Anonymous wrote:I've never had one. I'm 47. I don't use nail polish, I don't want to spend the money, and I don't want somebody else messing with my hands and feet. I've also never had a facial.

+1

And I think salons are kind of gross and sketchy.

I've never gotten a pedicure because I have a weird thing about people touching my feet. So I do it myself. It's easy to slough the bottoms of your feet and paint your toes.

I've only gotten a few manicures when I was in the mood for nail color, because when I try to paint my nails it looks like a drunk toddler did it. So ordinarily I just use clear polish.

Anonymous wrote:I was mid-thirties for my first. Honestly I kind of hate it but apparently its tacky not to have polished toes for sandals and I've never figured out how to get the polish on neatly.

I don't find that tacky. As long as it's cleaned and trimmed, I find it much nicer. It's a bit like makeup... if you need it, wear it. If you don't need it, it looks more natural. BTW, I do wear makeup because I need it. I don't need "makeup" on my toes, though.

I've never had a mani. I've had one pedi when I was like 38 or something (can't remember exactly), and I didn't like the experience. I'm not a germaphone. I just didn't enjoy the experience. I do like a nice foot rub, though.

I was mid-thirties for my first. Honestly I kind of hate it but apparently its tacky not to have polished toes for sandals and I've never figured out how to get the polish on neatly.

Looking back? I wish i never started, I envy others natural nails. If I could get rid of my fungusy toenails I would (tried losts of stuff).

I'm 47 and had a pedicure done when a young friend of my mom's was getting married - I was 12 then - a week after that my toenail got an infection - I was in and out of doctors clinics and it finally fell off (the nail) after getting ingrown nails in succession - when I was 17. I have never gotten both manicures and pedicures since then. I wash my hands too often and chores just seem easier when nails are au naturel. I don't have anything against those who enjoy it - but I wouldn't impose my ways on anyone as I wouldn't take kindly to being imposed on - like saying all women should get mani/pedi.

I love my pedicures. My feet are out there during the warm months so they can either look sexy or nasty. I go with sexy. I know people look.

I'm 36 and have never had a pedicure. I had a manicure for high school prom. For me, it's just not worth the money. I like to do my own nails.

I'm 40 and never had one. Right after I moved to DC in 2001, there was a huge article about the nail salons in the area and it really turned me off.

I had my first pedicure at 27, just before my wedding.

It has become a habit!

I did not get started until recently. I am a nail and cuticle biter and picker. I have found that getting my nails done every couple of weeks helps with that.

I am in a field where I have lots of meeting with different people and always felt self conscious of my hands because they looked terrible. I would do my best to hide them, but it is hard to hide your hands...you need them for many things.

Anyway, I have started getting my nails done professionally, and they look amazing! I am not ashamed anymore. I do have my own "kit" at my salon, and I use a very neutral shade...very close to my natural nail color. I also get the gel manicure, so I do not have to worry about chipping until the salon takes the color off. For me it is one less thing to worry about.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 49 and had my first one about your age, OP. I go very sporadically, and I never put polish on my hands because it's too high maintenance for me--always chipping or growing out.

A couple of years ago, I had a plantar wart in my heel, and went to a podiatrist and got it cut out. OMG what an ordeal. He said the mani/pedi places, karate studios and also yoga, especially hot yoga, just transmit those viruses like crazy.

So I'm a little paranoid too, now.

Yikes..at 45 have never had a pedi and now am not inclined to do it after hearing these stories. Had a mani once or twice, I think. It was an affordability thing and within the last 8 or so years,more of a time thing. I do my own nails and feet although could do better on the feet. How do I do a Better job on my feet without going to a place....I suppose investing in some products from target.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this an American thing?

I'm a 35 year old European, and regular manis and pedis are not usual where I come from.
I've never had my nails done professionally because I don't relish the thought of all these toxic chemicals, and I am blessed with healthy, well-shaped nails. No need to have anything done to them beyond cleaning and trimming. I rarely polish them - they look best in their rosy natural state.

(Sorry for sounding insufferably smug!)

Another European here, and I think it is. I've had my first and only pedicure when I was in grad school in California, and I thought it wasn't worth the money (can do a better job myself). I also find nail polish on my fingernails pointless because I have to wash my hands too much due to my work and it wouldn't last a day.

I lived as an expat in various parts of Asia and its quite popular there too (SEA and China are my actual experiences)

I get maybe 5 pedis a year? I treat it as just something I like to do to relax and I love my little place. Its not that serious.

Who said it was serious?

I'm 49 and had my first one about your age, OP. I go very sporadically, and I never put polish on my hands because it's too high maintenance for me--always chipping or growing out.

A couple of years ago, I had a plantar wart in my heel, and went to a podiatrist and got it cut out. OMG what an ordeal. He said the mani/pedi places, karate studios and also yoga, especially hot yoga, just transmit those viruses like crazy.

So I'm a little paranoid too, now.

I had my first mani-pedi when I was 27 (from a popular place in my neighborhood) and as a result I got a damn fungus that makes one of my toenails look HORRIBLE to this day. I continue to be pissed at my bad luck. And I've never gotten another one.