening season was pretty much over.

1. Do manicure at bedtime, literally after _everything else_ you have to do before crawling into bed. Turn the covers down first if you need to.

2. Use a quick dry topcoat so that the surface is dry to the touch quickly, and will better resist picking up impressions from your blankets. Then sit for the 2 minutes it takes for those topcoats to dry,

3. If the surfaces of your nails look good but you splashed onto your skin a bit, wait until morning to clean those bits up. It's easier to clean off your skin once the polish on your nails is dry.

4. Use gloves when doing dishes, cleaning, or doing any chores that involve rough or sharp objects. My nail polish was pretty much fine from Sunday night through Friday last week, because I was too busy to do anything that didn't involve computer work or reading, and because I did very little cooking.

But yes, it requires a rather impressive amount of forethought, or an impressive lack of manual labor, to pull off. I think a lot of people who do manage it are getting their nails done professionally most weeks, or they're using those ultra-hard enamels that won't come off with acetone, or whatever.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of people who do manage it are getting their nails done professionally most weeks

Yes. Having them done professionally makes a big difference. For one thing, drying time is something you can take into account when you're figuring out how long your appointment is going to take.* And the professional nail drying machines they have at salons really do reduce drying time.

*You can certainly leave as soon as the polish job is done, but why wouldn't you wait? You've spent the money to have them done already, so you definitely have incentive to stay. Also, if you're having other services done, they can happen after your manicure, which then gives more time for the polish to dry.

[agrimony.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, I rarely ever get an actual professional manicure. Once in a whole to tidy up the cuticles, but we're talking once or twice a year. My nails are not always long, though I can maintain them for a couple of months before I trim them down and start over.

Judging by the YouTube nail art tutorials I watch there are a looooot of people out there with a heck of a lot more skill at nail art than I have, but I still manage things that come out okay. Really, most people doing their own nail art I imagine only expect it to last a week-ish, anyway.

Acrylics and their designs can last longer from what I understand. I don't know though because I've never had them.