
I've never been one to have nice natural nails. Ever since I was a child, I would bite and pick at my nails until there was nothing left for my little teeth or fingers to grip onto (my mum even has a photo of me from when I was a toddler innocently biting my nails… look where it's gotten me).
It's an anxious and subconscious habit of mine — I don't even realise I'm doing it half the time. Everyone needs to have a flaw, hey? Stubby, sad-looking fingernails are mine.
So, when I discovered the world of manicures when I was a teenager, my knight in shining armour stood large and proud right in front of my eyes — in the form of SNS tips at my local nail salon. The thought of covering up one of my biggest insecurities with such a simple solution — glue on the tip and some coloured powder — had me sold. My stubs would be no more. That was until I walked up to the counter to pay and discovered how much they cost.
Watch: A quick glimpse into what life is like with and without nails. Post continues below.
Sadly, paying a pretty penny to have pretty nails every three to four weeks was simply not on the cards. For 15-year-old me, this was low on the priority list, especially with a casual job that paid a measly minimum wage.