Obsession With Lacquer: Transitioning from Acrylic to Natural Nails

I have been a slave to acrylic for way too long! I decided to break the shackles like Django. 

I have always admired women who get a simple mani pedi every week! So I decided no time like the present....

Let me explain. I have been going to the same nail technician for ten years and you all know when you have acrylic you have to be EXTREMELY picky as to who you go to. You don't want your nails looking bumpy and lumpy! I would rather wait a month to get a fill-in than go to a random person. So after I got back from vacation I started my natural nail journey.

 I was sitting in the car one day and looking at my nails that needed a fill-in in the WORSE way! And decided what the hell! No time like the present and I began popping them off (grotesque-I know!!). After that horrid experience I purchased a file, clear nail polish and a nail clipper! That was approximately a month ago! I still have severe dents in my nails and am not putting a lick of color on them until these dents grow out. Then I will start toying with color again.

 This breaks my heart because my nail polish collection is extensive (and they all live in my fridge-JUDGE NOT). Please note the picture below is not even a quarter of the collection-which also includes OPI. 

I just want healthy nail beds . I want to be able to walk into any nail salon and come out with flawless hands. Listen,I know that last sentence is a stretch but you get it.

For the past 4 weeks I have been getting plain Jane manicures. No color just clear nail polish. I am trying to keep it clean and cute! Please see below...

I took the suggestion of someone I know and ordered a clear nail polish named "Quimica Alemana".

Her words verbatim were "it's going to burn like hell for like 15 minutes but it's going to make your nail hard!" Well ladies and gents it's been 4 hours and I feel like I slammed my hands in a door! Now this could be because my nails are so very thin or due to the fact this damn thing has FORMALDAHYDE in it (anything for pretty nails)! I am going to use the nail hardener as directed for a month and let you know my progress! 

I never thought this process would be so trying.I am definitely the type of woman who ALWAYS has her nails done! My hands are looking dry and unloved right about now. But it's all for a greater good! Below are some pics of the way my nails use to be (sniff sniff) 

Signing off-

Crystal