She wanted ball nails for three days

My daughter is in Year 12 and has been invited to a school ball this year. Her mum owns a nail salon, so she had plenty of options.

But what she wanted was quite specific. She wanted a fun set for the ball, something she’d wear for about three days. Then she wanted to go back to her usual short nails.

That gave us a place to start with Stick-on Tips at Happy Nails. We wanted to put together a collection for teenagers choosing nails for a special occasion, with short designs alongside the longer ones.

 

The little green cats that changed my mind

I suggested a set with a soft pink base, white flames outlined in red and a little silver glitter. The tips were longer and tapered. I could picture them with a ball dress.

My daughter chose short mint-green tips with little black cats. I thought they looked a bit childish.

When I fitted them to her nails, and I had to admit they looked lovely on her. Her friends liked them too. Many of them play sport and prefer short nails.

My daughter knew what her friends would actually enjoy wearing, and I’d been picturing what I thought looked right for a ball.

We went back and forth over quite a few designs before we settled on the collection. The flames stayed. So did the cats.

 

Try a few designs before you choose

Some of the tips I’d ordered online sat unused for nearly a year. The photos made them look so glossy, and I was disappointed when I opened the parcel. When I looked at sets in local shops, I only saw sealed boxes. I couldn’t tell how a shape or design would look against a real hand.

The cats made me realise how much difference it makes to see a tip against your own nail.

So at Happy Nails, you can hold a few designs against your nails before you decide. You might come in for the flames and leave with the cats. We also photograph the actual tips for our gallery so you can pick a few favourites before you visit.

 

What’s included in the $48

Once you’ve chosen a design, we check that the tips can sit flush against your natural nails. If your nails angle upwards, curve downwards or are very short from nail biting, we may be unable to get a secure fit.

We trim your nails as needed, tidy the cuticle area and lightly buff the nail surface. Then we size each tip and carefully file its base to follow the curve of your cuticle before applying it with professional nail glue.

My daughter, the whole team and I talked about charging different prices for short and long sets. We settled on $48 for a full set at any length, including the tips, nail preparation and fitting. Pick the length you’d enjoy wearing.

Stick-on Tips are available only at Happy Nails and Beauty in Centre City, New Plymouth. If a tip comes off within three days, pop back in and we’ll refit it free of charge.

Browse the Stick-on Tips Collection