Fingernails

[kajero]

I think I have too much time on my hands sometimes. I am curious. I have to keep my fingernails kind of short because I can't stand riding my bicycle with long fingernails. I can't stand typing with long fingernails either. How long to you keep your fingernails? Does the length interfere with your comfort or anything else?

[Blueberry]

When my fingernails start clicking on my laptop keyboard, I cut them. I can't stand long nails at all. I'm headed for a career in health care, and I think shorter are more sanitary (and pose less of a risk of poking holes in gloves).

I used to work in the same office with someone whose (gel) nails were so long they curved. I remember her using them like chopsticks to eat food. Most disgusting thing I have ever witnessed.

[OakLeaf]

I'm not comfortable unless they're so short that my cuticles turn into a ragged mess. Grew them a little bit a few times and gave up. I do wish I could keep them long enough to have healthy cuticles, but I can't type that way, when I played music I couldn't do that at all, and they just feel uncomfortable.

[Dogmama]

My nails used to be really long & strong - back when long nails were the fashion. As I get older, they tend to break & peel easily so I keep them short. I found that shorter is much nicer. I like to use a slightly tinted nail polish. It stays on better when the end of the nails aren't scratching things.

Blueberry - your story about the gel nails made me gag. Yuck!

[thekarens]

I'm not sure how short nails and bad cuticles are related. I keep mine super short, with no problems with the cuticle. My partner keeps hers longer. Doesn't seem to affect either one of us one way or the other.

I also don't use polish, but my partner does.

[malkin]

Mine were never long, but now they are consistently short for piano. I massage Burt's Bees cuticle cream, slather lotion and put on gloves to sleep several nights a week. I think it is a silly and fussy routine, but whenever I go for more than a couple days without doing it I get dry skin, pokey cuticles, cracks, and infections. Hand sanitizer and anti-bac soap make this worse, so I avoid them whenever possible. It's a bummer because all soap in public restrooms is suspect.

[redrhodie]

I keep my left ones short and my right ones long. Looks weird, but the guitar demands it.

[Jolt]

I keep mine really short, always have, just have never liked the feeling of long nails and trying to get stuff out from under them. My mother has sometimes given me a hard time about this, but at this point in my life I have three very good reasons to keep them short...working in a clinical setting (infection control requirement), gardening, and volunteering at the local bike co-op helping rebuild bikes. It's a lot easier not having much for dirt/grease to get under.

[shootingstar]

I try to keep mine on the short side. Otherwise they just break when I'm doing something...

For instance, dealing with snowshoe laces outdoors in real cold weather, I don't need long nails. I also do some art with acrylic paint and just find it easier.

I gave up on nail polish 30 yrs. ago. I actually found my fingers felt cooler....maybe it was being more hyperconscious of the coloured nails/fingers. I do have a cooler handshake.

[snapdragen]

I used to have long manicured nails, but they went away when I started my making jewelry. The buffing machine would mess up the polish. Stopped making jewelry, but I still keep them short.

My finger and toe nails have always been hard as cement.

[Crankin]

My nails are polished, but short, maybe medium. I feel naked without nail polish and keeping them polished forces me to keep them in good shape.

[Owlie]

I keep mine shortish, just past my fingertips for the most part. (I played the viola for a while. Short nails are essential!) Not long enough to be annoying, but long enough to pry open soda can tabs and that sort of thing. :) No nail polish, because I work in a lab and I don't want it flaking off into stuff. (Nail polish goes on the toenails!)

[gnat23]

I recently discovered "Gellish" manicures, a super beefy UV cured polish that works on your own natural nail. Doesn't chip AT ALL for two weeks. And I don't shy away from adventure!

16643

-- gnat!

[murielalex]

Short and mostly naked. My toes are always polished, but I can't deal with keeping up with the hands. I occasionally get a gel manicure, but mostly can't be bothered.

[Zen]

I keep wanting to "like" responses :p

[NbyNW]

I have always kept mine short because I grew up playing piano. I don't play much anymore, but my nails bug me when the whites get close to about 2mm long.

[Catrin]

The shorter the better! Part of it is hating to feel them clicking on things, the other thing is I've psoriasis and it affects my fingernails.

Zen - it is good to see you and I agree :)