I have to agree with most people, I don't like them either. Sorry but much prefer natural look.

Listen, I don't mean to beat a dead horse here, but I do realize you did not critique any one in particular. You are entitled to your opinion and I respect that, it's just that words like ugly and clumsy do in fact represent a general critique which just so happens to be your opinion. I know that when I see something I don't like I can express my self in a way that conveys my message without being so critical. But then again, what does it matter, huh? If I had a nickle for every time someone expressed dislike for the flare, I would be a millionaire by now. I'm gonna drop it now and I just hope at the very least you can enjoy my art as opposed to my flare. By the way, I have a new look of nails in the works, maybe you will take to this new look better then the flare. Stay tuned my friend!

Nanny

To answer the question, how popular they are in the US....

I live very close to a US border and cross often. The styles are much the same - this forum was my first view of flare nails. Perhaps they are popular in larger cities. I've not seen them here or in the States (upstate New York area) once. I don't see a lot of stilettos either. It's all about French here.

About the practicality.... they seem to be chosen by clients who don't need a lot of practicality with their hands judging by the length alone.

I favoured ovals when square was King. I hated the shape and nail art.

It is all a matter of taste and opinion - which is what I expressed.

I wish you well.

Well I guess its about time I put my two penneth in here.

Firstly congratulations to you all....having the guts to put your work up, knowing it may be controversial is a huge leap that so many may not be brave enough to take....including me in most cases! The artwork in many of the pics so far is outstanding!

I have now sat back and watched and read, considering carefully before forming an opinion, I have printed (they'll now be destroyed as I wouldn't dream of abusing anyone elses work - it was purely for examples sake) a couple of pictures and shown them to clients, and the verdict from them (they are my income) is that they wouldn't want nails like these. Now this was a diverse section of clients, one a 19 yr old 'girl about town' who has something different each time. She often comes in with pictures of her own from fashion mags and we attempt to do what we can. Currently she is sporting square marbled glittery tips in coppery colours with coverage pink on the nails bed. Her comment was 'Yuck....never'

The second an older lady, in her fifties....she has french or colour. Her comment, "Well I guess its what these younger things are wearing but it won't last!"

The third, I emailed to my wild and crazy friend to ask her if she fancied a set of these when she visited me later in the year....she replied if I forced her....she was cancelling the visit!!

Incidentally, all this was before Emmsy put her pics up and whilst I still don't like them, I can honestly say that my first impression was that they were at least a big improvement as there does seem some elegance to the nails, with the length of the nail bed. The other examples I've seen (in this thread and through other sites) seem to be IMO out of balance and the nail bed looks too short. (And Emms....they look blo*dy lovely once you'd 'Emmsied' them into almonds!)

I know there are alwasy going to be people out there who will wear 'fashions' and will want whatever the trends dictate, but I can hardly imagine these becoming the new vogue.....

Look forward to seeing Chels' picture's too....I love seeing the differences that appear across all of the miles. As i say, it may not all be my cup of tea but I enjoy learning what hot and what not and where....

Gosh it has taken me all day to read this. First of all the title of this thread is insulting "Ugly duck nails." I think saying "I don't care for this shape" is one thing. But ugly, gardening tools and so forth IS insulting. I rarely go on Nail Geek. But not too impressed with the LOVE I feel on here. I am a BT fan all the way. Very, Very rarely does anyone have such the aweful attitude as this. I am a huge fan of Nanny. I have saved every picture that she has posted on BT, because her creativity is endless. She is creative, beautiful and has so much wisdom to share. She was in Nail magazine last month. I can't say that. How many of you can? Why can't you just look at her work and say something positive? Instead of UGLY, gardening tools, using for swimming! I wish more people would sit in my chair and said "Give me something different." I get tired of P&W's. I want someone to see my nails on the street and say that girl is creative! That is the best compliment to me. Clients can go to the NSS shops and get P&W's all day. But can they get the nail art that Nanny provides? NO WAY! I love you Nanny keep it up. You go Girl!

Opinions on nails are something that everyone is entitled to, but coming to a site just to knock it and refer to everyone's 'aweful attitude' (I assume you mean awful - 'awe' is when you actually like something) is downright rude and disrepectful.

I respectfully suggest to those who prefer other boards, that they stay there and enjoy their own space as some of us choose to do here. I have found some of the most wonderful and loving people in the WORLD on this site and have no doubt that no matter how good nails are elsewhere...the people wouldn't be anywhere near as amazing, loving and respectful as they are here.

I have tried to avoid reading anymore of this thread but it's difficult not to.

I hold my hands up and say I did vote on this - 'they look unnatural and ugly'. This is because it was the only option that suited my personal opionon. I wish I had given it a little more thought at the time and not voted at all now as none of the options totally suited my opinion. I think they look unnatural but I don't think they are ugly (that's such a strong word really isn't it?).

Emmsybabes - I think your work on here is absolutely gorgeous even though it was a flare. I certainly wouldn't call it ugly, far from it. I hope that I can produce work of this standard one day.

Gilly T x

Nails magazine by the way is a US publication and we don't get it over here.....our equivalent is 'Scratch'.....and many of the techs in this thread alone have work featured regularly in it.

To anyone: if you think that there isn't a decent tech outside of your own country....think again. You are talking to some of the worlds best on here.

Nanny has actually been a star through all of this NANNY herself accepts that not everyone will like them...and seems intelligent enough to understand people have their own oppinions, and that we all have freedom of speech...

And the majority of geeks have said along the lines of
"no we don't like them...but if it floats your boat then yayy you !"

It is good research sometimes to find out what reactions certain things recieve....if someone posted something on here and we didnt really like it,
But thought we best be "polite" and say we did so as not to offend..
Where's that going to get anyone !
Nowhere...

You come on here and have a go at all of us for our attitudes...with exactly the same attitude you are moaning about....
Go figure


A link to prove my point !!!!
http://images.athleticstuff.com/f/72...imming/640.jpg

NSS ISNT ALWAYS A SHOP.. IT CAN BE A TECH.

oops.. sorry caps.. anyway..
make me laugh!!!
does Baaaa Baaaa ring a bell?? Forums have a variety of good and bad people.. and people who speak their mind.. people who can take it people who cannot.

I get my inspiration anywhere.. not only Geek and BT but anywhere and i certainly dont and wouldnt confine myself to one place and limit my involvement because of peoples attitudes.. if that was the case i wouldnt leave the house!

That said.. Geek is home and home page.. why? cause when you learn from someone/thing its good to support them/it.. and no place else real or cyber has taught me like geek.. and continued too..

right back on topic.. im going to take pics.. brb..

Emmsy is right.. Many many of us here have been featured in nail magazines...

As a matter of fact... one of us here has so much knowledge and experience in the industry that she is in nail magazines every month not just showing her work... but as a advisor/mentor/guru who is able to guide and teach the rest of us...

So the answer to the questions is... yes... there are many of us here who are very well educated and more than qualified to share their opinions on nails..

well done chels for posting them pics.....but even though they are yours i still dont like the shape hun, however i think you have done a good job as they are balanced where you have extended the nail bed.
Well done you!!!!!!

totally agree mate.. shape is (in the light of day) not for me.. last night i was on the fence.. but i am officially not a fan (hehe geddit)
like emma i wanted to do one so i could officially say.. yay or nay.. also to show that they dont have to be thick and clumsy and you can still get a lovely line of light.. and also that extended nail beds flatter them just that little bit better..

i aint saying they are the bee's knee's.. they are my first attempt at the shape.. and probably my last unless they become popular here.